Hello,
As you know this blog's raison d'etre is spleen venting, so this evening's post may come as a surprise to you in that I am about to heap praise on a Glasgow councillor. I know it hardly seems credible but this chap is exactly the sort of thing I expect but rarely get from a councillor. I'm just gutted he's doing his bit round my old constituency rather than my current stamping ground.
The fellow I am referring to is young David Meikle who represents Pollokshields and may go down in history as the first Tory anyone in our family has ever voted for. My mother thought he looked like a 'lovely wee boy' and gave him a second choice sympathy vote. It isn't hard to exceed no expectations but oor Davie has behaved like we expected him to provide gold paved streets from the word go.
Since being elected he has resigned from not one but two committees on Glasgow City Council on matters of principle. I know it's hard to believe! Like virtually everyone in Southside who isn't a toss he's opposed to the 'Go Ape' atrocity about to be committed in Pollok Park. As part of the committee responsible for approving it, he resigned when his fellow councillors chose to ignore the objections of local people (his constituents). I feel like I'm living in a dream. Bear in mind that councillors get paid to sit on these committees, can it be that we actually have a councillor on our
hand that puts principle before personal advantage.
He then resigned from the licensing board over a newspaper promotion to give every reader tokens to obtain one free pint of Guinness at an O'Neils pub. He was in favour but the puritans reckoned it would encourage binge drinking.
The boy is a star, his blog is here. We in Glasgow are blessed to have at least one councillor fighting for our interests. Please God can we have some more. All I need is for someone to publish a guide on reconciling voting Tory with one's left wing principles and I'll happily don the blue rosette.
Showing posts with label councillors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label councillors. Show all posts
4/14/2008
Save Paddy's
Hello,
As some of you may recall I blogged a while back about the cretins in the City Chambers and their plans to shut Paddy's Market.
Don't get excited I'm not about to announce that they read the post and realised the error of their ways -the chance would be a fine thing. No the council are as determined as ever to free the city from the awful scourge of businesses like this.
I am pleased to report that I'm not alone in my outrage over the council's latest move in the march towards GlasgowLand. There is a petition on the go and a blog keeping us up to date on the campaign latest.
So riled am I, I've also put together my own little site to draw attention to the plight of Paddy's Market.
Now get over there and lend your support or I'll kick your arse.
Cheerio
As some of you may recall I blogged a while back about the cretins in the City Chambers and their plans to shut Paddy's Market.
Don't get excited I'm not about to announce that they read the post and realised the error of their ways -the chance would be a fine thing. No the council are as determined as ever to free the city from the awful scourge of businesses like this.
I am pleased to report that I'm not alone in my outrage over the council's latest move in the march towards GlasgowLand. There is a petition on the go and a blog keeping us up to date on the campaign latest.
So riled am I, I've also put together my own little site to draw attention to the plight of Paddy's Market.
Now get over there and lend your support or I'll kick your arse.
Cheerio
4/07/2008
God It's Hard To Blog/ Save the Lollies
Hello,
It may be a peculiar quirk exclusive to me but it's bloody hard to blog when you're happy. Readers may be delighted to hear that I'm feeling very chipper. I've been very busy over the last week with my business stuff and was on a course in London over the weekend.
My tail is also in the air because I've just realised that my current business plan whilst good is rather too ambitious for a start up with my limited resources. I was chatting to someone over the weekend and suddenly realised that I've horribly over complicated everything. I need to sit down and do some hard sums and make a few phone calls but if I'm right I could be in business within the next couple of months. Not only that but I'll have the basis for a plan to expand my business within the next 18 months. I'm also grappling with a job application as I need a stop gap job while I'm getting started and this job pays a good £6000 per year more than my current one, is within walking distance of my home and if I'm honest is one of those made up jobs that provide one of the few skiving opportunities left to the 21st century worker. Assuming I'm successful I'd like to offer my sincere apologies to the tax payer but may it comfort them to know that they'll be helping to fund a business start up so it's not a complete waste.
Still that's enough about me. I want to draw your attention to the plight of the poor Lollipop men and women of Glasgow. The council in it's infinite wisdom has decided to get them picking up litter in addition to their other tasks. In fairness the council have given them a choice they can either pick up litter or take a cut in hours and pay.
Such is the climate of lunacy in the City Chambers they actually think this will make it easier to recruit new lollies. People this is how stupid they think we are and can you blame them? Why do we as a city trot along year after year and vote Labour muttering darkly that we 'cannae let a tory in'. My mums local councillor is a tory and having been in the position for roughly a million years is as pointless and complacent as any Labour councillor. Quite why the thought of a waster in a blue rosette is more terrifying than one in a red rosette has never been explained. All I know is that they must not be let in. Quite frankly I'm not fussy I'd rather The Natural Law Party were in charge than Labour.
Giving the poor lollies more work is an admission of failure on the part of the management of the cleansing department. Let's face it they've proven that the litter problem can be effectively managed -my fellow residents may recall how clean the city was when the Commonwealth Games application was under consideration. I'm awful for getting swept up in things but I foolishly thought that at last the council were starting to get it right. How wrong I was, we were like a fat man holding his stomach in as an attractive woman strolls by. As soon as the application was successful we let our muscles relax and started chucking half eaten kebabs about again.
Of course the wages paid to street sweepers are higher than those received by the lollies which has more to do with the decision than anything else. I understand that the council have a budget to work to and when limited funds are available sometimes cuts have to be made. However I presume the litter that is being dropped by school children and their half-witted parents on the way to school. So instead of making a badly paid but useful job harder why not get the schools involved and get the kiddiewinks litter picking? This would provide the children with an incentive not to drop litter, teach them an important lesson about actions and their consequences and make the place look better. Better still get them to sort the rubbish for recycling and teach them about all the marvellous things that can be made from rubbish if it's put in the correct place. It could be a nice little project for them they could write an essay on it or stand on a chair and bark or whatever it is they get up to in schools nowadays.
Failing that I note that councillors are now paid for their work surely with a bit of time management they could double up a litter pickers. I'm perfectly serious. I'd be rather impressed with any councillor willing to get their hands dirty and pitch in with the rest of us to improve the city. Unless of course our good 'socialist' councillors are far too grand for that sort of thing and would rather place the burden on the lowest paid workers instead.
It may be a peculiar quirk exclusive to me but it's bloody hard to blog when you're happy. Readers may be delighted to hear that I'm feeling very chipper. I've been very busy over the last week with my business stuff and was on a course in London over the weekend.
My tail is also in the air because I've just realised that my current business plan whilst good is rather too ambitious for a start up with my limited resources. I was chatting to someone over the weekend and suddenly realised that I've horribly over complicated everything. I need to sit down and do some hard sums and make a few phone calls but if I'm right I could be in business within the next couple of months. Not only that but I'll have the basis for a plan to expand my business within the next 18 months. I'm also grappling with a job application as I need a stop gap job while I'm getting started and this job pays a good £6000 per year more than my current one, is within walking distance of my home and if I'm honest is one of those made up jobs that provide one of the few skiving opportunities left to the 21st century worker. Assuming I'm successful I'd like to offer my sincere apologies to the tax payer but may it comfort them to know that they'll be helping to fund a business start up so it's not a complete waste.
Still that's enough about me. I want to draw your attention to the plight of the poor Lollipop men and women of Glasgow. The council in it's infinite wisdom has decided to get them picking up litter in addition to their other tasks. In fairness the council have given them a choice they can either pick up litter or take a cut in hours and pay.
