Comment posted Argyll and Bute Council ‘Martha’s Blog’ press release under scrutiny by newsroom.
Absolutely. Logic and reason aren’t necessarily the answer to everything but they’re the best possible lender of last resort.
We were careful to say that the council ‘switches off her dinnercam’. That wasn’t banning her blog – a matter beyond their control.
Recent comments by newsroom
- Colonsay votes 60%-40% in favour of proposed Marine Harvest salmon farm
Freedom Foods is less and different than it seems.
This article is required reading for any understanding of this tricky situation:
http://forargyll.com/2013/01/rspca-compromised-by-freedom-food-certification-for-farmed-salmon/ - Institute of Fiscal Studies economist looks at fiscal context of independent Scotland
We would be be very happy to answer this question if we could.
But, as things stand, there is no substantive information and economic detail on exactly what economic strategy and its associated policies would be pursued for an independent Scotland.
The First Minister’s ‘Scotland’s Economy’ paper, recently launched, was profoundly disappointing in this respect and, in its lack of economic substance, replaced by ad-man puffery, was damaging to the campaign’s credibility.
We can assure you and anyone, that when such information becomes available – and we are sure it will because it must – we will not be prejudging it but will respond to it with open mind and goodwill and the necessary intelligent scrutiny.
We have WANTED and still want to see a coherent, joined up, strong, imaginative, challenging and achievable strategy and policies put forward for a specific future for Scotland – honestly described in unchallengeably accurate costs and benefits and carving out an identity for Scotland that is realistic and unique.
The extent to which all we are being offered is essentially the status quo with a new badge and a few costly goody bags to entice ‘Yes’ votes could not undermine the ‘independence’ prospectus more thoroughly.
No one can possibly believe that a change of this magnitude can be made without cost to all concerned.
It is necessary is to know the realistic costs, perceive the realistic benefits and decide if the price is worth paying.
We do not believe that the price need be too high or the benefits inconsequential – but as this campaign is being run, the price IS too high and the benefits insubstantial because, in any competent sense, the necessary thinking has not gone on.
What is being proposed is unrealistic, often unspecific and unproductively expensive into the future – and the easy answers are clearly both misleading and dishonest.
This won’t do and it won’t do it. - White smoke rises from Councillor Duncan MacIntyre’s chimney as two-man College of Cardinals settle a deal
Short and sweet for short and sweet: don’t be simplistic.
No one could defend Councillor Robb’s sudden swerve last Thursday, leaving his loyal colleagues like flotsam and jetsam.
But that does not mean that he did not deserve the support he was given by his colleagues when he was given it.
Life is not a simple business. - Russell to make parliamentary statement on rural schools today
In the circumstances of the destructions of the SNP councillors group in the last 12 months, you can hardly expect credibility elevating the importance of ‘collective’ action?
Being ‘collective’ when it suits one to harvest support from others it not what collectivity or collegiality is about.
And many in Argyll now know more than enough about your party, its councillors, its members, its structures and its wonderfully elastic ‘rules’. - Russell to make parliamentary statement on rural schools today
This was a RESPONSE to a party political slanting of the issue – scoring points in an internal SNP turf war which should never have happened, was consciously manipulated, and has divided a party I voted for and was a member of until relatively recently – when I stopped my subscription in a mixture of anger, despair – and contempt – at what was and is – being done to hopes for better governance in Argyll and Bute.
You might also reflect upon the contradictions inherent in approving of For Argyll for being straight speaking when it suits one agenda and condemning it when what it says – equally objectively, is less comfortable.
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Even this analysis by Adrian Short is careless with the facts – translating the banning of the photographs as the banning of the blog, and this seems to have been quite a widespread mistake in media reports. Which just goes to show that even the experts can stumble over their words.
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Absolutely. Logic and reason aren’t necessarily the answer to everything but they’re the best possible lender of last resort.
We were careful to say that the council ‘switches off her dinnercam’. That wasn’t banning her blog – a matter beyond their control.
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Francis Horner raises a good point in the blog. If the three press officers recently suspended, sacked (sorry, resigned) didn’t write the offending press release, then who did? The chances are it was some inexperienced junior member of staff who’s been drafted into cover & pressured into producing a rushed effort by senior management on the verge of panic. A lot has been wrtten about Roddy McCuish’s role in all this but he shouldn’t have needed to go anywhere near it. It should have been dealt with by the senior Council management & they obviously weren’t up to the task. The new Council Leader must have been absolutely livid & rightly so. If this was old-style Central Government then somebody would soon be “off to spend more time with their family”. Choice of two I reckon.
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I picture the scene in Sally’s office last friday morning …..
Sally and Cleland see the proverbial s**t hitting the fan – the internet, twitter, radio, tv etc etc
Sally says “Cleland – what will we do – this is HUGE, where are our Comms team when we need them? We are in a big big hole here”
Cleland nonchalantly says “where’s the spade ? I’ll get us out of this hole”
Sally says ” Be careful Cleland – don’t say anything stupid and make it worse than it is!”
Cleland departing office, spade over shoulder “Trust me Sally, trust me”
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Calling Roddy McCuish ….. could you lift the ban on Mr. CJ Raeburn of 2 Queen Street Helensburgh G84 9QQ, from communicating with the council any further about the fact that developments surrounding the above property have resulted in the destruction of the living space and Mr. Cleland Sneddon’s notice served under the housing act is yet again another BOGUS notice, the second BOGUS notice received referencing demolition of the above property?
Mr. Raeburn have been banned as part of a Stage 2 Complaint, inspite of the fact that MSP Jackie Baillie had stated in writing that the council does have further involvement regarding the destruction via flooding and perpetual sewage leaks which have been allowed to be managed by the neighbors (The Non-Insured!) to despose effluent and storm drainage in order to do a cozy little favour for the public services namely: Scottish Water and Argyll & Bute Council …. Try lifting this ban!
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