Alternative Scottish Honours
As The Times announces George Gideon Osborne as ‘Briton of the Year’ – surely confirming that we live in different political universes – we offer this antidote to the gongs and the patronage of broken Empire. Set aside the British baubles and brown-nosing and join us in creating suitable OBE’s (Order of Bella’s Entourage).
Unlike the Lizzie’s List we welcome suggestions from around the world.
Here’s our heroes from 2013:
He’s proof that a new Scotland can inspire others and be the source of progressive energy north AND south of the border. The compilation album, Fight Songs, is available here.
2. Iain Banks – the genius of Banks was recognised as he left us with typical wit and bravery. A posthumous award for one of our greatest writers who wrote of independence:
“We’d need to make sure our banks were small enough to fail, and there are problems of poverty, ill health and religious tribalism that will take decades to overcome. But with the advantages and attractions that Scotland already has, and, more importantly, taking into account the morale boost, the sheer energisation of a whole people that would come about because we would finally have our destiny at least largely back in our own hands again – I think we could do it. And that we should.”
3. Derek Bateman – the breakthrough Scottish blog of the year, Bateman’s angry prose is a welcome addition to the scene with further signs that the straightjacket of Scottish media is unfolding.
One to watch in 2014.
5. Edward Snowden – taking over the (tainted?) title of Whistlebower-in-Chief from Julian Assange, Snowden continued the unleashing of truth to power we’ve seen in the last few years that’s shaken the political elites everywhere. “My name’s Ed Snowden, I’m 29 years old. I work for Booz Allen Hamilton as an infrastructure analyst for NSA in Hawaii.” With those words, Snowden revealed he was the source of the biggest intelligence leak in the history of America’s National Security Agency, and became the man behind the story that has re-set the news agenda around the world.
6. Nelson Mandela – despite the tortuous retrospectives talking of the ‘Santification of Mandela’ the man remains an icon and an inspiration for a generation for his wisdom, bravery and honour.
There’s a lesson here too – that impossible dreams can become reality and political movements can win victories against the odds.
8. Lesley Riddoch – for her groundbreaking book Blossom which combines an ‘experience-based’ look at the issues we face with a generalist approach to understanding them. She lucidly combines perspectives on gender, community, ecology and health to create both a devastating critique of the ‘state we’re in’ with a hopeful vision of how to mend it. All whilst battling her own health challenges.
A thorn in the side of Scottish complacency, and an inspiration to all.
9. Andy Murray – an obvious one but it seems he’s been missed off the Lizzie’s list.
For sheer tenacity and for facing years of ridicule and hatred from the English press alone he deserves a medal.
What a guy to achieve what he has despite being faced with three of the most amazing tennis players of all time.
What a boost after years of over-caution and lack of flair! Now we’ve got to prove it in real competition, but Ikechi cheered us all up with his outstanding performances. Okay so Naismith’s form the return of Fletcher and Fletcher, Stevie May, the revival of the Arabs and The Scottish Messi, Danny Handling and Abdellah Zoubir are all good news too, but Anya’s helped fix the national team more than most.
Who did we miss out? What have we got wrong? Your suggestions please.
Here’s your recommendations…
11. Seamus Heaney and John Bellany – Eòghann MacColla @eoghannmaccolla suggested: “Nice work, agree with all, however Seumas Heaney & John Bellany (‘Scottish painter whose work was characterised by brutality, torment and compassion‘) ….
12. Robin McAlpine suggested for his efforts in leading the Jimmy Reid Foundation and creating the Commonweal project – an inspirational glimpse of what a fairer Scotland could look like (and one that looks good too)
13. Public Workers – Frankie T @frankiet67 suggests: “Give the recognition to the unsung heroes who save lives every day, doctors, nurses, firefighters and community workers”
14. Elaine C Smith – suggested by Annie @demipip : “Elaine C Smith for being the soul and the moral compass of Scotland, putting into words what we all think”.
