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The irony is that a vote for independence is the quickest way to ensure that Scottish politics moves beyoind the stage of being utterly dominated by the SNP. I don't for a second believe, as some do, that the SNP will say "job done" and disband once deals are agreed and the Union Jack is lowered for the last time over Edinburgh castle. They will continue as a broadly centrist, pragmatic, pro-EU party. However, it would not surprise me one bit if the likes of John Swinney and Mike Russell defected to a post-independence centre right party, as both are firmly on the right of the political spectrum. The SNP's big achilles heel is their utter mania for centralisation and hollowing out local decision making /service delivery, but for many in the electorate it seems they will park any reservations, for now, in lieu of any more credible alternative coming along. Arguably, the SNP are the most disciplined and united political force operating in the British Isles at present. Independence, when it is won, may well see the revivial in fortunes of the Tories, who are only the opposition at present as the Labour party is such a pathetic mess, led by someone who is so clearly out of her depth, and with no obvious better alternative waiting in the wings. A breaking of the toxic link with an out of touch and extremist leadership in London can only help whomever is leading a re-branded centre right party north of the border. Opposition from the left seem more likely to come from the Greens at pesent; latest polls suggest that they are beginning to snap at Labour's heels for third place. Labour's downward flat spin will only steepen in the manner of many formerly social democratic / soft left parties who sold out to manage neoliberalism in the last 20-25 years. The vote that used to be weighed in Labour's favour has blown away in a gale and won't be back. The Liberals will continue to be a lying, principle-free irrelevance either as part of the UK, or in an independent Scotland. The current Westminster poll has them on 4 % which is frankly 4% more than they deserve. Would expect an independent Scotland to rely much more on coalition government in future, in the manner of the Dutch and similar countries. To be honest, I think that will produce better and more pluralistic governments. I'd also hope for a better quality of debate /opposition than the juvenile and shallow drivel we have at present.

It's actually getting funny now. It's the equivalent of a guy who's been caught baws-deep in his secretary trying to convince himself he's not going to get taken to the cleaners in the divorce settlement. In the interim, he's been telling all and sundry that his soon to be ex was a fat cow that had it coming, all the while thinking she'll go easy on him in court, 'cos she secretly wants him back so much. Post-divorce, he's also looking forward to reconnecting with all his old pals in bachelor heaven 2.0, but doesn't know they all moved on years ago and actually think he's a bit of a dick.

Would recommend everyone listen to the podcast. The guy should be extremely proud of himself not just with the amount of work he is doing with kids but getting through his battles. A truly inspiring listen. In the same way that he spoke of receiving drug advice in the 80s at school from those who knew nothing about drugs, there are far too many "experts" out there with opinions on why we have no great footballers anymore. It's people like him and others who should be at the forefront of the debate. Didn't realise they also do a lot of work helping kids and families out there that isn't just related to football. All for free. Well done Andy McLaren. Huge pat on the back.

This might be the most disgraceful episode of The Chase I've ever seen.

Evidently Hibs were in charge of getting that sign made.

No need to worry about political parties or voting intentions in the immediate aftermath post-Independence. Alex Salmond will be installed as Dictator Perpetuo on day one, and we shall all serve at his pleasure until such time as the great man dies. The benfits for this shall be twofold, not only allowing Scotland to prosper under the guidance of earth's greatest living human, but also, for new political parties to have time to grow and develop clear political identities and ideals, so as to avoid clusterfuck omnishambles like Scottish Labour and the Lib Dems ever darkening our doors again. Upon the death of Scotland's Saviour, and following 10 days of mourning (including a lavish funeral), an Independent Scotland will have its first ever General Election, whereby Political Parties with clearly defined ideals will be voted for on the basis of policy and the contents of their manifesto, and not the agenda of some racist lunatic media mogul. This is the future, and it will be fucking glorious. I can't wait.

Or you could just stop being intentionally thick? It's not a choice between an unending SNP hegemony and immediate disbandment of the party. Nobody knows what's going to happen in a hypothetical future. I'd find it hard to believe there wouldn't be some significant re-alignment of the party political landscape in Scotland after independence. Not immediately but 5 or 10 years down the line, probably. That would almost certainly include voters / members leaving the SNP and gravitating towards parties which align better with their views outside of the independence question.

And the Scottish Government found out from the BBC, despite being assured that the UK Government would give them advance warning. Union of equals, though.

Exactly this. I'll be absolutely seething if the SNP's strategists haven't learned from the last f**k up over currency and meekly set out a similar stall. It'll render a vote utterly pointless as Yes will get an absolute drubbing. I agree with your second point as well. We spent the last referendum try to play far too nicely in the face of utter bullshit from much of the media, and arseholes like Gordon Brown. We need to properly fight the Indy corner this time, nail down the stuff that didn't fly last time (ie currency) and only put out the big hitters in televised debates. If the SNP/Greens do the above properly and Scotland still votes No then we'll quite frankly deserve the abject misery that the next 3 or 4 Tory Governments are going to pile onto us.

