Tartan_Tonna

I'm Dissapointed to read Ian Blackford's comments today, that "Scotland needs to be mindful of where we are" and that the priorities for the Scottish Government - Indy Ref 2 - are secondary to the SNPs "focus on Ukraine". If the SNP want to open the borders for refugees, well they need Independence. If the SNP want to move the nuclear weapons. Then they will need Independence. The Scottish Government can not implement its own foreign policy without Independence. Blackford contradicts himself. I listened to an extremely interesting discussion with Jim Sillars on an Independent Scotland's foreign policy. I accept that Scotland will always be in the UKs sphere of Influence. I also accept that, Britain will always be in the United States sphere of Influence. An advantage of Independence would be that we pose no threat to anyone. I find that nuclear weapons offensive not defensive. They do not make us safer. Let alone the radiation risks. Fastlane should be closed down. Filthy manky, cold war relics polluting the Clyde and Holy Loch. The SNP should be launching a Bairns over Bombs campaign on the back of this war. Linked below is a discussion with Jim Sillars on what an Independent Scotland's foreign policy could look like. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gkQKgmfc_ZI

Well you're right. I retract what I said. It was wrong of me to post that. Lack of understanding. It didn't go to a criminal court, I retract what I said. On the balance of probability he was liable to pay for expenses, according to Lady Dorian. Goodwillie maintains he was innocent and it was conenensual sex. In my long winded post, I made the point that sometimes women lie, in court. On the record. I feel sorry for Goodwillie. He played for Clyde for 5 years. They won't be happy until he's hung drawn and quartered. I've read about that Lady Dorian, the judge that wants to abolish juries in rape trials! There's a surprise! Scotland's Lobbyist Judge she could be called! I happen to have read Craig Murray's sworn affidavit around the Salmond trial - or political fit up more like! Craig Murray. Scotland's political prisoner! I hope he goes all the way to Stasbourg if he can!

Well you're right. I retract what I said. It didn't go to a criminal court, I retract what I said. On the balance of probability he was liable to pay for expenses, according to Lady Dorian. Goodwillie maintains he was innocent and it was conenensual sex. In my long winded post, I made the point that sometimes women lie, in court. On the record. I feel sorry for Goodwillie. He played for Clyde for 5 years. They won't be happy until he's hung drawn and quartered. I've read about that Lady Dorian, the judge that wants to abolish juries in rape trials! There's a surprise! Scotland's Lobbyist Judge she could be called! I happen to have read Craig Murray's sworn affidavit around the Salmond trial - or political fit up more like! Craig Murray. Scotland's political prisoner! I hope he goes all the way to Stasbourg if he can!

I want the game prosponed in solidarity personally. And to give Ukraine a bit of time to field a B team, a show of solidarity! It's just my feeling! The SPFL can decide what fixture they want Celtic and Rangers to be missing half their squad for another twist in this seasons title race!

The game will be a tribute to the days when criminals were transported to Australia!

No there wasn't enough evidence. It never went to trial. Don't ask me why I've read the transcript of the civil case... The stuff that pops up on twitter honestly! I think it's like a public prudge! The council are pulling out the sponsorship of the Clyde. It's ridiculous! This all stems from Val McDermid, crime novelist, friend of Sturgeon and Chairman of Raith Rovers! How is he meant to show remorse? Of he must have! Every day of his life! He poses no threat to women. He's a male footballer, going into a male dressing room to play against men. I'm not speaking on behalf of him. But I suspect he's been taunted in every football match he's played over the last 5 years. And I suspect he's not the same man as he was. That he'll have matured from his inhibited drunken youth. He's now at the centre of a zero tolerance on that lad culture in football, if you can call it that. Its, very unfortunate for him. His mental health doesn't matter to the media, as it doesn't suit the agenda.

