In the 1980s I edited View from Farr and in the 1990s Auldcastle View. The past two decades have given me another perspective and so I am beginning a new series in my blog called View from the Pew. It is specifically aimed at preachers, preaching and congregations. The reason for this is that whereas …
Category: Campaigning
When did BBC Question Time last change your mind?
Does the BBC flagship programme Question Time change anyone's mind? The standard of debate on BBC Question Time is poor and getting worse. We were told years ago that we needed female politicians who would bring civilised debate to male-dominated politics. I never believed it and I have seen no evidence that it has done …
Continue reading When did BBC Question Time last change your mind?
Creeping internet control
In spite of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, most corporations are still at it – surreptitiously gathering more information about you to no purpose other than their psychological profiling of their customers. Reputable websites, such as mainstream newspapers, invite you to register online with them to view their articles. It begins with your name and email. …
Alex Salmond joins the campaign for natural justice
Alex Salmond, former SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland, has resigned from the SNP. The reason he has given is to save the SNP the embarrassment and consequences of suspending him from the party while he defends himself against allegations of sexual misconduct. BBC Newsnight said tonight that Salmond had always disagreed with suspending …
Continue reading Alex Salmond joins the campaign for natural justice
UK Traffic bugbears
Driving a motor vehicle is the most dangerous activity in which most people engage on a regular basis. So one might think that people would learn how to drive more safely and pay more attention to it. Yet many people do not do so. One meets all types on the road. Driving is one activity …
Children’s Hearings in Scotland
BBC Newsnight on 3/8/2018 drew attention to concerns that the Child Protection Service in Norway is taking too many children into care. The same concerns should be publicized in Scotland. The British media has publicised 'separation anxiety' experienced by children being separated from their parents at the American-Mexico border. The same British media is behind …
Invoices, emails and warranties
I have a three-year warranty for my laptop computer with Hewlett-Packard. The start date of the warranty is wrong. When I emailed HP customer care to correct it, forwarding the original email response confirming my purchase, they wanted ‘a scan of the hardware invoice’, which I sent. This begs two questions: 1. what use is …
Megaphones in public demonstrations
In the light of President Donald Trump's recent visit to London and Scotland, the following letter was sent to London and Glasgow national newspapers. Although it raises a significant matter for debate, it was not published. Sir,The flying of a giant balloon of a baby Donald Trump over London, and its tour around the UK, …
Football or armwrestling?
The clue is in the name. Football is about manoeuvring a ball with one's feet. Some are good at it and others are not. The range of skill is great, from very good to mediocre and even bad and very bad. The footworking skill of good footballers is being spoiled by the armwrestling tactics of …
A disgrace to football
It is a disgrace to football to witness the number of teams in the Russian World Cup 2018 who physically wrestled Harry Kane to the ground to prevent his reaching the ball in the penalty area, even in front of the referee in England's win against Colombia last night. This is not football, far less …
