Gball1973

BobbyZ, here you go http://www.votewatch.eu/

SmoggyPaul, Can you explain your reason for thinking the EU is less democratic than our current UK govt? EU - European Council - 28 heads of state/governments (one for each country in the EU), all elected by the people of their home nations, most of which use proportional representation. European parliament - again, all MEPs are elected by constituents. Proportional representation again. European commission - not elected by the public, but are appointed by European parliament and the council of ministers. Council of Ministers - Ministers from each member state (elected as MEPs), also (with parliament) scrutinise the European commission. The council sets the priorities to the commission, the commission proposes legislation and budget, parliament negotiates laws with the council of ministers to make EU law and budget. All done by people we have elected. UK - House of Commons - 650 elected MPs, some of which are being investigated for possible election fraud, and a Tory govt in charge with 34% of the vote. House of Lords - 800+ UNELECTED people who claim £300 a day, just for showing up, and either make or break our laws.

I'm with Adrian, Dan, Graham and Colin on this one. Remain. The leave campaign have lied from day one about the annual £13bn in taxes sent to the EU - remember around £4.5bn never even goes (in the form of rebates) which is earmarked for the likes of farming, research & development, education and regional aid (used to boost the economies of the poor, remote or under populated areas - e.g. Germany spends theirs on eastern Germany). ANY promise that £350m a week that goes to the EU could fund a "a new hospital a week" amongst the other thing they are saying would mean less money for the industries mentioned above. If we were to leave, IMHO, a BoJo(most likely to take over from dodgy Dave) lead Govt would not use that money responsibly and any subsidies mentioned above would most likely be revoked - to what extent, I don't know, but I don't want to find out. As far as the EU as a governing body goes, yes it's not perfect, but please show me one that is? I have seen a lot of posting here and other sites that the EU is "un-democratic", " we didn't vote for them" and "take our democracy back" and other similar posts. There seems to be a lot of people have forgotten that the EU is controlled by the European Council which comprises 28 ELECTED heads of state or government (one for each member state, in the case of the UK David Cameron) and that most of those countries vote for their leader by proportional representation style voting - much fairer than the current UK voting system - Tory Govt with 34% anyone? Not just that, but we also have (as part of the EU and directly elected by us) the European parliament who along with the council of ministers (again, from each member state) appoint and scrutinise the (unelected by the public) European commission (again, one from each member state). So, as far as I can see on this point, we do have a voice via our elected officials, but, as with our Westminster officials, only if they choose to voice our issues. Compare that to the UKs 800+ UNELECTED House of Lords (the largest unelected legislative chamber in the world), our unelected head of state, our unelected central bank. Leaving would just hand more power to a government accused of cheating their way into power - makes no sense to me. Trade will continue one way or another, all be it (most likely) at a loss if we leave. But, again something people are overlooking - if 44% of our international trade is with the EU, where is the other 56% going? Yup, that's right, the rest of the world. If British businesses are still going to manufacture for the EU countries, they will have to make sure their products comply with EU standards, but the UK will no longer have any say in how these regulations are applied. Who will say no to Trump (god help us all) if he wins and pushes harder for TTIP after a leave vote? BoJo? Various EU states have vowed to veto TTIP. Who would keep the tories in check? Remember that 1)the tories have said that the NHS will not be exempted from it, and we currently have a health minister who co-authored a book about privatising it. Not just that, it would allow corporations (including banks) to sue a government if their profits are at risk (tax dodging anyone - if you think it's bad now......). This could lead to energy companies enforcing fracking in YOUR area, it also WOULD lead to a drop in standards - let's say an American food company wants to set up a new location in Wales, do you think that in a fully independent Britain would be allowed, under TTIP, to make that company set up with British/European safety/health standards? It would interfere with their profits buying that expensive PPE for 400+ employees or those machine guards that cost ££££ for the machine that wee Johnny lost his hand in. Everything I've read on TTIP strongly suggests that if this goes through, we (assuming we have higher standards) would have to drop our standards to those outwith the EU. Sorry, but I'm quite proud of the higher standards of production, safety, and rights we have within the EU. What would happen to workers rights if a leave vote happens? Currently, we have a lot including paid holidays, maternity/paternity leave etc. What happens there (especially combined with TTIP)? Notice period? Minimum wage? Working time directive? I certainly wouldn't want to work for a company that can make you work a potential 60+ hours a week for less, with less rights. The only point (and only to a degree) I can agree with for leaving is certain issues surrounding immigration, but (latest govt figures) as less than 5% of the population are immigrants, it doesn't worry me at all.

