Thread 7 - No pitch forks or Pom Poms - Scottish political shenanigans

[TheShadowyFeminist]

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@happygolurkey Please don't ever feel you have to explain yourself. She's baiting. ❤

@LexMitior no not how English people regard politics more an inability to have reasonable discussion.

For me growing up in England the term nationalist isn't a good one. I grew up in a area where there was a heavy EDL (previously BNP or NL) presence in the name of "English nationalism". It brought out horrific behaviours.

Scottish nationalism isn't the same for all but there are certain traits and people who do so similar behaviour and attitudes to what I recognise with old BNP areas. For me my biggest criticism is politicians not shutting down and condemning this side of Scottish nationalism quick enough or harsh enough. It's certainly not the majority of Scottish nationalist but neither is it condemned harshly enough.

I'm all for reasonable debate that's the point in democracy but for me I see some aspects I recognised growing up becoming more common place here in Scotland and its not a good thing

@Scottishskifun I would be interested in what you see specifically about SNP / the independence movement that reminds you of BNP / EDL.

I would also suggest that you maybe need new friends if that was how they treated you in 2014. Of course anyone who lives in this country should have a say.

[quote forfucksakenett]@Scottishskifun I would be interested in what you see specifically about SNP / the independence movement that reminds you of BNP / EDL.

I would also suggest that you maybe need new friends if that was how they treated you in 2014. Of course anyone who lives in this country should have a say.

[/quote]
For me it's the language used which is the reminder (definitely not saying all in the nationalist movement).
Phrases like your not scottish if you don't want independence
Take back control, kick them out etc.

Personal experiences from friends as said being told I have no right as its not my homeland. Yes this did effect our friendships after and my friends did apologise stating they were passionate etc.

By strangers - that I should f off back to England, I'm Tory scum (never voted Tory in my life just have a English accent), can't wait to get rid of your lot, English wanker etc. Graffiti similar veins in areas, campaign material destroyed/vandalised.

This type of language and behaviour does remind me of BNP yes.
I actually voted SNP last general election I know it's not all in the movement who hold these views. But there are elements which do run close to the wire and have potential to slip the wrong way if not condoned strongly.

[quote StarryEyeSurprise]@happygolurkey Please don't ever feel you have to explain yourself. She's baiting. ❤[/quote]
thanks StarryEyeSurprise

Have to hold my hand up to falling for it hook, line and sinker though. We live and learn

@Scottishskifun - that will never change you know, for a certain section of Scottish nationalists. These attitudes are not uncommon, for if you look Scottish enough but don't sound your accent, you will hear it.

It's part of why my family did not return to Scotland but settled in the south of England. We had English family too, but it was easier to settle here without comment - nationalism in England as you say was for the EDL or BNP, but they are marginal. Totally different from living in a country where nationalism is national policy. I wouldn't expect that to change and indeed anti English sentiment will get worse.

This is what I mean by social conditioning - people do the government's work for them by acting in a nationalistic way.

good to see people aren't making huge sweeping generalisations any more though

Link to Article

This piece sums up my feelings on the closures Glasgow Life have tried to spin as something other than closures.

I've got a couple of the venues listed for closures on my doorstep & I can guarantee that they aren't underused or undervalued by those people who use them.

Once again, the SNP led GCC abdication of responsibility for decisions being made they are overall responsible for.

These closures are short sighted, and show the level of contempt Glasgow Life has for the communities they serve. People really don't matter.

FWS election guide

This is interesting. A review of manifestos on the main parties as well as Alba, through the lense of women's rights, by For Women Scotland.

Having had just a quick skim, I'd have to say I disagree with the Greens getting even half a star, considering they platform a male nappy fetishist who claims to be a woman, who has previous form for fetishising DV victims, as well as a candidate who felt bold enough to boast of enacting physical violence against women. They should get minus stars IMO.

Off to read the details.

Bloody hell that is a long list! I know for certain that many of those community centres, libraries and sports facilities will be very much missed and are very much needed. Mike Dailly is spot on with that article. I worked for Glasgow CC during the transition to Glasgow Life and there was an atmosphere of paranoia and short sighted decision making. Many great services deliberately run down. It felt like underhanded cost cutting. I appreciate that councils need to save money but when those places have gone they will be hard to replace. Volunteers can only do so much without support and year to year grant funding doesn’t often work for community centres.

@TheShadowyFeminist half a star is far too generous. An unpolished turd would be more appropriate

[quote Blurberoo]@TheShadowyFeminist half a star is far too generous. An unpolished turd would be more appropriate[/quote]
Most definitely 👍

[quote Blurberoo]@TheShadowyFeminist half a star is far too generous. An unpolished turd would be more appropriate[/quote]
Yes

@TheShadowyFeminist

Link to Article

This piece sums up my feelings on the closures Glasgow Life have tried to spin as something other than closures.

I've got a couple of the venues listed for closures on my doorstep & I can guarantee that they aren't underused or undervalued by those people who use them.

Once again, the SNP led GCC abdication of responsibility for decisions being made they are overall responsible for.

These closures are short sighted, and show the level of contempt Glasgow Life has for the communities they serve. People really don't matter.

This list is incorrect though. For example, Maryhill's moving over the road to the gym.

I’m pleased to see that there is outcry in Glasgow about these very poor decisions about venues and libraries.

paper

When you can't tell the difference between a book corner in a gym and a Carnegie endowment library

Evening Times also carrying a pretty damning article on behalf of the Scottish Music Industry. Cites lack of support and unrealistic approach and lack of consultation on reopening from SG.

www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/19259547.biffy-clyro-deacon-blue-kt-tunstall-warn-industry-collapse/?ref=twtrec

This list is incorrect though.

Please link to the correct one if that's wrong. I've not seen anything else so can't link to the correct one.

For clarity it is Susan Aitken SNP Leader of GCC who reportedly can't tell the difference. Little wonder Glasgow is being systematically stripped of community and cultural infrastructure given this attitude.

have a lot of time for For Women Scotland. But ho, ho, ho that's some inventive thinking there! Giving the Tories kudos for flying the flag for feminists by voting against redefining 'woman’ in the Gender Representation on Public Boards Act - because they don't agree with equal representation for women on public boards in the first place!
Party also get extra merit for not even mentioning the GRA in their manifesto at all

Well it's a bit more than just words though isn't it? I'm presuming a Tory majority would put an end to men in women's prisons for a start.

But @happygolurkey isn't that the point, that we've got to the stage where a party that's disengaged from concerning itself with these issues at all is ironically less likely to do damage to women's status in practice? I despair.

Incidentally, it was very interesting to see in a recent FOI that the current representation of women on public boards in Scotland is slightly over 50%. Almost as if there wasn't an urgent prima facie need to bring in new legislation on this issue at all. What could the motivation have been, then?

Yep. The Tories get more points on this because their policies are better for women. Simple.

Tory policies are not better for women ffs

There stance is arguably better in this one specific area.

@RedactedTaeFeck

Well it's a bit more than just words though isn't it? I'm presuming a Tory majority would put an end to men in women's prisons for a start.

No. The horrific case where a male rapist and pedophile was put into a women's prison and able to sexually assault not one but unbelievably, two women, was in

As I said @forfucksakenett, on this.

No need for swearing