Contact.
One of the curses of old age is the inability properly to handle a computer. I find I cannot add comments to my own pieces. I also find that when I dig out the commentator’s email address my messages bounce back.
I want to reply shortly to two comments below.
Firstly, Dougie, whichever Dougie you are, I am not a member of the SSP or even a supporter. I’m a member of the SNP although I have so often in the past been alone that I am happier alone. It is a radical party in every way.
You talk about the Stone. No one remembers how in 1954 I stood lonely and alone and was told I could never become an advocate. That was because to swear allegiance to E 11 R would have stuck in my craw. They had to change the oath so I helped to make the path easier for Alex Salmond and the others when they were sworn in last week. No numeral. That was a far more lasting symbol than the damned Stone of Destiny which anyone could have done and which has bored me ever since.
As for Tommy Sheridan. These are the new days of a new country and we need voices from all sides. No one, just no one, speaks for the left. Only muted voices speak for the right. In this new country there must be time to listen to all sides and there must be voices there to listen to. Tommy and Gail and I have built up a non political friendship. We meet sometimes the three of us for lunch. We don’t talk politics as we disagree. Yet one thing I assert on his behalf. He was railroaded by a shameless SNP Lord Advocate who was overawed by the Murdoch press. I probably go too far if I suggest that Ms Angiolini acted with the approbation of the SNP Government. With only a tattered Labour Party as an opposition it is necessary for voices in our own party to be heard in dissent. Old habit makes me such a voice but my loyalty to the SNP is not in doubt.
As for Patrick Hogg.
Dear Patrick,
I do not agree that I am worthy of being in your pantheon. With that exception I worship at the same altar.
I would very much like to come to your Thomas Muir meeting at Kirkintilloch on 25th May. I tire easily and now usually refuse to make speeches but for such an occasion I would make an exception if asked. Would I be allowed to make a speech?
Click on SUBSCRIBE in the margin of my blog and it gives an email address which reaches me.
When I was a practicing advocate I found that my sharpest weapon to persuade any judge was flattery. I see you have developed the same tactics. We all love it, particularly the untrue bits. But don’t use it face to face at Kirkintilloch. I only like it at a distance.
Ian
For convemience I repeat below the two comments I have answered above.
1 Dougie Dubh Says:
May 14th, 2011 at 8:59 pm e
Anyone who believes or accepts the jibe that the SNP iare “another right wing party” patently has no appreciation for the political evolution of our country, and must be aligning themselves ideologically with the likes of the SSP, Solidarity, Galloway and the Scargillites, none of whom have a seat in our Parliament.
Like Mr Hamilton, I have significant respect for Sheridan the man, and the politician, and I also agree that justice was ill served by the vitriolic way in which he was pursued by the system. Clearly, there are questions remaining to be answered.
In terms of voices of protest, the Parliament might also have benefited from the presence of members from some of the above.
However, in respect of where we are as a nation, many of us recognise that this point in the history of our national struggle has only been reached through the dedication and commitment of people of selfless vision, and the tenacity to see it through.
Critically, the collective body that is the National Movement has often been inspired and sustained by individual actions of visionary boldness - of which Ian Hamilton’s stunning repatriation of the Stone of Destiny in 1950 is possibly the most outstanding example, its reverberations remaining with us today, and surely for generations to come.
Having played such a vital role in the reawakening of his country to reclaim its destiny, Ian is more than entitled to remain a ‘rebel’; and where would we be without such voices?
However, I for one don’t believe Ian Hamilton aligns himself with the parties like the SSP (please correct me if I’m wrong!), or would fall for the hogwash that the SNP are somehow a “right wing” party.
It took a long, gradual process for the SNP to evolve politically; however, I believe its foundations in our social democratic traditions, as well as its dynamic outlook, are the stronger for that.
Last week’s historic election results were a validation of the many fronts on which the SNP has stood up for Scotland, for the protection of public services and public values, as well as for vital investment in green energy and business growth, and of the popular faith in it as the movement to take our country forward.
Through that result, we are now closer to achieving independence than ever before in the modern era - and we are on the verge of something truly historic.
It took the commitment of generations, hard won faith, and a good few exceptional individuals to get us here.
Those who would now dismiss the SNP as “another right wing party” might well be asked to explain how they themselves would run the country, or grow the economy better - let alone lead us forward to freedom!
2. Patrick Scott Hogg Says:
May 15th, 2011 at 2:57 pm e
Hi Ian
It is always a great pleasure to read everything you write because no-one provokes such debate as yourself. You are its best critic.
There is a conference/summit on Thomas Muir QC on 25th May in Tom Johnson House, in Kirkintilloch, which you should have been invited to. The conference was my idea following on from the campaign for a statue to Muir at the Scottish parliament.
