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Scotsman News in Brief 05.07.06
Tony Blair said yesterday that BRITISH Muslims are not doing enough to confront the radical beliefs that inspire terrorists. In the run up to the 1st Anniversary of the 7/7 bombings a separate survey by the Foreign
Policy Centre, a London think-tank, suggested that 24 per cent of young Muslims expressed some sympathy with the bombers' feelings and motives. However Sadiq Khan, the Muslim Labour MP who was instrumental in setting up several
government taskforces which worked with Muslim groups, said there was a risk that Muslims would think ministers' integration efforts had been "a short-term PR exercise" as few of the groups' recommendations had been implemented.
Yesterday TONY Blair admitted that he had already concluded Britain needs new nuclear power stations even prior to his government's energy policy review. This admission to MPs confirmed the suspicions of green
groups about the review, which will report later this month and, Mr Blair said, confirm the government wants to replace the existing generation of reactors. However opponents of nuclear power last night said Mr Blair's admission suggested he had been dishonest about his energy policy.
In the United States the space shuttle Discovery blasted off last night after several days of delays, lending a spectacular fiery flourish to4th July Independence Day celebrations. A NASA spokesman said, "For the first time in our country's history, we hope to be waving the US flag in orbit and leading the day's celebrations,"
Meanwhile TOMMY Sheridan, one time leader of the Scottish Socialist Party has launched a defamation action against the News of the World and is trying to win up to ¤200,000 in damages. Allison Kane, one of the party's founding members and the case's first witness, told the court yesterday that Mr Sheridan had admitted attending a swingers' club in Manchester. Kane said the politician had acknowledged that his visits to the club had been reckless behaviour and, with hindsight, a mistake and she stated that he did not resign but was "voted down". Although the executive issued a statement saying he had resigned voluntarily, this was designed to protect him. The hearing continues.
There are differing viewpoints of the 'tartan tat' available all over Scotland and particularly on the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House. Those magnificent buildings are two of the Scotland's finest
historic treasures but the beautiful and historic royal mile running between them is a line of outlets selling haggis dolls and
tartan umbrellas, attractions that feature ghosts, ghouls and there an exhibition on the Loch Ness monster. Everywhere visitors to Scotland's capital are seen willingly paying for things that do little more than caricature Scotland.
On the one hand Historic Scotland's Kate Turnbull, says: "Tourists from overseas do expect some 'stereotypical' souvenirs. It's all about getting the right balance."
Donna Black of VisitScotland suggests that while legends like the Loch Ness monster and Edinburgh's underground ghosts may be elaborated for visitors' benefit there's nothing fake about them. "It's a shame if people see that stuff as just for the tourists, because it's something that's part of our culture and should be handed down."But by so blatantly appealing to the tartan-seeking
Tourists has this caricature of Scotland, which is sold to tourists, taken over from the reality of what this nation is about? Surely Scotland in 2006 has a great deal of which to be genuinely proud. It has as a rich and diverse heritage, beautiful breathtaking scenery and landscapes, ancient and modern buildings and castles with stunning architecture, world-renowned arts festivals and an exciting music scene.
More reviews about the Edinburgh: Scotsman