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Archive for October 23rd, 2008

Obama a dead cert?

Posted by chisanga1 on October 23, 2008

by Chisanga Malata

With only 11 days until the US presidential elections many newspapers, news channels and bookmakers believe that Barack Obama is set become to President of the USA.

A poll conducted by the New York Times and CBS the day after the final presidential debate by on October 15th showed that the Democratic candidate had a 14% point lead over his rival from the Republican party John McCain. The 4th and final debate was more aggressive and a lot sharper in which the candidates stated their obvious divisions in their plans for the country.

With Senator Obama possessing such a substantial lead over John McCain many people believe that the election is now just a formality and that Barack Obama will become the first African American president of the United States. This view has been echoed by many bookmakers who have stopped taking bets on the outcome of the elections. But can the elections really be over already with 11 days still to go until the big day or is it still too early to write off John McCain.

The reasons behind Obama’s huge point percentage lead over McCain are varied but a major factor which has turned voters away from voting Republican is McCain’s and Sarah Palin’s preoccupation with denouncing Barack Obama as not worthy of leading the country and associating him with 1960’s radical William Ayers claiming that he was “palling around” with Mr. Ayers, instead of explaining how they are going to lead the US in this time of major economic turmoil. This is coupled with the anxiety and the deep mistrust of the Bush administration which has created a bad environment for Senator McCain’s campaign. Also the appointment of Sarah Palin as his running mate hasn’t won him many fans. Many Americans believe that she is too inexperienced and wouldn’t be able to step in as president if anything was to happen to the 72 year old John McCain if the Republicans won the race to the Oval office.

But it is not just the negative tactics of the Republican’s campaign, the failures of the previous Republican regime and the inexperience of Sarah Palin which has contributed to Obama’s big lead over them, these factors are coupled with Obama’s plans for the country, his plans to bring back the troops from Iraq, his motivational speeches which have been compared to Martin Luther King Jr, and his plans to tackle the economic crisis within the USA. Senator Obama’s recovery plan for the USA has had great success with middle class America, he proposed a two year tax break for businesses which in turn would create new jobs, and he also proposed penalty free withdrawals from retirement funds which have been long standing issues in the states. As part of his $56 billion plan Americans would see the introduction of a 90 day moratorium on repossession whilst homeowners are trying to keep up or pay off their mortgage repayments.

Putting all these reasons aside Obama represents change and progression and many people see him as a man who genuinely wants realistic change to better his country as his slogan says “Change we can believe in”. Although the Democrats have a healthy lead over their rivals it is not all doom and gloom for the Republicans.

The Republicans still stand a good chance of winning the election because of John McCain’s experience in government, traditional republican states, and Obama’s association with William Ayers because of Senator Obama’s ethnicity.

Many Republican voters will argue that Senator McCain’s political experience over his adversary will play a major part to play in the election. Senator McCain was elected to the senate in January 1987 where as Obama was elected to the senate in 1996. This 9 year difference in experience will prove pivotal say some republican voters. They will vote for McCain on the grounds that they think his experience and wisdom will be better than Obama’s if he becomes the president. McCain can still be optimistic that he can lead the Republicans to the house on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue because of the states which traditionally vote Republican which are Florida, Texas, Ohio, Colorado, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. These states traditionally vote Republican and previous Democrat candidates have found it hard to do well in these states, although Obama seems to have done well in Ohio and Georgia but it will be hard for him to win the other notorious Republican states.

Senator McCain will no doubt draw again on Senator Obama’s connections with William Ayers in the next 11 days to try and gain voters. Williams Ayers was a former 1960’s anti-war activist who participated in planting a bomb dedicated to riot police casualties in the 1886 Haymarket Riot confrontation between labour supporters and the police, the blast broke 100 windows and pieces of the statue flew into a nearby building injury many people. McCain has already labeled Ayers a domestic terrorist and this association however little will affect Obama’s campaign.

