Alibi

What we have in Scotland is not in my opinion proper democracy. To have a proper democracy there needs to be balance in the media, and that we clearly do not have. Were the media more balanced, Yes would be well ahead in this campaign. Even in general elections there is a semblance of balance, but this referendum campaign has been characterised by lie after lie after lie being taken up and propagated by almost all the mainstream media, with any stories positive for Yes being ignored or buried - the lack of coverage of Yes rallies and the use of photos that downplay the number of people at them is just one facet. If No wins, they will have won by cheating.

I heard Jenkins on the radio (John Beattie's programme I think it was) and frankly his platitudes were rather weak. Blair McDougall was likening the BBC demo to a crazed violent mob with pitchforks, making up stuff about intimidation by Yes supporters etc. etc. What was needed was someone prepared to call him out for those downright lies. He really is an odious scumbag, that McDougall. Everyone can see the bias for themselves now that Robinson has dropped the cloak of invisibility. Ludicrous to be so wishy washy about it. Jenkins is a clever guy but he lacks a killer instinct at times.

That is hilarious. Can't wait to watch that on Reporting Scotland...

I second that. Get out on the streets, go round the doorsteps. People WANT to vote Yes; it's just that a lot of them need reassurance that they are not alone. Converting Undecideds to Yes is like shooting fish in a barrel - talk to people on their doorstep and you will be astonished at the ease with which they become definite Yes voters. it really is an eye-opener, and extremely enjoyable. We have one week left. Don't waste it.

BBC trying to avoid loud applause for Yes and loud booing for No then?

On the other hand: https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCcQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DxHxn_NWJaw0&ei=HrwRVOHuCuqJ7AaXs4D4Aw&usg=AFQjCNGUd6A_4LkykQUm-5SyrFHTG1x25Q&sig2=4tmiZMuoXWNqYtmsbWN5TQ&bvm=bv.74894050,d.ZWU

Eck's world is our world. We are all Eck. What type of atmosphere do they have on your planet? Mixture of bile and sulphuric acid?

Salmond's a Jambo. He doesn't support Airdrie.

That lady was filmed in a pub in this area - she owns the pub. There was a TV crew trying to interview people with a variety of views but they could not find a single No or Undecided in the entire pub and so had to scrap their intended news report. That item appears to be a mash up using some of the interviews. I think what the lady actually said was cut short to give the impression she might have voted no, but I'm fairly sure she is a Yes voter.

My son is at that debate today. His school held a debate that ended up something like 70% No, 30% Yes, but that was several months ago. Things have changed dramatically. I have been struggling to get enough Yes badges and stickers to keep up with the demand from his schoolmates. He reckons it's at least 70% Yes now - been a massive change since the debate really got going. Huge swing to Yes amongst 16/17/18 year olds, and I've spoken to a Head Teacher at another local school who tells me that the same has happened at her school. I think Yes is going to be a long way ahead in that age group.

Straight to FB. Well said.

A hell of a lot. Unlikely to be voting No.

I think he actually said that prices might be different - upon which the BBC presenter immediately claimed he had said prices would go up. no acknowledgement that "different" could equally mean prices would be lower. The BBC in particular has been disgraceful, and now they are not even attempting to conceal their bias.

