Jordan

I need to bow my metaphorical head and apologize to the forum for some of my posts concerning Norwegian statistics a few weeks ago. I've spent some time researching the comments on the replies against what I said, and I have discovered that I was mostly wrong. So, sorry for writing rubbish folks and confusing things. My only excuse is my lame Uni. education and my own lack of critique on the claims made by my lecturers and fellow students. Let the debate roll on...

The Internet. It should be killed.

7 people who disagree with me, I could name more that probably do. On Iran: where do you get this stuff? Seriously, give me URL's or something so that I can see for myself - I mean it. Here's one for you to look up: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/iran/ Maybe you read the Sun or something worse. Or just make it up. You keep contradicting yourself too. One minute you are saying that all Iranians are devout Muslim Jihadists, the next bemoaning their supposed deaths in the Iran/Iraq war. I suspect that you know nothing about that war, nothing about Iran, the Muslim faith, the Qur’an, or Christianity for that matter. Have you read any of the Qur’an for yourself? Do you know any Iranian people? I have and I know many Iranians who are wonderful people and have taught me more about their country than most of the Western media has. Low birth rate is about as much proof of a growing economy as saying that the sun is yellow so all yellow things are the sun. Your first comment about Africa was scripted in a negative way. You need to think more about what you are trying to say before you write it, otherwise it reads as simple vitriol. You might want to pay more attention to your spelling and grammar too.

Because of your narrow minded bigoted and xenophobic comments on Iran and Africa I'm not discussing this with you anymore. Is there anyone out there with anything interesting and informed to add to this debate please. [mod]Excess quoting removed[/mod]

I'm not taking the piss honest - what would you suggest instead? And the point about being offensive is related to how you compare Norway's birth rate with that of a 3rd world CONTINENT, Africa. Have you read any of the research on declining fishing stocks. I have - it's true it really is happening. Why don't you trust scientists, they're the same folk that suck the oil up from the ground too you know. You also believe our tiny little Shetland could tell BP what to do? Russia can't even do that. What do you expect to find in the quarries? Diamonds? Finally, please explain why a low birthrate represents a prosperous economy. Russia, China, Hong Kong and Iran are just 4 developed and prosperous countries that are taking active measures to address their low birth rate and avoid a population crisis. Though this is all off point. No independence for Shetland. It's unsustainable, unmanageable and unwanted.

Therefore, Norway was a part of the Danish Kingdom at the time. And so, at the time of the betrothal Norway and Shetland were managed/governed/owned by Denmark. Shetland was not independent. I agree with you here in principle, but to compare Shetland with Norway in terms of economic prospect makes absolutely no sense for the reasons we have both outlined. But state ownership is a major feature of the success of Norway's economy. How do you propose that a similar system would work in Shetland? On what terms? How would it be managed? What would be managed? Who by? - Remember the oil won't last forever, and eco-fuel systems have their own issues still to be resolved. The attitude of Norway on this is selfish. Most scientists believe that the seas are being over-fished. Forestry, minerals and the blue chip industry are major parts of the Norwegian economy. All of these are absent in Shetland. So we can all go back to the romantic past, bulldoze our cities, our offices and plant our own neeps, tatties and feed our own sheep instead? No thanks. Norway also has a monarchy. This is a ridiculous and offensive comparison. Many academics have expressed concern over the large single population and low birth rate and predict a workforce crisis in the future. A fair point, but personally I believe they are too busy accumulating money rather than spending it. Comparatively you don't. If you work in Norway the prices are not inflated as they seem to us. Independence for Shetland is a worthwhile debate to be had, but Udal law is just a fairytale. [mod]Quoting tidied up to make the thread readable[/mod]

Slightly off topic I know, but I think you'll find Lithuania holds that particular accolade. Norway doesn't even make it into the top ten. Yes, you are right - I stand corrected. Though I still think that it is fairly high for a developed European country.

