This isn't really a proper blog post. More an explanation of why I now have three articles in draft form and am making no progress with any of them.
On Wednesday 25 April I watched Donald Trump's appearance before the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee of the Scottish Parliament. Those of you who also witnessed this circus will understand when I say that I disgusted and angered by Trump's behaviour. His arrogant disrespect for the committee, the Scottish Parliament, The Scottish Government and the First Minister was quite appalling.
He came before the committee completely unprepared assuming that he could get by with nothing more than his pompous, over-bearing bluster. And when challenged to provide evidence to back up his increasingly deranged claims, he capped his ludicrous performance by declaring, "I am the evidence!".
I am not here to examine his "testimony" in detail. To the extent that it may euphemistically be referred to as testimony it was totally unworthy of serious analysis. Suffice it to say that I was sufficiently provoked by his boorish buffoonery that, following up on a tweet from Andy Wightman, I started a petition to request that Scottish Enterprise revoke Donald Trump's membership of the GlobalScot network (GlobalScot: Withdraw Donald Trump's membership of GlobalScot).
The petition reads,
By his conduct at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 25 April 2012 Donald Trump has shown himself to be unworthy of an organisation whose purpose is to promote a positive image of Scotland, foster good relations in the global business community and encourage inward investment.
We, the signatories to this petition therefore respectfully urge Scottish Enterprise to take such steps as may be necessary to end Donald Trump's association with GlobalScot.
The response has been quite remarkable with well over 1700 signatures at the time of writing after only a couple of days. The only problem being that once you start a campaign such as this you have to devote some time to maintaining the momentum. And that's my excuses out of the way.
If you haven't already signed the petition you may want to do so now by visiting the page or using the widget on the right. I have also started a Facebook page as part of the effort. Somewhat belatedly I started adding a hashtag to tweets on the topic - #trumpout.
In wholehearted agreement. The man has done nothing but harass his neighbours and insult Scotland's people and government. He should be deported with all rights to return withdrawn. These conditions ought to be extended to his immediate family, lawyers and business associates.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, Aberdeen Council ought to place a compulsory purchase order on the land currently in his ownership. This land will, of course, now be reduced in value due to the negative effect of his behaviour.
Actually, he HAS done more than that. He has lied and swindled through the whole proceedings.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Jack McConnell's involvement with Donald Trump, here are the e-mails.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/216107/0057803.pdf
I am disgusted at the approach of all Committees at the Scottish Parliament. They will not allow any evidence to be aired in public if it does not suit their policy or the dogma of those with vested interests.
As for Lord Leveson, what about this:-
Chris Carter
On Monday 16th January, 2012 the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland certified that it was satisfied that there are no points of law of general importance involved in the decision given on 14th February, 2011 and refused leave for Mr. Carter to appeal to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
Mr. Carter was imprisoned in Magheraberry High Security prison on 29th January 2012. He had faced a 47 day jail term for non payment of fines and costs, although he was released after just three days when his fine was paid following an Internet campaign.
It has been noted that the three Lord Justices who heard Mr. Carter’s appeal were all members of the Privy Council. Furthermore, the legislative Instrument which imposed the Smoke Free Restrictions in Northern Ireland is The Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 No. 2957 (N.I.20). This Order was approved by the Privy Council held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 14th November 2006. Counsellors present included The Lord President of the Council (Rt Hon Baroness Amos), Sir Brian Leveson (now Lord Leveson) and Elish Angiolini.
In such circumstances a fair minded and informed member of the public would surely ask whether individuals who are members of a legislative body (Privy Council) should also be permitted to sit in judgement of transgressors of the legislation that body approves? For as Montesquieu pointed out:
there is no liberty if the powers of judging is not separated from the legislative and executive.
It should be noted that in July 2010, Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon announced Baroness Amos’ appointment to the role of Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Sir Brian Leveson now Chairs the Phone-hacking inquiry where he sits alongside Sir David Bell, former Trustee of Common Purpose. In 2002 David Bell was a Global Compact Advisory Council Member at the United Nations.
http://www.ukcolumn.org/article/judge-jury-executioner
The arrogance of the Committees at the Scottish Parliament is unbeleivable. They will only allow evidence to be aired in public that does not go against their policy or the dogma of the vested interests and partnerships that control them.
ReplyDeleteMSPs on all Committees should remember that it is the taxpayer and voters who pay their salaries and that they are our servants NOT our masters.
I agree with No.3 that the Scottish committees take a high handed attitude with all kinds of issues, cavalierly dismissing or simply ignoring actual evidence contradictory to their vested interests-as a member of Freedom To Choose (Scotland) I have first hand experience.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it sticks in my craw to have ANY foreign tycoon roll up on our shores and dictate policy to our elected Government. Yes, No.3, they are employed by the electorate; hence they are answerable to us and not D.Trump,nor some seedy newspaper mogul.
I am delighted to sign this petition.
Anonymous 1,
ReplyDeleteDonald trump was allowed to give his evidence, such as it was. What is your beef?
Anonymous 2,
I smoke. I think it is bad for me. Indeed, I know it will probably kill me. Why are you assisting in my suicide?