The final and most obvious reason why Senator McCain still holds a fighting chance of winning the elections is because of Senator Obama’s ethnicity. As previously mentioned Barack Obama represents change and progression for African Americans, 50 years ago the possibility of a black man running for President of the USA would have been laughed at but due to the civil rights movement and hard work that is a real possibility. Although the majority of modern day America would accept an African American as their president there is a minority of Americans who will vote Republican because they do not want a black man to run their country. Voting Republican just because the Democrats candidate is African American is morally wrong but hundreds of thousands of Americans will do this. This proves to be the biggest threat to Obama becoming president.

So is Obama really a dead cert and is he already the president of the United States? It is still too early to say. We will have to wait until November 4th. No matter what any poll says there is always that threat of the Republicans gaining an unexpected win whether it is by the dislike of Barack Obama’s policies and his plans for the country or just because of the fact that he is an African American. If he is to lose this election hopefully it is not because of the latter.

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A Downward Spiral

Posted by Liam Wilson on October 23, 2008

“He who makes a beast of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man.”

Dr. Johnson.

For some awful reason, it can appear from nowhere, brought on by nothing, triggered by nothing. Others may be due to trauma, an hideous or emotional experience causing mental grief but the exact cause of depression is widely unknown by medical professionals, despite some advances in theories.

Everyone is different. Everyone reacts and consumes situations differently from the next, making the diagnosis of depression difficult. Whatever the weather living with depression, coping or looking after someone who is suffering can often be as difficult as the diagnosis itself.

Discovering, striving to understand and coping with an often unavoidable funk, is tough enough, lest the struggles of maintaining a source of income, getting the grades you need at your University or College. A full time life requires a full time frame of mind. Some things are just not that easy.

An estimated 1 in 5 of the population in Scotland will experience depression at one point in their life, some, understandably suffering more severely than others. Treatment and the success of such treatment is high for most forms of depression. This is what your doctor will tell you, reassuring and soothing the trembling feeling in your chest as you force the words out of yourself, unwilling to talk, helpless and completely lost.

Holding the infamous title as one of Britain’s top illnesses, one would assume that it will be fine to cope, no need to worry, it’s so easy to treat, I’m not alone. For anyone that has ever found it this easy I applaud them.

A Grinding Pace:

Convinced and to the word, there has always been something there, something beneath the surface that could never be properly examined, understood, distinguished. The years of melancholy, spliced with deep meaningful bouts of madness, I figured this must be what life is? Like the chicken bred for consumers, it’s existence, the corn-fed cramped lifestyle. That is all it knows, all it ever knows. This is what it is used to.

Downhill Fast:

Sporadic, un-timed, un-wanted, bouts of what can only be described as ultimate sadness from depths of nothing. Unable to control, understand or comprehend. “It’s nothing. I’m growing up, hormones, stress, I don’t know?” Uncontrollable speed of thought, moving to fast to stop and take in. Broken, sore, confused. Crying on buses, trains, shopping centers. Save the embarrassment, only complete be-wilderness, why? Why here, why ever? Am I getting far too carried away with myself? Finding it hard to control myself in these situations I began questioning: “Am I ok?”

Acceptance/Diagnosis:

As far as I am aware, I have never been pregnant. Ruling out post-natal depression, relief washes over me in awesome waves.

I would like to make it clear, that I have been let down by the NHS. Months of waiting for replies, queues, lists. My faith in the system, at an all-time low, becomes more apparent with appointments and talks with my GP. I say “My GP“, what I actually mean is; “…the soonest and most available time and slot I could get my hands on.”

Again, when dealing with one of the most common illnesses in Britain, one would again assume treatment of such a condition would move along with grace and ease, brushing aside any hitch ups or slight baggage associated along the way. This is wrong. For me anyway and I’m sure for many others. Bad vibes.

“Let’s try Propanalol, see if that helps your panic attacks…”

Propanalol is a non-selective beta-blocker most commonly used in the treatment of hypertension…after a few months of “testing” this drug for the NHS, I returned, only this time, slightly belligerent. Next dose of treatment. Fluoxetine, more commonly known as ‘Prozac’ was the next item on the convayor belt. Tried and tested, the drug is approved for the treatment of major depression. I’m feeling hopeful. Over 22.2 million prescriptions for generic formulations of fluoxetine were filled in the United States in 2007, making it the third most prescribed antidepressant in the world. Again, feeling hopeful, because lets face it, America has alot of people to deal with.

