Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.

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fter the fractious introspection and months of angry debate about what it means to be Scottish, the people of Scotland enjoyed a well-deserved break from it all last night – as they welcomed the world.

And by the end of an exuberant, good-humoured, periodically chaotic evening – starring everyone (and everything) from a giant haggis, cabers, golf clubs, a gay wedding, 41 Scottish terriers, Rod Stewart, rousing cheers for the Queen and lashings of self-deprecation – Scotland seemed to have answered her own question.

All of the above, we can safely say, encompass what it means to be Scottish. Quite what last night’s opening of the 20th Commonwealth Games in Glasgow means for that referendum campaign, on the other hand, is anyone’s guess.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2703216/Tunnocks-Tea-Cakes-Irn-Bru-Forth-Bridge-Gretna-Green-Glasgow-opens-Commonwealth-Games-world-Scottish-flavour.html

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'THE BONDS THAT UNITE:' THE QUEEN'S MESSAGE TO THE COMMONWEALTH

 

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The Queen spoke of the 'shared ideals and ambitions' of the Commonwealth when she delivered the message which has travelled the world in the Games' baton relay.

She highlighted the 'bonds that unite' the 71 nations and territories when she formally declared the 20th Commonwealth Games open.

In an address directed at all the athletes competing in the Games, she made special reference to the young people of the Commonwealth, saying they are entrusted with its values and future.

The message, which was kept secret until tonight, has circled the globed over the last nine months, since the Queen placed the paper inside the baton which then visited all 71 locations.

Reading the message, the Queen said: 'At Buckingham Palace last October I placed this message into the specially-crafted baton and passed it to the first of many thousands of baton-bearers. Over the past 288 days the baton has visited all the nations and territories of the Commonwealth, crossing every continent in a journey of more than 100,000 miles.

'The baton relay represents a calling together of people from every part of the Commonwealth and serves as a reminder of our shared ideals and ambitions as a diverse, resourceful and cohesive family.

'And now, that baton has arrived here in Glasgow, a city renowned for its dynamic cultural and sporting achievements and for the warmth of its people, for this opening ceremony of the Friendly Games.'

The Queen, in her role as head of the Commonwealth, sent her best wishes to the competing athletes when she addressed the opening ceremony at Glasgow's Celtic Park.

She said: 'To you, the Commonwealth athletes, I send my good wishes for success in your endeavours. Your accomplishments over the coming days will encourage us all to strengthen the bonds that unite us.

'You remind us that young people, those under 25 years of age, make up half of our Commonwealth citizens; and it is to you that we entrust our values and our future.

'I offer my sincere thanks to the many organisations and volunteers who have worked diligently to bring these Games to fruition, and indeed to the spectators here in the stadium and to the millions watching on television. Together, you all play a part in strengthening our friendships in this modern and vibrant association of nations.

'It now gives me the greatest pleasure to declare the 20th Commonwealth Games open.'

  

BARROWMAN'S GAY KISS

 

John Barrowman, the Scottish-American actor, singer, dancer and presenter, kissed one of the performers during the ceremony. 

In what was seen as a clear message to the 42 countries of the Commonwealth where it is still a crime to be gay, Glasgow-born Barrowman reached out to kiss the man before holding his hand during a sequence to celebrate Gretna Green.

Barrowman is openly gay and married.

Comment:

It’s a shame  that a wonderful celebration of the cultural variety that is the Commonwealth was hijacked by Gay Rights, although I believe that it shouldn’t be a crime to be gay,  there isn’t need to push Gay Rights into focus.  Hoping that someone’s Gay Kiss is going to pressure other countries to de-criminalise homosexually is a fallacy and foolishness. I believe that’s not okay to be gay.

Faith in God Is a Virulent Infection, Columnist Claims, Charisma Magazine

Belief in God is a "virus," and evangelical Christianity is one of the more "virulent infections," a Conservative peer and columnist for The Times has claimed.

In an attack on faith schools, Matt Ridley said that "rationalists" want to "protect" children from religion.

And the peer, who is a supporter of the British Humanist Association, said, "secular, free-thinking" should be adopted to "combat the rise of radical Islam and radical Christianity."

His comments in The Times came as a report was released on the "Trojan Horse" Islamic plot in some Birmingham schools.

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Scottish Independence, a Vehicle for Alex Salmond's Grandiose Ego ?. Updated

Two months to go until the referendum, but acrimony will last for years,  Daily Express Scotland

The Yes Scotland campaign - comprised largely of SNP members and sympathisers, aided by a ragbag of Green nationalists, a small number of disaffected Labour voters and rather more anti-English bigots than anyone cares to admit - is in trouble.

