Steven Purcell
Steven Purcell has done much for the Glasgow he and I love.
Now he has been laid aside by sickness.
He is the political opponent of many. Indeed I also oppose him in many things. Yet he is one who loves our country just as much as I do. He deserves our good wishes and our generous thoughts.
In these first few days of the new Scotland we are all making let us resolve to be generous to one another, opponent and proponent alike.
Steven Purcell, I wish you well. May you make a speedy recovery and soon be with us again.
Ian Hamilton
March 5th, 2010 at 1:34 am
Ahh, I see Ian Hamilton is calling for an honourable game; “In these first few days of the new Scotland we are all making let us resolve to be generous to one another, opponent and proponent alike.” Interestingly enough, every time I post conflicting views to Ian Hamilton’s, my posts are removed. I’d like to know where Ian suddenly found this egalitarian ideal where everybody is equal, regardless of class distinction, and thus, equally deserves to be heard! Every time Ian puts up something about the judiciary in Scotland, I post my views, of which always reveal contrast and discussion points, then, as if by magic, my posts are removed!
Hamish said it was because Ian thought I was ‘malapprop’. Hmm, interesting; has Ian been basing his thoughts and judgments on malicious gossip and slander from those well acquainted with the power to slander, and spread said nasty gossip? Ian’s excuse was that my posts are too long-winded; not true old chap! They were no longer than the longest of the others, and the others weren’t removed. But most of all, it’s because my views are against the patriarchal elite families cartel in Scotland, that steals onto possession of law and legal matters in Scotland, and positions itself for the maintenance of these powers. Yes, these are the reasons why Ian keeps removing my posts, because I have the nuts to stand up and question these powers; not post meek and sycophant meanderings about how grateful we all are for the oppressive and horrendous poverty the working and under-classes endure under Ian’s zealous patriarchal elite ruling class.
“He is the political opponent … Indeed I also oppose him … Yet he is one who loves our country just as much as I do. He deserves our good wishes and our generous thoughts.” Ok, let’s see if this battle-cry boast of genuine honour from Ian rings true? Let’s have fair discussion points on how the patriarchal elite have Scotland’s law and legal powers all to themselves; and what they do with those powers!
allymax
March 5th, 2010 at 1:42 am
Let’s first wish Mr Purcell well, as I did on my blog too.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:09 am
I think you missed the point allymax.
March 5th, 2010 at 9:14 am
I sometimes take allymax off although not for the reason he states. He is frequently libellous.
I had not wanted to hurt him by saying that he writes at far too great a length and is irrelvant to the subject raised as this contributioin is. Also I have to read him and I don’t find this much fun.
Ian
March 5th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Hi Ian
It has to be said that the character who is Allymax or (Mylaxa?) has now become tedious in the extreme in my opinion!
I know that you cannot echo my thoughts or would not wish too!!…..but they have indeed fast become the Pat Kane of the SNP supporting left…….pretentious, supercillious and!!!…….well whoever they are they’re just the pub bore zzzzzzzzzzz!!!!
Cheers
Charlie
March 5th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Charlie - I thought Pat Kane was the Pat Kane of the SNP supporting left.
I like allymax’s courage to be who he is regardless, there’s something very Scottish about that - in a positive way.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
I see a lot of people write good things about Mr Purcell, I don’t know him but it looks to me that he has been hounded out for one reason or another.
With regards the legal profession, I err on the side that they are no better in general than politicians, at least the ones I have met.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
@Hamish - Obviously there is nothing wrong with being Scottish and speaking out, it’s just that allymax’s response seems totally unrelated to the topic at hand. When blogs seem to go out of order the moderator, whether they be Ian Hamilton, myself, or the millions of others out there, will remove comments to keep the conversation on topic. I don’t know allymax personally, but it is a fact that occasionally his posts have been lengthy and off-topic, and for that reason they have been removed. Not all the comments that were removed were removed because of their opposition to Mr. Hamilton’s ideas.
March 5th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
FOR THE RECORD
I have never removed a comment because it contained opposition to my ideas. I am frequently provocative in order to provoke ideas contrary to my own.
In all the years I have been blogging I can only remember removing the occasional comment for being personally offensive not to me but to someone else.
I have also occasionally removed a comment for its length and irrelevance.
So far as Steven Purcell is concerned let us all wish him well whether we agree with him or disagree. When a person among us is down he needs the affection of us all.
Ian
March 6th, 2010 at 4:49 am
As for Mr. Purcell, there is a political question beyond his personal problems. Where are the leaders of his party in all this? Why this resounding silence in the midst of the resignation of a much touted “rising star” of the party?