It would be one of the greatest pleasures of my life if a modern hero of mine could attend……..the panthoen of heroes include Robert Burns, Thomas Muir, Keir Hardie, Jimmy Reid and Ian Hamilton QC.
The big divorce is coming and we need a legal rep to help negotiate the division of assets and also to cast a beam of ligt on who and what we are and what Scotland is to become when we take our place as a nation within the family of humankind.
Paddy S H
May 16th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Ian,
Thanks for your response.
My comments regarding the SNP are of course directed at one or two of your commentators.
I would also add that, of course, no political party or individual has a ‘monopoly’ on standing up for their country.
Your ‘A Touch of Treason’ and it’s sequel demonstrate that point beyond doubt, and are amongst the most inspiring reads I know and treasure, and will pass on to my young son for him to do likewise.
Every Scot could benefit from reading them.
You rightly remind me of the challenge to Queen Elizabeth’s numeral, which goes to the heart of the contempt shown towards Scotland by the self-appointedly English monarchy.
For that challenge, I salute you, and hope our nation will always be grateful.
I know I for one would find it unbearable if our elected MSPs had to swear to the title of QE the 2nd!!
May I also second the views of Paddy SH, above, and wish you a successful meeting!
Thanks and Best Wishes
Dougie Dubh
May 18th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Just for the record, Dougie Dubh is not Dougie Lockhart.
May 19th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
I have to say Ian that you are incorrect to state that noone remembers your stand in 1954 over E II R. I do, and in fact the only reason I know it is due to it being University of Edinburgh LLB coursework in 1995/96. Clearly there will be others out there too, so if your cause was University coursework over 40 years later then it is far from forgotten.
As for that damn stone I can appreciate why you are bored with it. I can also appreciate why others aren’t, the whole episode being invested with so many of the typical aspects of Scottish history - even though the real stone was probably hidden by Monks in the Tay in 1296, although that isn’t the point…
May 20th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Ian Hamilton!
Just watched the movie, Stone of Destiny, and was so intrigued by the story that I looked up the real story and read some about you. Your story is very interesting and inspiring! Then I fortunately stumbled upon your blog and thought I would say hello and thank you for the inspiration!
Kyle Ferguson
May 22nd, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Dear Mr. Hamilton,
I hope all is well.
Following the cold, snowy winter, both the spring and the royal wedding has re-kindled the northern political interest, from across the big pond, of a Scottish-American in Boston. Last weekend, as I wore the family tartan during a heavy athletics games competition, the mind wandered through the ‘highlands’ and came back to me with interest and questions. I found myself spending great time reading all thoughts, across the broad range, from both the left and the right. As I read, I agree with you, there are impressions from each half that need to be speech.
Kind regards,
John McKenney
May 23rd, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Ian, I have postulated with this comment for some time, and I now think it’s time to speak out. I refer to Alex Salmond’s Holyrood ‘acceptance speech’ last week with disappointment; it does sound very much like a ‘right-wing’ view of a totalitarian dictatorship, forcing its ideals on us, rather than listening to us. And I quote;
“This land is their land,… It belongs to all who choose to call it home. That includes new Scots who have escaped persecution or conflict in Africa or the Middle East. It means Scots whose forebears fled famine in Ireland and elsewhere. That is who belongs here, but let us be clear also about what does not belong here. …Let us be rid of those bigots and fools / Who will not let Scotland, live and let live. Our new Scotland is built on the old custom of hospitality. We offer a hand that is open to all, whether they hail from England, Ireland, Pakistan or Poland. Modern Scotland is also built on equality. We will not tolerate sectarianism as a parasite in our national game of football or anywhere else in this society.”
Unfortunately, this speech sounds too much like Salmond’s drive to force us all to ‘grass-up oor neighbours’ policy in 2007; and that was abhorred by everyone, except the neo-stasi cops. Surely an astute Scot knows that all Scots are bigots, and fools, to a lesser or greater degree; this is his job now, to sort out the problems of these peoples lives, not to condemn them to establishment persecution, and ban them from the country. A lesser fool would not have written, nor read that speech. Those that suffer from the sectarian bug, are cripples to the plights of the poor; indebted by their political landlords over the centuries; not nice to ignore this Mr Salmond/speech writer. Try being graceful to those who suffer because of you, it’s a much more appealing muse. Also, I read that Nicola Sturgeon had went on public support to state Elish Angiolini was ‘Scotland’s Woman of the Year’; aye, I nearly fell aff ma seat when a’ read that. ‘Woman of the Year’? There’s far more Scots women, (probably most), befitting that award than Angiolini who personally sent Scotland into the degeneration depths of a new underclass society by over-criminalising it. Let’s wait and see if the new Lord Advocate is any ‘brighter’/ Scotland’s man of the Year Nicola ?? Dear God in heaven, makes you wonder about the SNP.
