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By G.A.Ponsonby

On Wednesday Night at the end of Newsnight Scotland, host Andrew Kerr presented the front page of the Scotsman newspaper to camera.  Moments later he did the same thing, this time using the following day’s front page from the Telegraph.

Both newspapers are vociferously pro-Union, the Scotsman is best described as fundamentalist in its editorial stance, the Telegraph on the other hand is rabidly Unionist.

The banner headline in the Telegraph was read out by Kerr; ‘Cybernats target Hoy with wave of abuse’.

It was a gratuitous decision on the part of Kerr or his producer, and further proof of the decline in standards at BBC Scotland.  However the headline itself is indicative of a growing intolerance of opponents of the Union that is evident within the heart of the Scottish Unionist establishment.

The Hoy story centred on comments made by multiple Olympic gold medallist who apparently suggested independence would cause a problem for future Scottish athletes.  Hoy had claimed not to want to enter the ‘hornet’s nest’ that is the independence debate, but bizarrely decided to waggle a stick inside it anyway.

According to the Telegraph and several other newspapers, Hoy was subsequently attacked for his troubles by so called cybernats.  According to these newspapers Hoy was called a ‘traitor’.

However, the example presented as evidence of nationalist abuse was peculiar in that it quite clearly didn’t come from a nationalist.

“Oh dear Chris you have just went from being a Scottish hero in the eyes of the Bravehearts to being a traitor, how dare you?”

The word ‘Bravehearts’ is the giveaway and no self-respecting independence supporter uses the term.  Almost immediately one began to question whether Hoy was called a traitor by any nationalists at all.

But regardless of whether a man who makes millions out of his own personal ‘Brand Britain’ corporate identity, and thus has a vested interest in maintaining the Union, was ‘abused’ or not, the more worrying trend is this continued demonisation of non-Unionists by elements of the Scottish Unionist establishment.

The derogatory term ‘Cybernat’ has entered the political lexicon ever since it was coined by Labour peer George Foulkes.  The reason for its invention was the evolution of the internet and the growth in articulate argument in favour of Scottish independence.

This coincided with the emergence of the SNP as a serious opposition to Labour, and with it a possible end to Labour-Unionist hegemony.  The Scottish media reacted to the growing SNP popularity by becoming ever more shrill in their attacks on nationalism.

This in turn led to an emergence of a second string of online contributors who began to challenge pro-Union journalism directly.  Mostly through online messages on forums and beneath articles, but also through direct contact through email with perceived pro-Union journalists themselves.

It created a perfect storm which Scottish Unionism/media has struggled to deal with and some within the traditional Scottish media machine have baulked at.

The response ought to have been an improvement in quality of journalistic output and a move towards plurality.  But what has instead happened is that quality journalism has been rejected in favour of ever more defiant pro-Union inspired rhetoric.  Unionist media has retreated into itself.

Unionists control all aspects of the media with the exception of the internet.  Their historic all-encompassing control has led to an inability to accept that which they cannot control.  Never having experienced any form of challenge, they are unable to respond in any constructive way.

The reaction to this relatively insignificant loss of power is out of proportion and, I would argue, evidence of an almost fascistic regard towards those who disagree with them.

Fascism is difficult to define absolutely, but there is growing evidence to suggest that what we are witnessing is the unhealthy seed of just such a trend within British Nationalism and Scottish Unionism, political cousins but with subtle differences.

Fascist movements tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans and other symbolism.  Currently Union Flags are seen everywhere within the Unionist dominated media, as is the word ‘British’.  These references are not a description of the geographical island but a cultural statement aimed at reinforcing an out of date anglo-centric view of what being British means.

The Great British Bake-off, Great British Train Journey, Great British Drama and The Great British Knitting Bee [honest] are examples of this.  The Union flag and ‘Brand Britain’ even adorn numerous food and other consumable products from Walkers crisps to – believe it or not – Ayrshire Bacon.

In 2014 we will witness, if David Cameron has his way, an Olympic style Union Flag jamboree set against the backdrop of the centenary of the start of World War One – the first time the world witnessed the industrialised slaughter of human beings.

Dead soldiers are to be used as posthumous cannon-fodder by those in power.  It’s uncomfortable and extreme.  The Scottish government must play along with the charade or risk being attacked by the ‘patriotic’ Scottish media.

Challenge any of this and you will face the same kind of headlines Chris Hoy and Susan Calman generated.  These headlines are intended not to inform, but to demonise, to close down and to silence.