He may have needed the affection of all. Clearly he isn’t getting support form those who have been his friends (if such exist in politics) and allies.
March 6th, 2010 at 8:10 am
The trade unions seem somewhat less solicitous. Today they are demanding to know if Mr Purcell’s health affected his decision-making while in office.
http://tinyurl.com/yg8ulqn
March 6th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Like Ian, I am no supporter of many of Steven Purcell’s policies.
But he has done a lot for the city of Glasgow, and frankly stood head and shoulders above most of his colleagues.
Clearly, something has gone badly wrong, but it is sickening the way the vultures move in when they sense an easy kill.
March 6th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Mr Hamilton, I chosen not to write comment on your blog recently as it seemed that it was YOU who chose relevance on certain issues. I do note that all those that blow candy in your direction and bum you up stay on the blog despite their comment only being a cheer and a bravo Ian. Many add nothing to the blog in the way of opinion. I don’t agree with all Ally max says but I have commented for and against some of his comments. In so far as libellous is concerned (tut tut you as Scots lawyers know there no such thing in Scotland its defamation, this is just a nationalist point) I have also had comment removed and I am very careful not to defame anyone.
Also Justin go look at many Ian blogs and you will find several people who put unrelated comments up but they stay up. Ally I think at least has some relevance most of the time whilst I said above instead of others just cheering and agreeing because Ian said it. Half the people reading it are that lost in the nationalist point Ian could become a Tory tomorrow and they would still say “I totally agree Ian, Bravo Cheer, Cheer Ian said it lets agree. Seems you’re a bit like that Justine weak minded and clappers, the masses clap Justine others with a mind of their own do occasionally swim against the grain.
Edward Watt.
March 6th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
This will remain on because it is critical of me. But where is the relevance to what I have written?
Ian
March 6th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Ian, I too hope Purcell manages to regain his life back without the smear and sneer that is all too nasty and frequent to come from some Scots minds.
“he writes at far too great a length and is irrelvant to the subject raised as this contributioin is. Also I have to read him and I don’t find this much fun.
Ian.”
Ian, you miss my point of intention; I attend your blog because Scotland will soon be independent; and there are very few out-of-bounds political areas of discussion left that haven’t been activated, discussed, debated and arguments given from. But the judiciary IS the only one!
Now, considering you are, to all intents and purposes, the Hamilton rebel, with, or without a cause, it is you I find the most compelling to found this urgently needed discussion. The judiciary in Scotland are, as I have said, the patriarchal elite families cartel that closes down any mention of its nature, powers, function, franchise, and existence. For instance, name me one political writer that has dangered into writing about this secret cabal?
So you see Ian, it is not me doing a disservice to you, no sir, not at all,. it is allymax activating discussion on the most important part of Scots’ culture and social, legal, and just functions that I engage you. After-all, as I have said, who is more qualified in Scotland ?
You have a Doctorate in Scots Law, you have been on the inside of this cabal; in-deed, you are pensioned!
You know the players, you even called one a ‘dickhead’!
You know how it works, how it’s supposed to work, and how it’s NOT supposed to work. You know more than anyone in Scotland what exactly this invisible elephant does, and why all Scots’ keep walking into it, and finding they are stymied.
You have this romantic value about you that Scots love; the mythical Scottish warrior that stole the stone of destiny back; only drop it, break it, and then give it back to our oppressors! Wouldn’t you like to finish what you started Ian?
Go on Ian, begin the discussions on our Scottish judicial powers, process, and functions.
All of Scotland needs to discuss these matters. And, Scotland can do without those that snide and smear, only because they meek and sycophant from ignorance!
March 6th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
I like the fact you ommitted my name at the end.
allymax
March 6th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
@EdwardWatt Considering the fact that you don’t know me and I very rarely post here because I am not familiar with Scottish affairs (although I am trying), I would have to say your quasi-insult carries as much weight as a feather. I haven’t or will never brown nose anyone. If someone makes a good point (which Ian has done before, believe it or not) then I comment. If he, or anyone else, makes a comment I know nothing about then I don’t comment. Seems like a prudent policy if you ask me. If Ian, or anyone else, makes a statement that I don’t like I will comment, but I choose to do so without flaming the other person. I do this because, like you, I know nothing about that other person.
p.s. for the record, my name is Justin, not Justine!
March 6th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
James Dean, no need to have your name at the end.
Your style is instantly recognisable.
Ian, you have been very tolerant of this poster and his comrade-in-arms Edward Watt. They are both bores. Some of my friends, including myself, are bores, but are reasonably articulate and literate.
It would not be invidious if you just imposed a Twitter-style limit on the length of comments. Say 200 words.