Such is the climate of lunacy in the City Chambers they actually think this will make it easier to recruit new lollies. People this is how stupid they think we are and can you blame them? Why do we as a city trot along year after year and vote Labour muttering darkly that we 'cannae let a tory in'. My mums local councillor is a tory and having been in the position for roughly a million years is as pointless and complacent as any Labour councillor. Quite why the thought of a waster in a blue rosette is more terrifying than one in a red rosette has never been explained. All I know is that they must not be let in. Quite frankly I'm not fussy I'd rather The Natural Law Party were in charge than Labour.
Giving the poor lollies more work is an admission of failure on the part of the management of the cleansing department. Let's face it they've proven that the litter problem can be effectively managed -my fellow residents may recall how clean the city was when the Commonwealth Games application was under consideration. I'm awful for getting swept up in things but I foolishly thought that at last the council were starting to get it right. How wrong I was, we were like a fat man holding his stomach in as an attractive woman strolls by. As soon as the application was successful we let our muscles relax and started chucking half eaten kebabs about again.
Of course the wages paid to street sweepers are higher than those received by the lollies which has more to do with the decision than anything else. I understand that the council have a budget to work to and when limited funds are available sometimes cuts have to be made. However I presume the litter that is being dropped by school children and their half-witted parents on the way to school. So instead of making a badly paid but useful job harder why not get the schools involved and get the kiddiewinks litter picking? This would provide the children with an incentive not to drop litter, teach them an important lesson about actions and their consequences and make the place look better. Better still get them to sort the rubbish for recycling and teach them about all the marvellous things that can be made from rubbish if it's put in the correct place. It could be a nice little project for them they could write an essay on it or stand on a chair and bark or whatever it is they get up to in schools nowadays.
Failing that I note that councillors are now paid for their work surely with a bit of time management they could double up a litter pickers. I'm perfectly serious. I'd be rather impressed with any councillor willing to get their hands dirty and pitch in with the rest of us to improve the city. Unless of course our good 'socialist' councillors are far too grand for that sort of thing and would rather place the burden on the lowest paid workers instead.
9/11/2007
Reasons To Be Cheerful
Hello,
Our chum Councillor Terry Kelly is engaged in a 'debate' with a white South African about the ANC. The white fellow reckons that the ANC did some pretty unpleasant things. Terry on the other hand is having none of it. This may in fact be Terry's finest hour.......
'Remember Henry you're not in S.A. now waving a whip at a cringing black child'.
This time next week we'll all be tossing that quote into conversations.
Cheerio
Our chum Councillor Terry Kelly is engaged in a 'debate' with a white South African about the ANC. The white fellow reckons that the ANC did some pretty unpleasant things. Terry on the other hand is having none of it. This may in fact be Terry's finest hour.......
'Remember Henry you're not in S.A. now waving a whip at a cringing black child'.
This time next week we'll all be tossing that quote into conversations.
Cheerio
5/11/2007
Oh Dear Our Terry Is Very Cross!
Hello,
Our Tel is in an awful mood. I reckon it could be rabies or his totalitarian instincts coming to the surface.
'The blog sites ought to be looked at with a view to cleaning these diseased individuals out. Why should they be allowed to get away with the kind of opinions and language which would get them locked up if they said these things in the street ? The language they use would make decent people shun them, read some of it and ask yourself if you would want any of them near you, or your family.' Terry Kelly 10/05/07
Locked up for Terry mocking. Good God! The whole nation would be jailed. He doesn't really get democracy does he?
More here, here, here and here.
UPDATE: What in God's name is this?
Cheerio
Our Tel is in an awful mood. I reckon it could be rabies or his totalitarian instincts coming to the surface.
'The blog sites ought to be looked at with a view to cleaning these diseased individuals out. Why should they be allowed to get away with the kind of opinions and language which would get them locked up if they said these things in the street ? The language they use would make decent people shun them, read some of it and ask yourself if you would want any of them near you, or your family.' Terry Kelly 10/05/07
Locked up for Terry mocking. Good God! The whole nation would be jailed. He doesn't really get democracy does he?
More here, here, here and here.
UPDATE: What in God's name is this?
Cheerio
5/03/2007
It's Shite Being Scottish.......
Hello,
Using the highly sophisticated technique of eavesdropping on buses, shop queues and work, I have arrived at the conclusion that Labour's reign of incompetence is set to continue for another four years in Scotland.
The consensus amongst permed pensioners is that Labour are shite but so is everyone else so we all might as well vote Labour. Good God, don't they get bored? If you want a vision of Scotland's future imagine Terry Kelly fighting a lampost forever.
I have voted of course, though for all the difference my votes ever make I might as well have thrown myself under a racehorse in protest at life under Labour. Honestly if they get in at the next election I think we should start some sort of armed resistance movement.
Let's hope I'm wrong.
Cheerio
Using the highly sophisticated technique of eavesdropping on buses, shop queues and work, I have arrived at the conclusion that Labour's reign of incompetence is set to continue for another four years in Scotland.
The consensus amongst permed pensioners is that Labour are shite but so is everyone else so we all might as well vote Labour. Good God, don't they get bored? If you want a vision of Scotland's future imagine Terry Kelly fighting a lampost forever.
I have voted of course, though for all the difference my votes ever make I might as well have thrown myself under a racehorse in protest at life under Labour. Honestly if they get in at the next election I think we should start some sort of armed resistance movement.
Let's hope I'm wrong.
Cheerio
5/02/2007
We Have A Winner!
Hello,
Whilst I have been most entertained at your accusations, there can only be one winner. Ladies and gentleman I give you Councillor Terry Kelly;
'Clarewil is a twisted bitter person for some reason, I shudder to think what could make a person turn out like her.'
The cheeky fat bastard.
Whilst I have been most entertained at your accusations, there can only be one winner. Ladies and gentleman I give you Councillor Terry Kelly;
'Clarewil is a twisted bitter person for some reason, I shudder to think what could make a person turn out like her.'
The cheeky fat bastard.
4/17/2007
Ask Charlie
'One of the newest MSPs was also one of the dearest. Charles Gordon, who was elected Labour MSP for Glasgow Cathcart last September, billed taxpayers for £3571 for his first quarter in the job, although this included a number of start-up costs, such as a £50 Freeview TV box for his constituency office, and £159 worth of tea and coffee.'Tom Gordon in the Herald, 6 th October 2006.
Hello,
There is nothing Clairwil enjoys more than reminding a cheeky councillor, MP or MSP that I pay their wages. There are two reasons for this, the first is that it's true and the second is that they must be sick hearing it. See, you can goad them beyond endurance without being at all unpleasant.
Anyway I was leafing through The Digger when I chanced upon one Charlie Gordon MSP taking fright at being questioned by a member of the public. It's almost the funniest thing I've ever heard. If you see Charlie on your travels, please ask him a question, taking care to remind him that your taxes paid for his Freeview box. Baiting this man could be more fun than the popular bloodsport of kicking Terry Kelly.
To return to Charlies traumatic encounter with the public, picture the scene. The volunteer staff of Merrylee Matters Community Initiative were doing a spot of gardening when Charlie 'Square-eyes' Gordon came a waddling down the street looking for votes. The volunteers couldn't believe their luck as they hadn't set eyes on Charlie since the last election. Heads full of silly ideas of accountability they seized the chance to ask the reclusive telly addict a question.
One of the volunteers asked Charlie why he'd done nothing to promote the work they did in the community, why he was ignoring the community and stated that he'd done nothing but line his pockets since being elected. A fair point and two good questions, more so when one takes into account the fact that Mr Gordon was head of Glasgow City Council when the notorious Chirnsyde Initiative was given funding.