Closing in on a further year down the line. I’m on something known as Clomipramine, a trycilic antidepressant. Clomipramine is a frequently prescribed drug for the treatment of OCD which again gives me a little hope. The NHS are slowly but surely catching on to my problems, trying and testing their products. I understand it is their job, but one can’t help but feel like a lab rat, mindlessly indulging in their complex and confusing tablets on offer.

Call me imaptient, naive, narrow-minded; I’m just beat down with the pase, tired of the appointments, upset at the length of time it has taken till now. Treatment, therapy is an ongoing process, it takes time. There is light at the end of the tunnel. A tunnel thus far proving to be long and uncertain.

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Sorting out: Recycling Mis-Information

Posted by Charlotte Morgenthal on October 23, 2008

Recycling

Recycling is not always that easy

Edinburgh City Council made its citizens believe that leaving recycling materials next to full bins would be seen as fly-tipping until last week. A statement on a Council webpage said: “If your nearest recycling point is full, please do not leave materials beside the bins as this is fly-tipping.” Fly-tipping is a criminal offence for which one can be fined or even imprisoned.

“Of course we want to encourage people to recycle and not fine them.” a spokesperson of the Council, admitting the mistake, said. The Council web page about tenement recycling has now changed the text.

Despite a £ 4 million recycling scheme, announced by the Edinburgh City Council last month, many recycling bins are still not emptied often enough.

Local resident Amie Bruce, who is trying to recycle as much as possible, thinks that there are still not enough public recycling points in the area she lives in. “You really have to be lucky to be able to put your recycling into empty containers. Most of the time they are jam-packed” she said.

The new investment by the Council is meant to change the kerbside collection to a weekly routine and new recycling banks will be set up. For 100.000 households there are currently 272 on-street recycling sites. Until now, the Council cannot say where the new facilities will be located: “Locations could include supermarket car parks, on-street and anywhere with ample space and well situated”, a Council spokesperson said. Leaflets will be delivered to Local residents telling them where to find new facilities. There is also an Online map to find out the nearest locations.

The Council also decided that it will introduce a new weekly collection of household food waste by 2011. The Council spokesperson said that an annual increase of landfill taxes and fines for filling landfills with biodegradable waste “the financial case can stack up”. But the Council currently does not have any facilities for processing food waste and could not give any details on the costs of the introduction of this scheme.

The new approaches are welcomed by green groups like the Friends of the Earth Scotland. “However, we are currently working on a program which tackles more waste reduction than recycling.” Davina Shiells of the FOE keswoman of Friends of the Earth Scotland said.

The past week has also been all about green politics with an Energy Saving week in Scotland: The Scottish Government launched a new “Go Greener” advertising campaign giving advice on how to cut fuel bills.

” Scots are keen to go greener in order to save money” according to research the Energy Saving Trust.

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Graffiti: “It’s pure freedom. Not the freedom we’re spoon-fed on TV.”