March 6th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
I think those of us in political circles realise that, no matter what the coming of the dawn and with it the Sunday newspapers bring (and I hear they have quite a tale to tell), Mr Purcell is done for in Scottish politics.
Whilst one may have every sympathy for his troubles with stress, exhaustion, and according to the allegations of the newspapers, possible “chemical dependency” issues, nonetheless it is incumbent on us to recognise that those who stand for office, who lead Council’s or hold seats in them must be held to a higher level.
However, given that he has no stepped down from said office, Mr. Purcell, whilst not immune from the ruminations of the press does achieve a measure of peace which will hopefully aid in his recovery back to good health, particularly given the sad news about the death of one of Labour’s Glasgow activists yesterday.
But that does not mean the matter is closed. What should now be the brunt of media attention is what if any crimes have been committed here (there are rumours of serious wrongdoings in several matters), as well as if any “chemical dependencies” have influenced decisions made by Glasgow City Council. That is more important than the normal to-and-thro of the tabloid papers, but sadly I fear we will not see such investigations by Scotland’s lamentable Fourth Estate.
March 7th, 2010 at 3:00 am
On the issue of Mr Purcell I will state I know very little of the man or his politics. What I do find concerning of late is the habitual media attention and attitude that has to know every single detail of a person life. It seem holy unsatisfactory of them just to accept that a person is ‘ill’ they want to know what you got, what tablets your taking, what’s the prognoses is and on and on and on it goes. This was also clear from the recent affair of Tiger Wood, which in my mind was an unpleasant matter for him and his wife to deal with no one else. This culture of leaking information to the press by wannabe nobody civil servants who seem to get there buzz and thrill from breaching the data protection act constantly needs to be cracked down on. The media which hunt in the UK are out of control and whilst I believe in free press there does need to be tightening. Let’s hope Max Mosley gets his extension of privacy rights in Strasbourg an area Scots law has done nothing to develop in recent years and seem content to allow the media to hound and destroy peoples life and health without any intervention.
Edward Watt.
March 7th, 2010 at 10:30 am
On that, Edward Watt, we agree!
March 7th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
[...] highlight just a few of the comments. Initially a lot of bloggers followed the same line as Iain Hamilton expressing their sympathy for someone who is clearly ill, however rumours kept surfacing on various [...]
March 8th, 2010 at 11:40 am
if only a morsel of what is on the following site it true then I do despair
http://aangirfan.blogspot.com/2010/03/uk-labour-partys-steven-purcell-and.html
and as with other astonishing reports floating around, it troubles me that there seems to be a common thread in the legal representation they share
March 10th, 2010 at 12:57 am
Purcell should get better and good luck with that, but having employed these media professionals to do his talking, or denying, this renders him more likely to have more questions asked.
It even said so on the dreadful newsnight Scotland programme.
I don’t care about the supposed personal allegations, but when you consider the rabid behaviour of the opposition unionists and drooling of the media over, er, “lunchgate” and “nicolagate” surely this serious story actually is more deserving of further investigation on quite a few fronts?
March 11th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Allymax - this is meant kindly and positively - if you have a lot to say about this cabal of elite families re the justice system why not start your own blog? I would read it at least to start with. Ian Hamilton could even post lengthy comments on it anent his own preoccupations.
March 11th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
[...] either of the comments. firstly a bushel of bloggers followed equivalent dropout because Iain Hamilton expressing their affinity for anyone who is handily ill, except rumours kept exigency almost [...]
March 12th, 2010 at 1:50 am
Hamish Scott, yes, that’s the plan, but I need to allign this venture with the work I’m doing just now; it’ll all come out in the wash Hamish.
I really don’t mind taking a pasting now and again, because that’s the nature of political activism, and that’s what I’m trying for.
And yes, of-course Ian would be welcome.
March 20th, 2010 at 5:16 am
What I want to REALLY REALLY know IS what is going on behind the very closed doors of Glasgow City Coucils hallowed chambers.
And WHERE WHERE WHERE is our escapologist friend, the one and only Mr Steven Purcell
Does anyone know? Is he alive or is he dead? has he been kidnapped? Why isn’t Interpol hot on his tail? Will he ever show his face again?
In hiding till well after the next election, I guess! Does anyone smell a RAT?
March 30th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Purcell will sing like a canary and his labour bum chums will be exposed… They don’t love Glasgow or Scotland they trash it for there own ends…. They have been doing it for years… Hollie Greig will haunt them all… It’s a boil about to burst on the faces of our lowly high offices… You know QC what its all about… Drugs and vice and jobs for the boys…
They think the people are fools but it all over the Internet who’s who not the spin in the media… Nobody buys news papers for news don’t you know…
Power to the people… Who I hear you say.