Rather than just answer the bloody question Charlie and his researcher panicked. I found this detail particularly amusing '.....Gordon's researcher was acting like a child, waving his arms about in the street and demanding that the police come.' The police did come along later and stated that whilst they accepted no-one had been abusive or threatening towards Charlie they would still be charged with breach of the peace if they approached him again.
Like I said before baiting this cretin looks like a lot of fun. There really is only one reasonable response to this. Let's see if we can get his researcher to start bedwetting. We must all ask Charlie a question. Remember keep it polite.
Cheerio
Hello,
There is nothing Clairwil enjoys more than reminding a cheeky councillor, MP or MSP that I pay their wages. There are two reasons for this, the first is that it's true and the second is that they must be sick hearing it. See, you can goad them beyond endurance without being at all unpleasant.
Anyway I was leafing through The Digger when I chanced upon one Charlie Gordon MSP taking fright at being questioned by a member of the public. It's almost the funniest thing I've ever heard. If you see Charlie on your travels, please ask him a question, taking care to remind him that your taxes paid for his Freeview box. Baiting this man could be more fun than the popular bloodsport of kicking Terry Kelly.
To return to Charlies traumatic encounter with the public, picture the scene. The volunteer staff of Merrylee Matters Community Initiative were doing a spot of gardening when Charlie 'Square-eyes' Gordon came a waddling down the street looking for votes. The volunteers couldn't believe their luck as they hadn't set eyes on Charlie since the last election. Heads full of silly ideas of accountability they seized the chance to ask the reclusive telly addict a question.
One of the volunteers asked Charlie why he'd done nothing to promote the work they did in the community, why he was ignoring the community and stated that he'd done nothing but line his pockets since being elected. A fair point and two good questions, more so when one takes into account the fact that Mr Gordon was head of Glasgow City Council when the notorious Chirnsyde Initiative was given funding.
Rather than just answer the bloody question Charlie and his researcher panicked. I found this detail particularly amusing '.....Gordon's researcher was acting like a child, waving his arms about in the street and demanding that the police come.' The police did come along later and stated that whilst they accepted no-one had been abusive or threatening towards Charlie they would still be charged with breach of the peace if they approached him again.
Like I said before baiting this cretin looks like a lot of fun. There really is only one reasonable response to this. Let's see if we can get his researcher to start bedwetting. We must all ask Charlie a question. Remember keep it polite.
Cheerio
3/28/2007
A task for you all.....
Hello,
Mr Clairwil reckons that I won't be happy until Terry Kelly jumps out a window. What rot! A man of Terry's age and girth should never jump. Think of the consequences for the rest of us. Good Lord we've already had one Tsunami this century and that is more than enough. Anyway as he still refuses to speak to me owing to me being 'awful and thick', I'd be obliged if you would all pop over and ask him a question or two about the budget. He seems reluctant to talk about it and I'd like to know why, only I'm semi-banned from his blog and won't get an answer.
Cheerio
Mr Clairwil reckons that I won't be happy until Terry Kelly jumps out a window. What rot! A man of Terry's age and girth should never jump. Think of the consequences for the rest of us. Good Lord we've already had one Tsunami this century and that is more than enough. Anyway as he still refuses to speak to me owing to me being 'awful and thick', I'd be obliged if you would all pop over and ask him a question or two about the budget. He seems reluctant to talk about it and I'd like to know why, only I'm semi-banned from his blog and won't get an answer.
Cheerio
3/13/2007
A Chat
Hello,
Little to report, I've been very busy trying to recruit people for my latest business venture. No success so far but it's only been three days. I've also been doing a spot of writing in exchange for actual money. I'm pleased to report that one of pieces made a man cry. Can you imagine? Anyway he reckons he's going to tell all his chums about me so that I can make them cry too.
I've also been attending meetings again with work. I was introduced to a councillor (not Terry Kelly). Well I say introduced but she was rather drunk the last time we met -though given the amount of time she spent hanging off me, I'm slightly miffed that she doesn't remember me. I thought we were friends. It's not often I'm lost for words but after being introduced to the councillor she asked me about my work, I managed to respond without screaming and got the oddest reply I've ever had to anything I've ever said. All I did was explain a few minor problems we were having with the council to which she replied 'you stitch the blanket and I'll get it out there'. What bloody blanket? My job has never involved blankets -not even when I'm acting the goat. Not that I or my colleagues get much chance to act the goat now that the laughter ban has been imposed.
That's all. That's it. That's where I've been since last time I dropped by. Do leave something cheerful in the comments.
Little to report, I've been very busy trying to recruit people for my latest business venture. No success so far but it's only been three days. I've also been doing a spot of writing in exchange for actual money. I'm pleased to report that one of pieces made a man cry. Can you imagine? Anyway he reckons he's going to tell all his chums about me so that I can make them cry too.
I've also been attending meetings again with work. I was introduced to a councillor (not Terry Kelly). Well I say introduced but she was rather drunk the last time we met -though given the amount of time she spent hanging off me, I'm slightly miffed that she doesn't remember me. I thought we were friends. It's not often I'm lost for words but after being introduced to the councillor she asked me about my work, I managed to respond without screaming and got the oddest reply I've ever had to anything I've ever said. All I did was explain a few minor problems we were having with the council to which she replied 'you stitch the blanket and I'll get it out there'. What bloody blanket? My job has never involved blankets -not even when I'm acting the goat. Not that I or my colleagues get much chance to act the goat now that the laughter ban has been imposed.
That's all. That's it. That's where I've been since last time I dropped by. Do leave something cheerful in the comments.
3/11/2007
Elsewhere
Hello,
Just a quick post to alert you all to some fine stuff up over on 'Terrywatch'. Could our Terry really be untruthful?
Will P is rounding up the Scottish Blogs this week.
Poons is rounding them throughout Britain and I'm off to watch some telly.
Cheerio
Just a quick post to alert you all to some fine stuff up over on 'Terrywatch'. Could our Terry really be untruthful?
Will P is rounding up the Scottish Blogs this week.
Poons is rounding them throughout Britain and I'm off to watch some telly.
Cheerio
3/03/2007
News
Hello,
Those of you bored silly of my war with Terry Kelly will be happy to hear that future updates will be no more than a small link which will take you to a new Terrywatch dedicated blog.
Do drop in, it's all good stuff so far.
As I mentioned previously I'll be doing the Britblog round up on the 25th March, tomorrow your host is my fellow Terrywatcher Mr Eugenides .
I've just posted up the open thread over at Pickled Politics, where I'm sure you'll all be made very welcome.
Cheerio
Those of you bored silly of my war with Terry Kelly will be happy to hear that future updates will be no more than a small link which will take you to a new Terrywatch dedicated blog.
Do drop in, it's all good stuff so far.
As I mentioned previously I'll be doing the Britblog round up on the 25th March, tomorrow your host is my fellow Terrywatcher Mr Eugenides .
I've just posted up the open thread over at Pickled Politics, where I'm sure you'll all be made very welcome.
Cheerio
2/28/2007
Oh My Box Is So Exciting
Hello,
and now that your big eyes are finally open, let me share the highlights of my inbox. Firstly I had an e-mail from this fellow, who has now been added to my sidebar. Do drop in, he really is very good.
Then I had a very surprising email from someone who is moderately famous to readers of broadsheets about some other people in the same line of work being a touch unpleasant about the foreigners. Oh it's like Big Brother for the educated. I'm not allowed to say any more but you might want to keep an eye on Pickled Politics over the next few days.
