BBC & Scottish Independence Debate

There are many things I could focus on this week, such as what is happening in Socchi, or the flooding of parts of the UK but what I really want to discuss at the moment is what is happening at the BBC with regard to the 'Independence debate'. Over the past year or more I have slowly but surely become more disgusted at the blatant lack of objectivity that the BBC has shown in this debate and in everything surrounding it.

My partner asks me why I am surprised, given how much of a voice-box they have become for the government but I genuinely felt that, as an allegedly independent broadcasting corporation, they would remain impartial. No such luck. The programmes produced over the past few months about Scotland and the Scottish debate have all been from a vote no point of view, nostalgic for 'best of british' and generally negative on anything remotely regarded as being in the yes campaign. There is no proper discussion, merely politician after politician being strutted out in front of thee camera to make comments on why we are safer to stay in the UK.

They do not mention the fact that it is looking more and more likely that the folks south of the border will vote the Tory party in yet again, further rippling those in need and killing off the NHS - something that, yet again, Scotland will have zero say in. If we are to be free of the Conservative party we need to vote yes. If we are to ever decide for ourselves who we want to govern us, we have to vote yes. All the scaremongering in the world from the BBC and the PM cannot change these facts.

I think its about time that the BBC pulled back from the debate completely if they cannot be impartial they should not report anything regarding this topic. It has put me off the BBC to the extent that I have stopped watching anything on the BBC and have switched to other channels.

On another note, I have written a bit of a sexy witchy/werewolfy/vampirey book. If you like Charlaine Harris, Carrie Vaughn, Patricia Briggs, hopefully you'll like this. It is available on kindle and now in paperback.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Wolf-Witch-Coffin-ebook/dp/B00CCWL6ES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366023812&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wolf%2C+the+witch+and+the+coffin

My second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

My first book, The Stone in the Sword, is now reduced in price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

Charity Advertising

One of the saddening and angering things about this time of year (just before and a while after Christmas) are the adverts requesting you have your phone/mobile handy to contact charities. The adverts then go on to become the most disgusting pieces of manipulation that you could see on non-fiction television. They seem to be aimed at older people who tend to be more vulnerable to this kind of manipulation, as sadly, because of this kind of hard and cruel television anyone under the age of fifty is becoming immune to the horrors that the world and these so called charities portray.

I must say shame on the charities that really play the pity cards. Rather than having a campaign that is positive or showing the good work charity money is doing, they focus on the horrors they are trying to stop, to guilt people into paying them. I don't like to name names but the kind of ads I am talking about include Anthony Nolan, the animal cruelty prevention campaigns and anything to do with helping blind people in poor countries. I find myself, like many, many others, switching off when these adverts come on because I think they are almost a form of emotional blackmail and it is often the most vulnerable in society who end up giving all they can to these charities.

You should never feel forced into giving to charity - because then it is not charity, it is a form of extortion (I am not claiming that these adverts are extortion).

Because so many groups are opting for these tactics, people in the 21st century tend to suffer compassion fatigue (where you become immune/resistant to helping others because you are saturated with images of horrors or left feeling that the money you donate is not going where you would like it to).

Personally I shall not give a penny to anyone trying to guilt money out of me. I give what I can when I can and no ad campaign will change my views, rather they make me so angry it only makes me turn to charities that do not opt for this kind of money-raising.

I do think that people should give what they can afford to charity, be it time, money, clothing/food etc, because we are all humans and should try to help one another out. I am also aware of the fact that despite the government's attempts to claim otherwise, the average person is still struggling with the recession (even though some would have us believe it is over). This is also a time of year when people have very little left over from the festive season and so I think it is a particularly poor choice of time to begin any kind of campaign trying to raise money.

Please note that I am not trying to decry charities. I am simply saying that I think the adverts some charities choose to produce are vulgar and hitting below the belt.

If you are thinking of giving to charity please choose wisely and please do not allow the kind of adverts mentioned above to choose for you.


On another note, I have written a bit of a sexy witchy/werewolfy/vampirey book (not erocita, but sexy). If you like Charlaine Harris, Carrie Vaughn, Patricia Briggs, hopefully you'll like this. It is available on kindle and now in paperback.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Wolf-Witch-Coffin-ebook/dp/B00CCWL6ES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366023812&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wolf%2C+the+witch+and+the+coffin

My second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

My first book, The Stone in the Sword, is now reduced in price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

World Politics Just Now

Firstly, I would like to congratulate (sarcasm) Australia voting in a complete misogynist to be Prime Minister, Tony Abbott. Well done you, and a healthy step back for womens rights. This so called liberal politician has been noted for making many comments against women, even in his own party. I had wanted to visit Australia. Think I'll give it a wide berth now! I feel very sorry for the women of that country because a man like this can only do harm. Let us sit back and see just how 'liberal' he really is!

My heart goes out to the people of Mogadishu after a bomb in a restaurant killed at least 15 people!! The reastaurant, called The Village, was popular with journalists and govt workers. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24000782

Greece is in the news at the moment as the Prime Minister says that the economy is recovering - coining the phrase 'Grecovery'. However economists are forecasting that the Greek economy will shrink a further 4.2% this year. Is Prime Minister Samaras being optimistic or is he painting a falses picture for his voters? The people of Greece do not seem inclined to agree with the PM, as protests continue on the streets.

