Another quartet for this week’s For A’ That podcast.

This time the group comprised Andrew (or “him”), poet, activist and Bella Caledonia co-editor Kevin Williamson and Rory Scothorne who was a co-founder of the National Collective.

We discussed the ongoing problems with Creative Scotland. This became a larger discussion about the cultural scene in Scotland and even the British Isles. We didn’t think Jack Straw knows what he is talking about. We also had a word about how some artists and writers have been choosing sides in the indy debate and why some may feel reluctant to do so.

Nicola Sturgeon’s speech from this week was a topic and seemed to meet with broad approval. We discussed some of the interesting themes the speech brought up.

Our last topic was the announcement that more than a million pounds will be given to various academics to study the possible effects of independence.

I cannot of course talk about this episode without mentioning Andrew’s flabbergasting suggestion about what should be done with unionists.

http://lallandspeatworrier.blogspot.co.uk/
http://nationalcollective.com/
https://twitter.com/williamsonkev
https://twitter.com/ScotlandThinks
https://twitter.com/mgreenwell
https://twitter.com/PeatWorrier
http://michaelgreenwell.wordpress.com/

For the 14th episode of The Scottish Independence Podcast I spoke with Veronika Teudhope of Scottish CND.

We talked about their recent decision to join the Yes campaign and about the history and aims of the organisation and some of the actions they are involved in and their parliamentary supporters.

We also had a word about the SNP joining NATO debate.

Hope you enjoy...
https://twitter.com/ScottishCND
http://www.banthebomb.org/
http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/scots-cnd-backs-yes-campaign.19448929
https://twitter.com/mgreenwell

Episode 6 of For A' That again features two guests along with Andrew Tickell and myself, Michael Greenwell.

This time we were joined by Peter Geoghegan, a freelance journalist, and by Philip Challinor who is a writer and blogger.

Up for discussion amongst other things were the Levenson enquiry, the media more generally, the rise of UKIP and a little discussion on just why the British state is so dead against the idea of Scotland leaving.

We also did a bit of party-pooping with regard to St Andrew's day.

Links...

https://twitter.com/PeterKGeoghegan
https://twitter.com/pchallinor
https://twitter.com/PeatWorrier
https://twitter.com/mgreenwell

For the fifth episode of the For A' That podcast we have ventured into a new area for us in that we had a 4-way discussion.

Joining myself and Andrew this time were former Scottish Socialist MSP Carolyn Leckie and Mike Small the editor of Bella Caledonia.

We discussed the goings on at the Radical Indy conference in Glasgow last Saturday and some of the media coverage thereof, the idea of voter registration campaigns before the referendum and the murky world of funding gets a look in again. We also discussed the necessity of having a serious dialogue about gender in Scotland.

We also briefly discussed THAT flier. All Aboard!

Links
https://twitter.com/carolynleckie
http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/
http://lallandspeatworrier.blogspot.co.uk/
http://michaelgreenwell.wordpress.com/

For Episode 13 I spoke with Robin McAlpine who, amongst other things, is the editor of Scottish Left Review and the director of the advocacy group The Reid Foundation.

Democracy was a big theme in the discussion and we spoke about the importance of mapping out the stages of the independence process and how democracy is key in every part of that. We also talked about the weakness of local democracy in Britain in general and Scotland in particular and how this is something that needs changing.

Furthermore, we talked about the hollowing out of democracy that has been successfully carried out by the neoliberal institutions and why Scottish Independence will help to at least improve this situation.

A very interesting point on why it is crucial not to allow cultural arguments to be removed from the Independence debate is in there somewhere as well.

www.reidfoundation.org
http://www.scottishleftreview.org/

For A' That Episode 4 is now online.

This time Andrew and myself were joined by Gary Dunion of, amongst other things, Bright Green Scotland.

We talked about Starbucks and other hypothetical/alleged tax dodgers. We talked about the hypothetical/alleged removal of Palestinian flags from Celtic Supporters yesterday and the hypothetical/alleged police harassment of the group known as the Green Brigade. There is a link to their statement that I mentioned below.

We also got on to some possible difficulties that the Civil Service might have over the referendum question and the recent non-but-we-could-if-we-wanted intervention of the House of Lords in the whole affair.

The introductory song was provided by https://twitter.com/martylog

LINKS
http://brightgreenscotland.org/
https://twitter.com/garydunion
http://www.thecelticnetwork.com/2012/11/16/green-brigade-upcoming-boycott/
http://www.monthehoops.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18343
https://twitter.com/PeatWorrier
https://twitter.com/mgreenwell

For episode 12 of The Scottish Independence Podcast I spoke with MSP and co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party, Patrick Harvie.

We discussed the decision of the Greens to join the Yes campaign, some of the goings-on in Holyrood, the environmental advantages that Independence will bring, an increased focus on giving real powers to local government and much more besides.

Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.yesscotland.net/
https://twitter.com/patrickharvie
https://twitter.com/mgreenwell
http://michaelgreenwell.wordpress.com/

In this week's episode we are back to being a two-hander and Andrew Tickell and I talk about the US election and some of the reaction to it. We also talk about Alasdair Darling and Gordon Brown appearing on the scene to save the union and also the reliance on sources from Spain.

http://michaelgreenwell.wordpress.com/
http://lallandspeatworrier.blogspot.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/PeatWorrier#
https://twitter.com/mgreenwell
http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2012/11/08/calm-your-jets-planes/

Hello again,

In this episode of The Scottish Independence Podcast I talk with Doug Daniel, a Scottish blogger and SNP activist who lives in Aberdeen.

We talk about some of the goings on and some of the lack thereof in the part of the political world and also about the Liberal Democrats recent federalism idea, as well as some other things besides.

Useful links...
https://twitter.com/DouglasDaniel
http://albamatters.blogspot.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/mgreenwell
http://michaelgreenwell.wordpress.com/

This episode features myself, The Peat Worrier and guest Natalie McGarry.

We talked about the recent story with Ruth Davidson and certain political awards, the idea of allowing people in Corby to vote, televising trials and what seems to be the unionist strategy.

https://twitter.com/mgreenwell
https://twitter.com/PeatWorrier
https://twitter.com/nataliemcgarry