Disqus - Friends of PeterDow

Re: New Scotsman website commenting system now live

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 10:47:11 -0000

Disqus is powerful commenting software and is a good choice for the Scotsman.

Technology aside, the Scotsman has sometimes suffered from heavy-handed moderators so a light-touch moderation is preferred and any time that moderation action is taken it should be carefully explained why it has been taken, never simply imposed - comments deleted, people banned, without explanation.

There should also be an appeal process to a moderator-in-chief who doesn't personally moderate but only hears appeals against the decisions of moderators.

If the appeal process against bad moderation is only to the same moderator then that's not a real appeal process.

Re: New Scotsman website commenting system now live

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 10:55:55 -0000

Disqus has great features which allow comments to display uploaded images and embedded videos from YouTube etc urls.

Those advanced features have to be turned "on" by the site management but the Scotsman's site management has those image and video features turned "off" at the moment, sadly.

I recommend turning images and videos "on", because as they say, "a picture is worth a 1000 words" and a video is worth even more.

To be sure there is a risk that inappropriate images and videos might be posted on occasion; those can be deleted on a case by case basis by the moderators.

Re: Scottish independence activists hold rally in Germany

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 12:03:51 -0000

Well let's remember how we in Scotland and our allies in NATO defended for the many years of the cold war the independence of West Germany and how and under whose leadership reunification of Germany was achieved.

Then consider that if Germany helps the independence of Scotland, they would just be returning the favour. One good turn deserves another.

How's your German?

Condoleezza Rice und deutsche Wiedervereinigung / and German reunification
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Not that good, huh? Mine neither.

Never mind, this music video means the same thing.

Scorpions - Wind Of Change
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Re: Scottish independence activists hold rally in Germany

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 12:17:59 -0000

German Condi-video.

Condi doesn't have a wooden heart
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Re: Danielle Rowley to run Leonard's bid to lead Labour

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 12:34:40 -0000

"Our cause will always be to fight inequality and injustice wherever we see it."
- Anas Sarwar, candidate for Scottish Labour leader

"always" Anas?

The problem with "always" is that politicians usually turn a blind eye to any inequality and injustice that happens only to one person or only just to a few people.

Politicians can usually only be bothered to see the "inequality and injustice" that thousands or millions already complain about, that the media have reported (perhaps arising because of a political mistake by your political opponents) and by taking up such a popular cause you believe you can make political capital and win new votes for yourself.

Rarely if ever do politicians fight the inequality and injustice dished out daily by the Queen's gangster police state to the wrongly accused, because never do politicians dare to side with those arrested or in the dock who have been unjustly persecuted by the state.

Even when politicians' own colleagues are persecuted by the police state, their colleagues turn their backs on them, like cowards and offer their own colleagues little or no solidarity.

Truly, the politicians Scots have come to know so well are immoral backstabbing cowards with warm words for the many voters and cold comfort for the victims of state persecution.

Re: Danielle Rowley to run Leonard's bid to lead Labour

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 13:10:44 -0000

Danielle Rowley to run Richard Leonard's bid to lead Labour

Well lucky Richard and Anas to have some help with their campaigns. I'm having to run my own campaign for Scottish Labour leader, which speaks to the facts that -
a) my chances of being elected leader this time are slim to none
b) that as far as individual campaigners go, I do OK

Peter Dow for Scottish Labour leader!

Time to throw my hat into the ring as a candidate for the next Scottish Labour Party leader!

As part of my campaign for election as Scottish Labour leader I present this profile video, produced for a BBC Scotland-broadcast human rights documentary, in 2008.

Scottish republican socialist Peter Dow, author and protester
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Re: Danielle Rowley to run Leonard's bid to lead Labour

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 13:14:34 -0000

Other policies I am in favour of.

GREEN - I voted SNP 1 - Green 2 at the last Holyrood election.
I'm very much in favour of renewable energy and pollution-free vehicles like the hydrogen buses we have here in Aberdeen and other electric vehicles.

NUCLEAR - I support the British nuclear deterrent and would support retaining the Trident submarine base on the Clyde, even in the event of Scottish independence, willing to agree some kind of sovereign British military base as per Gibraltar and Cyprus.

NATO - Strong support for our NATO allies including the USA. I'm not a Trump fan but I am a Condoleezza Rice fan, supported the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions in principle but had concerns about the weak strategy and the failure to hold Pakistan and Saudi Arabia accountable for their deep state sponsorship of terrorism.

So therefore although I am pro-independence and pro-Green in environmental policies, I do have policy differences with some SNP & Green party policies.

REMAIN - I voted to remain in the European Union and would support an independent Scotland as member of the EU but I am for a FIGHTING remain, not a "doormat" remain.

I support Scotland getting a special deal with the EU to withdraw from the EU Common Fisheries policy and could not agree to join the Euro currency with the Euro's 3% GDP borrowing cap imposed.