Another proud father day for me and another 6 goals for the boy!

English Premier League Arsenal Kieran Tierney (22) LB - FULL Aston Villa John McGinn (24) CM - FULL Jed Steer (26) GK - U19 Matt Targett (23) LB - U21 Aaron Pressley (17) CF - U17 A.F.C. Bournemouth Ryan Fraser (25) LW - FULL Brennan Camp (18) CB U19 Brighton & Hove Albion Marc Leonard (17) CM - U17 Burnley Phil Bardsley (34) RB - FULL Kane Patterson (17) RB - U17 Matty Carson (17) CH - U18 Chelsea Billy Gilmour (18) CM - U19 George McEachran (18) AM - U19 Crystal Palace James McArthur (31) CM - FULL Everton Alec McLachlan (16) GK - UNCAPPED Fraser Hornby (19) CF - U21 Leicester City None Liverpool Andrew Robertson (25) LB - FULL Tony Gallagher (20) LB - U19 Tom Clayton (18) CB - U19 Jarrell Quansah (16) CB - U16 Manchester City Cieran Slicker (16) GK - U17 Lewis Fiorini (17) CM - U17 Manchester United Scott McTominay (22) DM - FULL Ethan Hamilton (20) CM - U19 Newcastle United Matt Ritchie (29) RM - FULL Elliot Anderson (16) CM -U17 Norwich City Grant Hanley (27) CB - FULL Kenneth McLean (27) CM - FULL Archie Mair (18) GK - GK - U19 Jon McCracken (19) GK - U17 Aiden Fitzpatrick (18) RM - U17 Charlie Gilmour (20) DM - U19 Reece McAllear - (17) CM - U17 Thomas Dickson-Peters (16) CF - U17 Sheffield United Oliver McBurnie (23) CF - FULL John Fleck (27) CM - U21 Southampton Angus Gunn (23) GK - U21 Stuart Armstrong (27) CM - FULL Kieran Freeman (19) CB - U17 Che Adams (23) CF - U20 Tottenham Hotspur Luis Binks (17) CB - U18 Phoenix Paterson (18) AM - U19 Michael Craig (16) CM - U17 Matthew Craig (16) CM - U16 Watford Lewis Gordon (18) LB - U17 Alex Jacubiak (22) CF - U19 Sonny Blu-Lo Everton (16) CM - U17 West Ham United Robert Snodgrass (31) RW - FULL Harrison Ashby (17) RB - U17 Ryan Fredericks (26) RB - U19 Veron Parkes (17) CF - UNCAPPED Wolverhampton Wanderers Elliott Watt (19) CM - U19 Terry Taylor (18) DM - U17 The Championship Barnsley Kenneth Dougall (25) DM - U23 Alex Mowatt (24) CM - U20 Birmingham City Joshua Bradley-Hurst (17) GK - U18 Christ Mayuba (18) AM - U17 Blackburn Rovers Charles Mulgrew (33) CB - FULL Sam Gallacher (23) CF - U20 Brentford Ali Coote (21) CM - U19 Kane O’Connor (18) CB - U17 Jonny Mitchell (19) CB - U19 Bristol City James Paterson (27) RW - RW - UNCAPPED Cardiff City Callum Paterson (24) AM - FULL Charlton Athletic None Derby County Craig Forsyth (30) LB - FULL Graeme Shinnie (28) CM - FULL Chris Martin (30) CF - FULL Ikechi Anya (31) AM - FULL Calum MacDonald (21) LB - U21 Fulham Kevin McDonald (30) CM - FULL Tom Cairney (28) CM - Full Connor McAvoy (17) CB - U19 Joe Bryan (25) LB - UNCAPPED Huddersfield Town Cameron Taylor (18) CB - U18 Hull City Stephen Kingsley (25) CB - FULL Leeds United Barry Douglas (29) LB - FULL Liam Cooper (27) CB - U19 Luke Lyons (19) CB - UNCAPPED Stuart McKinistry (16) RM - U17 Luton Town Andrew Shinnie (30) AM - FULL Martin Cranie (32) CB - U21 Middlesbrough Patrick Reading (20) LB - U21 Lucas Reed (16) CB - U16 Millwall Murray Wallace (26) CB - U21 Matt Smith (30) CF - UNCAPPED Nottingham Forest Liam Bridcutt (30) CM - FULL Jason Cummings (24) CF - FULL Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel (20) RB - UNCAPPED Owen Gallacher (20) RW - U19 Preston North End Paul Gallacher (35) CM - FULL Jack Armer (18) LB - U17 Lewis Colton (16) CB - U16 Queens Park Rangers Lee Wallace (32) LB - FULL Liam Kelly (23) GK - U21 Todd Kane (25) RB -U21 Isaac Pitblado (17) CM - U17 Eberechi Eze (20) AM - U20 Reading Charles Adam (33) CM - FULL Jordan Holsgrove (19) CM - U21 Tom McIntyre (20) CB - U21 Marc McNulty (26) CF - FULL Ben House (20) CF - U21 Sheffield Wednesday Liam Palmer (27) RB - FULL Jordan Rhodes (29) CF - FULL Steven Fletcher (32) CF - FULL Barry Bannan (29) CM - FULL David Bates (22) CB - FULL Fraser Preston (20) CF - U19 Stoke City Liam Lindsay (23) CB - NONE Harry Souttar (20 CB - U19 Lewis Macari (17) RB - U16 Swansea City Jay Fulton (25) CM - U21 Barrie McKay (24) LW - Full George Byers (23) CM - U17 West Bromwich Albion Matt Phillips (28) RW - FULL Oliver Burke (22) RW - FULL Dan Meredith (19) RB - U17 Mackenzie Lamb (15) CB - U16 Wigan Athletic David Marshall (34) GK - FULL Lewis McLeod (25) CM - FULL Danny Fox (33) LB - FULL Kal Naismith (27) RW - U17 Jensen Weir (17) CM - U17 Kyle Joseph (17) CF - U19 Luke Robinson (17) LB - U19

