Musings from the Merse
Thursday, January 31, 2008
+School.jpg)
HUTTON SCHOOL REVISITED
The missive below appears in this week's Berwickshire-at least on the e-version-the hard copy is a blizzard away in storm tossed Ber Wick. Hopefully the wife will be able to negotiate the snow drifts and bring one out to us.
Your last edition gave considerable prominence to Conservative MSP Mr John Lamont's proposal to protect small rural schools which has unfortunately come a little late for schools right across the Borders, including those at Burnmouth and Hutton. .
He is quoted as saying, 'Too often in the past we have seen the heart ripped out of rural communities when the local school closes...'
He is so right, but what a pity he wasn’t around four years ago to advise SBC's Tory councillors against giving their almost 100% support to a school closure programme that did just that.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED.
I wonder if this is from a certain local political campaigner who prefers to remain anonymous? The name of one prime suspect is on the tip of my tongue where it will remain for security reasons. The jibe at the Tories may not be altogether fair as I would be surprised if Big Jim Conundrum Fullarton, our local conservative councillor at the time of the battle to save Hutton school, actually voted for the closure. Thickish he may be, insensitive possibly, but given the strength of local feeling even he would not have had the gall to do so. Would he?
I am told that there are now over 40 children under 16 in Paxton alone. A pity they had not been around two years ago to swell the roll of primary school children. But I wonder if it would have made any difference. The policy of the highheidyins is Newtown StBoswell's is firmly : Big is beautiful. Arguments about schools being more than just educational establishments and centres of rural communities cut little ice around here. Its education, education education. And sadly the campaign to keep the school running focused more on aggressive charecter assassination and party politicl considerations than on sensible reasoned argument. Sad but even if it had been conducted more intelligently the outcome would probably have been the same.
(I could't find an image of our Hutton School either in my pictures or in Flickr-the above is of a Hutton Church of England school-presumably in one the other half dozen or so Huttons south of the Border. )
Labels: Hutton School, Scottish politics
Friday, January 18, 2008
Scotland the new Slovenia?
A Mr Alex Orr writes from Embra to the Berwickshire, bemoaning the fact that Scotland can only look on from the sidelines as Slovenia, the first of the new member states to hold the Presidency of the EU, having signed up 'only three years ago', sets and influences the agenda, including climate change, energy policy, ratification of the EU treaty, standardisation of urinals, and the other great issues of the day. If only Scotland were independent what mighty things she could do across the water is the sub text.For the moment she has to be content with running the UK via our Scottish PM. I think an independent Scotland might find itself fairly disappointed by what a minnow can achieve in the six months it has the titular 'power' in the Union-as compared with the actual influence that Scots already have at Westminister. Every day and it sometimes seems, for ever.
I wonder if this Mr Orr is any relation to our local Orrs-seemingly coming from the same SNP stable. It is thus intriguing to see another letter from a Paul Whitehouse who describes himself as the SNP prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk. Hoy! Hold on a minute. What has happened to the indefatigable Mrs Orr. She has valiantly contested all kinds of elections in the Borders for the SNP. Surely she should be given a chance for a crack at a seat in Westminster once Mr Brown has enough bottle to actually hold a general election. If not I hope she will be suitably rewarded for her services to the party when the saltire of an Independent Scotland is eventually raised over the Castle.
Ambassador to Slovenia.
Perhaps
A Mr Alex Orr writes from Embra to the Berwickshire, bemoaning the fact that Scotland can only look on from the sidelines as Slovenia, the first of the new member states to hold the Presidency of the EU, having signed up 'only three years ago', sets and influences the agenda, including climate change, energy policy, ratification of the EU treaty, standardisation of urinals, and the other great issues of the day. If only Scotland were independent what mighty things she could do across the water is the sub text.For the moment she has to be content with running the UK via our Scottish PM. I think an independent Scotland might find itself fairly disappointed by what a minnow can achieve in the six months it has the titular 'power' in the Union-as compared with the actual influence that Scots already have at Westminister. Every day and it sometimes seems, for ever.