The separatist movement has had three years to persuade us of the wonders in store if only we would sever our links with the UK.

Much longer if we consider that the SNP has been fighting for the breakup of Britain for eight decades.

Yet, here we are, eight weeks to go before the most crucial vote Scots have ever been involved in, and all the indications are that Mr Salmond and his followers face a humiliating defeat. read more here

Comment:

I believe that Mr Alex Salmond and his colleagues in the Scottish National Party have not only dis-honoured the people  of Scotland but also the people of the rest of the United Kingdom by their disgraceful lies and actions to push their agenda to separate Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom,  Does he see himself as President Salmond rather than First Minister ?.  I was surprised to see last night that Mr Salmond has the  title  right honourable, which means he is a privy councillor and advises Her Majesty The Queen,   at the end of the day as the First Minister of Scotland, he serves at her Majesty’s Pleasure, maybe it’s time that he steps aside and lets  someone who is not only  loyal to the people of Scotland, and the people of the rest of the United Kingdom, but also loyal to The Crown to lead the people of Scotland, Mr Salmond and his colleagues in the SNP are using the people not only of Scotland but the people of  the rest of the United Kingdom to serve their grandiose egos.,  The evidence points to one thing that Mr Salmond is a Charlatan!

Another own goal for Alex Salmond

Alex Salmond's blatant electioneering at the Commonwealth Games

Why the EU wouldn't allow Scotland to join the European Union

Nearly 1 Million Scots consider leaving Scotland if it's Yes Vote

Void at heart of Salmond's plan laid bare for all to see

Alex Salmond loses first independence TV debate

Further Reading:

1.      Does The SNP Economic Plans really mean Independence?

2.    The Currency Question?

3.     The National Debt?

4.    Pensions

Don’t Let Super-Spiritual People Hurt Your Church, J Lee Grady, Charisma Magazine

A few years ago a prominent charismatic evangelist gained a wide following when he said an angel was visiting him regularly during his televised revival meetings. The angel was supposedly dispatched to unleash the next great healing revival in the United States. One big problem: The revival didn't happen.

Yet month after month, the tales of this evangelist's wild spiritual adventures grew more and more incredible. At one point he wrote that he visited heaven and met the Apostle Paul—and then said Paul admitted he was the author of the Book of Hebrews. A 2,000-year-old theological mystery was solved!

Looking back on these events now, it's hard to believe so many charismatics fell for these wild claims. Anyone with the most basic level of discernment knows God does not allow us to talk to dead people to get spiritual information. So why are we so gullible? I call this the "oooh, ahhh" factor.  read more

 

Britain's most unpopular flight costs YOU £86 per passenger to subsidise, Daily Express

The public pay £1.2m a year to subsidise the unpopular air service from Cardiff Airport to Anglesey in North Wales.

The Labour-run Welsh Government insisted on heavily subsidising the cost of running the route, with tickets starting at just £29.95.

But the flight has been a huge flop with around 100 people using it every week - costing the public £86 for each passenger.

Transport chiefs today called for a "comprehensive marketing programme" to boost passenger numbers.

Darren Millar AM, chair of the National Assembly's Public Accounts Committee, said: "We remain concerned that this service is underperforming when it comes to providing value for money for the Welsh taxpayer.

Going, going, gone! A small town loses THREE banks in a year as branches continue to close all over Britain, Daily Mail.

One year ago there were four banks on the High Street in the north Essex town of Brightlingsea. By this autumn only one will remain.

First Nationwide shut, then NatWest said it would leave, and now Barclays has followed suit. The closures are threatening to bring this thriving community to its knees. 

Susie Bowes has only been running Vintique antique shop on the High Street for two months and the Barclays branch is six doors down. She knew NatWest - further down the road - was going to close when she was looking to open a business bank account. She chose Barclays. It never said it was going to go, too.

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Romanian family of 17 who lied to get a house live in a three-bedroom London semi.

A Romanian migrant family of 17 who lied to get a three bedroom house but take home £55,000 a year in benefits say they put up with the overcrowding because life is better in Britain.

The Toma family arrived in Britain in 2012, but after struggling to find a letting agency prepared to house all 15 of their children they told a landlord there were just six of them to get a home.

Although electrician father Mihai Toma, 47, earns £1,800 a month which covers the rent at the house in Harrow, north-west London, because of the number of children the family get £55,000 a year in tax credits and benefits.

  Toma family arrived in Britain from Romania in 2012 'for a better life'

  Family of 17 struggled to find letting agents who would accept them

  They then lied to a landlord, saying there were only six family members

  Father Mihai earns £1,800 a month as an electrician

  They say they get £4,600 in monthly benefits due to the number of children

  Tomas want a bigger house, but councils says they are not eligible

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