I won’t claim that I work hard for Scotland’s cause these days. But I put in quite a bit of time. Time is what I have. I’ve been thinking about how I can make best use of that time. Between this blogsite and my activities on social media and initiatives like the #RepurposeYourVote campaign, I’m probably ‘working’ 6 – 8 hours a day. But I often think that I have achieved little or nothing in that time. I never feel as if I’ve done enough. What else can I do?
Some of you may have noticed that I’m experimenting with Substack alongside the old WordPress site. It’s an impressive platform with a lot to offer. Maybe too much. The learning curve is pretty steep. Both offer facilities for podcasting. That might be the way forward.
The possibility of a podcast comes up from time to time. I’ve even dabbled a bit already. But I’ve never been happy with the result. I doubt I ever will be as I’m a bit of a perfectionist. It’s not that I’m averse to speaking – as anyone who has spent any time in my company will testify. But preparing a podcast – and doing it properly – can be very time-consuming. That time has to be stolen from other activities. So it has to be worth it.
The other reason I haven’t started a regular podcast is that I am unsure about what the format should be. I would like something that would allow me to interact with guests and/or ‘callers’ rather than just being a ‘talking head’. I’ve been looking at options. Lots of options. Lots of looking. No decision as yet. Maybe readers have some suggestions. Helpful would be good. But I’ll take whatever you’ve got.
Thanks to some very generous donations (you know who you are!), for which I am deeply grateful, I’m confident enough to consider a paid option. But I’d have to be sure the money was being effectively used. I have a responsibility to make good use of these donations.
Basically, what I’m looking for here is a nudge from you lot. If there is something you’d like me to do – and if I reckon I can make at least a two-thirds decent job of it – I’ll give it a go. Let me know in the comments.
Peter A Bell 
Keep on doing what you’ve been doing , especially helping to foster rational discussion around UDI and developing a pro Indy cultural climate .
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Peter, you know I have followed your blogs for many years and by and large agreed with them, posted and promoted them where I can, with few exceptions where I disagreed with your output
I do suggest however, that if you do go down the road you are proposing, that you are more understanding of the people that question you, and give a rational answer rather than a put down. Not everyone understands!
But keep going with your blog as well. 🙂
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This is meant in the best possible way: Blog on!
#EndTheUnion
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1: Have a serious look at Restream – paticularly an ability to stream but download when you decide,ie., not live, allows you to scrap and start again.
2: Have a chat with Kevin Gibney at Indy/Live who is well aquainted with Restream – so can offer guidance/help if needed and is an obvious outlet if you proceed an audience of about 20,000 already exists.
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Thanks, Mike. Restream is one of the platforms I’m looking at. But I hadn’t thought to reach out to Kevin. Thanks for that suggestion.
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what can a talented talker for Indy do?!! Become a I4I independent for Independence at the next GE. I’m a great talker and had decided to put myself forward for North Perthshire but Sally Holmes beat me to it ( happy about that too). We need one in every constituency!! Then get out there and talk!! You do a fantastic job. XX
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Like other’s I repost your work which I read with the hope to become more enlightened. The only difficulty I have with some reads is when they are too lengthy but that is a personal issue because of my health and ability to concentrate.
Sometimes a straight-to-the-point message is needed, but so also are longer explained and referenced message too.
I’ just wish you ‘m not sure how you access the politicians if you do at all. But I wish they would engage better with stalwarts like yourself.
Regardless of people’s opinion of Alex Salmond, what he’s doing with his show found on You Tube is something which I enjoy listening and watching. But I can see scope for them opening up to people like you.
Recently I listened to Angus B MacNeil & the Caithness Councillor and enjoyed their suggestions & thoughts. I also enjoy Alex’s spotlight on Scottish People in History, the latest Willie McRae.
Gavin
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Just keep going.
“‘Cause out on the edge of darkness
There rides the peace train
Oh, peace train take this country
Come take me home again“
Anyways, I earlier got inspired by extreme anger to post this elsewhere.