I wonder if this Mr Orr is any relation to our local Orrs-seemingly coming from the same SNP stable. It is thus intriguing to see another letter from a Paul Whitehouse who describes himself as the SNP prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk. Hoy! Hold on a minute. What has happened to the indefatigable Mrs Orr. She has valiantly contested all kinds of elections in the Borders for the SNP. Surely she should be given a chance for a crack at a seat in Westminster once Mr Brown has enough bottle to actually hold a general election. If not I hope she will be suitably rewarded for her services to the party when the saltire of an Independent Scotland is eventually raised over the Castle.
Ambassador to Slovenia.
Perhaps
Labels: EU, Scottish politics, Slovenia, SNP
Monday, January 07, 2008
Bordering on the ridiculous
With apparently 40% of Scots favouring independence in a poll in December it is refreshing to revisit Eric Robson's interesting account of a walk along the Border as recorded in The Border Line-published in 2006. After a rather downbeat description of the delights of Coldstream, that wild frontier outpost-he quotes from an article by Matthew Engel, a Grudien reporter, about the apparent lack of nationalism on either side of the Border;
" The sparsely populated communities of north Northumberland don't feel intensely English as they know London thinks Damn All about them. Some people even support Scotland at sport which would be unthinkable in reverse. The nearby Scottish towns are largely sufficient unto themselves. They have to be as the road links are wretched and the railways non-existent. The inhabitants are as suspicious of Glasgow and Edinburgh as they are of London.....If Glaswegians are 90- minute Nats, caring for Scotland only when the football is on, Borderers appear to be 80- minute Nats-the duration of a rugby match'
Mr Robson is very anti the idea of independence for Scotland-sensible bloke-so he may not be an impartial observer and I much enjoyed his description of Norham Bridge, across the Tweed, likely to be known after independence as:
Checkpoint Jimmy
I must take slight issue with Mr Engel. Roads are far from wretched in most cases and free of traffic. Perhaps see 5 or 6 cars between Hutton and Kelso on an average day. (Fishwick is of course an exception-traffic jams galore) Railhead at Berwick is quite enough for my needs thankyou and we can do without the Waverley Line. As for 50/40 minute nationalists. Try Melrose where a game of Rugby VIIs lasts about ten minutes. Thats quite enough nationalism for grown ups.
The image is of Coldstream Bridge. An alternative border crossing to Checkpoint Jimmy. It brings you to Scotland's First Border Toon-or away from it as the fancy takes you.
A protege of Robert (Rabbi) Burns (later disowned) wrote about it:
Hail fair structure of the Bridging Race:
Safely across Tweed's Bonnie Banks
To Engerland, Fair Albion's Face
Away from Hame: To God give Thanks
Labels: Rabbi Burns, Scottish politics, SNP, The Border
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Lord Paxton. Why are we waiting?
We were all agog about the impending ennoblement of the Laird. Prime Minister's resignation honours? But nothing. In the meanwhile Musings was tracked down on the www by someone googling 'Lord Paxton' The first google suggestion is not Huttonian but: http://ibrslordpaxton.blogspot.com/ This Blog is not about our Lord-in-Waiting but about a dog called Pax-or more formally, apparently Lord Paxton. And not even a Border Terrier-but some US moggie. Worth a click.
But in the meanwhile our breath is still held. Has the cash for honours affair something to do with the strange delay. Surely the Laird is worth a measly peerage to New Labour if only for stepping down as an MSP. And that's a pretty big
only
We were all agog about the impending ennoblement of the Laird. Prime Minister's resignation honours? But nothing. In the meanwhile Musings was tracked down on the www by someone googling 'Lord Paxton' The first google suggestion is not Huttonian but: http://ibrslordpaxton.blogspot.com/ This Blog is not about our Lord-in-Waiting but about a dog called Pax-or more formally, apparently Lord Paxton. And not even a Border Terrier-but some US moggie. Worth a click.
But in the meanwhile our breath is still held. Has the cash for honours affair something to do with the strange delay. Surely the Laird is worth a measly peerage to New Labour if only for stepping down as an MSP. And that's a pretty big
only
Labels: Laird, Lord Paxton, Scottish politics
Thursday, July 12, 2007
LOCAL DEMOCRACY IN ACTION (Or should that be inaction?/)
The Berwickshire letter columns continue to reflect a Borders Council Spat with the SNP moaning about their lack of influence within the recently elected council. And the Lib Dems flexing their muscles having failed to make much headway against the SNP elsewhere in Scotland
SIR, - As a committed Liberal Democrat I am a firm believer in politics within local government to ensure clear policy direction and cohesive decision making, however, there have always been some no-go areas for party politics; namely local festivals, decisions on planning applications and community councils.