As if that wasn't exciting enough I got an email about councillors. Lord knows what brought that on. I shall quite from this fine email below
'it has always astounded me just how blatantly Scottish Labour cllrs (esp in Strathclyde) milk the system - lots of allowances for non-existent "responsibilities", and of course the breakfast, dinner, and tea fiddle you mention. There's no way you could get away with this on most councils; it's only because the West of Scotland is such a rotten one-party fiefdom they've managed to keep this scam rolling. Here's to the Augean stables being cleansed come May! '
Do you think he might be referring to this? I rather think he is. That's not all. I was then directed towards this startling news item (more here...) . I wouldn't mind but you never hear Labour voters offering to pay more council tax to fund their representatives lavish lifestyles or mention that Labour have improved things or made them any better off. What's the attraction?
Anyway just for fun I have decided to ask a Labour councillor at least one question about corruption every month between now and the election. Feel free to join me.
Now here's a challenge for you, I'll give £10 to the first person to ask Terry Kelly why he thinks Cllr Richard Manser really had his window put in and get it past comment moderation.
Cheerio
and now that your big eyes are finally open, let me share the highlights of my inbox. Firstly I had an e-mail from this fellow, who has now been added to my sidebar. Do drop in, he really is very good.
Then I had a very surprising email from someone who is moderately famous to readers of broadsheets about some other people in the same line of work being a touch unpleasant about the foreigners. Oh it's like Big Brother for the educated. I'm not allowed to say any more but you might want to keep an eye on Pickled Politics over the next few days.
As if that wasn't exciting enough I got an email about councillors. Lord knows what brought that on. I shall quite from this fine email below
'it has always astounded me just how blatantly Scottish Labour cllrs (esp in Strathclyde) milk the system - lots of allowances for non-existent "responsibilities", and of course the breakfast, dinner, and tea fiddle you mention. There's no way you could get away with this on most councils; it's only because the West of Scotland is such a rotten one-party fiefdom they've managed to keep this scam rolling. Here's to the Augean stables being cleansed come May! '
Do you think he might be referring to this? I rather think he is. That's not all. I was then directed towards this startling news item (more here...) . I wouldn't mind but you never hear Labour voters offering to pay more council tax to fund their representatives lavish lifestyles or mention that Labour have improved things or made them any better off. What's the attraction?
Anyway just for fun I have decided to ask a Labour councillor at least one question about corruption every month between now and the election. Feel free to join me.
Now here's a challenge for you, I'll give £10 to the first person to ask Terry Kelly why he thinks Cllr Richard Manser really had his window put in and get it past comment moderation.
Cheerio
2/27/2007
I just can't take my eyes off Terry Kelly....
Hello,
Once again I have been forced by circumstances outwith my control to inflict another Terry newsflash on you all. Only the other day Terry made the following 'joke' confession
'christ I'm doing it again. Having been involved in corrupt Labour politics for 40 yrs. I'm already rich, I don't need the money I've stolen enough, so I'm retiring, now crawl back under your stone.'
At least I thought he was joking as you know I always try to think the best of people. Then my attention was drawn to this shocking tale of....oh dear....erm... how can I put this -Labour corruption on Renfrewshire council. Laugh? I very nearly danced. There's even going to be a criminal investigation!
There is of course no evidence at all that our Terry is involved but how unfortunate to make a joke about Labour corruption, then to have this come out. Poor Terry he must be feeling very let down by his colleagues.
Why can't I stop laughing?
Cheerio
Once again I have been forced by circumstances outwith my control to inflict another Terry newsflash on you all. Only the other day Terry made the following 'joke' confession
'christ I'm doing it again. Having been involved in corrupt Labour politics for 40 yrs. I'm already rich, I don't need the money I've stolen enough, so I'm retiring, now crawl back under your stone.'
At least I thought he was joking as you know I always try to think the best of people. Then my attention was drawn to this shocking tale of....oh dear....erm... how can I put this -Labour corruption on Renfrewshire council. Laugh? I very nearly danced. There's even going to be a criminal investigation!
There is of course no evidence at all that our Terry is involved but how unfortunate to make a joke about Labour corruption, then to have this come out. Poor Terry he must be feeling very let down by his colleagues.
Why can't I stop laughing?
Cheerio
2/16/2007
Terry Kelly Newsflash
Hello,
I know I said I wasn't going to do another Terrywatch post until next month and I'm not going to. In the meantime look what he's saying about me:
'Do I think smearing critics makes them wrong' answer no. I can't believe I'm answering this drivel, you are just so bloody awful and thick that I've got to spell everything out.
Bloody awful and thick! The cheek of him.
In the same thread he also accuses a fellow blogger of being unfit to work with children. It is Terry at his finest.
I know I said I wasn't going to do another Terrywatch post until next month and I'm not going to. In the meantime look what he's saying about me:
'Do I think smearing critics makes them wrong' answer no. I can't believe I'm answering this drivel, you are just so bloody awful and thick that I've got to spell everything out.
Bloody awful and thick! The cheek of him.
In the same thread he also accuses a fellow blogger of being unfit to work with children. It is Terry at his finest.
2/02/2007
Terry Watch Part One
Hiya,
Can I just begin by saying that my blog will be covering other subjects in addition to Councillor Terry Kelly. Normal service will be resumed and he will be nothing more than an occasional update. However I find his latest post rather alarming and think a further post might be the best way to tackle it. Unusually for me I am actually being totally serious here.
'I would compare most of them (bloggers critical of TK) with people who, years ago before blogging, used to get their kicks by writing anonymous poison pen letters particularly to vulnerable people, ( someone is watching you type of thing ) I suppose though that blogging provides a kind of safety valve for them, who knows what some of them might get up to if they couldn't take out their frustrations in this way. I wonder if the figures for certain kinds of crime have dropped since the advent of blogging?'
As with most of Mr Kelly's other assertions he does not give examples or explain what leads him to think this way.
He continues
'I, and now, to a lesser extent my family, still get sent horrible stuff, mainly racist, lurid and threatening because some folk don't like my opinions and blogging has liberated them.'
He does suggest that his readers google him to see the blogs indulging in this sort of behaviour. I have done so and whilst I've certainly found some colourful language and fair bit of ridicule I have been unable to find any examples of racism or threats. This maybe down to my poor computer skills than anything else, so if any of you have any luck do enlighten me.
What does concern me is that not only my blog but several others critical of Councillor Kelly do turn up. Whilst I can understand why he does not wish to give the blogs making racist remarks and threats any further publicity I am very worried that people may think he is referring to me and several other perfectly reasonable bloggers. For that reason I find his failure to make clear that he was not referring to me and several others irresponsible to say the least.
I am not for a moment suggesting that this is a deliberate smear or attempt to intimidate and silence his critics on Councillor Kelly's part but the effects may well be similar. In particular racism arouses strong feelings and an accusation of this nature could have very severe consequences for the accused. I freely admit that I am a cheeky cow and am happy to take the consequences on that score, however I don't think that includes being lumped in with racists and people making threats or having my personal safety jeopardised, albeit indirectly.
My suggestion to Terry Kelly would be to report all threats to the Police and at the very least, amend his post to make clear who he isn't referring to. As it stands it looks like everyone who appears in a google search for him is being tarred with the same brush.
Cheerio
Can I just begin by saying that my blog will be covering other subjects in addition to Councillor Terry Kelly. Normal service will be resumed and he will be nothing more than an occasional update. However I find his latest post rather alarming and think a further post might be the best way to tackle it. Unusually for me I am actually being totally serious here.