Article from oz, sent to me by an old school friend who has lived there since the mid-60s. The Whisky Revolution Thursday, 11th September 2014 Melbourne, Australia By Greg Canavan The whisky revolution Aussie dollar breaking lower Bungy jumping on the trading floor The birthplace of capitalism — and Adam Smith in particular — Scotland, is the latest region to give global equity and currency markets the wobbles. On September 18, Scotland goes to the polls for an independence vote. Early polling suggests the Scots just might decide to ditch the UK. They joined the ‘Kingdom’ back in 1707. Is this a big deal or not? Should you be worried about it? I don’t know to be honest. If the Scots stick with the UK (and there’s a decent fear campaign going on to ensure that happens) then it will be business as usual. But if Scotland decides to walk away, then things will get very interesting. It could well be a ‘fat tail’ event. Why? Well, in a globalised world, everything is connected. Especially the banking system. And this is where problems could emerge. Let me explain… The UK has a huge current account deficit. You can see the deterioration since the ‘recovery’ from the 2008 recession in the chart below. In the year to March 31 (the latest data available) the UK ran a current account deficit of £74.6 billion. That’s around 4.5% of GDP…which is pretty high. (Graph here but not permitted to post link for some reason) In other words, the UK relies heavily on foreign capital to sustain its standard of living. The Scottish vote for independence threatens to blow the current account out further, which is why the British pound took a beating this week as some polls showed a ‘yes’ for independence vote. If the Scots walk, they’ll take North Sea oil and gas with them (or a big chunk of it anyway). Along with a whisky export market worth £4.6 billion in 2012, Scotland would most likely run a trade surplus as an independent nation. That would have a whole bunch of ramifications for the pound and the UK’s credit rating. It would result in a global shift of capital that would have many unintended consequences. That’s why markets are on edge. And it’s why you’re seeing a scare campaign run by the vested interests in England. Check out this from the Telegraph: ‘Scotland could be forced to raise billions of pounds to maintain financial stability as an independent country, the Governor of the Bank of England implied on Wednesday. ‘Mark Carney told MPs that the estimated £15bn Scotland would inherit in sterling reserves in the event of secession would fall well short of the levels used by other countries that have adopted foreign currencies. ‘He added that Scotland would need to run a fiscal surplus for several years in order to build up the reserves, a task which he conceded could require imposing extra taxes or spending cuts on its population. "These are real fiscal costs," he said.’ England manages to get by just fine running massive deficits. Global capital would have no problem supporting a financially conservative Scotland (they’re Scots, of course they would be financially conservative!) especially if they run a whiskey and oil based trade surplus. But the big banks and pension funds, reliant on the Bank of England as a lender of last resort, have said they will relocate if there is a ‘yes’ vote. I hope I’m wrong. I hope the Scots go it alone. It would be good for future generations to leave the UK and their basket case economic model. The UK’s main export now is London property. That’s a slight exaggeration, but the fact is they’re pawning off their assets to live beyond their means. But it’s likely the elites and the banks will win again. Fear campaigns work well when uncertainty is in the air. Better the devil you know and all that. But it’s one to keep an eye on. In a week’s time we’ll know the outcome.

I don't think merging the Scotland and England football teams is a big vote winner; On the contrary, that remark should be founded upon, and also his implied anti-German racism which might go down well in England but doesn't chime with Scottish sentiment.

This latest "offer" is nothing more than a re-launch of the previous "offer". There are actually three different offers and the unionist parties can't agree on them. All they are now offering is to implement some meetings to talk about their offers in a given timescale. It is what is known as kicking the issue into the long grass. DO NOT TRUST THEM. They will get away with as little as possible. If they really wanted to give us more, we would have control of VAT, oil revenues, NI etc, the lot. The Scotland bill means some control of tax but in effect less budget due to changes to the Barnett formula. If you want more powers you can get them by voting Yes. You will also get a seat at the UN, and at the EU top table, and you will get rid of nukes. Control of landfill tax versus an independent nation. Bit of a no-brainer really.

I heard that on Radio Scotland this morning. Spokesman for Major said that the story was incorrect and that it was a "wordmangle". No, me neither.

It feels to me that we are witnessing history in the making, live. Don't let us down, Scotland. We can do this.

Anywhere. In this referendum, every vote counts. There are no seats where a vote is basically not going to have any effect. Every voter you persuade, anywhere in the country, will make a difference.

The corollary of that is "We believe there is a 50% chance of the Scottish currency rising in value"?

The BBC coverage has been an absolute disgrace. Sarah Smith interviewing George Robertson, her sister's father in law, was a recent low point, but there are many other examples.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/scottish-independence-scots-could-miss-olympics-1-3534189 No surprise that it's Craig (proud Scot but) Reedie telling us we'll be international pariahs.

There was a story in the Scotsman (I think) about Salmond being "pressurised" on the ISIS/IS business - basically they were trying to use that poor Scottish hostage as propaganda in the indyef debate. I don't think it is possible to get below that level of cynicism.

Would not surprise me one wee bit if the Rev Stu comes up with something linking the egg thrower to some No-supporting organisation. Something about the whole thing stinks, and it's not a rotten egg.

I assume he is asking Westminster to take Canada back as a colony?