As a number of you have spotted, there's been a little flurry of below the line comments on another pro-indy blog attacking me and Scot Goes Pop. The trigger for it was a lengthy comment from an individual who was formerly a prolific commenter here. It contains a number of lies (I was going to call them "half-truths", but let's call a spade a spade - they're fully intended to mislead). However, I'm not particularly worried about that - most people have long since clocked that he's a longwinded blagger who frequently contradicts himself. What puzzles me more are some of the comments from others - for example, this one from "Tatu3"...
"Glad to see you here. I used to enjoy reading your comments on the other site, but gave up reading him just before the election when he sadly turned against the SNP and, I believe, independence."
It's debatable whether it can be reasonably said that I "turned against the SNP", given that I voted SNP on the constituency ballot in May and strongly urged my readers to do the same - even though that meant parting company with one or two other pro-Alba bloggers who advocated a more irresponsible course. But the idea that I've turned against independence is just bonkers beyond all belief. The whole point of backing Alba was to press for greater urgency on independence, and indeed just for any movement towards independence at all.
Presumably what this is about is a conflation of the independence cause with the SNP - if you give anything less than wholehearted support to the latter, you must be attacking the former, even though there's considerable doubt over whether the SNP are actually serious about pursuing independence in the coming parliamentary term. However, if someone can come up with a more rational justification for the claim that "Scot Goes Pop has turned against independence", I'm all ears. I'm happy to receive submissions of 500 word essays on the subject - the best will be published (with a response from me, needless to say!). Overly imaginative winter sport enthusiasts who think I'm an agent of the British state need not apply.
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My commiserations James. It seems you've lost Your Scottish Skier to the WGD, or the Wheeshtmaster General as PAB calls him. That's exactly where he belongs.
ReplyDeleteIt's the post-truth age we're living in. Seems for some, reason has gone out of the window in favour of othering those not of the same entrenched opinion. For many - in ALL political parties - the norm is now to go beyond the points of disagreement and try and tar those with whom they disagree with other opinions or beliefs they have never expressed in an attempt to legitimise them and paint them out to be extremist.
ReplyDeleteJames, to his credit, always takes well-reasoned viewpoints, whether or not you agree with him.
It's a measure of the cult like nature of the SNP, who clearly fear the idea that Scots people can be in favour of independence, some fervently so, and not support the SNP, except strategically. That is entirely a result of their own doing, as has been pointed out on innumerable blogs, sites and comments. Can they all be wrong? Of course not, and they have a wide variety of reasons for doing so.
ReplyDeleteIf the SNP wants to represent the independence movement, they don't own it, they have to be a broad coalition of people with a wide mix of view on attaining it and what to do with it. Most of all they have to listen to people, and return to being internally democratic and grass roots. They have become a top down organisation who rule with an iron fist, and not to mention some paranoia. Their reaction to other groups threatening their cosy and comfy expenses paid positions is a sign of weakness, not strength. There is a large amount of documentation on issues where they have lost the support they need, and the kind of astroturfing and social media stalking they indulge in is standard stuff now for parties who want to control their image and feed the electorate with the kind of misleading PR fluff and dissembling we are now accustomed to. The more they do it, the more people will look for other organisations to speak for them. A coalition should be something the SNP can embrace. Their disdain for anybody who doesn't toe their increasingly harsh line is a dead giveaway. As was their former spokesman on here, now trying to sow more hate and division through misleading and false claims. How far they have fallen.
Ian M makes valid points. The SNP have lost their way. Everyone knows it even the cultists who become more ridiculous by the day seeking to defend the lack of action in any pro Independence direction. They accuse others of disloyalty and worse simply because a growing number in the Independence Movement are no longer willing to go with the drift in the opposite direction Sturgeon has embarked on over recent years. They are past their high point and without extensive leadership changes are now on a downward spiral. Deservedly so!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't accuse you of being anti-independence. The very idea.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I received an email to take part in a poll. From the questions asked about COVID etc I would suspect it is a pro-UK Government leaning commissioned poll. It did ask what my voting intentions were and a question on Independence.
I'm wondering if the comment in question was talking about WoS. I've no idea how long it is since the skier posted there, but it wouldn't surprise me if the commenter was making assumptions and not thinking about timeframe.
ReplyDeleteFor clarity, I don't believe WoS has turned against independence, but the attitude towards them on other sites is quite clear.
No, it was about me. The giveaway is that I supposedly turned against the SNP "just before the election".
DeleteSorry to hear that Skier has been traducing you on WGD, James. I stopped reading it some while ago when it became clear Paul was set on cornering the market on Sturgeon loyalism to such an extent that he involved himself in a bizarre attempt to have Stuart Campbell accused of sexual impropriety. As more and more bloggers have expressed their reservations about the direction of travel under NS, the ultra-faithful have migrated to WGD making it an unreadable echo chamber btl these days.
ReplyDeleteIt is strange how those of us who question Nicola's glacial approach are somehow accused of 'turning against independence' by her fan club. If only she would get her proverbial finger out, we could all rally behind her but, if she's not up for the fight, step aside for someone who is a leader and not just a manager.
PS Skier is a laughable, ridiculous figure in many ways but he is still capable of damaging your reputation. I appreciate that you have a high regard for Paul but, in allowing Skier's unsubstantiated allegations to stand, he makes a mockery of his claim not to allow abusive posts on his site. That is not the action of a friend.
Paul has been in touch with me privately about this. I won't reveal what was said, but I've no complaints at all about Paul or his moderation policy. In any case, winter sports enthusiasts are responsible for their own comments.
DeleteNever worry James. Your 'loss' on here was everyone else's gain.
ReplyDeleteAs for that other site, in true Sturgeon fashion no dissention is permitted so (IMHO) not all that engaging.
There are always plenty of sheep who will unthinkingly follow the establishment line. Glad you're not one of them James. Keep on keeping on.
ReplyDeletePaul Kavanagh is still allowing Skier's unsubstantiated allegations to stand on his blog. So much for his claim not to allow abusive posts - not the action of a friend.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's been anything more.
DeleteTo the person who has just attempted to leave an abusive comment: you can safely assume that your comments will not even be considered for approval in future, and you can also safely assume you have no-one to blame but yourself. Kindly stop wasting your own time and mine.
ReplyDelete