CURRENCY - The default position for an independent Scotland should be our own Scottish £ currency and Scottish central bank but would consider retaining the Sterling £ if a fair deal on borrowing powers could be agreed - at least 8% of GDP - same terms for joining the Euro, or entering into any other currency support arrangement with any other friendly non-EU country - Canada, Norway, etc.
..

Re: Danielle Rowley to run Leonard's bid to lead Labour

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 13:24:04 -0000

ECONOMY & JUSTICE Aside from the obvious need to invest in education, infrastructure and business support, a high skill, high wage economy cannot flourish while JUSTICE is being mismanaged.

For example, the badly managed Police Scotland and Scottish Courts are wrecking the Scottish economy by occasionally raiding and arresting scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, seizing our equipment and generally obstructing our best efforts to lead the growth of the knowledge economy.

Therefore we must offer solutions to the incompetence and frankly fascist tendencies of the kingdom's police state that is crushing the innovation for growth out of the Scottish economy.

One solution would be to establish a Scottish republic and elect a president as head of state to bring the heavy-handed blundering police state to heel, so that the police are made to defend political freedom and free enterprise - and made to stop crushing both.

SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE I do support Scottish independence, I voted YES in the indy-ref in 2014 so I don't see the independence issue as one which would forbid closer working between Scottish Labour, the SNP and other pro-independence parties and groups.

I'd even be open to a merger between Scottish Labour and the SNP but obviously that would depend on both parties being willing to do that.

Even if I was elected as Scottish Labour leader that wouldn't automatically mean that a merger between Scottish Labour and the SNP was on the cards. That would have to be a decision agreed by both parties. It's not something that a leader of either party could impose without agreement of both parties at their conferences.

Re: SNP have led ‘decade of economic mismanagement, Tories claim

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 13:40:05 -0000

The Scottish economy has been weakened by Sturgeon's rotten Fiscal Framework Agreement with the UK which she signed in February 2016 to please then Chancellor Osborne and which denies new powers to the Scottish government to borrow £ billions a year more, interest free from the central bank, that should be invested for growth and prosperity in Scotland.

The UK Tories, as co-signatories to the Fiscal Framework Agreement are Sturgeon's partners in crime against the Scottish economy.

Borrowing powers to invest £ billions more a year are what the Scottish economy needs but the Tartan Tories, SNP & Scottish Conservatives alike, prefer to deflect and to mislead.

Re: SNP have led ‘decade of economic mismanagement, Tories claim

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 13:44:34 -0000

ECONOMY & JUSTICE

Aside from the obvious need to invest in education, infrastructure and business support, a high skill, high wage economy cannot flourish while JUSTICE is being mismanaged.

Therefore we must offer solutions to the incompetence and frankly fascist tendencies of the kingdom's police state that is crushing the innovation for growth out of the Scottish economy.

Re: Nicola Sturgeon announces research into Universal Basic Income

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 14:20:24 -0000

Can I sign up for that?

I ask because the DWP have stopped my social security payments from January this year and so I don't have any income except my housing benefit and so I am finding it difficult to make ends meet.

Re: SNP have led ‘decade of economic mismanagement, Tories claim

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 16:55:58 -0000

"directed" or simply let off the leash and allowed to run amok.

For example,

I have published on my own blog a full account of how I (a scientist) was raided, arrested, had my computer equipment seized for 2+ years.

Let me see if I can post some links to those posts
October 2015 - "My tweets were political rhetoric - not a "threat" nor a "crime"!" & "Scientists for Freedom of Expression in Scotland"
http://peter-dow.blogspot.c...

Then the case for the defence in this post from October 2016 where I quote a 2014 email of mine to the prosecutor
http://peter-dow.blogspot.c...

Me in September 2016 demanding in court the return of my computer and irreplaceable science data and the report in the local newspaper about that
http://peter-dow.blogspot.c...

January 2017 Press reports of the unfair trial where I was subject to a miscarriage of justice
http://peter-dow.blogspot.c...

February 2017, sentencing (£500 fine) and the social enquiry report which lacked any real insight into me or my political motives
http://peter-dow.blogspot.c...

Re: Nicola Sturgeon announces research into Universal Basic Income

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 16:59:28 -0000

Well I don't mind signing up for someone's fantasy if it gets me enough money to keep the wolf from the door.

Re: Nicola Sturgeon announces research into Universal Basic Income

Peter Dow — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 17:21:22 -0000

I've put my name forward as a candidate to be the next leader of Scottish Labour.

That's a job I'd like to get.

Re: Nicola Sturgeon announces research into Universal Basic Income

Peter Dow — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 03:06:57 -0000

I am Scottish republican socialist Peter Dow, author and protester and this is my profile video https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Re: Nicola Sturgeon announces research into Universal Basic Income

Peter Dow — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 08:57:56 -0000

I am not able to do what you would call a "real job", nor even can I meet the requirements for Jobseekers Allowance because of the stress of being starved, bulled, abused and enslaved into work or work related activity which I cannot bear under any circumstances to do.

