Mark Irvine - Blogger, Campaigner, Organiser

What a daftie comment from Mark Ruffalo - his ridiculous comparison about freedom of speech in America and life under the Taliban completely belittles the 'war on women' which is taking place in Afghanistan.  MARK RUFFALO: “We saw Jimmy Kimmel’s show was canceled … The United States government is now suppressing the freedom of speech … Think of yourselves living under the Taliban, because that's where we're headed.” pic.twitter.com/ocRlakdYfu — Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) September 19, 2025  

How can it be right that an SNP minister, Jamie Hepburn, who has been forced to resign in disgrace  is in line for a £9,000+ golden goodbye? These payments are an insult to common sense and need to be scrapped!

Here are some examples of SNP ministers benefiting from baloney 'rules' which award completely undeserved golden goodbyes when ministers leave office - even if they retire, find a new job or resign in disgrace  Beneficiaries in 2021 included the former SNP finance minister, Derek Mackay (£54,000 + £12,00) along with outgoing SNP ministers Aileen Campbell (£75,000), Mike Russell (£76,500) and Roseanna Cunningham (£76,500). Brass Necks, Public Money and Scottish Ministers ( February 19, 2022 )   A reminder of the absurd, grotesque 'rules' which allow Scottish Ministers to voluntarily leave the government and Scottish Parliament for other well paid employment, yet still receive golden goodbye payments worth £75,000. Brass Necks and Scottish Ministers ( July 07, 2021 ) I have to say I was shocked at Aileen Campbell's golden goodbye because i t’s morally bankrupt to accept a payment of £75,000 when the former SNP minister is walking straight into another well paid job. T...

  I'm not too sure whose party it is these days - yours, mine, ours or theirs - but the Jezza 'n' Sultana comeback tour seems to have come completely off the rails. Great cartoon from Peter Brookes!

  Whatever else may be written about 'Seagull Gate' I wish to put on record the fact that I support anyone and everyone who is in favour of taking firm action against these foul pests - see posts below from the blog archive. Seagulls Don't Drink Or Smoke ( July 13, 2021 ) As regular readers know, seagulls are one of my pet hates and a fellow Twitter user has just reminded me that it's nesting season for these foul pests which, as their name suggests, belong at the bloody seaside - not in the heart of a modern city. Seagulls Don't Drink or Smoke (22/07/11) Seagulls are my least favourite creatures in the world by a country mile. To my mind they are the vermin of the skies and for the life of me I can't understand why they are a protected species. Now my grievances against gulls are many, varied and deeply held, so let's get a few of their worst characteristics on the record. Seagulls are highly aggressive, territorial birds that live in towns and cities these...

  Nuclear power should be part of a sensible, mixed energy policy - it's part of the solution along with other renewable energy sources, but the SNP's 'activist driven' agenda is badly out of step with the views of most Scots.