Stewart Priest

Not In My Name

// August 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // News

An email for publication on the Boycott Scotland website:
Two whom it may concern:

I wish to register my disappointment in the ‘Boycott Scotland’ campaign you are currently running. Not because I believe that the release of Abdelbasset Ali al-Megrahi was right, but more that you are attempting to penalise the people of Scotland – most of whom were against the release of this terrorist – myself included.

I believe that Kenny MacAskill should not have had the power to take this decision in the first place. Matters such as this should never be in the hands of politicians, as they will always be politicised. This descision should have been made by our Law Lords, and I will be writing to my MSP regarding this matter.

I believe that there is a lot more to this disaster, but the British and United States Governments have both resisted calls to hold a public enquiry. You may wish to add to your website, an appeal for a public enquiry, as this is really the only way the families will get the justice and closure they deserve.

Finally, I wish to state: “THIS WAS NOT DONE IN MY NAME”.

Yours faithfully,
Stewart Priest
Glasgow, Scotland

Democracy in Action

// July 20th, 2009 // No Comments » // Charity, Twitter, Web 2.0

One of the great things about the web is that it empowers all sorts of people to go out and make a difference. Sometimes that difference isn’t world-changing, but it’s a difference all the same. We get the chance to air our views, and with the birth of the blog, we have a permanent platform for any issue we wish to shout about.

Today, I’m calling on the readers of my blog to help a charity which is very personal to me: No Strings Attached (Scotland). The reason I’m using my blog to promote this charity is because I’m trying to drum up enough votes to enable them to be appointed as the official charity of the Glasgow Twestival. What’s a Twestival? It’s a Twitter Festival. Basically, there will be an evening of music and fun at a venue in Glasgow city centre which will hopefully raise lots of money, and I’d love for No Strings Attached Scotland to be the recipient of the proceeds. It’s a very worth charity.

No Strings Attached (Scotland) aims to help children and young people with asthma better control their condition through playing wind instruments like the flute, clarinet, etc. It helps increase lung capacity and stamina, and I know from personal experience that it works. They also aim to educate children and young people about their condition, and steps they can take to help themselves.

Please vote for No Strings Attached (Scotland) here, and you can listen to my personal plea on the charity’s website here.

Oink!

// June 18th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // General

So it appears that everyone around me is coming down with Swine Flu. My sister, last night, was one of the latest to become a confirmed case, and my mum was swabbed last night by a nurse – we’re now waiting for the results of that test.

I’ve been lucky – so far. I’m not displaying any symptoms, and I don’t really intend to put myself in harm’s way. I’m currently working from home because I’ve become the office leper (you see, I’m not ill, but they don’t want to take the chance), so I’m holed up in my bedroom with my laptop, TV and Xbox. I could do with a small fridge and a microwave – then I’d be truly self-sufficient. I’m pretty much ready for a nuclear holocaust – my room has become my own personal nuclear bunker – now, where did I put my shortwave radio? (more…)

I Have A Sore Foot

// June 14th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // General, Summer

Yes. Yes I do.

It all started when Mrs. Stewart said “let’s go to the West End Festival”. At this point, I thought that was a good idea. We’ll walk along to Byres Road, have a nice brunch at AdLib, and then head along to Kelvingrove Park for the Mardi Gras parade.

So, we set off at 12:30 and enjoyed said brunch. I had the All-American Breakfast minus the tomato and mushrooms, if you’re interested. I also got baked beans as a substitute for that less-desirable veg. All-in-all though, Ad Lib is a very nice place to brunch. Particularly on a nice day like today. (more…)