I've read the court transcript of Goodwillie's trial. The judge found on the balance of probability that he was guilty. Goodwillie lost the Civil trial, declared himself bankrupt and because of that, the girl hasn't received any compensation for the trauma she says he inflicted. I think it's important to have a relevant, and serious discussion around the state of The Scottish Sexual Offenses at Scotland Act. The procurator fiscal and the jury, looked at the evidence and made the determination that they could not prove beyond any reasonable doubt that this alleged rape had taken place, by David Goodwillie and his team mate. Both players deny it to this day. Goodwillie denies it to this day, saying it was consensual sex. In the case of David Goodwillie and teammate, that Nicola Sturgeon raises. The standard of proof in a criminal action is beyond all reasonable doubt. The procurator fiscal didn't think there was enough evidence. In the civil trial, its on the balance of probability. I've read the transcript from the civil trial. I think it could go either way had it gone to a Jury. It's not for me to give a verdict. But i would say that from a justice perspective. Sometimes, men in authority are preyed upon. Let's not pretend it doesn't happen. Like footballers for example. Some women pray upon men - gold diggers as they are labelled. Because Goodwillie made himself bankrupt and hasn't paid her any compensation, I think that is why he's experiencing comments that he has shown no remorse. That's not a bandwagon I'm prepared to jump on. I am sure Goodwillie has been punished every single day of his life for what he did, and is probably as respectful as the next man, towards any woman who has him! I hope! I think its harsh from Nicola Sturgeon to appear to be orchestrating a witch hunt against him, now he's returned to Clyde. Once again today raising his profile. The guy doesn't pose a risk to anyone. He's a male footballer, returning to play in a male team, going into a male dressing room. I think Sturgeon has a lot of questions to answer on the state of the Sexual Offenses in Scotland Act. I'm surprised she doesn't have anything to say about the safeguarding concerns of gender self identifying biological males, who commit crimes. Self Identifying as female. I don't think that biological males who commit sexual crimes should be housed in female prisons in Scotland. I don't think that female victims in court should be galighted - to use a new term - in court, for not validating their attackers gender identity. Gaslighting: "A form of intimidation, sometimes called ambient abuse where false information is presented to the victim, making them doubt their own memory, perception and quite often, their sanity." What state is the sexual offenses in Scotland Act in, if a man can be housed in a female jail? I think it's important to recognise that men and women commit different crimes. I don't believe that women commit rape. They don't have a penis. It tends to be a psychological power trip as well. Biologically women are not as strong as men. A lot of women in female prisons have a history of sexual abuse. Of male violence towards them. I would argue that it would be retraumatising to some, were they to be locked in a cell for months if not years with a bilogically male sex, offender. I think Nicola Sturgeon's comments on this as head of government are alarming. I suspect she's jumping on a bandwagon as her pal is Val McDermid chairman of Raith Rovers. I would also say that her public condemnation of Goodwillie is sending a message to all male sex offenders in female jails. Not to put on a football strip. As Nicola Sturgeon might start talking about you!

FIFA have kicked out Russia. With the same precedent, UEFA must now remove Spartak Moscow from the Europa Conference League. Scotland is fractionally in 9th Place above Russia in the UEFA coefficients, for the 2023/24 season and could benefit. Kicking out Spartak Moscow would mean our league is only competing against Serbia for the 9th place, with Rangers about to go head to head with Red Star Belgrade. The 9th place, would also mean that the third placed SPFL side would be guaranteed European group stage football! It would be great!

I empathise with the human suffering felt by Ukrainians. I hope their country survives, conflict ends, and democracy and diplomacy wins. It's shocking. I am very much hopeful that Ukraine will field a B team made up of players across their European leagues on the 24rth of March. I hope they do, they deserve to play the game as much as we do. Whoever's in the Ukrainian squad, they will give Scotland one of our toughest matches. Just like that Czech B team gave us a really difficult game.

Bertie Auld is immortal. A hero of the Lisbon Lions. I love the story of him singing the Celtic song in the tunnel before the game, to settle the nerves of that great Celtic team. The day the lions roared. Wee Jinky said they look like film stars. Bertie said, Aye but can they play?

Heading down, signed up to the forum first trip, I'm sure I'll be hooked for life now. Booked into the Colonel Faucett to watch the match with 7 people in Covent Gardens. If the Tartan Army can't meet in Trafalgar Square, why don't we all meet up in another Square instead? Leicster Square? Covent Gardens? Parliament Square outside Westminster?