Finally, India has a serious issue with a Calcutta hospital which has seen 30 baby deaths in the last four days. It is accused of negligence. For the full story, please see link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-24000951


On another note, I have written a bit of a sexy witchy/werewolfy/vampirey book (not erocita, but sexy). If you like Charlaine Harris, Carrie Vaughn, Patricia Briggs, hopefully you'll like this. It is available on kindle and now in paperback.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Wolf-Witch-Coffin-ebook/dp/B00CCWL6ES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366023812&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wolf%2C+the+witch+and+the+coffin

My second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

My first book, The Stone in the Sword, is now reduced in price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

IOC and Russia

Normally I like to think that for the most part, countries should be left to their own devices. Who are we to tell other countries how to run their state? However, in light of the Winter Olympic Games being held in Sochi in 2014, I do think we need to force the IOC into changing venue, or to make Putin back down on these highly oppressive laws he has been introducing.

We are in the 21st century and yet some countries, who try to align themselves with Western ideals and thinking, as well as Western capitalism, seem to think its ok to bring in new laws that tyrannise minority groups within their own land! How is this forward thinking? Indeed, it is the exact opposite. With the new laws against gays/lesbians Putin has pushed Russia back into the past.

To think that the IOC, who have strong guidelines for what is to be expected of a host nation, can think that it is acceptable for Russia to bring out these laws and keep the priviledge of being a host, is quite frankly, absurd!

I think we should call on the IOC to put it to Russia to overturn new laws against gay and lesbian citizens (and visitors) or face having the Winter Olympics 2014 moved to another venue.

I am rather disgusted that the IOC have not already done this. They are putting gay and lesbian participants, commentators and supporters at risk of violence and jail!

As Stephen Fry so eloquently put it, this is remeniscent of another European tyrant, Hitler!

Included here is a link to the above mentioned letter.

I would say to Russia, and to Putin in particular, rethink what you are doing. If you want to be accepted by the more liberal countries in the world, treating those who are different from you with respect is a must!

On another note, I have written a bit of a sexy witchy/werewolfy/vampirey book (not erocita, but sexy). If you like Charlaine Harris, Carrie Vaughn, Patricia Briggs, hopefully you'll like this. It is available on kindle and now in paperback.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Wolf-Witch-Coffin-ebook/dp/B00CCWL6ES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366023812&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wolf%2C+the+witch+and+the+coffin

My second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

My first book, The Stone in the Sword, is now reduced in price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

A lot of news!

A few things to talk about today - some good, some not so good.

Firstly, I think it is wonderful that many Labour MPs are finally going for the Yes vote for independence in Scotland. I was talking to a friend who is English, lives in Scotland and votes Labour. He's worried that the SNP are anti-English. They're not anti anything. They have English and Muslim MPs within their ranks. This is not about being anti-anything, its about being pro Scotland, about leading ourselves, making all the bi8g decisions for ourselves and being responsible for and to ourselves. This is a good thing. I am really, really happy to see that many Labour voters and MPs are finally seeing that now. I hope other parties will follow on, although I really do not care what tory MPs and their handful of followers do. It is so obvious when a tory/Conservative government is in charge - you have extreme poverty and a minority of rich powerful thugs getting richer and more powerful.

Second on the menu is the fact that this horrific government I was just mentioning are planning on censoring our freedom to look at what we want on websites. It started with porn and fair enough, I agree especially with reference to illegal and inappropriate porn but now it is moving on to other things. And so our civil liberties are being infringed. And the government has the cheek and audacity to call the Chinese totalitarian!!!

Thirdly, the fact that there is a protest going on in Bulgaria that no one in the media seems to be paying much attention to. This is over government corruption and the ordinary person feeling like they are not being regarded at all - sounds a lot like here, doesn't it!! http://www.rue89.com/2013/07/24/bulgarie-revolte-aussi-leurope-sen-fiche-244488 Sorry its not in English!

Fourthly, Iranian pregnant woman was hung to death!!! Link here but I dso not agree with its statement that this is Islamic law or Islamic Justice - Islam is a gentle religion, these are the actions of fundamentalists and most religions have those! http://www.siotw.org/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=154&cid=1#.UfkYzKywSnR

We are all human beings and all deserves a little respect. I think the higher ups needs to remember that, treat their people with a little respect and stop thinking so much about themselves. They are meant to be the SERVANTS of their country - not in it to exploit their position for everything they can get. This goes for Iran as well as the others. Women are people too. If a woman is attacked she should be protected and treated carefully. It is not her fault. I really wish they would see that!

Peace.

On another note, I have written a bit of a sexy witchy/werewolfy/vampirey book (not erocita, but sexy). If you like Charlaine Harris, Carrie Vaughn, Patricia Briggs, hopefully you'll like this. It is available on kindle and now in paperback.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Wolf-Witch-Coffin-ebook/dp/B00CCWL6ES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366023812&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wolf%2C+the+witch+and+the+coffin

My second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

My first book, The Stone in the Sword, is now reduced in price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

Budget and Independence Mis-Information

After hearing Osbourne rip any hope of a blooming economy away from the UK, I feel very dejected about the future for not only business here but also for living anything more than a very basic life for the majority of us.