Before we were ransacked by the scots Shetland owned the waters out to the point where the bottom could no longer be reached ie the edge of the continental shelf and right up to about 40+/- mile fae the coast of Norway although these boundries are not recognised today we would still have the 200 mile limit and half way between us and Norway this is the same for all countries. (but if we had been left with Udal law we would own to the deepest point between the two 40+/- mile of the coast of Norway) the U.S.of As army of course along with about 30+ other countries have you forgoten about the events of 1990/91 Norway has the benefit of a liberal socialist legacy of government, not to mention around 1000 times the geographical space and therefore capacity and capability to produce exchange value from its resources. This has allowed the governments of the country to gather and spend state funds on internal infrastructure, etc. It now has a largely Administrative and Technological economy made up from a highly skilled workforce. Shetland has neither the history nor the latter attributes. The fishing industry is productive economically because they are not an EU country, however, what effect this will have on the longer term environmental effect and sustainability of the industry we are yet to see. Norway was one of the last countries to give equal rights to women, it has the highest male suicide rate in the world, one of the the highest rates of alcoholism, the highest single person population in the world and one of the lowest birthrates. On the udal law argument, Shetland never owned herself before the 15th century dowry to Scotland. The islands belonged to the Danish Kingdom, as did Norway under a relationship of serfdom. If you want udal law you must also want a reversal of Imperial productive progress. i.e feudalism then capitalism for the system to work. Without a time machine the chances are slim.

I tried to watch but only lasted 7.3876 seconds, approximately.

Kenny Johnston is good I hear. Avoid Arnie Arcus.

Pick a random number from Shetland Directory (the more remote the funnier usually). Phone it up, don't introduce yourself, and ask if you can borrow a pint of milk, or a loaf of bread, or a hammer or something. It's really funny, most people say yes - Burra and Walls folk were particulalr accomodating. Also, phone random SIC numbers and ask for taxis, sausage suppers (this is funny in sandwich shops too), chinese takeaways etc... When on the bus in the city or somewhere wave or stick the fingers up at random folk going by. Pulling faces in Lectures and meetings is quite funny too.

Black Bic Biro and so they should. They are a Shetland band, the best in Shetland and their sound will suit the gig better than any other Shetland band I can think of. Well done to them I say.

A colleague showed this to me today: http://www.blackle.com I don't know if it really does what it says but it appears to be the same as google. What thinks you?

That's him!! Thank you so much.

Where does this guy get off? A Cave Man diet indeed! I'm sure he's about as qualified as a Neanderthal to propose such rubbish. He's got a fat gut too, I know this because I've seen him before. As for his website service all I can say is Charlatan. Get a grip. In fact, go and get lost in the sea again. Plank. Still, for all of this rubbish he is the funniest thing in Shetland at the moment. In fact, let's make a statue of him up one of the lanes for drunk people to pee on. Nut.

Really? I never thought of that. Do you think they'd reply? Worth a go anyways I suppose. Thanks.

Did anyone see The Culture Show on BBC2 this past Friday? It was from Edinburgh and there was a guy at the end singing and playing a casio keyboard. I need to know his name if anyone can remember?

How boring. I was hoping it might me something secretive. Ach well

Did anyone else see two mystery planes flighing low over Lerwick this morning around 8.45am? They were both white and bigger than the standard Loganair planes. One was heading south, the other north, both flying fairly low and they crossed each other at quite a close distance. My curtain twitching intrigue would like to know more...?

I agree, seriously good lads. Immense.

I've just ordered a copy after almost an hour of trawling for a reasonably priced one. Has anyone read it? Is it good?

Is there something wrong with the events calander summary on the main page? On my PC it is showing all events as occuring on the 31st August.

'The Fish Can Sing' by Halldor Laxness. It's an English language version of an Icelandic novel. Only on chapter 5 but so far it is very good.

Black Bic Biro should get the support slot. Saw them last week and they're easily the best new band in Shetland. Great tunes and lyrics and they look fab too.

Where are they held at?