I finally have come to the conclusion that the independence-seeking majority elections euphoric win, that was so overwhelming for most, indeed overwhelmed Mr Salmond, his speech writer, and Nicola Sturgeon too. As far as ‘equality’ is concerned, that’s the wrong term for the context it’s used in. Maybe I’m being hypercritical, but I now think we have to be. A majority government should always be scrutinized, Mr Salmond/Nicola Sturgeon.
allymax, another rebel.
May 25th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
“Surely an astute Scot knows that all Scots are bigots, and fools, to a lesser or greater degree”
Hmm. Isn’t that the paradox of Epimenides - all Cretans are liars? (Epimenides was Cretan, you see). Are you Scottish, and therefore a bigot and fool, and therefore your opinion on this of no account? If ALL Scots are bigots and fools, then surely there can be no such thing as an ‘astute Scot’? However I’m quite sure that these quibbles are of no consequence to you.
Absolutely with you on your comments on Angiolini, though.
May 25th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
My comment has absolutely nothing to do with Greek mythology Dougie; how appropriate you ‘chastise’ me on a subject I’m not referring to. I have 4 grown Scots children, my mother is Scots (Bruce), my grandfather is Scots (Bruce), his grandfather is Scots,(Bruce), my grandmother is Scots-Irish, (Lynch fae Galway), my sister is Scots, I grew up in Scotland, went to Scots’ primary, Scots’ secondary schooling, went to higher education/university in Scotland, worked for a Scots’ local authority in the architects dept, married a Scots’ woman, had a young Scots family, raised them as Scots, paid Scots taxes, listened to Scots bigots, suffered Scots fools, went through a highly nasty and volatile Scots divorce, (for 5 years), and now I have the Scots establishment champing at the bit to smear me; british intelligence regularly smear me, every day; I think I qualify as Scots !
I was on a very rare visit to see my children when the cops arrested me at Edinburgh Waverly for a pathetic lie of a ‘push’; they stripped me naked, kept me in jail for 6 hours; my kids were waiting at the destination station; they waited for 5 hours, (they thought something really bad had happened to me), then the cops told me I could go without charge; I told them I would me making a complaint, then they changed their minds and charged me with the petty offence. Horrendous oppression like this, after everything I, and my family, have been through in Scotland, changed my life forever. I now live in Florida because I’m a political activist for Scottish independence; if I stayed in Scotland I would have been thrown in jail, for any pathetic excuse. The Florida police know who I am, and my plight, and protect me. My activism and writing for Scottish independence are all I do, I have dedicated all my time, efforts, and cause, to Scottish independence; why? Because I don’t want my children’s lives being blighted too by bigots and fools.
All my children are in their 20’s, and while they contend with Scotland’s oppressive desperate social union tenure, my work centre’s on a Scotland that can only call itself a developed modern nation if the lowest of the lowly Scot is once again given all his/her chances of becoming that Scot he/she wants to be. While most people will look out for their own, I realised a long time ago that it is those much less fortunate that are the benchmark for our ideal of a modern developed Scotland. We are all only as rich, and poor as the waif, stray, or runaway we inconsiderably discount Dougie. It is fools that consider themselves to be a better person because they have a better education; invariably, or a richer lifestyle.It is a bigot that doesn’t consider someone like me to be Scots’ while proving his foolishness. First Minister Salmond has a very big job to do now; his job needs to be seen as developing Scotland on all fronts, from lifting the poor out of their social deprivation, moving Scotland towards independence, ‘managing’ negotiations with Westminster, re-industrialising Scotland’s workforce, affording a more amiable sense of social balance between classes, and moving Scotland away from being a horrendous totalitarian over-criminalised nation; the chants of ‘equality, in a modern Scotland’, fall on deaf ears when our lowest of low are ‘accepted’ by our ‘betters’ as waste product. A ‘better’ speech would not have said these things when there is so much else to do, but then again, like I said, we’ve got a long way to go considering not to consider ourselves bigots and fools.
Nothing personal Dougie, and no harm intended neither.
June 2nd, 2011 at 11:35 am
We Saw A Vision
In the darkness of despair we saw a vision,
We lit the light of hope and it was not extinguished.
In the desert of discouragement we saw a vision.
We planted the tree of valour and it blossomed.
In the winter of bondage we saw a vision.
We melted the snow of lethargy and the river of resurrection flowed from it.
We sent our vision aswim like a swan on the river. The vision became a reality.
Winter became summer. Bondage became freedom and this we left to you as your inheritance.
O generations of freedom remember us, the generations of the vision.
- Liam Mac Uistin (Poem in the Garden of Remembrance, Dublin)
April 29th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
apartment in rome…
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