Rather than cutting more jobs and welfare, why can't they charge wealthier prisoners for their meals and upkeep? Rather than talk of jailing bankers, why not simply fine them huge quantities (because jailing them means that yet again, they are taking from the tax payer).

I would genuinely like to see MP's taking a pay cut but they won't. They grumbled because they didn't get their usual pay rise (while everyone else's pays had been frozen they expected to keep their raise!).

We are an island in mourning for a decent goverment.

We do have a light on the horizon. At least some of us can get out of this - Scotland has the referendum next year and I genuinely hope we can break away from the Tory Totaitarian state we are currently forced into. I genuinely feel sorry for the rest of the UK who don't have that option. Only a small proportion of the population actually voted in the last election and enabled these awful people in.

According to the BBC, the UK government are about to announce that if Scotland were to break away from the rest of the UK mobile phones would charge for roaming fees is they then travelled to England/Wales etc, as it would be classed as going abroad.

They also announced that Post Offices would close and the rural broadband scheme would be cancelled.

Lets look at each of these claims:

'well before 2016' the Eu is hoping to cancel the roaming fees - problem solved.

They have been closing more and more post offices in Scotland for more than 10 years and there has been an underlying threat of privatisation (a key word for tories) since the tories came back into power!

As someone who lived in a very, very remote part of Scotland (Island of Skye had more going for it that our area!) for several years and only moved to Argyll a couple of months ago, I can tell you that this rural broadband scheme doesn't seem to exist yet - BT made it very clear to us that London came first when we enquired about getting broadband. We had to use a dongle.

This aspect is simply a farce and doesn't exist now, so why would we think going Independent would make a remote difference? Westminster needs to come up with real issues and not make rubbish up!

On another note, I have written a bit of a sexy witchy/werewolfy/vampirey book (not erocita, but sexy). If you like Charlaine Harris, Carrie Vaughn, Patricia Briggs, hopefully you'll like this. It is available on kindle and now in paperback.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Wolf-Witch-Coffin-ebook/dp/B00CCWL6ES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366023812&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wolf%2C+the+witch+and+the+coffin

My second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

My first book, The Stone in the Sword, is now reduced in price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

A few major issues

Today I would like to discuss a few things. Firstly, the lack of coverage of the uprising in Turkey, where protesters are being blatantly and violent abused by the regime there: BBC report

It is shocking that this isn't all over the news, like the Arab Spring Rising was a few years ago, and Syria continues to be. This rising has now breached Europe and the totalitaran state that Turkey has become. They very recently hurried through laws allowing for forgein oil exploration within their borders to appease the likes of the US and now it seems that they can do as they please!! My sympathy goes to the people of Turkey.

As it is Wednesday, it is Prime Minister Questions, although frankly I don't know why its called that because he 'answers' every question with one of his own, unskillfully avoiding the arguments. I really do disair at the behaviour of these childish Etonians. It galls me that these boys are our 'leaders'. Cameron still seems oblivious to the fact that it takes years of training for a doctor and a nurse and takes all the credit for the increase in the numbers of both - when this was cleary implemented by the last govt.

As to Scotland, I am coming to the realisation that we really are better off away from the UK. England (in the majority) seems to want to leave the EU - not realising how less well off they will be. Most of our exports go to the EU and that would fall dramatically if we were no longer a part of the community. Given the results of the last election (where almost no one in Scotland voted Conservative (1 seat) but we got the Tory govt anyway)it is clear that regardless of how Scotland votes, it will be England's decision (they have 10 x the population we have).

Add to that the fact that the Tories are doing everything they possibly can to ruin and sell off the NHS, plus they want to put £150 million into a new trident project, I think it is necessary for the people of Scotland to vote YES in 2014. No matter what we vote as a nation in the UK elections and referndums, we are voiceless in the sheer mass that is south of the border and are dragged along however they please. I do not think this is a democratic society and I do not want it any more. I have many dear friends south of the border and I love them a great deal. I simply do not want to be dictated to by Westminster any longer, not when it is doing such a horrific job!

I do not think money will be an issue - we have so many resources and I think, if the Crown etc wish to maintain the oil drilling, we will manage to keep the £. We will be able to maintain our own NHS far better than Westminster ever could and we will remain in Europe, which is essential in the 21st century. I think the naesayers are scared, and that's their right but I do not want to be connected to a country that votes against everything we vote for. That is not democracy, it is autocracy!


On another note, I have written a bit of a sexy witchy/werewolfy/vampirey book (not erocita, but sexy). If you like Charlaine Harris, Carrie Vaughn, Patricia Briggs, hopefully you'll like this. It is available on kindle and now in paperback.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Wolf-Witch-Coffin-ebook/dp/B00CCWL6ES/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366023812&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wolf%2C+the+witch+and+the+coffin

My second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

My first book, The Stone in the Sword, is now reduced in price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3