The government’s answer to all who would dare protest, is proscription!

Modern Legal Meaning

• Defined as the official banning of an organization believed to be involved in, prepare for, or promote terrorism.

We have now arrived at the place where, if violence takes place at any event, proscription is called for. There is a difference between an act of violence and an act of terrorism, and we have different laws and actions to deal with them both.We create a dangerous precedent by trying to lump both under one heading.

The violence I witnessed in Glasgow last Saturday was not terrorism it was thuggery, and dealt with appropriately by the police.

Sometimes, when looking at how to deal with a problem, we start at the wrong end of the stick! Instead of asking what we can do with these people maybe we should be asking ‘why is this happening’?

Don’t get me wrong, violence is never the answer and in many ways just perpetuates the problem, but when people feel disenfranchised within their own communities… you’re going to get it!

If you think Councils represent the feelings of their voters, think again!

But they are very good at point scoring, especially Party point scoring!

Councillors only voice their own feelings and beliefs and that is demonstrated in Glasgow very clearly by the number of Orange walks they have, which is even more than they have in Belfast!!

Sometimes I think they ask for trouble!

For the few of us, who feel we are in a constant battle fighting for what is right and fair, we must choose our battles wisely. In a democracy, we shouldn’t have to, but we are where we are.

When a Party goes rogue, whether at the national or Local level, we need to deal with it when the opportunity arises. Next year’s Council elections are the place to start. We start at the bottom and work upwards, because it is Councils who deliver government policies.

…and there should be at least one Common Good Defender on every council in Scotland!

I am a great believer in the ‘ripple effect’!

One small pebble, no matter how small, thrown {metaphorically} at a problem can cause a chain reaction.

Are you the person who could throw that pebble?

What is getting under your skin at the moment?

You can’t do everything, but you can do something!