'I would compare most of them (bloggers critical of TK) with people who, years ago before blogging, used to get their kicks by writing anonymous poison pen letters particularly to vulnerable people, ( someone is watching you type of thing ) I suppose though that blogging provides a kind of safety valve for them, who knows what some of them might get up to if they couldn't take out their frustrations in this way. I wonder if the figures for certain kinds of crime have dropped since the advent of blogging?'
As with most of Mr Kelly's other assertions he does not give examples or explain what leads him to think this way.
He continues
'I, and now, to a lesser extent my family, still get sent horrible stuff, mainly racist, lurid and threatening because some folk don't like my opinions and blogging has liberated them.'
He does suggest that his readers google him to see the blogs indulging in this sort of behaviour. I have done so and whilst I've certainly found some colourful language and fair bit of ridicule I have been unable to find any examples of racism or threats. This maybe down to my poor computer skills than anything else, so if any of you have any luck do enlighten me.
What does concern me is that not only my blog but several others critical of Councillor Kelly do turn up. Whilst I can understand why he does not wish to give the blogs making racist remarks and threats any further publicity I am very worried that people may think he is referring to me and several other perfectly reasonable bloggers. For that reason I find his failure to make clear that he was not referring to me and several others irresponsible to say the least.
I am not for a moment suggesting that this is a deliberate smear or attempt to intimidate and silence his critics on Councillor Kelly's part but the effects may well be similar. In particular racism arouses strong feelings and an accusation of this nature could have very severe consequences for the accused. I freely admit that I am a cheeky cow and am happy to take the consequences on that score, however I don't think that includes being lumped in with racists and people making threats or having my personal safety jeopardised, albeit indirectly.
My suggestion to Terry Kelly would be to report all threats to the Police and at the very least, amend his post to make clear who he isn't referring to. As it stands it looks like everyone who appears in a google search for him is being tarred with the same brush.
Cheerio
2/01/2007
Terry Watch- A Call To Arms!
Hello,
As you will see in the comments below Will P of the fine J. Arthur MacNumpty blog has just launched Terry Watch to keep an eye on our good friend Councillor Terry Kelly.
Doctor Vee correctly in my view argues that our Tel embodies everything wrong with Scotland's slavish devotion to a Labour Party that thinks because we've been loyal, it can kick us as it pleases.
You might say that we should simply ignore him and he'll go away. Well he won't. What Tezza needs is more attention, more readers. I dream of his blog being the most famous blog in this world and beyond. I don't believe many people voted for Terry Kelly as such, what they in fact voted for was Labour and look what they've ended up with! The least we can do is make sure everyone concerned fully understands what a vote for Labour in Scotland really means. It means bullying, ad hominem attacks*, the crudest form of tribal politics, inconsistency, 'we won and youse didnae', buffoonery, posturing over action, the debating skills of a saloon bar drunk, a mindset like a leftist George Bush, juvenile anti-Americanism and everyone's wrong except Labour. Oh did I mention I was a bit peeved?
All politics aside, people unfit to hold office are exploiting blind party loyalty to advance themselves and we are paying for it. Remember it's 'only' expenses now but from May this year it will be a wage of £15,000+ per year. Ok maybe not the highest wage in the world but if you think it will stay so modest then you're a lot more trusting than I am. Just look at how MP's salaries have increased over the years. Personally I think they should set a good example and take only the minimum wage but I expect they're all far too grand to live on such a pittance. However, I digress. I wouldn't dream of telling you how to vote, all I am asking you to do is read Councillor Terry Kelly's blog and ask yourself is this man worth £15,000 p/a of my money? Then cast your vote accordingly.
If we keep taking democracy for granted like this they'll take it off us. Oh and if you're reading this from outwith Scotland shaking your head at the funny little Jocks and their silly councillors, then think on this. We have in Scotland sent more than a few MP's down to Westminster, have we not? Yes, in fact some ill-feeling on the matter has come to my attention. You will note that our MP's have done rather nicely for themselves, if not for the electorate. Think how much more pleasant it might have been if the worst among them had been nipped in the bud at council level. It might not affect you now but it might in the future and then you really will be sorry. It will be too late when Prime Minister Kelly has you quivering under his mighty jackboot. Think communist Russia with bad jokes. Just don't say you weren't warned or come crying to me. OK that was scare tactics but stranger things have happened.
So there we are. That is my take on the awful crisis in our democracy. So what should we do?
Well I urge all of you anyone in any part of the world with a blog to join Terry Watch. Just place a link to his blog in your sidebar and that's it! Easy as pie and twice as tasty. If you'd like to do more, write a post about him, write six, place a link your e-mail signature, tell everyone to read his blog, bake 'Terry Watch' cakes, write a song and release a 'Terry Watch Aid' single, make stickers, posters, badges to promote his blog. Get the press involved. Hire a branded Terry Kelly hot air balloon, alert the Red Cross. Anything, all publicity is good publicity. The one good thing I can say about Tezza is that he has brought nationalist and unionist, right, left and centre together in slack jawed amazement at his political success so far. Let's put our other differences aside and do our level best to make him world famous. He has long believed that he is the victim of a nationalist-tory-socialist conspiracy. We can make his dream come true! The scrapping may resume when he's out of office. Come on there's only one of him and many of us and if we all spat at once we'd drown the oaf.
Toodle Pip!
*and before anyone starts, Yes I am familiar with the ad hominem fallacy. Yes I have read my own blog -but not in a kinky way. The fact is that I am not standing for election. One expects certain standards in public life. Like when they used to resign after a scandal and so on. I am a member of the public and one that has lived down to every expectation anyone ever had of me. There is one set of rules for them and another for us, just not in the way they'd like. That is all.
As you will see in the comments below Will P of the fine J. Arthur MacNumpty blog has just launched Terry Watch to keep an eye on our good friend Councillor Terry Kelly.
Doctor Vee correctly in my view argues that our Tel embodies everything wrong with Scotland's slavish devotion to a Labour Party that thinks because we've been loyal, it can kick us as it pleases.
You might say that we should simply ignore him and he'll go away. Well he won't. What Tezza needs is more attention, more readers. I dream of his blog being the most famous blog in this world and beyond. I don't believe many people voted for Terry Kelly as such, what they in fact voted for was Labour and look what they've ended up with! The least we can do is make sure everyone concerned fully understands what a vote for Labour in Scotland really means. It means bullying, ad hominem attacks*, the crudest form of tribal politics, inconsistency, 'we won and youse didnae', buffoonery, posturing over action, the debating skills of a saloon bar drunk, a mindset like a leftist George Bush, juvenile anti-Americanism and everyone's wrong except Labour. Oh did I mention I was a bit peeved?
All politics aside, people unfit to hold office are exploiting blind party loyalty to advance themselves and we are paying for it. Remember it's 'only' expenses now but from May this year it will be a wage of £15,000+ per year. Ok maybe not the highest wage in the world but if you think it will stay so modest then you're a lot more trusting than I am. Just look at how MP's salaries have increased over the years. Personally I think they should set a good example and take only the minimum wage but I expect they're all far too grand to live on such a pittance. However, I digress. I wouldn't dream of telling you how to vote, all I am asking you to do is read Councillor Terry Kelly's blog and ask yourself is this man worth £15,000 p/a of my money? Then cast your vote accordingly.
If we keep taking democracy for granted like this they'll take it off us. Oh and if you're reading this from outwith Scotland shaking your head at the funny little Jocks and their silly councillors, then think on this. We have in Scotland sent more than a few MP's down to Westminster, have we not? Yes, in fact some ill-feeling on the matter has come to my attention. You will note that our MP's have done rather nicely for themselves, if not for the electorate. Think how much more pleasant it might have been if the worst among them had been nipped in the bud at council level. It might not affect you now but it might in the future and then you really will be sorry. It will be too late when Prime Minister Kelly has you quivering under his mighty jackboot. Think communist Russia with bad jokes. Just don't say you weren't warned or come crying to me. OK that was scare tactics but stranger things have happened.