Therefore I find it most unfortunate that Councillor Bill Herd has, in his first month as the new council group leader of the SNP, singled out these matters for petty posturing. In doing so he has managed to be economical with the truth in a manner which does not bode well for encouraging confidence in elected representatives at any level.
The discussion regarding representation at the building and development control committee centred around the fact that there are now only 11 wards in SBC and each ward is represented by at least one local member on the committee, something which was not the case previously when there were 34 wards.
Planning is a quasi-judicial role for councillors who can only take into account written representations and assess those against current planning policies.
Councillors on the committee have to take account of all views but ultimately also have to make a decision. It is open to all elected members to seek a place on the committee; Councillor Herd did not put his name forward for nomination.
With regard to the letter which was sent to community councils asking what arrangements for SBC councillors’ attendance at their meetings would suit them best – that is appropriate consultation following the recent change to multi-member wards.
The reasoning behind this, which was discussed at the Tweeddale Area Committee in May, was to ensure clear lines of communication and prevent duplication.
The unanimous decision to consult community councils and to ascertain their views on this matter was taken by the committee, which includes Councillor Herd as party to that decision. So perhaps rather than waiting for matters to “come to his attention” he should pay a bit more attention in the meetings he attends, and if he feels it is inappropriate to consult with community councils on a matter which affects them perhaps then he should say so at the time.
Personally I believe that community councils are the front line of local democracy and their views should be sought as part of the democratic decision making process.
And before making a big noise about SNP councillors attending every community council meeting, Councillor Herd would do well to remember that community councils are constitutionally non-party political.
Finally, if Councillor Herd’s initial efforts are indicative of the level of debate from the opposition at the council then I think he has ably demonstrated why it would serve no purpose to return to a committee system.
CATRIONA BHATIA,
Community Councils forefront of local democracy? We wish. The local community council, in my experience over the last seven years, whenever it has attempted to put a community view to the next tier of local government ot to the highheidyins in NStB ,has almost invariably been ignored or overruled-and almost exclusively on planning matters where developers or land owners versus local democracy-no contest. From Kanes Close via the Orchard, with a sideways glance at Edington Mill and the last two out of town skirmishes with Farmers C and N the democrats have emerged bloody and bowed. Only over the Laird's plans to double Paxton has a potential developer been frustrated and that by a widespread popular resistance going much further than the community council, albeit orchestrated by it.
I am sure we await the latest consultation with our Community Council with (a) bated breath and (b) eager anticipation. So far the communication seems snared in the postal strike. Or something.
And if and when we respond with our considered views from the forefront of the local democratic process, will be listened to? Councillors Herd and Bhatia, over to you.
Over and out?
Or just
Roger?*
(* Bad if appropriate pun on active participle, awaited)
The Berwickshire letter columns continue to reflect a Borders Council Spat with the SNP moaning about their lack of influence within the recently elected council. And the Lib Dems flexing their muscles having failed to make much headway against the SNP elsewhere in Scotland
SIR, - As a committed Liberal Democrat I am a firm believer in politics within local government to ensure clear policy direction and cohesive decision making, however, there have always been some no-go areas for party politics; namely local festivals, decisions on planning applications and community councils.
Therefore I find it most unfortunate that Councillor Bill Herd has, in his first month as the new council group leader of the SNP, singled out these matters for petty posturing. In doing so he has managed to be economical with the truth in a manner which does not bode well for encouraging confidence in elected representatives at any level.
The discussion regarding representation at the building and development control committee centred around the fact that there are now only 11 wards in SBC and each ward is represented by at least one local member on the committee, something which was not the case previously when there were 34 wards.
Planning is a quasi-judicial role for councillors who can only take into account written representations and assess those against current planning policies.
Councillors on the committee have to take account of all views but ultimately also have to make a decision. It is open to all elected members to seek a place on the committee; Councillor Herd did not put his name forward for nomination.