I am seething for Darragh.

Stopped reading there...

Take the Tory party, for example. What does it look like in an independent Scotland. It's strongholds largely in rural, sparsely populated areas. Without it's parent party being pulled towards a radically anti immigration stance in the home counties, and driven to zero regulation by the demands of the city of London, how does it's policies evolve in Scotland - what's it's natural philosophy? It's Scottish demographics are different in some respects to it's UK parent. The composition and outlook of the Scottish economy would also push a fiscally right wing party in different directions to that of the UK parent. Would it become more socially conservative, yet economically more centrist? What demographics would it seek to be serving? I think trying to map current party policy and philosophy in devolved Scotland is an unreliable map for what ideas and people they'd try to serve in an independent Scotland.

The worst thing about those eyebrows is that he's done them intentionally.

I don't think there's a conspiracy. But when you look at a company like Kodak, which once employed a 250,000 people, being replaced in terms of market value by a company like Instagram – which had 13 full-time employees – you see the direction of travel: more money to fewer people. But I don't think the global elites are stirring it up: people are complicit in narrowing of power. We give Facebook and Instagram the money happily. We walk into Tesco and use the automated checkouts because we think it's easier. The trouble is that when we look for something to blame, it's much easier to look at immigrants as the cause.

He'll be too busy looking for the coin so we can boost the youth development fund.

That would be me.

The Tale of the Tangerine Titanic Lets all take a short time Listen out for the peaceful chime The Dabs treble ship set sail Upcoming glory was the tale But then came a halt The baldy snakes fault! St Murn, Rovers, Dumbarton Morten, Falkirk, Ayr This ship unsinkable as it rose to fame Darren Jackson gave his claim But the waves crashed - a capsised boat Time for the Derry and all to gloat Fat man Danger lost at sea Infact home where the whale should be Gibby has gone Mongoose has gone Banana has gone Twinkle has gone Along the waves Tangerine was scatter'd Knitting needles and other matter'd The Angus tears meet with the water The hungry Danger tries to eat an Otter The Kawashima lifeboats appear Weighed down with dayglo tear Down, Down, Down the Dabbies fell So close to home the final bell The Non-Deluded-One 17/03/2017

Kenny MacIntyre's password is 1690

It's fucking shite.

Ah jam tomorrow......

WikiBrexit.

Despite getting a 0-0 in Hamburg against St. Pauli, H96's poor recent form resulted in trainer Daniel Stendel being relieved of his duties. His successor also now announced as André Breitenreiter. Bit of a kick in the teeth for Stendel, who played almost 200 times for the club and after retiring as a player coached numerous youth teams as well as the 2nd team, before the 1st team. Not sure whether the policy of chopping & changing managers on such a regular basis is good at all. At the end of the day H96 are still only 3 points off 1st (4 if Union Berlin win this evening), with Stuttgart, Berlin and Braunschweig all still to play in Hannover. As regards the game, nothing special from a H96 point of view till the last 10-15 minutes when they started to make some effort. Also not too impressed by the atmosphere in the Millerntor Stadion. Despite being sold out, the home ends were fairly quiet. Not a patch on the old stadium which is where I watched my 1st ever game in Dec. 1990 (St. P against Dortmund) after moving to Germany. Next up, after the international break, Union Berlin in Hannover.