Posted by Sarah Hunter-Argyle on October 23, 2008

Graffiti from the OE crew found behind Rose Street

Graffiti from the OE crew found behind Rose Street

“I dont see graffiti writing going away” So says Elph, once known for his illegal graffiti, now better known for his legitimate artwork. With graffiti barely out of the news for decades, his words certainly ring true. But why?
According to Elph it’s because: “It evolves and changes and can’t be beaten… it’s pure freedom. Not the freedom we’re spoon-fed on TV.”
Nineteen year old Beks agrees. As well as being a graffiti artist he’s also a prolific tagger. Tags are the quickly scrawled signatures you can see on walls around the city, and while Beks has been charged with vandalism numerous times it hasn’t put him off. In fact the illegality is part of what turns him on.
“That’s the essence of graffiti,” he explains, “there never used to be legal spots, illegally it’s harder to do, there’s more effort put into it, it’s a challenge and it’s impressive that they’ve done it, and to such a high standard and with such style.”
It’s not just the challenge that keeps Beks painting however. “Everyone’s motive is basically the same. Probably just to be noticed, just to have fame, to have something to be good at.” He says.
Elph started when he was just twelve, and just like Beks he wanted to stand up and be counted. “Graffiti writing for me as a youngster was about existing,” he says, “like the kids from New York had done years before, in a world that doesn’t recognise you, writing your name on things helps you stand out.”
So, if graffiti comes out of kids being dissatisfied with society is them or society that should change?
For Councillor Marilyne McLaren, Convenor of education for children and families, it’s a little bit of both. She stresses the need for ‘preventative work’, working with youngsters to give them a purpose and prospects, but she also feels the kids themselves need to have more pride in their communities.
She says: “I think what these young people are saying is they don’t really care, so what.”
According to Officer Stevie Hughes, field intelligence officer for the British Transport Police, graffiti is a ‘perception offence’: “Because people associate graffiti with other things; group disorder, drug misuse, rightly or wrongly. The perception is guys with hoods, late at night, public safety, wee old women not wanting to go out at night.”
And he admits that it is sometimes not an incorrect assumption, that there can be a connection between graffiti and other forms of minor criminality: “We’re seeing them very much at the start of any criminality.” He says.
Elph didn’t get involved in any other crime while he was involved in illegal graffiti but from many others he knew did: “Two are dead and most of the others have spent time in prison.” He says.
Beks isn’t worried about that. He is currently waiting to be sentenced for shoplifting and has already broken his bail.

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Practically Perfect in Every Way

Posted by ashleighmorris on October 23, 2008

When I was asked if I wanted to go to see Mary Poppins at the Edinburgh Playhouse I wasn’t entirely sure. Yes I used to love the Walt Disney film but that was when I was six years old and I was not convinced I would harbour the same feelings towards it now. All the same I went along with an open mind.

Any doubts I had disappeared with the opening scene. The cast were impressive, with Caroline Sheen playing the aloof yet kindly Mary Poppins to perfection alongside Daniel Crossley as chimney sweep Bert. Niamh Coombes and Edward Cooke gave worthy performances as the spoilt but lovable children Jane and Michael Banks.

All the well loved characters from the film feature along with the addition of George Banks’ old nanny Miss Andrew who provides the requisite baddie necessary in all children’s musicals and attracts an appropriate response from the audience.

I was unsure how the magic of the film would transfer onto the stage but the special effects were spectacular, with Mary Poppins flying away as she does in the film, and Bert walking up one side of the stage, along the roof and down the other side. This, along with the never ending contents of Mary’s bag and dancing statues, is sure to keep younger members of the audience intrigued.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production comes to Edinburgh for the first time after a successful three year run on London’s West End. It is a combination of the famous 1964 Walt Disney film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, and the original stories by P. L. Travers.

Classic well-known songs such as ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’, ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’, ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’ and ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ take me back to my childhood but there is also the addition of new songs and a slightly adapted storyline which prevent the plot from getting dull for those who have seen the film numerous times. Accompanied by well thought out, impressively performed choreography the musical numbers are every bit as good as you would expect.

Overall Mary Poppins provides great entertainment for the whole family and any fans of musical theatre. Catchy songs, astounding special effects and a spectacular finale all combine to give a ‘Practically Perfect’ performance which will leave you singing all the way home.

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What jobs for the future?

Posted by Claire Charras on October 23, 2008

After several weeks of anxious waiting, Julie Alexander, a former Napier University law graduate was made redundant from her firm at the start of September following the global financial crisis.

She says: “After hearing from word of mouth that four people had been made redundant from our office in Glasgow, the management did not tell the rest of the office if there would be any more redundancies made or why there were redundancies in the first place; they just got rid of us.

“They even said to one girl “We are going to make you redundant unless you come up with a reason as to why we should keep you on? You have two days” The girl walked out.”

Julie’s firm dealt with conveyance, estate property and family law. She explains: “In about February this year, properties went up for sale and by September some had not been sold. Over the summer period the phone hardly ever rang and it became much, much quieter”.

