Here’s to 2008 What we think THIS NEWSPAPER is not in the habit of making predictions, but we will make an exception to mark the coming of a new year. The most significant event of 2008 will be the election of a new US president. Who this is and how they choose to engage with the outside world will have a huge impact on the planet. The Iraq conflict, the tense relationship with Iran, agreement on climate change targets - all could witness a dramatic change of policy direction under a new regime.
The global economic slowdown will bring a fall in house prices - a boon for those grasping for the bottom rung of the property ladder (if they can afford the lending rate), but a potential crisis for those who fuel their lifestyle by tapping the equity in their homes.
The Beijing Olympics will be spectacular and will expose a global television audience of billions to the sheer scale of China's rise. Such exposure will also lead to an unprecedented level of protest at the country's poor human rights record and lack of political reform.
At home, the SNP government's big conversation will move into top gear, with events around the country. Expect the same arguments to dominate letters pages and online forums as those passionately for and against independence continue a battle they fought so passionately in 2007.
At Westminster, Gordon Brown will continue to struggle as he promotes controversial policies such as detention without trial and ID cards. These are likely to find him enemies within his own party and may lead to lost votes and lost authority. His relationship with Alex Salmond's Scottish government will become more strained as new initiatives test the limits of the Scotland Act and Brown's patience. An economic downturn will not help his public popularity.
But as our review of the year and people of the year features in today's paper reveal, many world-shaping events defy prediction.
The extraordinary invention that appears from nowhere, the medical breakthrough that offers hope where there was none, the individuals who take an unlikely stand and make a difference, the random events that combine and conspire to change the world. So here's to 2008, whatever it may bring.
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Posted by: John Saultire, Scotland on 11:42pm Sat 29 Dec 07
May i wish Gordon Brown peace and happiness in the new year. Let us hope he does not take us into more wars,renew Trident,find poor lost prudence and just for a moment remember his roots. [bold]I am sure that nice Alex Salmond will help to keep him grounded and help him defend Scotland's interests[/bold] .
May i wish Gordon Brown peace and happiness in the new year. Let us hope he does not take us into more wars,renew Trident,find poor lost prudence and just for a moment remember his roots.
I am sure that nice Alex Salmond will help to keep him grounded and help him defend Scotland's interests .
Posted by: Patriot, Argyll on 12:19am Sun 30 Dec 07
[quote]Expect the same arguments to dominate letters pages and online forums as those passionately for and against independence continue a battle they fought so passionately in 2007.[/quote]
Cannot recall at any time there being all that many 'againsts'.
Expect the same arguments to dominate letters pages and online forums as those passionately for and against independence continue a battle they fought so passionately in 2007.
Cannot recall at any time there being all that many 'againsts'.
Posted by: Scamp on 12:29am Sun 30 Dec 07
The only thing I wish Gordon Brown is political oblivion.
He is guilty of economic incompetence and industrial treachery and deserves no praise and no support.
The only thing I wish Gordon Brown is political oblivion.
He is guilty of economic incompetence and industrial treachery and deserves no praise and no support.
Posted by: Curley Bill, the southwest on 1:26am Sun 30 Dec 07
No Scamp, the only thing I wish for Gordon Brown is a swift Journey to The Hague, there to stand alongside his fellow war criminals Blair, Bush and all the rest of the British and American Cabinets who lied us into a conflict that will take generations to resolve.
No Scamp, the only thing I wish for Gordon Brown is a swift Journey to The Hague, there to stand alongside his fellow war criminals Blair, Bush and all the rest of the British and American Cabinets who lied us into a conflict that will take generations to resolve.
Posted by: Baz, Greenock on 1:38am Sun 30 Dec 07
Afraid that won't happen, Bill. You've forgotten that the Yanks have exempted themselves from the Hague court, just in case any of them are found guilty. So that's alright, then.
Afraid that won't happen, Bill. You've forgotten that the Yanks have exempted themselves from the Hague court, just in case any of them are found guilty. So that's alright, then.
Posted by: Tired of excuses, Galashiels on 3:08am Sun 30 Dec 07
Will Wendy be exonerated though ?
Will the public be satisfied with dodgy donations whitewash?
Will the labour party collapse completely on both sides of the border ?
Will Wendy be exonerated though ?
Will the public be satisfied with dodgy donations whitewash?
Will the labour party collapse completely on both sides of the border ?
Posted by: Chris, Edinburgh on 9:16am Sun 30 Dec 07
Whoever the US president is, he or she is funded by US billionaires, and is basically owned by them not the American people and will attend to their policy priorities not those of the American people. Let alone us. So whoever's elected, don't expect too much change from that direction.