I'm not your slave nor anyone's so I am not going to take your orders. I'd rather fight you.

Re: Nicola Sturgeon announces research into Universal Basic Income

Peter Dow — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 11:03:37 -0000

I have sick notes from my doctor to prove that I suffer from stress, though admittedly, I had to find a good doctor to write them.

http://peter-dow.blogspot.c...

Re: Nicola Sturgeon announces research into Universal Basic Income

Peter Dow — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 11:05:36 -0000

The "system" needs improving so that people of high education and ability like myself are allowed to contribute as we see fit without the danger of being arrested on the orders of ignoramuses.

Re: FMQs: Sturgeon warned tax hikes could damage Scotland's reputation

Peter Dow — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 11:12:49 -0000

Despite any tax rise, the economy would grow strongly BUT ONLY IF £ billions a year more were borrowed interest-free from the central bank by the Scottish government and invested in Scotland.

The UK Tories, as co-signatories to the Fiscal Framework Agreement are Sturgeon's partners in crime against the Scottish economy.

Borrowing powers to invest £ billions more a year are what the Scottish economy needs but the Tartan Tories, SNP & Scottish Conservatives alike, prefer to deflect and to mislead.

Re: FMQs: Sturgeon warned tax hikes could damage Scotland's reputation

Peter Dow — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 11:13:03 -0000

ECONOMY & JUSTICE

Aside from the obvious need to invest in education, infrastructure and business support, a high skill, high wage economy cannot flourish while JUSTICE is being mismanaged.

Therefore we must offer solutions to the incompetence and frankly fascist tendencies of the kingdom's police state that is crushing the innovation for growth out of the Scottish economy.

Re: Labour MSPs and MPs back Anas Sarwar bid to lead

Peter Dow — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 11:34:19 -0000

"Our cause will always be to fight inequality and injustice wherever we see it."
- Anas Sarwar, candidate for Scottish Labour leader

"always" Anas?

The problem with "always" is that politicians usually turn a blind eye to any inequality and injustice that happens only to one person or only just to a few people.

Even when politicians' own colleagues are persecuted by the police state, their colleagues turn their backs on them, like cowards and offer their own colleagues little or no solidarity.

Truly, the politicians Scots have come to know so well are immoral backstabbing cowards with warm words for the many voters and cold comfort for the victims of state persecution.
..

Re: Labour MSPs and MPs back Anas Sarwar bid to lead

Peter Dow — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 11:39:18 -0000

Well I'm not expecting to get any nominations from MPs, MSPs or MEPs for my bid to be elected as leader of Scottish Labour and therefore I don't expect under the present RIGGED party rules that my name will appear on the ballot paper on this occasion.

However, I will not accept the result of a RIGGED ELECTION and so I shall continue my campaign to be elected Scottish Labour leader at a future election, even after one of the favourites is declared the so-called "winner" of this RIGGED election.

To paraphrase Hugh Gaitskill, there are some of who shall fight, and fight, and fight again, to save the party we love!

Re: Nicola Sturgeon announces research into Universal Basic Income

Peter Dow — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 11:52:50 -0000

We are not all left with no money, because of exclusion from university, no reference, no job prospects, told to apply for menial jobs by clerical workers, unable to comply, sanctioned benefits then benefits stopped altogether.

We don't all suffer the hardship that I suffer and if we all did, many more of us would become mentally ill with that severe stress and react with behavioural problems, such as (allegedly) making threats.

I'm really not dodging life. I am out to meet my enemies square on. See you in court or on the battlefield.

Re: FMQs: Sturgeon warned tax hikes could damage Scotland's reputation

Peter Dow — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 12:55:07 -0000

That's what I keep telling REMAIN and everyone else who wants to rope Bob Geldolf into their campaigns after he lost 2 loved-ones to heroin overdoses. Not really the role model we need.

Re: Nicola Sturgeon announces research into Universal Basic Income

Peter Dow — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 04:38:26 -0000

At university, I did no more than ask academic and administrative questions so the fact that I was excluded really demonstrates the reality that Aberdeen's universities (and indeed potentially any university in Scotland) are allowed, by the equally mismanaged courts and governments, to be so mismanaged as to crush academic freedom and to sabotage any academic's future career prospects, with absolutely no mechanism of redress for the persecuted academic.

I tried to deal with my exclusion from the University of Aberdeen in the early 1990s politically by campaigning against that exclusion but the courts stepped in to interdict me from publishing leaflets, threatening to jail me for contempt of court.

So I'm happy to deal with anything if I can, but if I try to deal with something and the courts threaten to lock me up for trying to deal with it, then clearly I am stopped from dealing with it.

When my enemies put me in jail or threaten to put me in jail, or leave me with no money, not even with social security then I don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that those enemies are indeed my enemies.