Jul 31 2006
return
Back at last, but so much has happened, where to begin? Surely not with the Tommy Sheridan court case? I'm sure that there is plenty of coverage of that elsewhere and although it doesn't raise many terribly profound political issues it surely does signify the end for the Scottish Socialist Party's electoral success. Two sides in the party each saying the opposite means that it doesn't matter who wins the case, at least half the party will have been exposed as liars. Not a great reputation. Still it has provided tabloid editors and other commentators with amusing headlines for a few weeks.
More significantly, the SNP have published their plans to provide free higher education. Something that attracted criticism from some quarters. Interestingly, much of the criticism has been on the basis that there is a fee system in place in England, as if for some reason higher education should be "benchmarked" against their processes. Of course, if one were to take a wider look at other countries then perhaps the critics might realise that if we are to widen access to universities beyond the comfortable middle classes that currently constitute the vast majority of students, then the removal of financial barriers is a necessary condition. Whilst it might not be sufficient, at least it is a start.
But really, the news is of course dominated by the horrific situation in another small nation, Lebanon. A truly shocking situation which is exposing the complete moral vacuum at the heat of the British government as it not only idly stands by, but in fact supports the "disproportionate" actions by sanctioning arms exports. Those protesting at Prestwick might be interested to know that protestors at Shannon airport who opposed the transportation of troops to Iraq have recently been freed by the courts since their actions were directed at preventing a greater crime. Whilst protest might seem in vain, we have little other way of showing our moral abhorence of what is going on in the Middle East and the crimes committed by all sides, justified by the twisted logic that is at the core of all religious belief.
More significantly, the SNP have published their plans to provide free higher education. Something that attracted criticism from some quarters. Interestingly, much of the criticism has been on the basis that there is a fee system in place in England, as if for some reason higher education should be "benchmarked" against their processes. Of course, if one were to take a wider look at other countries then perhaps the critics might realise that if we are to widen access to universities beyond the comfortable middle classes that currently constitute the vast majority of students, then the removal of financial barriers is a necessary condition. Whilst it might not be sufficient, at least it is a start.
But really, the news is of course dominated by the horrific situation in another small nation, Lebanon. A truly shocking situation which is exposing the complete moral vacuum at the heat of the British government as it not only idly stands by, but in fact supports the "disproportionate" actions by sanctioning arms exports. Those protesting at Prestwick might be interested to know that protestors at Shannon airport who opposed the transportation of troops to Iraq have recently been freed by the courts since their actions were directed at preventing a greater crime. Whilst protest might seem in vain, we have little other way of showing our moral abhorence of what is going on in the Middle East and the crimes committed by all sides, justified by the twisted logic that is at the core of all religious belief.