As above, Newport-on-Tay today, with some Veilside bits on.

http://www.dorseteye.com/north/articles/private-parking-firms-cannot-fine-you

That person needs beaten like a red-headed stepchild.

What about this http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=this+is+spinal+tap&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UcBKVL-bPMjX7QbB44DgCQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg#facrc=_&imgrc=yljft4dcW4PIMM%253A%3BcQsdNaQ6Pqf3oM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi.vimeocdn.com%252Fvideo%252F434450849_640.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fvimeo.com%252F63972880%3B640%3B640

A couple of years ago, while on way to Lakez, Vicky and I had a bump in Edinburgh with a biker who (in basically stationary traffic) decided to "filter" through via the nearside of an artic. Fast forward to two years later, our (now ex)insurer told us they were going settle 50/50. Their reason being that, they had passed the files to an English law firm, but due the accident happening in Scotland they basically couldn't be bothered to find a Scottish law firm. We then asked why we had been paying for legal (BTE) cover if they had no intention of providing said cover in Scotland, and shouldn't we be entitled to a refund (full or part) of costs of said cover? Still waiting for a response and/or refund of legal cover.

My childhood house had varied musical influence, everything from Abba, Baccarra, Foster and Allan, accordion and fiddle bands, right through to Kiss, ZZ Top and Rush. The stuff that stuck though was the rock/metal, but, as long as there is genuine musical talent, I'll give most stuff a go. My current top ten bands/artists at the minute though are (in no particular order and based on what's in the car just now):- Some of these may be NSFW Lamb of God Anthrax Sick Of It All Avenged Sevenfold Down Suicidal Tendencies Clutch https://www.youtube....h?v=HDoKyzHzP14 Bullyrag Lacuna Coil Channel Zero

Have a look here. Some good prices http://www.thomann.de/gb/search.html?KF=on&gk=dredse&oa=pra&bn=&pr=&wgfid1=11628&wgf11628=&wgfid2=11629&wgf11629=&wgfid3=11631&wgf11631=&wgfid4=11630&wgf11630=&wgfid5=11627&wgf11627=Yes&wgfid6=12131&wgf12131=&wgfid7=11632&wgf11632=&kf=on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vp2oVIzkpk

Blondie - Parallel Lines, Led Zep - IV, De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising, Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger, R.H.C.P. - Blood Sugar Sex Majik, Bob Marley - Exodus, Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill, Leftfield - Leftism, Madonna - Like a Virgin, The Clash - London Calling, Metallica - Master of Puppets, Guns and Roses - Use your Illusion, Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells, Primal Scream, Screamadelica, Moby - Play, Prodigy - Music for the Jilted Generation, Jamiroquai - Emergency on Planet Earth.

You've also got to remember that the banks (trader side of operations) started the financial crisis. What has ANY of the UK governments done about it to keep them in line since? Not a thing. They have bailed them out using OUR taxes, and (reported by media) talked about selling them off for privatization. Didn't work so well for the post office -sold at a fraction of its worth and not so much as a "sorry" from anyone involved let alone someone being held to account. You guys are in the know but I heard the post office was sold to one of David Cameron's mates on the cheap. Even though it was making over half a billion in profit a year ? Not sure they were "mates", but is a Tory party donor. Also lead to believe he's on Cameron's list to be put into house of lords.

Double post

You've also got to remember that the banks (trader side of operations) started the financial crisis. What has ANY of the UK governments done about it to keep them in line since? Not a thing. They have bailed them out using OUR taxes, and (reported by media) talked about selling them off for privatization. Didn't work so well for the post office -sold at a fraction of its worth and not so much as a "sorry" from anyone involved let alone someone being held to account.

Ok. Here's a link to a page with links to the edited report that was shown , and the unedited report. http://tompride.wordpress.com/2014/09/11/bbc-reporter-caught-red-handed-manipulating-video-in-scottish-indy-campaign/ Quite a contrast. Even (as said at the bottom of the page) a few years ago, the BBC would probably have someone sacked for such biased editing. The BBC stand to lose money from Scottish independence along with Westminster. They report what they (and Downing Street) want. Did they report about Alex Salmond receiving death threats? No. They reported about Jim Murphy being egged. They reported nothing covering the recent march against NHS cuts and privatization,. They reported very little about the marches up and down the country against the disproportionate bombing in Gaza by Israel - they reported the PM saying that he couldn't do anything. I cannot trust anything the BBC reports. They no longer show even a veil of unbiased reporting.