With regard to the letter which was sent to community councils asking what arrangements for SBC councillors’ attendance at their meetings would suit them best – that is appropriate consultation following the recent change to multi-member wards.
The reasoning behind this, which was discussed at the Tweeddale Area Committee in May, was to ensure clear lines of communication and prevent duplication.
The unanimous decision to consult community councils and to ascertain their views on this matter was taken by the committee, which includes Councillor Herd as party to that decision. So perhaps rather than waiting for matters to “come to his attention” he should pay a bit more attention in the meetings he attends, and if he feels it is inappropriate to consult with community councils on a matter which affects them perhaps then he should say so at the time.
Personally I believe that community councils are the front line of local democracy and their views should be sought as part of the democratic decision making process.
And before making a big noise about SNP councillors attending every community council meeting, Councillor Herd would do well to remember that community councils are constitutionally non-party political.
Finally, if Councillor Herd’s initial efforts are indicative of the level of debate from the opposition at the council then I think he has ably demonstrated why it would serve no purpose to return to a committee system.
CATRIONA BHATIA,
Community Councils forefront of local democracy? We wish. The local community council, in my experience over the last seven years, whenever it has attempted to put a community view to the next tier of local government ot to the highheidyins in NStB ,has almost invariably been ignored or overruled-and almost exclusively on planning matters where developers or land owners versus local democracy-no contest. From Kanes Close via the Orchard, with a sideways glance at Edington Mill and the last two out of town skirmishes with Farmers C and N the democrats have emerged bloody and bowed. Only over the Laird's plans to double Paxton has a potential developer been frustrated and that by a widespread popular resistance going much further than the community council, albeit orchestrated by it.
I am sure we await the latest consultation with our Community Council with (a) bated breath and (b) eager anticipation. So far the communication seems snared in the postal strike. Or something.
And if and when we respond with our considered views from the forefront of the local democratic process, will be listened to? Councillors Herd and Bhatia, over to you.
Over and out?
Or just
Roger?*
(* Bad if appropriate pun on active participle, awaited)
Labels: Scottish politics, SNP, Spleen venting
Friday, July 06, 2007
Royal Scots wi hae
One can always rely upon the Berwickshire to publish really silly stories in the really silly season when the only other news story is the washing away of the Reiver, Reiver's Lass, Wynsome Mayde in the heavy rain which has put a dampener on Duns Civic Week. So under the banner, well ribbon, headline:
Kingdom of Scotland at Duns increases eligible members
we get the latest doings of the Dinger Regent of Scotland who always seems to resurface from his dugout whenever there is little else going on
THE Kingdom of Scotland's Parliament has doubled the number of its eligible noble members - the Parliament reactivated in 1997 by Duns man Michael Ritchie, not the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.
Mr Ritchie believes that under Scots law the Kingdom of Scotland is still in being, both legally and constitutionally, and he reactivated it in 1997, appointing himself as Regent and acting chancellor "until a monarch can be found to reign solely over the kingdom".
When the Kingdom of Scotland was first reactivated there was around a dozen nobles eligible to sit in the Parliament mostly through peerages created prior to 1603 but also including peers created by the Regent (Michael Ritchie).
"Those peers living also in Scotland whose peerages were created after 1603 are not eligible under Scots law to be noble members of the Parliament,"expalined Mr Ritchie.
"However, a way of enabling them also to be eligible has now been found.
"They are members legally as holders also of earlier peerages, namely ones granted up to 1603, or rather up to when in that year James VI King of Scots in effect abdicated as King of Scots by moving down to London in the Kingdom of Scots by moving down to London in the Kingdom of England to become its king.
"There are about a dozen of these peers. So, the number of noble members is the KOS Parliament will now approximately double, a parliament that willremain a unicameral one.
"This statement is being issued by the Regent on the advice of the KOS's Privy Council."
Among
those peers now eligible is the Earl of Home at the Hirsel, courtesy of a prior title, Lord Home (created 1473).
Other peers who have more than one title and who would otherwise have been eligible to be a member of the Kingdom of Scotland's Parliament are still barred if they sit in the House of Lords.
"Both the Union of the Crowns of Scotland and England in 1603 and the Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in 1707 were illegal and unconstitutional under Scots Law and English Law," added Mr Ritchie.