The young woman took her concerns to her superior on a Monday morning and was left simmering until Friday before she got an answer. The former Napier student remembers: “By this point I was a mess, not knowing what was happening with in the firm and for me.

“The managing partner said: “I discussed what you asked on Monday with the other partners and we have decided there is no place for you here to get training. I’m afraid we have to ask you to leave. We will pay you for the next week only, you can work that week or you can leave at any time.” I left 15 minutes after. I was gutted and packed up my desk.”

Steve McLellan, career adviser in Napier University says: “The sectors which are the most affected at the minute are the house buildings, construction, investment banking and general property market. It could soon spread to retail and manufacturing.”

On a positive note, McLellan adds: “The strong areas in this economical context are general engineering with Aberdeen and the North Sea oil, most public sectors notably the health and civil services and education.

“Supermarkets are a good bet for graduates because they’re weathering the storm whereas more general retail is affected by the downturn. People will always need to go to the supermarket.”

After her traumatic experience, Julie no longer wants to go on with law and has found a six month temp job. For McLellan, the challenge for graduates will now be to use their original skills for different purposes.

“I believe there is a trend of under-employment”, he says, “Although graduates are still finding jobs, it might a job they are over-qualified for and will have to work their way up the ladder to get where they want.”

Stuart McBride, chief executive for Blue Arrow recruitment agency told Radio 5: “We are in challenging times. We’ve found difficulties in the logistics, distribution and construction sector with a reduction in the demands for skilled and trades labour. We’re not immune to that as employment agency. We reflect what’s happening in the economy.

“Having said that we have sectors that are doing particularly well. Our catering sector is doing well and growing on year to year basis, our public sector businesses are doing well and in terms of our niches areas engineering and technical are doing well.”

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Ladyhawke fail to set the stage alight

Posted by lorrainegreg on October 23, 2008

On first listen you would imagine Pip Brown to look just like she sounds – all gold earrings, pink stiletto’s, big shoulder-pads and even bigger hair. A long lost member of Bananarama perhaps. So there’s an almost overwhelming feeling of disappointment when Brown, better known as her alter ego Ladyhawke, takes to the stage, her face hiding under a shaggy mop of blond hair and her body swamped in a baggy t-shirt. She appears to be a somewhat reluctant popstar, lacking the swagger and smug confidence of other emerging talents, and at times seems slightly overwhelmed by the audience’s love for her music. But it’s this natural naivety and awkwardness that make the Kiwi songstress such an engaging performer. At times she makes no contact with the audience, instead choosing to look down at the microphone, her body hunched over and her hands hanging on as if her life depended on it.

It’s a rather understated performance that’s a far cry from the loud and quirky persona that made her debut album such an exhilarating ride – a mass onslaught of catchy electro-pop. Brilliantly bubbly songs drenched in synthesizers and topped off with Brown’s spunky, attitude-laden lyrics, delivered with an effortless charm, that instantly draw you in. It’s a heady blend of thumping beats, synth riffs and electric guitars that grab hold and drag you straight back to the 80s, your head nodding and feet tapping as you go. It takes you back to when Cyndi Lauper, Kim Wilde and Stevie Nicks all dominated the charts with their own infectious hits. It’s clear to see they’ve had some influence on Brown’s sound. If only she’d made notes on how to match their flashy onstage persona’s.

Despite that, Ladyhawke still manages to captivate the audience, largely thanks to the songs. Kicking off with ‘Professional Suicide’, Brown’s breathy vocals immediately get the crowd going. From then on the thrilling hooks and killer choruses never give up. ‘Magic’ and ‘Manipulating Woman’ are firm favourites. Both songs are delivered with a slightly rockier edge compared to the album; a sign that maybe there’s more to Ladyhawke than what we’ve heard so far. The effortless groove of ‘Love Don’t Live Here’ and ‘Dusk Till Dawn’ are classic anthems in the making, again delivered with Brown’s unique style. At times you can just about see the diva inside wanting to break out, as Brown raises her arms in the air like a bona-fide rockstar and gets the crowd clapping to the beat. ‘Paris is Burning’ is another irresistible thrill-ride and it’s clearly Ladyhawke’s most recognisable song, evident by everyone jumping and cheering along. ‘My Delirium’ ends the night on a sugar-coated high – a fitting end from a show that proves Brown is one talented lady who knows how to create the perfect pop song. Although she still appears to be settling in to her newfound success, Brown will no doubt evolve into a lead singer with the onstage attitude and persona she presents so effortlessly in her songs. When that happens, Ladyhawke will be playing truly amazing shows to match these mighty tunes. As they say – it’s always the quiet ones you should keep an eye on.

