tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post839215425836022210..comments2024-03-29T09:36:27.923+00:00Comments on SCOT goes POP!: Mike Smithson's credibility as political analyst sinks to new low as he boasts that he "can't be arsed" to check his factsJames Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-61010041893704380742012-06-20T21:39:08.088+01:002012-06-20T21:39:08.088+01:00FL : I agree that PB's Scottish readership is ...FL : I agree that PB's Scottish readership is likely to be negligible, and I have tried to stop posting there a number of times (for the sake of my own sanity as much as anything). But it's very difficult to resist the temptation to at least try to set the record straight when Smithson trots out this kind of nonsense, if only because he probably is read by other Westminster village journalists who are even more clueless about Scotland than he is, and who may well take their cue from him. Having said that, it's largely a waste of time to respond, because most people only read the article itself and not the comments thread.<br /><br />In fact it got even worse last night when he bizarrely claimed that stripping out the don't knows from the Mori poll would produce a result of 69% No, 31% Yes - "almost identical to the AV referendum result", he mused. When I asked him how, against all known laws of arithmetic, excluding the don't knows could somehow make the Yes vote <i>lower</i>, he mysteriously decided to change the subject with a snide question about whether I was supporting England at football!<br /><br />As for the Herald, I used to post there regularly a number of years ago (especially during the 2007 election campaign), but I gather that the moderation regime there is now fairly extreme? <br /><br />Thanks for the news about the poll, Marcia - the headline in the Caledonian Mercury says it all. If it become abundantly clear to voters that it's the No side that have effectively blocked a Devo Max question, that could indeed open up a huge opportunity.James Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-84650266517724129302012-06-20T17:17:55.258+01:002012-06-20T17:17:55.258+01:00good article - Darling will not be pleased that th...good article - Darling will not be pleased that the business community don't really believe him. This is not 1997 nor 1979. <br /><br />http://t.co/FyKfz96r<br /><br />The Edinburgh conference coincided with a poll which suggested that support for independence has dipped by 4% since January.<br /><br />David Watt, politically impartial executive director of the Institute of Directors, said he "would argue very strongly that Scotland can be independent".<br /><br />He added: "Alistair Darling admitted that Scotland can be independent. Business will respond whatever way the voters decide. Business will cope, survive and ultimately thrive whatever the constitutional format is, but we have to decide which is the best one."Marcianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-20265799472064470172012-06-20T16:46:51.705+01:002012-06-20T16:46:51.705+01:00PB was a good site when it had only the token tory...PB was a good site when it had only the token tory who posted there before 2007. It is difficult to open a permanently closed mind but give James his due he does try without being abusive or nasty to prise open these closed minds by stating facts and not fabricated fiction that the regulars do in relation to Scotland. <br /><br />I see that there is yet another poll by MORI, this time for Reform Scotland - 41% for Devo Max (which won't be on the ballot paper) 29 Status Quo and 27% Independence (although the question is not what the Scottish Government is planning to use). I see a good opportunity with this poll. <br /><br />Hope Stuart's little David is coming along nicely as he should be over a year old now.Marcianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-75908836129859778582012-06-20T10:48:17.100+01:002012-06-20T10:48:17.100+01:00I know a lot of people think James is wasting his ...I know a lot of people think James is wasting his time trying to introduce the PB bullies to inconvenient things like facts but I think the history of his posts and their reactions to him is an immensely useful record of how the SNP, independence and Scotland's politics are viewed by a lot of people.<br /><br />I'm often amazed by people who bullishly parade their ignorance about a subject as if it was a virtue and sadly Political Betting on Scotland falls into that category.<br /><br />Smithson's site is a near perfect illustration of how disagreeing with the prevailing unionist narrative instantly renders the poster a "cybernat" who is outside the mainstream. Once labelled thus, all further representations form said poster can be ridiculed and ignored.<br /><br />Well done James for persevering.<br /><br />As the pussycat said while twanging the strings of his tennis racquet, "it takes guts".GrassyKnollingtonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-6533791186765592132012-06-20T09:41:51.371+01:002012-06-20T09:41:51.371+01:00James, I'd agree with most of the comments abo...James, I'd agree with most of the comments above - it's commendable that you put so much effort into trying to put over the SNP/independence case at PB, especially in the face of such laughable denial of arithmetic facts.<br /><br />But I have to agree with EricF. As they might say on Eastenders: <i>"Leave 'em James, they aint worf it!"