This also makes the "so-called" Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh illegal says Mr Ritchie, who oversaw the first meeting of the Kingdom of Scotland's Parliament since 1603, on September 2, 2000, at The Blue House, Duns, (Mr Ritchie's home at the time).
On April 25, 2006 the High Council of the Kingdom of Scotland was reactivated and according to Mr Ritchie it will start meeting also.
I wonder if any right minded citizen is likely to start proceedings against Mr R for High Treason- just look what happened to Sir W Wallace in more enlightened times?
But better not. I am sure he would welcome the publicity and as the old saw has it-the nuttier the fruitcake, the longer in the baking. And this Dinger concoction is nuttier than most.
And half baked
One can always rely upon the Berwickshire to publish really silly stories in the really silly season when the only other news story is the washing away of the Reiver, Reiver's Lass, Wynsome Mayde in the heavy rain which has put a dampener on Duns Civic Week. So under the banner, well ribbon, headline:
Kingdom of Scotland at Duns increases eligible members
we get the latest doings of the Dinger Regent of Scotland who always seems to resurface from his dugout whenever there is little else going on
THE Kingdom of Scotland's Parliament has doubled the number of its eligible noble members - the Parliament reactivated in 1997 by Duns man Michael Ritchie, not the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.
Mr Ritchie believes that under Scots law the Kingdom of Scotland is still in being, both legally and constitutionally, and he reactivated it in 1997, appointing himself as Regent and acting chancellor "until a monarch can be found to reign solely over the kingdom".
When the Kingdom of Scotland was first reactivated there was around a dozen nobles eligible to sit in the Parliament mostly through peerages created prior to 1603 but also including peers created by the Regent (Michael Ritchie).
"Those peers living also in Scotland whose peerages were created after 1603 are not eligible under Scots law to be noble members of the Parliament,"expalined Mr Ritchie.
"However, a way of enabling them also to be eligible has now been found.
"They are members legally as holders also of earlier peerages, namely ones granted up to 1603, or rather up to when in that year James VI King of Scots in effect abdicated as King of Scots by moving down to London in the Kingdom of Scots by moving down to London in the Kingdom of England to become its king.
"There are about a dozen of these peers. So, the number of noble members is the KOS Parliament will now approximately double, a parliament that willremain a unicameral one.
"This statement is being issued by the Regent on the advice of the KOS's Privy Council."
Among
those peers now eligible is the Earl of Home at the Hirsel, courtesy of a prior title, Lord Home (created 1473).
Other peers who have more than one title and who would otherwise have been eligible to be a member of the Kingdom of Scotland's Parliament are still barred if they sit in the House of Lords.
"Both the Union of the Crowns of Scotland and England in 1603 and the Union of the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in 1707 were illegal and unconstitutional under Scots Law and English Law," added Mr Ritchie.
This also makes the "so-called" Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh illegal says Mr Ritchie, who oversaw the first meeting of the Kingdom of Scotland's Parliament since 1603, on September 2, 2000, at The Blue House, Duns, (Mr Ritchie's home at the time).
On April 25, 2006 the High Council of the Kingdom of Scotland was reactivated and according to Mr Ritchie it will start meeting also.
I wonder if any right minded citizen is likely to start proceedings against Mr R for High Treason- just look what happened to Sir W Wallace in more enlightened times?
But better not. I am sure he would welcome the publicity and as the old saw has it-the nuttier the fruitcake, the longer in the baking. And this Dinger concoction is nuttier than most.
And half baked
Labels: Kingdom of Scotland, Loonie Royalists, Scottish politics
Saturday, April 21, 2007
BORDERS EMBASSY IN USA SOUGHT
Screams the Berwickshire on its Page 3-sharing this excitement with the life and times of the Laird. It is actually a story about the manifesto issued by the newly formed Borders Party-see earlier posts for further elucidation.