Fascism historically needs to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities, terrorists, etc.

In England the ‘victim’ is English nationality and English culture, the ‘enemy’ is Johnny Foreigner, the immigrant and Islam.  The rise of the English Defence League, which is bringing together all kinds of disparate groups, is a testimony to the success of the narrative being promoted by the ruling class and their increasingly intolerant media puppets.

Witness the thousands who gathered around the English Defence League banner, with its slogan “No Surrender” lifted from the sectarian troubles in Northern Ireland, in the aftermath of the brutal killing of a young soldier in Woolwich.  Witness the growth in support for far right groups and the almost celebrity cult of Nigel Farage.

Witness also the raft of new powers for the security forces that will allow them to monitor personal emails and other social media messages.

In Scotland the enemy of course is ‘Scottish nationalism’ and the SNP – the 2014 referendum is the biggest threat to Westminster control since Ireland gained independence in 1921.  The civic nature of Scottish nationalism is ignored as Unionists maliciously conflate the word ‘nationalism’ with extreme regimes throughout history.

Control over mass media is key when such a threat appears.  It is the role of the media to ‘bind’ the ‘one true nation’, and bring people together as one against the common foe.

Sometimes the media are directly controlled by the government as in the case of the BBC, but in other cases the media are controlled by sympathetic media spokespeople, executives and yes … even journalists.

Censorship of news, as witnessed by the almost complete blackout by the BBC of Denis Healey’s admissions that Labour misled Scots over the true worth of North Sea oil, is very common.

Any threat to this control must be eliminated or suppressed, and this is exactly what we are witnessing with online activists who challenge the pro-Union narrative.

That there are a few inarticulate and intemperate goons is no surprise.  Such individuals are to be found in every corner of the globe.  Abuse has been around ever since man learned to communicate and it affects both the Yes camp and the No camp as this facebook page image demonstrates.

What serious and honest journalists ought not to do is to deliberately conflate these people with the very movements and campaigns they clearly do not represent.  Hoy’s detractors were no more representative of the pro-independence campaign than people who post abusive messages about Sean Connery are considered representative of Unionism.

That newspapers indulge in this misrepresentation in order to demonise whole swathes of the Scottish population is reckless, but in keeping with the emerging extreme Unionism we are seeing across the UK.

British Nationalism, Scottish Unionism and elements of fascism are all beginning to merge.

The demonisation is not restricted to claims of online abuse of course.  It takes other, more subtle forms as we saw with comedienne Susan Calman.  ‘Jokes’ are another form of this intolerant currency which sees partisan ridicule presented as satire.

These establishment comedians are of course embraced by the mainstream media, for their comedy contributes to the undermining of the foe.  The give-away is that the ridicule is reserved for only one group of people.  It’s a tool that has been used throughout history to good effect, the ‘thick’ Irish, the ‘lazy’ Blacks and the ‘money grabbing’ Jews.

You will rarely if ever hear these celebrities lampoon Unionism or the advocates of Unionism, for their very career relies on a maintenance of the status quo.  If Salmond and Sturgeon cannot be despised then they can be laughed at, and everything they say is tainted.

For demonisation read dehumanisation.  In any ‘war’, the enemy must be stripped of humanity and soul.  To leave its humanity intact is to invite empathy, even sympathy.  Thus we see SNP leader Alex Salmond continually presented to the wider electorate not as their democratically elected First Minister, but as a demagogue or dictator unworthy of respect.

Even Scottish symbols and institutions even the nation itself, if felt helpful to this demonisation, are deemed legitimate targets.  The defacing of the Scottish flag by the Scotland on Sunday newspaper stands out as one of the worst examples as was the depiction of Scotland as ‘Skintland’ by the Economist – defended as ‘satire’ by BBC Scotland’s Douglas Fraser, who took a swipe at ‘humourless’ nationalists.

It isn’t necessarily co-ordinated but the populating of the Scottish media with people who have pro-Union leanings means that this is the end result.

It’s also why the use of derogatory terms by reporters and journalists are never challenged.  Witness BBC Scotland’s Gordon Brewer casually refer to online supporters of independence as ‘cybernats’ and we see the effects of a hermetically sealed pro-Union media environment.

This stereotyping of opponents of independence as somehow sub-human ‘prowlers of the internet’ is institutionalised.  It’s why Mr Brewer’s BBC Scotland colleague Andrew Kerr saw nothing wrong when he read out a headline containing the same highly insulting and discriminatory term.