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Singing Scots Support Children in Need

Posted by garyphilp on October 23, 2008

Scottish fans dismayed by their countries failure to beat Norway can console themselves with the fact that they did their bit for charity.

Around 50,000 supporters at Hampden neglected their obligatory pie and Bovril at half-time to take part in a recording of 1982 World Cup hit, “We Have a Dream”, shown in this YouTube video, led by the original singer John Gordon Sinclair, which shall be released for BBC Children in Need.

The single, available for download now, will be available in shops on November 10th. “Gregory’s Girl” star Sinclair shall be joined on the single by guests including former Scotland striker Ally McCoist and movie legend Samuel L. Jackson.

It was a small piece of consolation for supporters who were disappointed by the team’s failure to defeat the Norwegians, a poor performance summed up by Chris Iwelumo’s shocking miss, shown on this YouTube video. However upon reflection members of the Tartan Army were at least proud to have done their bit.

Darren Hendry, from The East of Scotland Tartan Army, said: “Obviously it was a disappointing day but to know that we did our bit for charity is good. It helps cement our place as the greatest supporters in the world.”

This isn’t the first time the Tartan Army has taken part in a charity single. They were recorded singing “Loch Lomond” at half-time of the international versus Ukraine, with proceeds also going to Children in Need.

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Controversial street adverts to be removed

Posted by graememacleod on October 23, 2008

BUSINESSES in Edinburgh have criticised council officials for approving controversial pavement advertisements without consulting nearby proprietors.

Newington Pharmacy owner Mr Aziz said that he did not know the adverts would be placed outside his store in Clark Street until his staff turned up for work the day after they had been inserted.

The council have now agreed to remove the so-called ‘clean graffiti’ ads, which aim to crack down on benefit fraud. They have attracted an increasing number of complaints from residents and shop owners who believe that city bosses are personally targeting them.

Mr Aziz has two of the ads directly outside the front door of his shop.

One of the anti-benefit fraud adverts outside Newington Pharmacy

He said: “It would have been nice for the council to get permission from the owners of private properties before going ahead with this campaign. The first I heard about it was when I came into work the next day and saw the adverts on the pavement outside.

“I have no objections to the signs overall but I think the council could have gone about it a bit better. It is out of order that they did not think to contact property owners in the surrounding areas.”

The manager of a nearby pub which has several of the controversial adverts sprayed onto the pavement outside felt his patrons were being targeted by the campaign.

Peter Brooks of the Maltings Alehouse in Montague Street, also in the Newington area, said: “It was as if I was being victimised and a lot of customers were asking about it. It’s not as if they only put one outside – there were three.”

The council have also received complaints about the adverts being placed outside residential properties.

The technique works by placing a template of the advert on the surface of a grubby pavement and jet-washing over the top leaving the cleaned area displaying the advert.

The government campaign was launched earlier this year by the Department of Work and Pensions and approved by Edinburgh City Council. The DWP then arranged to have the slogans jet-washed onto 30 streets across the capital as part of the crack down.

But the city’s environment leader, councillor Robert Aldridge, slammed the idea, claiming it was ineffective and could encourage illegal graffiti.

He said: “I am concerned that they send out mixed messages although we are quite clear that graffiti is unacceptable. I don’t personally think it is a very effective way of dealing with benefit fraud although we are willing to talk with the DWP about other ways we can assist them.”

A DWP statement said: “No advert should be placed directly outside private residences and we are sorry for any offence or inconvenience caused.”