That was awesome! People seem to be getting into a frenzy over small things. Like him or not he answered it comprehensively. The best bit is that the BBC are claiming that Alex Salmond didn't answer this question Exactly Neil. Nick Robinson reported that Salmond did not answer at all, why, when there is proof he did. It's yet another example of media bias towards Westminster.

For those postings about businesses moving south.

Uncertainty mate. And no cold hard facts. I would love to be free from westminster (and I'm pretty sure half of England would too) however I'm not sure if the time is right just now Still have uncertainty if we get a yes vote though Neil, only definite is that even if Labour get in they will keep with Tory austerity measures, as confirmed by Miliband himself - just think of the 800000 people living in Scotland in poverty (don't know the figures for the rest if the UK), that's almost a fifth /20% of our nation relying on assistance just to live. That's not right.

Not at all. In a recent tv interview (live from Arbroath) when asked of he would prefer politics or independence, his answer was independence. Go figure.

They're actually moving the company registration - purely for reasons of taxation. It's the same whooha about Standard life - daily fail saying over 5000 jobs to be lost...... During recent news reports it has been stated that the uncertainty of certain industries has created "billions" to be lost on the stock market - I thought this can happen anyway without a referendum happening. A recent report I read said that with Osbourne saying "there will be no currency union" it has started to devalue the UK pound already. If that is the case, would it be safe to assume(playing devils advocate) that with Scottish oil revenues, a Scottish pound would be worth more? If so, why would we want a currency union?

Because of the initial stages of set-up, will be a completely new experience for whoever is running things - they'll get some things 100% from day one and others will be sooo way of the mark. Said it before , I'll say it again , I'm under no illusions it will be perfect from day one, but when you consider that around 800000 people in Scotland (almonst a fifth of the population) live below the poverty line as a result of Westminster cuts over the last 10-15 years and Labour (let's face it, Conservative party's only real opposition) have said they will continue with austerity measures introduced by the Torys, I think it's time for a shake up of the system. Yes, big business will still need a voice, but are we destined to go back to Victorian workhouse values for the majority to keep those at the top happy? - as a member of lower management in the retail/DIY industry, we have already seen changes over the last 5-6 years pushing to give colleagues less rights/rewards including pay structure and holiday/sick entitlement. These people are the ones who are currently taking a bigger bite out of the $h!t sandwich handed out from government than pretty much anyone else, they're the ones who are fighting to keep themselves above the poverty line. They're the ones I hear saying they had to wait more time at the pharmacy because the junkie who lives round the corner (who also gets more money in benefits) came in to get his/her methadone and generally feel like they are treated as third class citizens behind even the junkies. More importantly, these are the people who our government SHOULD be looking out for but have been ignored by successive governments for decades.

^^^This. This is the whole thing in a nutshell. If Yes had every answer to every question, then I would totally understand every Scot voting yes. As it stands, it's a gigantic shot in the dark with nothing more than "Well, at least we're not Westminster!" as the broad tagline. That just seems utterly crazy to me. I fully understand where the concern is Dan, but, for me anyway, I believe there probably is something in the pipeline for agencies like the DVLA, maybe not 100% ready to go etc.. but they will/should have something ready to go when/if it happens. As said earlier, I'm under no illusions - the first couple of years will be like teenagers fumbling in the dark. After that though....

Poll tax? Which was, iirc, illegal due to being introduced in Scotland but not the rest of the UK. Also add to that the current investigation in potential human rights breach by the current government and their treatment of benefits claimants - atos etc....

Old Labour yes, New Labour no. The Blair/Brown years proved that. The conservative and Labour parties , as Dblock said, don't really care about Joe bloggs who lives in Edinburgh/Glasgow/Aberdeen....., it's too far north of the M25, he doesn't contribute 600000 to the party funds, he doesn't get why privatizing his local high school and hospital will be "better" for his community that may already be on the poverty line. The only other options open, really, are UKIP (hate everyone, probably even daily mail readers) or to vote for independence with a CHANCE of creating something that can give true representation to the majority.