Thus, journalists portray their critics as abusers whilst others, such as the Telegraph’s Alan Cochrane routinely sneer at and insult pro-independence political leaders.

The SNP are also carefully presented as somehow undemocratic and not representative of today’s Scotland.  How many times have we witnessed debates and discussions where three Unionist MSPs will be pitched against one solitary SNP MSP?

Despite the Scottish Parliament having a majority SNP, Green and Independent makeup, the media somehow manage to present pro-Union parties as the dominant force and the SNP as a glorified ‘fringe group’.

On Friday’s Big Debate on Radio Scotland, the Green candidate in the Aberdeen Donside by-election campaign was reduced to a single sentence comment alongside an obscure religious candidate, the BNP candidate and UKIP.  Meanwhile the Lib Dem candidate – whose party have the same representation as the Scottish Greens and Independents combined – was allowed a seat as one of the ‘main parties’ on the by-election debate panel.

Under-representation, demonisation of activists, ritual ridiculing of political heads and the swamping of the media with pro-Union symbolism are all symptoms of an unhealthy trend in Scottish political coverage.

Of course not all criticism is an attack and not all challenge is a threat.  Journalists in Scotland must begin to see that this ‘win at all costs’ approach that seeks to silence opponents and defend poor quality reporting is not healthy.

To continue in the same vein will breed resentment.  If, in order to achieve a No vote in 2014, critics of pro-Union media voices have been silenced then what kind of Scotland will we be left with especially if we are left at the mercy of an increasingly intolerant and right wing neighbour?

In an essay titled “Fascism Anyone?,” Dr Lawrence Britt (no pun), a political scientist, identified what he believed were social and political agendas common to fascist regimes.  Have a read through his fourteen “identifying characteristics of fascism.” and marvel at the similarities between Dr Britt’s list and contemporary UK/Unionist Scotland.

1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of “need.” The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

4. Supremacy of the Military
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.

5. Rampant Sexism
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation and national policy.

6. Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes the media are directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media are indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in wartime, is very common.

7. Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

8. Religion and Government are Intertwined
Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government’s policies or actions.

9. Corporate Power is Protected
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

10. Labour/union Power is Suppressed
Because the organizing power of labour is the only real threat to a fascist government, labour unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.

11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts is openly attacked, and governments often refuse to fund the arts.

12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations

13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

14. Fraudulent Elections
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.

Comments  

 
# Diabloandco 2013-06-02 08:21
Excellent article.
The whole thing is sickening and counteracting it expends energy better spent on other things.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Sir Chris did a bit of counteracting ? He’s always struck me as a decent ,honest bloke.
His point about Scots having a problem training in Scotland is well made as it points up just where all the money is spent and where it is not.
Just another union dividend.
 
 
# Ready to Start 2013-06-02 08:37
How London is bleeding Scotland Dry in Sunday Herald

heraldscotland.com/…/…

The BBC continually elevants Lib Dem spokespersons at the expense of Green and independent MSPs and further skews the balance between pro and anti Scottish independence supporters.
 
 
# Hugo 2013-06-02 14:05
Thanks for this. The Herald now seems more pro Scotland and less anti SNP than it used to be.
 
 
# Breeks 2013-06-02 09:16
Scarey stuff, but I can’t pick a hole in it anywhere. The 14 facets of fascism is chilling to read.

I wonder to what extent the fair minded ‘Brits’ in Westminster are made uncomfortable, or put at ease, by what they see happening in the Unionist ‘campaign’ in Scotland, and the same campaign about Scotland underway in England. I’m not at all sure these are one and the same campaign. Better Together’s message is just not resonating in Scotland, but critically, I don’t think it’s winning over many friends in England either.

For one thing, I have real doubts that someone in the Home Counties would read this article and recognise immediately to whom it is referring to. The fascism must Salmond’s mustn’t it? Well actually no Home Counties of England, it very much isn’t.
 
 
# Peter A Bell 2013-06-02 09:27
Unionists control all aspects of the media with the exception of the internet.

Let these words inspire a redoubling of the efforts of all who strive for Scotland in the online media.
 
 
# Jimmy The Pict 2013-06-02 09:49
They also do not control what I say to the people I meet (at least not yet).
 
 
# Hirta 2013-06-02 09:59
Talking of BBC

breitbart.com/…/…
 
 
# ScottyC1314 2013-06-02 10:01
Brilliant article and analysis. Where do you find anything like this in the main stream media with the exception of the Sunday Herald (lately)?

Deserves to be read and shared widely.
 