So there we are. That is my take on the awful crisis in our democracy. So what should we do?
Well I urge all of you anyone in any part of the world with a blog to join Terry Watch. Just place a link to his blog in your sidebar and that's it! Easy as pie and twice as tasty. If you'd like to do more, write a post about him, write six, place a link your e-mail signature, tell everyone to read his blog, bake 'Terry Watch' cakes, write a song and release a 'Terry Watch Aid' single, make stickers, posters, badges to promote his blog. Get the press involved. Hire a branded Terry Kelly hot air balloon, alert the Red Cross. Anything, all publicity is good publicity. The one good thing I can say about Tezza is that he has brought nationalist and unionist, right, left and centre together in slack jawed amazement at his political success so far. Let's put our other differences aside and do our level best to make him world famous. He has long believed that he is the victim of a nationalist-tory-socialist conspiracy. We can make his dream come true! The scrapping may resume when he's out of office. Come on there's only one of him and many of us and if we all spat at once we'd drown the oaf.
Toodle Pip!
*and before anyone starts, Yes I am familiar with the ad hominem fallacy. Yes I have read my own blog -but not in a kinky way. The fact is that I am not standing for election. One expects certain standards in public life. Like when they used to resign after a scandal and so on. I am a member of the public and one that has lived down to every expectation anyone ever had of me. There is one set of rules for them and another for us, just not in the way they'd like. That is all.
1/30/2007
Councillor Terry Kelly (yet again)
Hello,
You'll never guess what that Wildean wit and socialist hero Terry Kelly's done now. Apparently he now suspects me of being mentally ill. In a secure unit no less. Whilst I suppose blogging openly about suffering from depression and stress is bound to invite the odd snide comment. I am genuinely surprised that an elected official thinks it appropriate. I wonder if he'd be so quick to make light of a physical disability. God help anyone in his constituency with a mental health problem who approaches him for help unless of course they are after being bullied in a witless fashion.
Mind you I'm not the first person to be accused of mental illness by Tezza. Apparently Martin Kelly and David Farrer are both similarly afflicted (you'll need to scroll down a fair bit to get the relevant post). So much so that Rayleen Kelly felt compelled show their blogs to a psychologist. I wonder if we 'mad' bloggers should form a self help group.
With one in four of the Scottish population estimated to suffer from mental ill health at some point in their lives, I suppose this must include a fair number of the Kelly's constituents. I can't help but wonder what they make of their obvious prejudice against those with mental health problems. Let's hope they take that into account when voting in May.
Finally the discrimination faced by the mentally ill will not end unless challenged which is why I'd like to end by drawing your attention to this.
Cheerio
UPDATE: Tezza and Jolene have made Labour Watch!
You'll never guess what that Wildean wit and socialist hero Terry Kelly's done now. Apparently he now suspects me of being mentally ill. In a secure unit no less. Whilst I suppose blogging openly about suffering from depression and stress is bound to invite the odd snide comment. I am genuinely surprised that an elected official thinks it appropriate. I wonder if he'd be so quick to make light of a physical disability. God help anyone in his constituency with a mental health problem who approaches him for help unless of course they are after being bullied in a witless fashion.
Mind you I'm not the first person to be accused of mental illness by Tezza. Apparently Martin Kelly and David Farrer are both similarly afflicted (you'll need to scroll down a fair bit to get the relevant post). So much so that Rayleen Kelly felt compelled show their blogs to a psychologist. I wonder if we 'mad' bloggers should form a self help group.
With one in four of the Scottish population estimated to suffer from mental ill health at some point in their lives, I suppose this must include a fair number of the Kelly's constituents. I can't help but wonder what they make of their obvious prejudice against those with mental health problems. Let's hope they take that into account when voting in May.
Finally the discrimination faced by the mentally ill will not end unless challenged which is why I'd like to end by drawing your attention to this.
Cheerio
UPDATE: Tezza and Jolene have made Labour Watch!
1/22/2007
I think I've upset Councillor Kelly!
Hello,
Look what Councillor Kelly is saying about me. 'Poisonous drivel', 'weep for your country'. Oh dear. Mind you there is a tiny ray of hope in amongst all this which I've highlighted in bold for you. For God's sake put your pride and dignity aside! If enough of you tell him that you are just like me and a typical Scot -he really will pack it in! Go on your country needs you.
'Some people don't like me saying these things as well as my claim that my position is far more honest and benefits Scotland far more than theirs. I was told about a blog called 'clairwils' which is a good example of this, read it, and weep for your country, you could not make this poisonous drivel up, reactionary nationalism in it's most puerile form, written it would seem, late on in the pub after a beating by England, if I thought these people were in any way typical of Scots I really would pack it in.'
http://councillorterrykelly.blogspot.com/2007/01/patriots-scoundrels.html#links
I notice the living argument against democracy couldn't answer any of the points I raised, which is perhaps why he didn't bother linking to me to let folk judge for themselves. Tee Hee Clairwil -1 Tezzabaws -0.
Toodle pip.
Look what Councillor Kelly is saying about me. 'Poisonous drivel', 'weep for your country'. Oh dear. Mind you there is a tiny ray of hope in amongst all this which I've highlighted in bold for you. For God's sake put your pride and dignity aside! If enough of you tell him that you are just like me and a typical Scot -he really will pack it in! Go on your country needs you.
'Some people don't like me saying these things as well as my claim that my position is far more honest and benefits Scotland far more than theirs. I was told about a blog called 'clairwils' which is a good example of this, read it, and weep for your country, you could not make this poisonous drivel up, reactionary nationalism in it's most puerile form, written it would seem, late on in the pub after a beating by England, if I thought these people were in any way typical of Scots I really would pack it in.'
http://councillorterrykelly.blogspot.com/2007/01/patriots-scoundrels.html#links
I notice the living argument against democracy couldn't answer any of the points I raised, which is perhaps why he didn't bother linking to me to let folk judge for themselves. Tee Hee Clairwil -1 Tezzabaws -0.
Toodle pip.
1/20/2007
Councillor Terry Kelly
Hello,
I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you all to the bad boy of Paisley politics Councillor Terry Kelly. He was brought to my attention by the lovely boys over at the Scottish Blogging Round Up and the charming Mr MacNumpty.
It's hard to know where to start. For some reason Mr Clairwil and I were reduced to tears of helpless laughter at the phrase 'I am a socialist' under his photo. I don't know why I find it so hilarious but every time I think about it I giggle like a loon. The fun doesn't stop there some of the posts are pure gold. At first I suspected it might be a spoof blog, a send up of the archetypal Scottish Labour balloon, but a phone call to one his constituents confirms that it is indeed real. Mind you, his predecessor was much worse (links to crime, missing money-the usual Labour snouts in trough stuff). If these 'good socialists' put as much effort into enriching the people as they do into lining their own pockets we'd all be living in solid gold council housing and each have a private jet in the driveway.
Curiously our Terry refers to 'Paisley's shame' as a period when the SNP and the Tories were running the show. Whilst I'm no fan of the Tories and am fairly unimpressed by the SNP, I would have thought that he'd find the dodgy dealings of his fellow party members far more shameful than the electorate failing to share his views. Then again I grew out that that phase of thinking everyone who has different politics to you is evil when I was about sixteen, unfortunately Councillor Kelly seems to have given up developing mentally at some point during adolescence. The cliche goes that you could get a monkey in a Labour rosette elected in the West Of Scotland, having read our Tezza's blog I am now convinced that you could easily dispense with the monkey and get the rosette elected. Incidentally if anyone is interested I was thinking of putting an old shoe up as an alternative Labour candidate at the next election to see how many votes it would get, if you can help please get in touch.
