Thursday, January 24, 2019

A polite request

In the light of today's big news story, I'd like to gently ask readers not to speculate in any way at all about the legal proceedings against Alex Salmond in the comments section of this blog.  As you probably know, now that Mr Salmond has been charged, contempt of court rules apply to comments made online.  I'm not a legal expert, so I'll be erring on the side of caution and deleting anything that might even conceivably be problematical.  I've already had to delete a couple of comments on the previous thread for that reason.  For your own sake and for mine, your restraint will be appreciated.  I won't be making any comment myself until proceedings are over, except to emphasise the basic legal point that Mr Salmond is innocent until and unless proved guilty.  That's a principle we all think we understand, but it's easy to lose sight of the full implications of it.

This might also be a convenient moment to make a couple of other housekeeping points.  I've been wanting to say this for some time: could people please, please, please refrain from using filthy language in the comments section.  I know that using the word 'filthy' makes me sound like a latter-day Mary Whitehouse, but anyone who has dipped into the comments of late will know that I'm not exaggerating. It's not uncommon for me to have delete well over a dozen comments per day now. Obviously there's one culprit above all others, and that individual does not have the best interests of this blog at heart, but nevertheless I would hope I can make an appeal to his own self-interest.  Heaven only knows why he wants to devote his entire life to winding people up on this blog, but he clearly does, and that being the case I presume he would also like his comments to remain visible for more than a few minutes.  There's no way on Earth I can leave up the sort of comments he's been making in recent months.  What I'm asking for would be a win/win situation for all concerned - I wouldn't have to waste half my life deleting comments (and it's really not easy at all when I'm on the move) and others wouldn't be wasting their lives writing comments that aren't going to stay up anyway.

On a happier note, Scot Goes Pop is now doing better than ever in the Traffic Estimate rankings of Scottish alternative media sites - not only is it still in fourth place, it's in a strong fourth place.  The following figures are estimates for the last 30 days...

1) Craig Murray: 246,100 unique readers
2) Wings Over Scotland: 172,600 unique readers
3) CommonSpace: 102,400 unique readers
4) Scot Goes Pop: 86,800 unique readers
5) Talking Up Scotland: 69,700 unique readers
6) Wee Ginger Dug: 58,900 unique readers
7) Bella Caledonia: 58,400 unique readers
8) The Ferret: 29,800 unique readers
9) Random Public Journal: 23,600 unique readers
10) Indyref2: 20,400 unique readers

Traffic Estimate's figures are just ballpark estimates, so who knows how accurate the rankings are.  But if they're favourable I may as well shout about them!

Scot Goes Pop fundraiser: If you'd like to help this blog continue during what could be an epic few months ahead, just a reminder that last year's fundraiser is still very much open for donations, and hasn't reached the target figure yet (although it's been inching closer in recent weeks).  Thanks so much to everyone who has donated so far - it's genuinely made all the difference.

26 comments:

  1. That should apply to all members of the public and politicians irrespective of the party they belong to.

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    1. Has Cordelia had its wrist slapped already?

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    2. You should continue to use your wrist in its normal fashion.

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    3. Poor miserable Cordelia.

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  2. James I've enjoyed the site for years. I come by but I don't often comment cos I keep conversation for Twitter and frankly lack the attention span to pen longer (and obviously more thought-out and persuasive) responses and remembering to come back and follow conversation here (and there) too (cos there's other blogs). Just want you to know, still enjoy your posts.
    When it comes to BTL, I've long learned to skim over whatever's there and find the responses to your words, but have noticed a change in colour lately, and more (unhelpful) reaction. It's a shame, but know, I come here to see your ATL, and your ATM I'll find on Twitter. Keep it up. :-)

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    1. What on earth is a leftie doing supporting the right wing Tartan Tory party. Stick tae washin the stairs hen.

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    2. Ah, the feminism of it ... inspiring, really.

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    3. Cordelia wishes it was still 1957.

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  3. It's going to be interesting seeing how the British state tries to counter #iref2.

    As I've noted previously, there will be no #BetterTogether this time. Labour won't make that mistake again and neither will the lib dems. Even if they were that stupid, Labour are like rats in a sack right now, as are the Tories. The two main parties are in the midst of civil wars, hating both themselves and the opposition. Both are led by the two weakest leaders in modern history, with just a selection of even weaker assorted imbeciles and nut jobs standing ready to take over if needed.

    And what could possibly be offered? Security of EU membership lol? More devo after they've rolled it back to allow the USA to sell Scotch from Tennessee and chlorine washed chicken? For Scotland to 'have a powerful voice in the UK'?

    Everything is exhausted. They're utterly divided and have zero to offer, yet polls are saying it's nearly 50/50 for a snap iref even without brexit, and the least Yes friendly polls have it winning with any sort of brexit. A landslide for a hard one.