 
# Ben Power 2013-06-02 10:06
Disregarding all the kerfuffle about the rightness or wrongness of “cybernats” (personally I think they are just fine and have a right to express their views and anyone complaining just cannot adapt to non ruling elitist opinions getting heard)
But a better name and one I think many would be proud to wear, could be “CYBERMIDGIE”. It is much more fun and much more appropriate to Scotland and indicative of the persistent and indomitable nature of Scots, especially Scots nationalists. Midges are never going to go away no matter what you do. and they have defeated all opponents since time began.
Independence is eventually going to happen no matter what any unionist thinks or does, It’s time to get accustomed to the idea for all those who complain about free speech from Scots.
 
 
# Kinloch 2013-06-02 12:51
Superb!
 
 
# Macart 2013-06-02 10:32
Best yet Mr Ponsonby.

I’d go beyond reckless to describe the actions of both the media and the YES campaign’s political opponents. They know exactly what they’re doing and consider the fallout acceptable.

That they enact this strategy in full knowledge of this fallout speaks volumes for their fitness to act as either the public watchdog or political representation. What media, what political entity takes this approach towards their readership/electorate who actually have the best interests of social cohesion at their heart? The plain and simple fact of the matter is ours do not.
 
 
# kenneth_clark336 2013-06-02 11:20
Spot on. Every time someone makes derogatory remarks about Salmond I ask how their opinion has been formed. Without fail it’s the papers and the tea time news. I remind them the SNP are elected with a mandate no other party comes close to matching, and have consistently high approval ratings. None of them can square this particular circle, but insist their opinions are right. Frustratingly, they view anyone with independence leanings as paranoid, and under the influence of some power hungry fool. I reply the only power hungry fools I see are at Westminster. A fact which will become clear once we are independent and view the world through our own eyes. A propaganda war is being fought by the NO side using all the old imperial tricks. With what is, to all intents and purposes, the state media.
 
 
# Leader of the Pack 2013-06-02 11:20
I see much of which Ive been arguing and trying to put across on many blogs more articulately presented in this article. I recognised the fascist nature of UK nationalism years ago.

Many of us understand and recognise the level of media and news suppression and distortion getting worse. I’ve said it before and I repeat it now there is NOTHING absolutely no low UK Nationalism wont stoop to in order to save itself and they have the tools and means to do unspeakable damage to democracy and basic humanity in this country to the extent that it may never recover to tolerant levels of social cohesion.

I see a no vote resulting in an unbreachable chasm between the constituent parts of the UK as we are forced to endure each other in growing competition for national resource and influence. The growing foreign resentment in England includes the over indulged Jocks who get more than they contribute according to the media and Unionist political parties so it must be true. Vote no for despair.
 
 
# Indy_Scot 2013-06-02 11:25
No matter what angle I look at this problem from I cannot see how there can ever be a level playing field for the Independence debate, given that BBC Scotland, the television and print media can say and do pretty much whatever they like without being answerable to anyone.

The media is now clearly so biased and one sided that in order for the Scottish public to have any chance whatsoever to make a fair and informed decision about Scotland’s future, I believe that the Yes campaign will have to deal with this problem at some point.
 
 
# Radge 2013-06-02 11:43
Excellent article. It was on seeing this dehumanising trend that I became a Cybernat and started blogging. It is also why I chose a title from a poem by one of the last great Anti-fascists at logicsrock.blogspot.co.uk.
 
 
# ds12 2013-06-02 11:44
There was a demo yesterday by the Scottish defence league. Now I know they are not closely connected to the unionisim of Rennie and Lamont however if that had been extreme Scottish nationalists demonstrating then Alex Salmond would be getting called on to denounce them.
Willie Rennie is probably the worst at this game.He sees a soundbite and a smear round every corner.Might just drop him a line and ask if he is going to publicly denounce the actions of his fellow unionists.
 
 
# proudscot 2013-06-02 12:06
This morning’s news that Alistair Darling is to address the Scottish Tory Party Spring Conference proves the truth of this article. British Nationalism is alive and well.

The now largely indefinable differences between the “big two” political monoliths of Tory and Labour parties are laid bare for all to see, however much they try to deny it.

The next FMQs should be interesting, when Alex Salmond takes Lamont and Davidson to task over this latest evidence of their collusion to keep Scotland under the heel of Westminster.
 