Me basically I will vote SNP every single time until independence happens. After that f**k knows who I'd vote for. I'd also be perfectly happy if the Tories were in power in an independent Scotland. Because guess what, that's what Scotland would've voted for...!!!!!!! It's not difficult.

If you want a console with more whimsical titles might I suggest the new Nintendo Switch?

Pigeon breast is lovely - the cat has good taste. What with Kennyboy's cat's interior design skills, Biggie's Smudger's nods to the Italian Renaissance with his classic poses and your cat's taste for the good life there are some very cultured P&B pussies out there. Certainly a cut above most of the posters anyway.

Muffy showing how to tackle obstacles blocking the stairs this morning.

Joni Mitchell : Morning Morgantown

Free - Mourning Sad Morning

I fucking agree with every word of this. I find myself nodding In agreement to pretty much all your posts. I was saying to the Mrs at the weekend that, if we vote No in the next referendum, after a hard Brexit and all the shite we've had from the Tories, all the broken promises from the last indyref, all the snidey comments in online comments sections, all the ignorance and condescendence shown to us in Westminster, then we fucking don't deserve to be an independent country.

Todd Rundgren - Cold Morning Light

No, "he" isn't lucky. He worked like f**k from a working class beginning (I went to school in the raploch) to acquire that skill set. It's interesting that instead of openly debating the point as to free movement, you immediately get defensive behind straw man arguments. You mention those "left behind" - please build a creditable and persuasive argument as to the circumstances of those who are left behind within the context of the EU and an independent Scotland and detail to me as to why a brexit rUK would benefit them. Also, when you are at it, define exactly who the "left behind" are. Do they only include indigenous citizens or can an immigrant be described as someone left behind by globalisation? Your second straw man about foreign voices is even flimsier - it seems like you are fuelled by a distrust and aversion to those who are different and are angry about it - it seems that by attempting to paint it as deliberate simplification (I'm pretty sure you know it isn't but are painting it as such for personal reasons) is to play into the deliberately simple argument utilised by the leave campaign of us against the establishment that never really existed. It's a deliberate simplification of nuanced, political discussion that you are attempting to exploit by looking like an "Everyman" speaker - straight from the farage playbook. Why are you so against those who want to come here and contribute to society?

Bob Dylan - New Morning

Steeleye Span - Misty Moisty Morning

The Rascals - A Beautiful Morning

Taste - Morning Sun

"Barrister Andrew Thornhill has went bust" F*** me! This is a newspaper?

Sturgeon will deserve a right good slap in the chops if we go into this referendum campaign with the same currency arguments as the last time. We need to be bad b*****ds in any debates this time.

I'm 6 months into an application for a K1 visa, and it's an absolute ball ache even for a wee white laddie from Edinburgh. Anyone who reckons folk are just piling into the States off some fucked dinghy going back and forth is an absolute slaver.

I'd be happy with the euro or a Scottish currency tbh, they'll get stick for whichever route they choose but out own currency/central bank is hardest to argue against. Fwiw I can't wait until the council elections in may. I hope and think labour will take an absolute hiding. A single figure percentage would be quality. Imagine rolling out Gordon Brown with some hastily assembled rehash of federalism and thinking it'll help their cause. Will they ever learn?

I miss the LL in some ways because it was friendlier and there were less miserable b*****ds around showering abuse on their teams (and in the case of the legendary Sir Peter of Whitehill you sort of knew he'd been there and done that). i was reading also that the Shire fans seem to enjoy the fact that they only play teams twice a season in the Lowland League. Forfar, for example, must be sick of the sight of us by now.. On the other hand we're a Scottish Football League Club with all the kudos that is attached to it. And Spartans aren't. I suppose we're still living the dream and it might take a few seasons (if we get that many) before cynicism kicks in and we join the rest of you miserable D3 b*****ds in heaping abuse on our team each week.

Roberta Flack - First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

Refs red-dotting players is never gonna end well.

Dose anywun noe if the'yve fund hur yacht?

May could quite clearly agree to do so: she could have came out yesterday to the media and said "Scotland has a right to hold a referendum on date x; the Tories will of course be campaigning for a No vote". There's absolutely nothing to prevent May from doing so. The reason why May doesn't want to fight a referendum on the SNP's timetable is because her Brexit negotiations will be in a state of utter shambles at that point, so she would rather shunt whatever God-awful deal she gets through an utterly craven Westminster Parliament, before then telling Scots to sit down and eat their cereal. Which is why she has spent the entire time floundering, ever since the Scottish FM magnificently sunk May's plan to invoke Article 50 at the start of this week. The only thing that Sturgeon could have possibly known in the above situation is that May is a complete moron with no political nous in a high-stakes situation. Playing that advantage is exactly what the Scottish people should demand from their highest political representative.