    Meanwhile a border is being pencilled in down the Irish Sea, with the only way to avoid this being international isolation / economic ruination for as long as the UK resists it.

    Nope, the only tactics this time are to play very, very dirty. Disgustingly so. Ask any country that's had to fight its way out of the empire.

    Of course history also tells this helps tip the balance and results in independence, just as you'd expect.

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    1. I wonder skier if you actually believe you own propaganda? Would you say it is beyond the imagination of the human brain to have good trade deals without a political elitist filthy rich bunch of unnecessary politicians?

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  4. Congratulations on your ratings, James!

    I shall try to remain polite in future.

    Comments on police investigations and court cases: proper journalists who hew to proper journalistic codes of ethics can have a valuable contribution to make, but ill-informed and abusive commentary from people who think they know better than the police carrying out investigations, the procurators-fiscal who decide whether legal action is warranted, the legal teams for the defence and for the prosecution, and judges and juries - when they think they know better than all of those put together, in profound ignorance of the law - infuriate me beyond reason. Especially when in addition to that they claim to have knowledge which they should not have and cannot be obtained by legal means.

    Rant over.

    All the very best, James, you and your work are very much appreciated - and by more people than ever, it seems. Again, congratulations!

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  5. spot on, James ... both Legally & Morally correct ... mair power tae yer pen

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  6. Congratulations on your readership figures. I visit your site almost every day and it's one of my trusted sources for news.
    Not bad for a one person operation!

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  7. Well, now we've seen what the BetterTogether#2's campaign will consist of in its entirety (yes, that will be it, you can bet your heavily devalued bottom poond on it), back to just a little more pressing matters like brexit, the overruling / rolling back of devolution, trashing of the economy etc.

    I see Lizzie is saying the wishes of the people of Scotland 'should be respected' and a Section 30 granted. Things must be getting serious.

    It's going to be really interesting to see if England brings democracy to an end here and refuses one. By doing so it would end the UK as the UK is a voluntary union. If the union is not demonstrably voluntary, then there is no UK, Scotland instead becomes a country subjugated by a racist foreign aggressor. Hence my previous posts saying England better be prepared to send in the jackboots to beat up and shoot Scots if it wants to go down that route. If you want to dispense with democracy, you need to follow through.

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    1. Skier, can you supply a link for your statement above? "I see Lizzie is saying the wishes of the people of Scotland 'should be respected' and a Section 30 granted. Things must be getting serious.”
      I haven’t been able to find it, not being too willing to “register” on-line with English national papers, without good reason.
      If she did say this, it is surely a major departure from her previous attitudes and might have significant consequences for Indy.

      Congrats to James on his latest stats. Very well deserved.

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    2. Sorry, I should have added a sarcasm emoticon.

      https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46996180

      She's apparently saying folks should respect "different points of view".

      Which should mean the granting of a Section 30. But then we're smelly socks, so aye, you are probably right.

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    3. Robert Innes. Are you the Robert Innes whose wife got computer-fitted Danish carpets in your living room in Stirling in the early 80s? If so, hallo again. If not, you should try those carpets. They last for years even if you spill red wine on them. Remember Duncan and Edith's engagement party!!

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  8. Typical misogynist defending a man accused of horrific crimes against vulnerable women, absolutely shameful.

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    1. Ah, our first 'This is the only case for the union we have' comment from BetterTogether#2.

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    2. Hey skier if it was a Labour man or your fellow blue Tory you would be having a field day. I look forward to the impending fight in the Nat si party when you all start bubbling oan each other. 'Spanking Nat si Tales from Clapham Common'.

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    3. Don't think others think like you; it's a fatal mistake.

      I read the news from Aberdeen yesterday too.

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    4. Personally, in such cases, where I have no idea what the truth of the matter is, I hope that defendants are innocent, as that means no crime occurred / no innocent victim suffered.

      To hope for guilt is to hope the crime happened / the victim suffered that, which is utterly revolting.

      If the verdict is guilty, then I will feel no joy, only sadness for the victims.

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  9. This is a sensible decision, Mr Kelly..

    Neither you, nor I, nor the vast majority know anything of the details of this matter. We have to ensure that neither those making the allegations nor Mr Salmond have their rights violated in such a way that proceedings are compromised and the matter is unresolved.

    I want to live in an independent Scotland, where all of us have equal access to the law and can receive justice.

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  10. This case is now defined as "active" under the Contempt of Court Act 1981. Publication of information prejudicial to an accused will be treated as contempt of court. This includes Twitter and other social media as well as newspapers/TV/radio.

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  11. congratulations on your stats. I too rarely post , but read your blogs every day.

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