 
# From The Suburbs 2013-06-02 12:30
BBC Scotland politics show has just allowed Labour MP free rein to have a go at independence but didn’t ask John Finnie for his view
 
 
# RTP 2013-06-02 12:46
Quoting From The Suburbs:
BBC Scotland politics show has just allowed Labour MP free range to have a go at independence but didn’t ask John Finnie for his view

You beat me to that I also noticed it but what else do you expect from the likes of Kerr.
 
 
# Hirta 2013-06-02 13:28
bbc.co.uk/…/…

Quote:
A study of teenagers who will be eligible to vote in the 2014 referendum has suggested 60% do not think Scotland should be independent.


Which is not the same as:

Quote:
Of the young people questioned, 67% said they would like more information ahead of their final decision.


The BBC are a disgrace.
 
 
# anne 2013-06-02 13:48
Hi, I have been lurking on this site for a long time but today is the first time that I have commented.
The reason being is that sometimes I feel really depressed at the seemingly uphill struggle against the MSM and BBC Scotland in particular and I come on here to be cheered up.
The latest poll of young people is very depressing because I feel that if they had access to all the facts I hope they would vote yes.But I have friends who are smart, clever and intelligent but still cannot see passed Labour in Scotland, no matter how many facts I point out to them and I feel that a lot of young people are influenced by their parents.
One positive note is that in an educational place I work in, in a staunch Labour part of the country the young people had a vote and it was 58% against and 42% for. Not brilliant but not bad.
If it is a No vote, I fear for this country.
 
 
# Macart 2013-06-02 14:24
Welcome anne.

Yep you’re right it is an uphill struggle, no question. Its David versus Goliath, but that enterprise didn’t turn out too bad for the wee fella. 😉

Plain fact is you’re here and that’s what counts. There’s a lot of folk just like you too. Recent polls are looking positive. A 4% swing is all that’s required in the next 15 months. For all that’s ranged against us we just need to work smarter, not harder. They have no positive message for Scotland’s electorate, all they have is fear and intimidation. That is a hard hand to play for that length of time.
 
 
# anne 2013-06-02 14:57
Hi Macart, Thanks for that. As I said I come on here to be cheered up. It’s good to hear so many people with good ideas and information.
I always knew I didn’t trust Labour in Scotland but it was only when I discovered these types of sites that it became clear to me why.
 
 
# Macart 2013-06-02 19:29
Many folk here,myself included, voted for Labour or Liberals in days past. Its hard to swallow having your eyes opened over time to just what a good deal of us bought into from our representatives  . The Healey interview must have come as a bit of a shock to the system for some for instance. That’s almost certainly a few more undecided becoming very decisive I’d say.

Getting it out there is our job, either via the net, social media or just chatting face to face. We’ll do it, even if its not next year, remember they need to keep on winning, we just need to win once.
 
 
# govanite 2013-06-02 15:08
Welcome Anne, you are the latest and more will follow, just as we did here.
No need for fear, because we are going to win. We are inching closer. All we need to keep doing is pushing out the message in a calm lucid way. Let the professionals at Yes handle the media. We should just keep on with the practical messages & negate the lies.
The pound is already shared with non EU states like Jersey and Isle of Man who run their own tax systems
Westminster cannot guarantee no more Boom n Bust
My brother in Sydney is not a foreigner
My cousin in Toronto still gets his UK pension
The future is not set in stone & can be built by us

We are going to win if my doorstep surveys are any guide.
 
 
# brusque 2013-06-02 16:30
[quote name=”anne”]Hi, I have been lurking on this site for a long time but today is the first time that I have commented.
The latest poll of young people is very depressing because I feel that if they had access to all the facts I hope they would vote yes. quote]

A very warm welcome to you anne, from an “old timer” who has been a supporter of Scotland’s Independence for as long as I can remember.

I’m very familiar with the “down” days – there have been an awful lot of them over the years; but my faith that my fellow Scots will wake up to what is happening is not yet totally diminished.
There are many more people who know what the truth is, before the internet we had to depend on meeting up with friends for a good chat over a cup of tea. Nowadays it is possible to reach many thousands by blogging or using Social sites on the internet. Keep the faith
 
 
# proudscot 2013-06-02 16:36
Welcome on board, anne. You should also have a look on the Bella Caledonia and Wings Over Scotland websites. You’ll find lots more pro-independence folk on these sites as well.

Speaking of “firsts”, I’ve just been out and bought 2 copies of the Sunday Herald, hopefully to encourage the editorial staff to continue to publish balanced reporting and articles like most of those written by the likes of Bell and McWhirter.