Much of the party's wish list makes sense especially about the age old problem of promoting tourism to these here parts. VisitScotland is a busted flush and the BP is quite right in demanding an end to that meaningless description of the Borders as 'Scotland's favourite short break destination' Making it 'drive through counties' on the way to or from more exotic and interesting places. BP's big idea is to promote our turbulent past and especially the Reivers with a Reivers Trail, festooned no doubt, with gibbets creaking in the wind and interactive interpretation
boards telling of Wynsome Maydes foully ravished and done to death or Laird's cattle hamstrung by nocturnal raiders long ago. The Reivers have a story to tell. Lets tell it. Difficult to exaggerate their sheer awfulness but lets do our best. Apparently VisitScotland and other 'tourism chiefs' did not want to 'highlight our violent past' Spineless wimps imply the BP. Where is Mel Gibson when we need him? Why bother to go to Bannockburn or Culloden when you can nostalgically wallow in blood around here. Ever heard of Flodden? Mel G as James IV?
The other vision thing is to sell the Borders in the US of A. Kick start a heritage/genealogical campaign. Play up the Nixons, Johnsons, Grahams connections.And Armstrong-straight from Border country to the Moon. And at least one famous Nixon not only looked a bit like an old Reiver (imagine him in a Reiver helmet and see what I mean) certainly acted like one. So the party would like to set up a Borders Embassy in Washington to sell us to naive and credulous Yanks. What they need is a well established Borders resident, ideally from the Merse, with an extensive knowledge of international diplomacy,three years experience of working as a diplomat in the US, speaks the language fluently, and would not be embarrassed by a huge salary and generous allowances.
Where do I sign?
Screams the Berwickshire on its Page 3-sharing this excitement with the life and times of the Laird. It is actually a story about the manifesto issued by the newly formed Borders Party-see earlier posts for further elucidation.
Much of the party's wish list makes sense especially about the age old problem of promoting tourism to these here parts. VisitScotland is a busted flush and the BP is quite right in demanding an end to that meaningless description of the Borders as 'Scotland's favourite short break destination' Making it 'drive through counties' on the way to or from more exotic and interesting places. BP's big idea is to promote our turbulent past and especially the Reivers with a Reivers Trail, festooned no doubt, with gibbets creaking in the wind and interactive interpretation
boards telling of Wynsome Maydes foully ravished and done to death or Laird's cattle hamstrung by nocturnal raiders long ago. The Reivers have a story to tell. Lets tell it. Difficult to exaggerate their sheer awfulness but lets do our best. Apparently VisitScotland and other 'tourism chiefs' did not want to 'highlight our violent past' Spineless wimps imply the BP. Where is Mel Gibson when we need him? Why bother to go to Bannockburn or Culloden when you can nostalgically wallow in blood around here. Ever heard of Flodden? Mel G as James IV?
The other vision thing is to sell the Borders in the US of A. Kick start a heritage/genealogical campaign. Play up the Nixons, Johnsons, Grahams connections.And Armstrong-straight from Border country to the Moon. And at least one famous Nixon not only looked a bit like an old Reiver (imagine him in a Reiver helmet and see what I mean) certainly acted like one. So the party would like to set up a Borders Embassy in Washington to sell us to naive and credulous Yanks. What they need is a well established Borders resident, ideally from the Merse, with an extensive knowledge of international diplomacy,three years experience of working as a diplomat in the US, speaks the language fluently, and would not be embarrassed by a huge salary and generous allowances.
Where do I sign?
Labels: Borders Party, Merse, Scottish politics
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Yesterday's Grudiuan, had, unusually, a small piece on Scottish local politics. It referred to up to £20,000 golden handshakes for retiring Scottish local government councillors. The idea being to get rid of the dross and the ancient and thus encourage thrusting, young, candidates including those from ethnic minorities. Good idea says Huttonian. Especially if it means good bye to our present councillor-for reasons habitues of this blog will be well aware. So if after fours years sporadic attendance at the Hutton and Paxton Community Council (and the 3 or 4 others on his roster) he can pick up ten grand, draw a line and move on, that's public money* well spent.
And as for ethnic minorities. Amen to that. Lets get some bright young thing from a far away land but one which has always taken a benevolent interest in all things Scottish. A land so long under the yoke of foreign politicians that it would like its own back.
England
* In the absence of public money we will pass the hat round, if that is what it takes
And as for ethnic minorities. Amen to that. Lets get some bright young thing from a far away land but one which has always taken a benevolent interest in all things Scottish. A land so long under the yoke of foreign politicians that it would like its own back.
England
* In the absence of public money we will pass the hat round, if that is what it takes
Labels: Scottish politics
