Be the change!

Re-blogged from Bella Caledonia

 

Indy Pledge

by Mike Small

A new grassroots initiative just launched aims to “reflect the Scotland we want to be” and sets out simple positive principles with “the intention to encourage people to be mindful of how our actions, in person or online, can impact positively or negatively on the independence movement.”

This is a really great and overdue move which was kick-started by Carol Gilmour and members of Yes Kelty. It’s precisely the sort of self-organising code of conduct that the movement needs to be self-reflective and mindful of how we organise, how we communicate and how we are perceived by the wider world.

The project was launched yesterday at the re-launch of Yes Glenrothes and with help from Independence Live and Yes Dunfermline a group was formed to create the pledge which speaks to the idea of trying  to “see ourselves as others see us”.

As new Yes groups form – and old groups reform (as is happening all over the country), this is a great way to re-set the movement and to kickstart with new energy and focus.

The intention is to encourage people to be mindful of how our actions, in person or online, can impact positively or negatively on the independence movement.

By signing this pledge, individuals, groups and organisations are agreeing to abide by the following core principles:

• We are an inclusive movement that values all people equally and does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, gender, religious beliefs or non beliefs or sexual orientation.We will promote this inclusiveness in all our expressions and actions
• We work with respect for all people, regardless of our politics or differences of opinion.
• We are a peaceful organisation and apply peaceful means of achieving independence. 
• We will promote a positive vision for independence.
• We will work constructively towards the goal of independence: as individuals and as a movement.
• We are an open grassroots movement and work with the utmost transparency in our ideas and actions. 
• We are a broad and diverse movement, and expect individuals to take responsibility for their own actions and contributions to the campaign for independence. 
• We are the grassroots of an independent Scotland. We believe that a dynamic and creative movement will bring a thriving Scotland, and we want all people to play a role. As we work towards independence, we will enable and encourage fellow members to develop their own skills and talents.

Sign up to the Indy Pledge at http://indypledge.online/

source: Bella Caledonia

No more Mrs Nice Guy

I understand that many people voted no to independence because they were afraid of an unknown future. I could sympathise with that fear – at that time. But to think like that now is counterproductive at best. BREXIT is looming and WM still has no plan of any kind. To me that is ten thousand times scarier than Scottish independence could ever be!

Tories are greedy, cruel and clueless. That is what folk should be scared of. Not any fictional “what currency will we use?” type fears. 

I don’t advocate negative campaigning. Not at all. However, we do need to stop letting the opposition get away with their negativity. No more Mrs Nice Guy. When they lie we need to call it out – loudly. We need to say “Oi, liars! Gonnae no dae that”. We need to stop pussyfooting around the truth, because the Tories really do hate us and we need to show voters that… while pointing the way towards the beauteous paradise that is iScotland. Also, we need to get back to the spirit of indyref when we ALL, individually, campaigned one to one. No more waiting around for the party line. Let’s get this shit done!

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#tvlicenceboycott – stage 4 – they raised the stakes!

I’ve had to make a slight concession in my TV Licence Boycott. On the 19th September 2014 I cancelled my direct debit for the licence – I was so disgusted by the part the BBC had played in the NO campaign, and by multifarious other instances of their corruption and unreliability, that I would not pay one more penny of my money into their coffers. I unplugged my TV arial, rolled it up and stuck it behind the sofa. Since my licence ran out I haven’t watched a moment of broadcast TV in my house.

I also decided early on that I would avoid any and all interaction with the TV Licensing Bureau, vile money grubbers that they are. From my reading of their website and the relevant legislation, I believe I’m under no obligation to tell them anything – and I very much enjoy messing with them and wasting their time and money.

However, this morning I received a letter threatening to take me to court. They’ve threatened that before but this made it seem a lot more imminent.

I’m confident that I’m doing nothing illegal and that it’s my right not to pay the licence fee – but I’m not so adamant in my intention to mess with the Licensing Bureau that I’m willing to go to court for it! I’m sure I’d win but the process would cost me money. So, I’ve climbed down slightly and filled out their wee “Declaration” that I don’t need a TV Licence at my address.

This is, as I say, I slight climb down from my initial position but not much of one. I still have no intention of paying for a TV licence until it’s devolved to the Scottish Parliament. Until that time I’m more than happy with Amazon, Netflix and catch-up tv.