Posted in All Politics, Life and Society | Leave a Comment »

You’ve Scot to be joking Chris!

Posted by hartypar on October 23, 2008

By Ross Hart

With Hampden Park all set to go crazy in celebration, 50,000 Scotland supporters slumped into their seats in disbelief as debutant Chris Iwelumo missed a sitter to deny Scotland victory over Norway.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, on as a second half substitute, contrived to side foot the ball wide of an open goal from only 3 yards out when it was easier to score.

The above video is an external video

It was a day that the 30 year old had long dreamed of but it turned into a nightmare that would come back to haunt he and Scotland’s beleaguered manager George Burley after an indifferent start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 0-0 draw leaves Scotland second in group nine behind leaders Holland but they have amassed a mere four points from their opening 3 matches.

The Tartan Army rolled up in their droves expecting to see an attacking Scotland side that would defeat their visitors and effectively rule them out of the running for a qualification place for South Africa in 2010.

But Burley elected to start with a solitary striker, talisman James McFadden, while being supported by wide men Shaun Maloney and James Morrison, tactics which worked well in the previous victory over Iceland.

But they failed to pay off as Norway took the game to Scotland and, led by giant forward John Carew, caused the home side all sorts of problems.

Time after time he threatened and but for poor finishing and good goalkeeping from Craig Gordon he could’ve wrapped up the points for his team on his own.

In the first half, he forced Gordon into a smart stop with a powerful shot after he evaded defender Gary Caldwell but fortunately Bjorn Helge Riise hammered the rebound over the crossbar.

Scotland had little to show for their efforts as Carew continued to terrorise their defence until the second half until the introduction of Iwelumo and Hibernian’s Steven Fletcher saw the Scots play with two forwards.

Barry Robson went close with a stinging shot from 20 yards which forced Norway goalkeeper Jon Knudsen into his first save of the game.

Then came Iwelumo’s moment, as infamous as Billy Bremner’s miss against Brazil in the 1974 World Cup that cost Scotland victory over the then world champions.

Gary Naysmith broke forward from full back and cut into the box from the left hand side and his ball across the box fell to Iwelumo who amazingly missed with the net and the glory gaping.

It was a horror show for Scotland and it would’ve been worse had it not been for the heroics of Craig Gordon to deny Steffen Iversen from close range and as well as having luck on their side.

Norway defender Kjetil Waehler thought he’d scored with a header but it hit the side netting while Carew raced clear of David Weir and with only Gordon to beat, he spooned the ball over the bar.

It was a disappointing day all round for Scotland and for Iwelumo, it was a dream realised but a nightmare lived out.

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Booze crack down angers Scotland fans

Posted by srhouston on October 23, 2008

Angry Scotland football fans have hit out at police for their booze crack down ahead of the international at Hampden on October 11th.

Police carried out random drink tests on trains and buses headed of the Scotland v Norway match in Glasgow, causing some supporters to miss the start of the game. The tests were carried out as part of the new ‘no booze’ policy implemented during Scotland home games.

The aim is to reduce the number of alcohol related incidents both prior to and after the game, however, supporters have reacted angrily to police methods. Scotland supporter Darren Walters from Glasgow said:

“Me and my two mates had all our beer taken off us, plus they tested our bottles of coke. It took a good twenty minutes, which meant we missed the first ten minutes of the game. It’s disgraceful, especially since we were perfectly sober and well behaved.”

Any fans caught with alcohol had it confiscated in addition to a £40 fine. Although some fans backed the measures taken, they were quick to point out that they felt targeted by police.

Greg Parkin from Aberdeen was at loss as to why Norwegian supporters were seemingly allowed to drink freely on the streets. “There were Norwegians peeing in just about every front garden surrounding Hampden, and police ignored them. Meanwhile Scotland fans were being stopped all over the place, getting our booze taken off us and slapped with fines. Where’s the fairness in that?”

ScotRail later revealed that there had been no major incidents on their trains before or after the game, and that their services had run as normal. Strathclyde police confirmed that fans were well behaved, with only 37 fans refused entry into Hampden.

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