Councillor Kelly has something of a bee in his bonnet about gay rights, so much so that he is very cross with the SNP who he reckons are anti-gay because one of their MSP's is a Mormon and has arranged work experience for Mormons from Brigham Young University, which being Christian takes a dim view of the whole gay thing. He also reckons that Ruth Kelly's position in the Labour Party is 'untenable' because she takes a dim view of the gays. I think we have now established that our Tezza does not like people that don't like the gays. Fair enough except he declares that Fidel Castro is his hero. This puzzles me because I am reliably informed by Peter Tatchell that Mr Castro doesn't like the gays at all 'there are no homosexuals in the countryside' according to Fidel. I'm no expert but wasn't Fidel running the show when homosexuality was punishable by four years imprisonment or when failure to inform the authorities one's child was gay was considered a 'crime against the revolution'. To be fair things have eased up a bit in Cuba, nowadays they just imprison flamboyant homosexuals for twelve months and fine the rest. Like I say I'm no expert but if I were a gay Cuban I wouldn't be feeling very welcome at all under the rule of Councillor Kelly's hero (more here if you're interested).
I did wonder if Councillor Kelly's tough stance on gay rights might be more to do with scoring points against the SNP, than any sincere principle. After all he does take a very dim view of Scottish Nationalism and it would appear Scottishness generally. I hate to point the finger so I'll move on to his rampant anti-Scottish stance. According to our elected friend anyone who likes any of the following is 'in a bad way' ; Kilts (£600), Haggis (not as good as curry), St Andrew (a flag apparently), Robert Burns (2nd rate plagiarist), whisky (the national drinks are apparently Irn-Bru and Buckfast). I am not for a moment arguing that one has to like any of these things, far from it. Try as I might I cannot drink whisky without being sick, I once brought shame on Scotland by demonstrating this in front several English people who were downing it by the bottle and displaying no ill effects. Needless to say they were as amused as I was embarrassed. Sadly I do not have the figure for a kilt, nor it has to be said the inclination to wear one. I am however 'in a bad way' according to Councillor Kelly I like a bit of vegetarian Haggis, I like Burns, I rather like the Scottish flag and I have nothing against good old St Andrew, he's as good a saint as any other, though arguably not as exciting as England's dragon slayer.
This reference to Burns being 'second rate' and a 'plagiarist' crops up several times on Councillor Kelly's blog. He doesn't actually take the time to tell us who he considers a first rate poet or inform the reader which of Burn's poems were plagiarized and from whom. This is unfortunate because it makes him look like he's just put it in to annoy nationalists and admirers of Burns work rather than as a piece of informed comment. As he doesn't explain I can only guess that what he describes as plagiarism is Burns' use of traditional folk tunes and so on in his work. Alan touches on this in last years Burns Night post on his blog . I strongly recommend you read Alan's post, it is excellent, though be careful about reading it too soon after visiting Councillor Kelly's blog. I just did and it's left me feeling a bit disorientated as if I'd just gone from reading the back of a lavatory door to the collected works of Jane Austen in less than sixty seconds.
He is also unimpressed by the idea that the Golden Eagle should be declared Scotland's national bird, preferring the more common Starling. From reading his blog I can only presume that this is because the idea of Scotland being associated with anything beautiful, majestic and impressive is an anathema to him. God help us, if that clown were in charge, the Highlands would be turned into a car park and Loch Lomond filled in. Look at his cheery tone as he elevates downmarket Irn Bru and Buckfast over whisky as the national drink. God forbid Scotland should excel at anything above the gutter, God forbid that we should aspire to anything or be proud of a homegrown industry producing a world class spirit. I have long given up expecting anything from our elected representatives but he could at least hide his contempt, he could at least pretend he's trying to improve things. I'd suggest he leaves Scotland since he clearly despises it so much however to inflict this absurdity on another nation could only be interpreted as a grave insult and may lead to war. A keen anti-racist like Councillor Kelly might also want to bear in mind that running down one's own country and it's traditions all the time and writing respectfully of other countries is more likely to get peoples backs up than make them more welcoming to Polish and other migrants. Just a thought.
His post on Housing Stock Transfer is another gem. He's hopping mad that the people of Renfrewshire voted against it. Who does he blame for this outrage? Not himself and his council chums for failing to convince the electorate. Reading Councillor Kelly's blog one soon learns that everything bad that happens is the fault of the SNP, the Conservatives or the SSP. On this occasion it's the SSP to blame by er campaigning for a No vote and being believed by more of the electorate that those campaigning for a Yes vote. You can't blame him for thinking the electorate are stupid given that they elected him, I must admit the thought has crossed my mind, but he carries on like they've been hypnotised by the SS as he calls them. Of course it doesn't enter his head that people might have been a bit put off housing stock transfer after the GHA started sequestrating poverty stricken home owners who couldn't pay for repairs in 12months or less. It's been some years since I read Marx but is bankrupting poor people and making them homeless, strictly speaking, Socialist? I'm no expert but I don't think it is. He also blames the SSP because the Labour controlled council were so confident of a Yes vote they hadn't bothered to think up a plan b in the event of a No vote. Actually I rather like that, from now on anything that I fail to do will be Rosie Kane's fault. Tee Hee imagine her surprise when I invoice her next time I get bank charges after a financial mishap.
Finally and most staggering of all for me was his reaction to his constituency being named as the worst place to live in Scotland. You'd think he'd be affronted, but no. It is all the fault of Thatcher and the SNP. Ferguslie Park like most working class communities in Scotland took an awful battering under the Tories. However it might be nice if after ten years in government and in control of Renfrewshire Council, not to mention a majority in the Scottish Parliament the Labour Party took some responsibility for the state of the place. I wouldn't mind but you never hear them say 'we'll be unable to make any difference unless we're elected for four hundred years'. The Tories made the mess, Labour were elected in a triumph of optimism over common bloody sense to clean it up not whine about the SNP, the SSP or the sodding Tories.
All this begs the question, what is the Labour Party actually for? Despite being elected they are powerless to do anything without being thwarted by the opposition. Having read Mr Kelly's blog I suggest we all just cut out the middle man and elect the opposition party of your choice. It's a vast conspiracy from right to far left so there's something for everyone. If they're going to be in the background sabotaging things we might as well elect them to keep a better eye on the blighters.
Cheerio
Update -News of Tezzabaws' gold standard idiocy has spread;
Brit Blog Round Up
Scottish Blog Round Up
Someone very kindly sent me this Councillor Kelly v Science and this Councillor Kelly v The Mormons (for an anti- sectarian Catholic, he doesn't seem to have much time for other Christian sects).
I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce you all to the bad boy of Paisley politics Councillor Terry Kelly. He was brought to my attention by the lovely boys over at the Scottish Blogging Round Up and the charming Mr MacNumpty.
It's hard to know where to start. For some reason Mr Clairwil and I were reduced to tears of helpless laughter at the phrase 'I am a socialist' under his photo. I don't know why I find it so hilarious but every time I think about it I giggle like a loon. The fun doesn't stop there some of the posts are pure gold. At first I suspected it might be a spoof blog, a send up of the archetypal Scottish Labour balloon, but a phone call to one his constituents confirms that it is indeed real. Mind you, his predecessor was much worse (links to crime, missing money-the usual Labour snouts in trough stuff). If these 'good socialists' put as much effort into enriching the people as they do into lining their own pockets we'd all be living in solid gold council housing and each have a private jet in the driveway.