</i><br /><br />But more than that, I think your energy and arguments would achieve much more in another forum. In the old days that might have been Blether with Brian, but these days perhaps it's the Herald, or (if you hold your nose) the Record or Sun. That's where you can speak to as many Scots as possible, and hopefully win a few converts. If I were you I'd focus my attention there rather than on PB which I imagine has a tiny Scottish readership.forfar-loonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03825964478078065335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-74319150869085175622012-06-19T22:12:54.069+01:002012-06-19T22:12:54.069+01:00Eric, PB used to be a great forum. For at least th...Eric, PB used to be a great forum. For at least the first 5 years. But something very, very nasty has happened. There are very clear signs of significant personality changes among several key actors there. It is not just Smithson. They are deeply troubled, unhappy and damaged people, and their way of coping with their injury is by lashing out at their betters. Eg. James.<br /><br />Funnily enough, they haven't yet cottoned on that their "work" is counterproductive. They will, but far too late. So let the show go on.Stuart Dicksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08899934797220797186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-71647375706413738582012-06-19T19:35:09.748+01:002012-06-19T19:35:09.748+01:00I don't understand why you bother with these p...I don't understand why you bother with these people James. have I missed a "golden age" of Political Betting which you are trying to re-establish? They seem like morons to me, and I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would want to engage them in conversation, virtual or otherwise. Heroic, yes, but are they really worth it?EricFnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-54327150474823831612012-06-19T18:16:04.522+01:002012-06-19T18:16:04.522+01:00James,
Nearly 2 years before the referendum in Qu...James,<br /><br />Nearly 2 years before the referendum in Quebec the No side polled around 67%. Now that is something to think on. <br /><br />Nice to read Stuart's comment which I agree with.Marcianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-1937008036936788992012-06-19T17:29:27.912+01:002012-06-19T17:29:27.912+01:00James,
I'm a long-time poster on pb under a s...James,<br /><br />I'm a long-time poster on pb under a slightly different name. I think I've commented once on Scottish politics and I certainly wouldn't consider myself one of the "herd".<br /><br />I've also been called a "cybernat" for daring to argue with the venerable Plato.<br /><br />My view on Scottish politics is, and I don't mean to be rude, that I don't care very much.<br /><br />The Scottish people can have a referendum on whatever they like whenever they like as far as I'm concerned.<br /><br />My only quibble is that it would be good to know what people are voting FOR as much as what they are voting AGAINST.<br /><br />As an Englishman, I have to say that I'm quite relaxed about an independent Scotland as long as I'm not left with a huge bill to pay for as a result.<br /><br />Consider that a selfish viewpoint but it's not enough to make me want to man the barricades of Unionism.loadofoldstodgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06547546574930006676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-44637424074184417492012-06-19T15:37:56.337+01:002012-06-19T15:37:56.337+01:00another classic James!another classic James!ratzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17512152633620132970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-19005094792081749172012-06-19T13:59:28.622+01:002012-06-19T13:59:28.622+01:00Thanks, Stuart, and you certainly deserve a medal ...Thanks, Stuart, and you certainly deserve a medal for your years at PB and what you had to put with there!<br /><br />Tris : Harris is a Shadow Environment Minister, but outside the Shadow Cabinet. Whether that position is higher or lower ranked than his previous job as Johann Lamont's Shadow Minister For Spoof Downfall Videos That Backfire isn't entirely clear.James Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-63443027545114631242012-06-19T11:13:45.047+01:002012-06-19T11:13:45.047+01:00Hear hear, Stuart.
I have long thought that and h...Hear hear, Stuart.<br /><br />I have long thought that and happily endorse your saying it. It takes a special kind of courage (and intellect) to bat off so many Tory trolls at one go, and do do it with such panache.<br /><br />It's a joy to read and gives encouragement, I think, to us all.<br /><br />Anon. I didn't know that Bomber was in the shadow cabinet. He's a bit right wing for Ed, Id have thought!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-69687800424125587592012-06-19T09:50:06.149+01:002012-06-19T09:50:06.149+01:00Tom "Devo Max" Harris is spamming PB fur...Tom "Devo Max" Harris is spamming PB furiously again. Hard to tell what would make the herd more angry if they ever cottoned on who he was. The fact that they are cheering on one of Ed's shadow cabinet or the fact that Smithson gives him untouchable status as the resident labour shadow cabinet troll.<br /><br />Harris could have written the moronic thread yesterday and quite possibly did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-87232335767631746842012-06-19T05:40:57.551+01:002012-06-19T05:40:57.551+01:00James. You are a national treasure.
When they in...James. You are a national treasure. <br /><br />When they inscribe the names of the great heroes of the campaign for national self-determination, they might omit yours. But when I peruse the list, I will think also of you, and a few other internet Scots who have performed noble, outstanding duties in the face of sometimes horrific waves of hatred, injustice and abuse.<br /><br />You are, and will likely remain, largely unsung, but I just hope that some of the high heid yins within the movement appreciate the worth and weight of your work.Stuart Dicksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08899934797220797186noreply@blogger.com