This is the first newspaper of ANY description I’ve actually purchased for the past couple of years, as most of the rest are so pro-union biased and anti-independence and especially anti-SNP, I rarely ever even read them online. I want to read facts, not propaganda, of ANY description, no matter who writes it!
 
 
# Breeks 2013-06-02 17:04
Don’t let yourself get disheartened Anne.
I don’t worry about the polls. I see quite a few polls, and I have yet to see an online poll which puts support for a Yes vote down around 30%. It’s much more likely to peg support for YES at 75% or higher. Does that mean 75% support independence, or just that YES supporters are a lot more internet savvy with polls? I’m inclined to say yes they are, but then, there is a curious consistency about 75 to 80% support. Support for YES polls either 35%, or 80%, but nothing in between. Strange…

For me, a better guide is momentum. There is a perception that support for YES is rising. In online dialogue or debate, the cybernats I see aren’t vicious or bullying, but well informed rational people who have a much better grasp of the issues. It tends to be unionists who struggle to put together any argument besides disliking Alex Salmond. The cybernat troops are a lot better informed – and everywhere.
 
 
# Nautilus 2013-06-02 18:03
The unjustified and completely ridiculous descriptions of Alex Salmond and The SNP are so obvious if you’re living up here in Scotland that the influence of the Mainstream Media both paper and broadcasting will get weaker and weaker amongst the Scottish electorate, eventually turning them off listening to and reading the junk. Who wants to incessantly listen to insults against our properly elected leaders and parties? By implication, they are insulting the whole all of us Scots, no matter what our allegiances. It even makes Scottish Unionists look fools.
Whenever a YES interviewee is cut out from answering a point on any current affairs show, whey should ask: ‘May I be allowed to answer that point’. It will soon become obvious even to the thickest of the electorate that the show is biased.
 
 
# bringiton 2013-06-02 19:04
How many dedicated “foreign” correspondents does the Torygraph have in Norway,Eire,Den  mark,Finland etc?
The “Scottish” reporters for the Torygraph are no different from the Scottish MPs we send to Westminster….all very afraid that they are about to lose their lucrative jobs.
That is why they are prepared to do and say anything which will preserve the status quo as well,of course,the attitude that the Scottish parliament is just a pretendy wee place full of second rate politicians whom they despise.
Her Majesty’s press take their orders straight from the palace “rebellious Scots to crush”.
Which palace is a matter for debate.
 
 
# Abulhaq 2013-06-02 19:32
Lets leave the paranoia to the Brits. We should keep our reason and our cool. By the way, opposition to abortion or doubts about gay marriage do not make you a Fascist. Dr Britts list is disturbingly prescriptive. We of all people should not be afraid of freedom of expression. We may not like the opinion but we ought to defend the right to express it; however revolting.
 
 
# Coinneach 2013-06-02 22:42
What an excellent piece by Mr. Ponsonby.
My great fear is, what will happen societally in the event of a No vote, won on a tidal wave of outright lies, misinformation and smears.
I watched the program about the Skye bridge toll campaign last week, having recorded it, and the point was made at the end that the protesters had split into two camps towards the end of the campaign, and that some of the two sides have ignored each other since.
And that was only a bridge.
Brian Wilson put in a spiteful appearance in it.
 
 
# hiorta 2013-06-03 13:34
There’s no value in worrying, Anne.
The corrupt UK, as was, is over – regardless of polls.
The tide has turned, yesterday cannot return.
We must now set to, to fashion OUR country in the way that is fair to all.
Westminster is a clear example of Privilege manipulating its own downfall.
 
 
# Northesk 2013-06-04 20:27
Echoing others above, I applaud Mr Ponsonby for his no-nonsense exposition. It’s perfectly clear to all of a thinking disposition that the Better Together cabal, plus their media mouthpieces in Scotland, are at best, shameless. They play persistently a game of irrational fears, and it is my concern that a gullible proportion of the electorate will fall for it.

Westminster/England needs Scotland, otherwise why spend all that time and energy on trying to sink the Yes campaign? On that subject I refer to particularly malign elements of the mainstream media, and I target The Scotsman in particular for its absurd daily scare stories (plus the obligatory insulting photographs). And furthermore, the gang of pro-unionist louts that spend all day name-calling legitimate posters and desperately trying to derail the argument. Some of them flatter themselves by imagining they are being satirical while in fact they are openly abusive. This is seen to be condoned. Shameless indeed.
 
 
# Seagetagrip 2013-06-05 10:17
Welcome Anne!
I am interested to know just how you discovered these type of sites?
 

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