Al, I think you will find out on examination that in almost all cases I am responding to something someone else has said. As to saying some "nasty stuff", not half as nasty as has been directed my way, and for the record to date on this thread I have not made any personal attack on Guest Shimrod - A fact that he acknowledges.

Would I say such "face-to-face" if these discussions were held person - Most definitely, on the proviso that everyone else would hold to saying the same things, in exactly the same manner as they posted, which somehow I would doubt very much.

"I would try to explain my reference to his remarks concerning the poor of Glasgow, but too much time has been taken up here on personal details" - Akenaton

That would be some explanation Akenaton as you struggle to keep alive the myth that I ever made any remarks concerning the poor of Glasgow. I did make reference to the electorate of the Glasgow East constituency, 57.75% of them who couldn't be bother to vote. But at no time at all did I ever make any reference in the terms suggested by you to the poor of Glasgow. Now I believe that I have shown that I can own up to making a mistake - lets see if you are man enough to do the same. Do not ever put words into my mouth, or attribute to me views and opinions that I have patently not given - Do not state as fact things which only exist as your assumptions and opinions.

Onward to Independence!! - I very much doubt it, as I very much doubt that Salmond will call his referendum in 2010. The SNP must actually dread it, because irrespective of the results of the next Scottish Assembly elections, a referendum on Independence will decide if the SNP can continue to exist as a political party because that referendum will be a vote of support for that political party's core belief and aim - A fully independent Scotland. If the people of Scotland say NO, as I think they will, then the SNP have absolutely no mandate to Govern Scotland.

The result of the Glasgow East By-Election was and remains a typical example of a mid-term protest vote, in which the majority of the electorate refused to vote, and as such it signifies absolutely nothing.