Whoever the US president is, he or she is funded by US billionaires, and is basically owned by them not the American people and will attend to their policy priorities not those of the American people. Let alone us. So whoever's elected, don't expect too much change from that direction.
Posted by: pehman, sussex on 9:28am Sun 30 Dec 07
Not a mention of the local elections in England and Wales in May.
Predictions say labour may lose 100 seats and with them control of many councils.
After this debacle maggie broon will be replaced, so he will become the only PM never to have faced a general election.
Not a mention of the local elections in England and Wales in May.
Predictions say labour may lose 100 seats and with them control of many councils.
After this debacle maggie broon will be replaced, so he will become the only PM never to have faced a general election.
Posted by: An t-Amadan, Alba on 10:15am Sun 30 Dec 07
[quote][bold]Tired of excuses[/bold] wrote:
Will Wendy be exonerated though ?
Will the public be satisfied with dodgy donations whitewash?
Will the labour party collapse completely on both sides of the border ?[/quote] Probably not. New Labour in London will throw her to the dogs, since they do not care what happens up here. Anyway. I'm suffering from serious withdrawal symptoms, as this weeks instalment of the ongoing serial "Wendygate" seems to be missing from this week's SH!
Tired of excuses wrote:
Will Wendy be exonerated though ?
Will the public be satisfied with dodgy donations whitewash?
Will the labour party collapse completely on both sides of the border ?
Probably not. New Labour in London will throw her to the dogs, since they do not care what happens up here. Anyway. I'm suffering from serious withdrawal symptoms, as this weeks instalment of the ongoing serial "Wendygate" seems to be missing from this week's SH!
Posted by: rob4i, Scottish Borders on 11:05am Sun 30 Dec 07
I think the SH is pretty close to reality for 2008 and where they talk of the big conversation in Scotland I can't help feeling that most countries in the world will look at the pro-independence faction as a completely understandable stance from a proud nation in this modern era and be completely bewildered at,not the English living in Scotland,but the Scottish pro-union faction that want their country to continue for eternity to be ruled by a foreign countries government, and must ask "what is THAT all about"???
I think the SH is pretty close to reality for 2008 and where they talk of the big conversation in Scotland I can't help feeling that most countries in the world will look at the pro-independence faction as a completely understandable stance from a proud nation in this modern era and be completely bewildered at,not the English living in Scotland,but the Scottish pro-union faction that want their country to continue for eternity to be ruled by a foreign countries government, and must ask "what is THAT all about"???
Posted by: Conway on 12:04pm Sun 30 Dec 07
The Union is Dead long Live the Union...The political Union called Britain has served us well now its time to move on and become a full player in the European Union.
Why is it a bad thing to be a Scottish State in a Federal European Union rather than a none entity in a centralised British Union .
The Union is Dead long Live the Union...The political Union called Britain has served us well now its time to move on and become a full player in the European Union.
Why is it a bad thing to be a Scottish State in a Federal European Union rather than a none entity in a centralised British Union .
Posted by: Mac Gille Leabhar, Aberdeenshire on 12:43pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Dont forget the Lib Dims.Yesterday The Press and Journal carried a news article stating that the Aberdeen Bypass campaign group Road Sense have just won the right under The Freedom of Information Act after a long battle to gain access to Tavish's correspondence regarding part of the bypass route to try to establish if the route at Milltimber was chosen for political reasons. I wonder why they would think that? Any ideas Tavish ...er... mmmm .. Nichol any thoughts on the matter?
Dont forget the Lib Dims.Yesterday The Press and Journal carried a news article stating that the Aberdeen Bypass campaign group Road Sense have just won the right under The Freedom of Information Act after a long battle to gain access to Tavish's correspondence regarding part of the bypass route to try to establish if the route at Milltimber was chosen for political reasons. I wonder why they would think that? Any ideas Tavish ...er... mmmm .. Nichol any thoughts on the matter?
Posted by: Des, Scotland on 6:18pm Sun 30 Dec 07
[quote][bold]John Saultire[/bold] wrote:
May i wish Gordon Brown peace and happiness in the new year. Let us hope he does not take us into more wars,renew Trident,find poor lost prudence and just for a moment remember his roots. [bold]I am sure that nice Alex Salmond will help to keep him grounded and help him defend Scotland's interests[/bold] .[/quote] John, do you really think that Salmond has the best interests of Scotland at heart?,come on, he is a politician & the way he is handling the trump affair is a good indicator to what his intentions for the next 3 yrs or so might be..