Curiously our Terry refers to 'Paisley's shame' as a period when the SNP and the Tories were running the show. Whilst I'm no fan of the Tories and am fairly unimpressed by the SNP, I would have thought that he'd find the dodgy dealings of his fellow party members far more shameful than the electorate failing to share his views. Then again I grew out that that phase of thinking everyone who has different politics to you is evil when I was about sixteen, unfortunately Councillor Kelly seems to have given up developing mentally at some point during adolescence. The cliche goes that you could get a monkey in a Labour rosette elected in the West Of Scotland, having read our Tezza's blog I am now convinced that you could easily dispense with the monkey and get the rosette elected. Incidentally if anyone is interested I was thinking of putting an old shoe up as an alternative Labour candidate at the next election to see how many votes it would get, if you can help please get in touch.
Councillor Kelly has something of a bee in his bonnet about gay rights, so much so that he is very cross with the SNP who he reckons are anti-gay because one of their MSP's is a Mormon and has arranged work experience for Mormons from Brigham Young University, which being Christian takes a dim view of the whole gay thing. He also reckons that Ruth Kelly's position in the Labour Party is 'untenable' because she takes a dim view of the gays. I think we have now established that our Tezza does not like people that don't like the gays. Fair enough except he declares that Fidel Castro is his hero. This puzzles me because I am reliably informed by Peter Tatchell that Mr Castro doesn't like the gays at all 'there are no homosexuals in the countryside' according to Fidel. I'm no expert but wasn't Fidel running the show when homosexuality was punishable by four years imprisonment or when failure to inform the authorities one's child was gay was considered a 'crime against the revolution'. To be fair things have eased up a bit in Cuba, nowadays they just imprison flamboyant homosexuals for twelve months and fine the rest. Like I say I'm no expert but if I were a gay Cuban I wouldn't be feeling very welcome at all under the rule of Councillor Kelly's hero (more here if you're interested).
I did wonder if Councillor Kelly's tough stance on gay rights might be more to do with scoring points against the SNP, than any sincere principle. After all he does take a very dim view of Scottish Nationalism and it would appear Scottishness generally. I hate to point the finger so I'll move on to his rampant anti-Scottish stance. According to our elected friend anyone who likes any of the following is 'in a bad way' ; Kilts (£600), Haggis (not as good as curry), St Andrew (a flag apparently), Robert Burns (2nd rate plagiarist), whisky (the national drinks are apparently Irn-Bru and Buckfast). I am not for a moment arguing that one has to like any of these things, far from it. Try as I might I cannot drink whisky without being sick, I once brought shame on Scotland by demonstrating this in front several English people who were downing it by the bottle and displaying no ill effects. Needless to say they were as amused as I was embarrassed. Sadly I do not have the figure for a kilt, nor it has to be said the inclination to wear one. I am however 'in a bad way' according to Councillor Kelly I like a bit of vegetarian Haggis, I like Burns, I rather like the Scottish flag and I have nothing against good old St Andrew, he's as good a saint as any other, though arguably not as exciting as England's dragon slayer.
This reference to Burns being 'second rate' and a 'plagiarist' crops up several times on Councillor Kelly's blog. He doesn't actually take the time to tell us who he considers a first rate poet or inform the reader which of Burn's poems were plagiarized and from whom. This is unfortunate because it makes him look like he's just put it in to annoy nationalists and admirers of Burns work rather than as a piece of informed comment. As he doesn't explain I can only guess that what he describes as plagiarism is Burns' use of traditional folk tunes and so on in his work. Alan touches on this in last years Burns Night post on his blog . I strongly recommend you read Alan's post, it is excellent, though be careful about reading it too soon after visiting Councillor Kelly's blog. I just did and it's left me feeling a bit disorientated as if I'd just gone from reading the back of a lavatory door to the collected works of Jane Austen in less than sixty seconds.
He is also unimpressed by the idea that the Golden Eagle should be declared Scotland's national bird, preferring the more common Starling. From reading his blog I can only presume that this is because the idea of Scotland being associated with anything beautiful, majestic and impressive is an anathema to him. God help us, if that clown were in charge, the Highlands would be turned into a car park and Loch Lomond filled in. Look at his cheery tone as he elevates downmarket Irn Bru and Buckfast over whisky as the national drink. God forbid Scotland should excel at anything above the gutter, God forbid that we should aspire to anything or be proud of a homegrown industry producing a world class spirit. I have long given up expecting anything from our elected representatives but he could at least hide his contempt, he could at least pretend he's trying to improve things. I'd suggest he leaves Scotland since he clearly despises it so much however to inflict this absurdity on another nation could only be interpreted as a grave insult and may lead to war. A keen anti-racist like Councillor Kelly might also want to bear in mind that running down one's own country and it's traditions all the time and writing respectfully of other countries is more likely to get peoples backs up than make them more welcoming to Polish and other migrants. Just a thought.
His post on Housing Stock Transfer is another gem. He's hopping mad that the people of Renfrewshire voted against it. Who does he blame for this outrage? Not himself and his council chums for failing to convince the electorate. Reading Councillor Kelly's blog one soon learns that everything bad that happens is the fault of the SNP, the Conservatives or the SSP. On this occasion it's the SSP to blame by er campaigning for a No vote and being believed by more of the electorate that those campaigning for a Yes vote. You can't blame him for thinking the electorate are stupid given that they elected him, I must admit the thought has crossed my mind, but he carries on like they've been hypnotised by the SS as he calls them. Of course it doesn't enter his head that people might have been a bit put off housing stock transfer after the GHA started sequestrating poverty stricken home owners who couldn't pay for repairs in 12months or less. It's been some years since I read Marx but is bankrupting poor people and making them homeless, strictly speaking, Socialist? I'm no expert but I don't think it is. He also blames the SSP because the Labour controlled council were so confident of a Yes vote they hadn't bothered to think up a plan b in the event of a No vote. Actually I rather like that, from now on anything that I fail to do will be Rosie Kane's fault. Tee Hee imagine her surprise when I invoice her next time I get bank charges after a financial mishap.
Finally and most staggering of all for me was his reaction to his constituency being named as the worst place to live in Scotland. You'd think he'd be affronted, but no. It is all the fault of Thatcher and the SNP. Ferguslie Park like most working class communities in Scotland took an awful battering under the Tories. However it might be nice if after ten years in government and in control of Renfrewshire Council, not to mention a majority in the Scottish Parliament the Labour Party took some responsibility for the state of the place. I wouldn't mind but you never hear them say 'we'll be unable to make any difference unless we're elected for four hundred years'. The Tories made the mess, Labour were elected in a triumph of optimism over common bloody sense to clean it up not whine about the SNP, the SSP or the sodding Tories.
All this begs the question, what is the Labour Party actually for? Despite being elected they are powerless to do anything without being thwarted by the opposition. Having read Mr Kelly's blog I suggest we all just cut out the middle man and elect the opposition party of your choice. It's a vast conspiracy from right to far left so there's something for everyone. If they're going to be in the background sabotaging things we might as well elect them to keep a better eye on the blighters.
Cheerio
Update -News of Tezzabaws' gold standard idiocy has spread;
Brit Blog Round Up
Scottish Blog Round Up
Someone very kindly sent me this Councillor Kelly v Science and this Councillor Kelly v The Mormons (for an anti- sectarian Catholic, he doesn't seem to have much time for other Christian sects).
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