***
MAKE SCOTLAND TORY FREE is like some student protest, and a lunatic fringe student group at that. Like the Greens.
TORY TORY TORY – OUT OUT OUT
TORY TORY TORY – SCUM SCUM SCUM
Anyone remember how “popular” they photoshopped banners and chants were at AUOB marches? Not a lot.
Whoever at the SNP came up with that election slogan should be told to go back to the Unionist party he or she STILL BELONGS TO.
***
All we can do is plug away and hope the lunatics in the SNP asylum occasionally come up for air from their incestuous ivory tower lack of reality infernal airhead bubble and take heed. Because, unfortunately, Independence needs the SNP.
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As a taster to podcasting, you could get on the likes of Lesley Riddoch’s podcast with Pat Boyle, as a guest contributor, or Talk Media’s ‘the Big Light’ with Eamon O’Neill and Stuart Cosgrove. And many other podcasts and spread your word, while observing how they do theirs?
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I’m not sure anybody wants me on their podcast. Although I do get invited onto Caledon Radio from time to time.
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Lesley’s pod is a weekly must listen for me. I disagree with her quite a bit, but she’s a superb public speaker and a natural at podcasting, too. Fundamentally, I like hearing pro independence voices and would like more of them on a regular basis.
Besides, I’ve a lot more time, literally, for pods than blogs. Audio’s ideal for many of us.
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A lot of people are telling me that they prefer listening to reading. So, I will definitely be doing some spoken-word stuff – probably starting this weekend. I’ve just to decide the format. Or maybe formats. It may be possible to try different things to see what works and what doesn’t. But it’s definitely happening.
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I like the idea of some kind of interactive podcast
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I’m working on it.
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Hi Peter. This is the ultimate question isn’t it? The independence movement has been failed, some might even say betrayed, by the SNP that has, since 2014, given up on driving independence as the priority whilst introducing some pretty controversial and worrying legislation worthy of the kind of Westminster crackdowns on free speech we are seeing.
The movement needs unity, not behind a political party or career politicians, but behind an organisation like the old Yes Scotland campaign, which can bring the reasons why Scotland must be free to the people. But that takes money and organisation. Nevertheless, there are people with marketing experience within the movement and others will media and business experience so it should not be insurmountable. Massive pressure needs to be brought on the political class in the SNP especially to stop faffing about and get on with what the party was set up to do, win Scotland’s freedom.
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I wrote a lengthy response. Internet connection dropped the very moment I hit ‘Send’. No backup.
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Now that there’s a generally available educational resource about Modern Direct Democracy (DD) – the recently launched website wecollect.scot. – I would love you to get your teeth into the subject of UDI as it relates to the Human Right of every citizen to participate DIRECTLY in public affairs (Art 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).
ICCPR, which was signed by the UK in 1976, is the enactment of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and makes clear that the self determination of nations is one thing but DD is another.
My reading of the explanatory notes of the UN Human Rights committee 1996 on Art 25 is that the People have the right to organise themselves in order to exercise their Political Rights – and, from where I sit, that includes the right to organise popular initiatives and referendums, as in Switzerland where I’ve lived for 50 years.
The Scottish National Congress Steering Group has opened the debate with its Sep. 2023 response to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill and the Stage 1 parliamentary committee report is due this week. Parliamentary debate is due April 15-26. This is the beginning of a process which is known internationally as a Mandatory Referendum, one of Switzerland’s Political Rights.
I wonder whether you and other minds greater than mine might want to explore why two countries with exactly the same constitutional basis – Popular Sovereignty – have diametrically opposing Political Rights.
Thanks for thinking about this.
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Apologies for the delay in posting your comment. Akismet has been dumping stuff in the spam bin again.
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Hi Peter ! Thanks for putting up my post but the second page doesn’t appear when I press the hotlink at the bottom of the first page…
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Are you referring to the breadcrumb links at the foot of the comments page?
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Strange – this morning the comment appears in in its entirety. Previously, after a few lines of the comment there was a hotlink “to read on for more” and it wasn’t working. Now looks ok, thanks !
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Glad to hear it.
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