Still i am ever the optimist so i look forward to 2008 with renewed hope & wish only the best for the world...
John Saultire wrote:
May i wish Gordon Brown peace and happiness in the new year. Let us hope he does not take us into more wars,renew Trident,find poor lost prudence and just for a moment remember his roots. I am sure that nice Alex Salmond will help to keep him grounded and help him defend Scotland's interests .
John, do you really think that Salmond has the best interests of Scotland at heart?,come on, he is a politician & the way he is handling the trump affair is a good indicator to what his intentions for the next 3 yrs or so might be..
Still i am ever the optimist so i look forward to 2008 with renewed hope & wish only the best for the world...
Posted by: Sporran McHaver, Glasgow on 9:10pm Sun 30 Dec 07
If this level of hatred, bile and contempt for their fellow Scots, albeit Scots who vote for Unionist parties - is typical of the nats' foot soldiers, then God help us all if we ever were to suffer independence at some point in the future
If this level of hatred, bile and contempt for their fellow Scots, albeit Scots who vote for Unionist parties - is typical of the nats' foot soldiers, then God help us all if we ever were to suffer independence at some point in the future
Posted by: David Alexander on 9:57pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Sporran
Yes, we must [italic]never[/italic] be independent.
[italic]That[/italic] would never do.
Its best that Westminster tells us what to do.
Don't forget to take your dyspepsia tablets.
Sporran
Yes, we must
never be independent.
That would never do.
Its best that Westminster tells us what to do.
Don't forget to take your dyspepsia tablets.
Posted by: tcek, south lanarkshire on 11:01pm Sun 30 Dec 07
Before I retire for the night. I would hope to see Wendy Alexander and the others McCabe and co who have publicly admitted their criminality in their bribe donations to their party from people who crossed their palms crossed with silver, in return for huge building contracts, and any judge in a court of law who white washes the case rather than fairly judge the case, in the instance that justice must be seen to be done. We shall certainly see in 2008 whether justice will be seen to be properly done, and if the law is seen to be seen to be otherwise, the what message will that be to send out to other criminals, So I in that case hope too see Wendy going to Bar-l in 2008. Happy new year Wendy you Scumball. From a law abiding person and you better believe it.
Before I retire for the night. I would hope to see Wendy Alexander and the others McCabe and co who have publicly admitted their criminality in their bribe donations to their party from people who crossed their palms crossed with silver, in return for huge building contracts, and any judge in a court of law who white washes the case rather than fairly judge the case, in the instance that justice must be seen to be done. We shall certainly see in 2008 whether justice will be seen to be properly done, and if the law is seen to be seen to be otherwise, the what message will that be to send out to other criminals, So I in that case hope too see Wendy going to Bar-l in 2008. Happy new year Wendy you Scumball. From a law abiding person and you better believe it.
Posted by: An t-Amadan, Alba on 12:01am Mon 31 Dec 07
[quote][bold]Mac Gille Leabhar[/bold] wrote:
Dont forget the Lib Dims.Yesterday The Press and Journal carried a news article stating that the Aberdeen Bypass campaign group Road Sense have just won the right under The Freedom of Information Act after a long battle to gain access to Tavish's correspondence regarding part of the bypass route to try to establish if the route at Milltimber was chosen for political reasons. I wonder why they would think that? Any ideas Tavish ...er... mmmm .. Nichol any thoughts on the matter?[/quote] Typical Whiggery! remember it was Whiggery which (literally ) sold us to the English in 1707. The Whigs lined their pockets with bribes for this act of treason, and their principles have never improved since then. A leopard cannot change it s spots, nor a Whig its corruption.
Mac Gille Leabhar wrote:
Dont forget the Lib Dims.Yesterday The Press and Journal carried a news article stating that the Aberdeen Bypass campaign group Road Sense have just won the right under The Freedom of Information Act after a long battle to gain access to Tavish's correspondence regarding part of the bypass route to try to establish if the route at Milltimber was chosen for political reasons. I wonder why they would think that? Any ideas Tavish ...er... mmmm .. Nichol any thoughts on the matter?
Typical Whiggery! remember it was Whiggery which (literally ) sold us to the English in 1707. The Whigs lined their pockets with bribes for this act of treason, and their principles have never improved since then. A leopard cannot change it s spots, nor a Whig its corruption.
Posted by: mairi macleod, broxburn on 3:44pm Thu 3 Jan 08
dear S.H. would you not like petty crime to be
punnished, added to your wish list, I WOULD.
dear S.H. would you not like petty crime to be
punnished, added to your wish list, I WOULD.
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