I like to think I look at everything in the round, trying to see both the good and the bad. I have always been anti-war. I have always believed that disputes can be resolved by reasonable people sitting down and negotiating, or discussing their differences. I have always believed that most actions have both a …
The political history of Ukraine has been turbulent ever since they voted for independence in December 1991. In any country where there is a clear divide, culturally or linguistically, it is always going to be difficult for Western style democracy to be adequate. The concept of a winner of an election being in total control …
Ukraine was arguably the most likely of the former Soviet Republics to succeed following independence, however, it's economic history has been particularly poor, GDP falling by 60% between 1991 and 1999. Rapid growth subsequent to 2000 coming to a virtual stop in 2008 with the Global economic crisis. The period from 1994 to 1996 was …
Currency is an emotional question rather than a rational one. Scotland has always had a pound of it's own, it's major Banks have had the right to print currency on a basis that they held Sterling deposits to the same value. Scotland's independence does not mean that principle needs to be broken. Many countries have …
While I can understand the reasons and the desire of part of the Islamic movement's wish to recreate a Caliphate covering the middle East, I cannot accept the willy nilly slaughtering of people who do not agree. The word terrorist has been used over liberally during the past decade. Here we have a situation where …
Unfortunately I was unable to watch the Salmond Darling debate. It seems that the "Better Together" campaign is still hung up on the currency issue, while Salmond seems unwilling to tackle the issue head on. Obviously refusal by the UK to enter into a monetary union with Scotland post independence, is within the UK's right. …
Associated Press in Washington have just released a report, coming out of a freedom of information request, that the USA have been making use of "Agents Provocateurs" to foment unrest in foreign countries. "Beginning as early as October 2009, a project overseen by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) sent Venezuelan, Costa Rican and …
Fine words are all very well it is deeds we need. Hamas wont stop firing rockets unless Israel ends the illegal blockade against shipping to Gaza, Israel wont stop bombarding Gaza unless Hamas stops firing rockets. Impasse! The Palestinian conflict began in the late 1800's with Jews moving back to Palestine and establishing small settlements …
Democracy is a funny thing. Our media, and politicians, have come out firmly that Russia is the nigger in the woodpile over Ukraine. I was almost born a sceptic and when politicians take a strong stand I tend to look for the weaknesses in their arguments. We have quite a record of getting involved in …
A few weeks ago I was visited by two political activists from the LibDems. They turned out to be two of our local councilors. I gave them my usual response; "The best thing we can do with our politicians, is take them down to the sea and drown the lot of them." The elder of …