Firstly to all our well wishers we should be back up within 48 hours.
The Perthshire censorship debate.
Did our site really get banned for this? This is a text only version for the curious who may want to know what all the fuss is about. We got took offline for the contents on this page by our local MSP Peter Wishart. Would you give your vote to a man who clearly does not believe in the freedom of speech. Interestingly enough all the articles featured here are from other Perthshire media and can be checked out by yourselves.
More worrying information revealed to us yesterday.
"In 1995 at the Perth and Kinross bi-election, Scottish Watch opted to support the SNP candidate, Rossanna Cunningham QC. Afraid of being associated with anti-English nationalism, Cunningham filed a restraining order against the the group to prevent further any Scottish Watch activities during the campaign. Scottish Watch largely disappeared after this. Since that time, anti-Englishness has far from disappeared, however. In fact, in recent months, anti-English leafletting has reappeared, this time in Perthshire, suggesting that a new radical-ressentiment organization may be opperating in the area. Though it would be wholey incorrect to claim that radical-ressentiment ideas are held by more than a tiny minority, ethnic-nationalism will not likely disappear from Scotland any time soon."
Taken from http://www.nationalismproject.org/articles/zuelow1.htm
We know this was over 10 years ago but could Mr Wishart please assure us that these activities are still not going on in Perthshire. Business is our primary concern as we have no intention in starting a racism debate with him or anyone else for that matter and suggest he closes it promptly with a public apology. Some issues unfortunately, simply cannot be ignored.
Fact 1 - For the record this site is NOT a racist web site.
Fact 2 - Perthshire is a beautiful part of Scotland geographically.
Fact 3 - The people of Perthshire that we have met are honest, hard working individuals and have been very welcoming and helpful providing us with excellent service.
Fact 4 - The problem with Perthshire is the Council and associated members of the Chamber of Commerce.
Fact 5 - We want you to make your own mind up. Can your children look forward to a successful and well paid career with plenty of opportunities and choice in Perthshire or will thay have to move away from the area when they grow up?
"Perthshire and rural Angus may be great places to stay, but they are rotten places to do business..."
Peter Wishart at a Parliamentary debate on the 25th March 2003.
Now this is racism Mr Wishart - see below. Both stories pubished in the Courier!! A smear campaign we think it might be.
"Perthshire and rural Angus may be great places to stay, but they are rotten places to do business..."
Peter Wishart at a Parliamentary debate on the 25th March 2003.
Published in The Courier 19th May 2006 same day as Mr Wisharts bleating
By Richard Burdge
A PERTHSHIRE retailer’s offer of a full refund on televisions bought from him in the run-up to the world cup if England go on to win has incensed one local man.
The Blairgowrie resident contacted The Courier to make a complaint.
“As an Englishman living and working in Scotland I find this not only insulting but damn near racist,” he said.
He went on to claim that the offer by the W. M. Coupar shop on the Wellmeadow “shamed” the town and he hoped they would discontinue the offer.
However, shop owner Alan Coupar defended the offer as a light-hearted promotion and said the complainer was very much in the minority.
“As a business we are looking to generate interest and it has gone down very well,” he said.
“We have footballs in the window and we are just getting into the spirit of things.
“The offer is on certain televisions but people buying washing machines have been asking if they will get their money back if the unthinkable happens!
“It is just a laugh.”
Mr Coupar pointed out that Blairgowrie was home to a fair number of people who had retired from England to the area and they had all taken it in the spirit in which it was intended, apart from the one critic.
“Although it is light-hearted, it is a genuine offer which I will honour,” added Mr Coupar.
“Quite a number of sets have been sold—people like a flutter. If England get to the final I will have a sleepless night!”
The contention that the promotion was humorous failed to win over the disgruntled Blairgowrie man.
AND >>>>>>>>
Published in The Courier 10th May 2006
PERTH FOOTBALL fans are overwhelming local sports shops as they bid to show their support for Scotland during this summer’s World Cup.
Rather than our national team, which failed to qualify for the finals, however, punters are lining up to pay homage to Trinidad and Tobago’s Jason Scotland.
The striker plies his trade domestically with St Johnstone and Perth fans have been quick to notice an opportunity.
“Trinidad and Tobago will play England so naturally we will all be supporting Scotland against the Auld Enemy,” said one.
“It is great that Scotland have qualified for the World Cup, in whatever guise, and the fact Jason will be lining up against England makes it all the sweeter.”
Frank Ewen owns Campus Sports on Perth High Street and admits the sudden surge of demand for all things “T&T” has caught him by surprise.
“The level of interest has been phenomenal,” he said.
“We have already sold dozens of Trinidad and Tobago flags and there is no sign of a let-up.
“Obviously with Jason Scotland playing against England there is an added edge—you could barely make it up.
“It is a remarkable twist of fate and, since he also plays for St Johnstone, it has really captured the imagination of locals.”
Mr Ewen is looking forward to taking receipt of Trinidad and Tobago T-shirts at the end of this week.
“The flags only came in last week and have been flying out of the shop so the delivery of the shirts will be most welcome,” he said.
“They have the T&T flag on the front and I will be adding the slogan, ‘I am supporting Scotland’ on the back.
“Our country may not have qualified but Scotland will still be there and Perth can be proud of that.”
And from the Chamber Bunnies >>>>>>>>
Vice Presidnet Mr Balinghall's profile on the chamber website states: 'Twelve years with a High Street DIY Retailer. Responsible for twenty-two stores in Scotland and then offered a promotion which entailed a move to England. Ally decided to make a move into radio and in 1980 joined the Radio Tay Sales Team moving swiftly on to present the Breakfast Show for many years.'
Now that you have read through all this nonsense above we regard the racism issue closed once and for all. Business Perthshire concentrates only on business issues and will never get involved in any racist issues that the media here seem so fixated with. A smear campaign we think it might be.