15. The Arctic 30 Greenpeace Protestors get’s a shout from Daniel Mittler from Germany for protecting the world and being criminalised for it. Here they are: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/climate-change/arctic-impacts/Peace-Dove/Arctic-30/
16. Moira Salmond – as suggested by @GaryDalziel1 “Moira Salmond for best flag smuggling”.
17. Peter Capaldi – Leo Mikłasz has suggestd the new Doctor: “I’d probably vote for Peter Capaldi, as he intends on keeping his accent while he saves the universe…”
18. Danny MacAskill – @0604Arb1320 “How about Danny MacAskill the guy who does amazing incredible moves on a bike! :-)”
Yes!
19. Michael Marra – a very popular suggestion. Sheena Devlin wrote: “wld u include a posthumous honour to Michael Marra? His humanity lives on thru his words, music & art.”
A poet? An opera singer? A violinist?
A poet, then. W.N. Herbert. He’s been writing with intelligence and wit, in Scots and English, for many years.
Another writer: Frank Kuppner. His book of poems, ‘A Bad Day for the Sung Dynasty’ (sadly out of print) is a joy forever.
A young Chaldean Catholic priest Father Raghib Ganni one of a thousand Christians murdered in a pogrom AFTER the coalition invasion of Iraq. Murdered leaving church after Mass with two deacons. Some politicians need to be reminded that interference in countries far away ruin lives.
Billy Bragg has been far from a hero in the fight to save the South Bank Undercroft… http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2013/07/31/billy-brag-is-a-knob-ignore-him-and-help-save-the-southbank/
Robin McAlpine for articulating our hopefulness Eddi Reader for being Eddi Reader, all those people who struggle with poverty on a daily basis, they can then pawn their medals!
How about a group award for the millions of people in Brazil who left their sofas to protest on the streets against government corruption? Expect more such events against the backdrop of the 2014 football world cup.
Ian Gray
great read that main stream is on its knees people love alternative being scots irish and a tennis lover am opting for mister hibs a great celt and scotsman our andy 2 in a row at wembledon will be a massive 2014 then indy heres hoping
You can’t have a perfect list – only a longer one. Good list though.
What about the inhabitants of the Menie Estate who have to put up with bunds (with no planning permission) built to block natural light to their houses and the prospect of flooding as a result? They, along with the people who walk on the beach, endure the menace and intimidation of Trump’s “security” guards and the fact that TIGL has planted gorse bushes on the rights of way to the beach to prevent people getting there in the first place?
Good shout, they’re in
I think a Scottish Knighthood for Mr.Andrew Murray,the first Scot to win the prestigious “Men’s Single Title” at Wimbledon.(OK he was the Second Briton to win but….)
He wasn’t the first Scot to win the men’s singles title at Wimbledon.
Who was Chic?
Harold Segerson from Edinburgh. 1896.
Harold Segerson Mahony from Edinburgh. 1896.
I found the Courier article.
http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/scotland/harold-mahony-the-scot-who-beat-andy-murray-to-wimbledon-title-1.111151
How about all the Scottish Government and SNP – MP’s After all, against all the odds stacked against them its A Salmond and Co that has made independence possible.
A small sign of appreciation now could go a long way for their morale.
Katie Hopkins – only person to render my mum speechless
I would nominate the Lancashire-born Scottish composer Ronald Stevenson, for his unique way of bringing together so many strands of Scotland’s culture within an internationalist outlook.
Jack Foster for the documentaries he has been making.
Patrick Harvie in the Indy debate for not always trying to occupy the middle ground.
What? No entry for Dick Gaughan… shameful 🙂
Where’s Evelyn Glennie?? 🙂
http://www.ted.com/talks/evelyn_glennie_shows_how_to_listen.html
Hey – good ideas – I say they’re in
Gutted that Iain Banks and Michael Marra arnae here for 2014, really gutted.
It´s just no fair!!!
Onwards and upwards 2014:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io-n-WIcj_M
The Gezi Park protestors who stood up to Tayyip Erdogan and his thuggish riot police.
The organisers of last years rally on The Calton Hill.
Correction. Calton Hill.
Edward Snowden, like the similarly hunted Julian Assange are heroes for exposing the out of control surveilance that the Third Reich could only dream of.
An offer of asylum and the enshrinement to the right to democratically accountable security would be a great thing for an Independent Scotland.