Caley Stan

I'm not a supporter of the SNP and i'm far from impressed by the tax policies they've unveiled recently, but i feel the need to correct the assumption that these amount to an acceptance of austerity. Sturgeon articulated the SNP position on austerity very clearly in the run-up to the 2015 General Election when she proposed real terms departmental spending increases of 0.5% per year for the the duration of the parliament. The SNP continues to support increases in public spending i.e. the opposite of austerity. That is their policy regardless of what you may think of the economics behind it.

Socioeconomic background remains the ultimate determinant of future prosperity. There's no hiding from the facts on that one, regardless of the number of anecdotes you may offer as counter arguments. Our society is divided and the political changes we are seeing simply reflect the growth of those divisions. It is true that class alone cannot explain the divide. Your own belief in the existence of meritocracy and progress are great examples of the generational divide. Try looking back to when you first started looking for jobs and property. What were your prospects and what are the prospects of someone doing so today? How difficult was it for you to find secure employment with a decent pension? How difficult was it for you to get a mortgage? What percentage of your annual income was the deposit and what percentage of your monthly income were the repayments? Make these comparisons and then come back and tell me about the great progress we've made.

"Rabble" is an interesting choice of word, Charles. Given the SNP's focused and organised electoral achievements over the past decade, you can only be using this word as an expression of your contempt for the working people who now form the bedrock of their support. The use of such language implies nostalgia for a time when the lower orders routinely voted for ennobled aristocrats in the misguided belief that their betters knew better. Things are moving on, Charles, but they do seem to be moving rather more quickly than usual. Trump, Le Pen, Corbyn, SYRIZA, Podemos and the SNP may come from wide range of the political spectrum, but they all find their base in the working-class, or "rabble" as you call them. The working-class has been successfully subdued by easy access to property and cheap consumer goods for the past 35 years while social security, workers rights and the welfare state have been steadily (and stealthily) eroded. Now that property has been removed from that equation for many, the scales are looking a bit less steady - an increasing number of people have realised that they don't have anything to lose from upsetting the political apple-cart. Property? Pensions? Job Security? Those are the things that keep people in line, but if you don't have those things, then there is no risk attached to demanding significant change from the political system.

SNP in favour of Scottish independence. Shocking and disgraceful.

It's not Yogi's fault, Shaun. We're just not getting the rub of the green.

A minor change to French Bashing. Just another expression of his British nationalism.

I went to the Hibs ticket office today which was staffed by Americans who didn't understand the terms "away end" or "pay at the gate". Once we established that i "cheer for Inverness" they called their supervisor who confirmed that we CAN pay at the gate.

Youth Cup tie postponed.

Youth Cup tie moved to Ochilview - kick-off at 12.

I don't trust these guys.

Have you been reading Brian Wilson? His lies about postal charges are comprehensively deconstructed here: http://wingsoverscotland.com/brian-wilson-is-a-liar/ There's nothing to be afraid of, Laurence. It's all going to be just fine.

Just watched the interviews. Can't shake off the image of Richie and Yogi gazing into to each other's eyes and seeing the intensity of their own passion and desire reflected back at themselves. Sleeping will be difficult.

He once chased my mate down Greig Street insisting that he was Noel Gallagher. I think he lets go after a couple.

That's really harsh. Hughes is a Leither and speaks like a Leither. If he does get the job then I hope we're not going to be snobby about that. It doesn't mean he's not intelligent or indeed articulate.

"Strong rumour in the north says John Hughes for ICT. I think that could be a good fit." Says Cyril.

I remember hearing on Sportsound last year that a lot of that 2nd place cash was quietly dispersed down the league as soon as Rangers were punted out. On the point about how much we would accept for McKay, you often hear clubs talking about how they wouldn't stand in the way of a player who wanted to leave and I assume a club of our size has to play it that way. One of the most attractive things about ICT for potential signings must be our history of providing a stepping stone to bigger clubs.

Of course the SNP exists for independence above all else. It's a broad church and its members want independence for a variety of reasons - i can also assume that most of them believe the overall consequences will be positive. Most of what appears in the document isn't all that relevant to the decision we make next September. It reads like a huge election manifesto and for the most part contains nothing more than SNP policy for a prospective Scottish general election in 2016. It's slightly absurd that the SNP have had to tell us today that a Scottish Defence Force will contain 5000 reservists and all 3 and 4 year-olds will be entitled to 1140 hours of childcare a year. That kind of policy detail belongs at elections, and although many unionists find it difficult to comprehend, an independent Scotland will have democratic elections with different parties offering different policies. This referendum is about whether you believe such decisions should be taken in Scotland or whether they should be taken across the whole of the UK. The rest is just hype.

I'm really impressed that you managed to read the document so quickly. Sorted Only when you class a brain surgeon as the same as a low-skilled person. Immigrant isn't a nationality or a measure of skill or employability. Each must be judged on merit and need for the country. Amongst some nationalities, unemployment is 5x that of the host (and it's not down to racism either as there are clear differences between countries of the same race). And economics isn't the only reason. For every new person, energy must be burned and resources must be found. The SNP generally argue along the lines of your first point. Scotland needs an immigration policy that meets Scotland's needs and these are often very different from other parts of the UK. Even Labour under McConnell wanted to try and get hold of some powers in this area. Your second point is slightly odd - i can only assume you are talking about increasing the birth-rate rather than immigration. I wasn't aware of an SNP policy on this but then i haven't quite finished reading the document. I'm not quite as quick as Charles when it comes to reading these things.

What are the economic arguments against increasing the population of a sparsely populated country with an ageing population?

Was there ever any meat in the story about Levein ruling himself out? It appeared in the P & J last week but the rest of the media have continued to speculate about him being on the shortlist. He'd be my choice if he is indeed an option because his track record in the SPL is excellent. Nobody else on the list of names above even comes close.

I'd be very surprised if Butcher doesn't take Malpas with him, but if he does want the job then I think we should stay well clear. He's had two shots as manager and flopped both times. It's too risky. Foran is an interesting shout. Butcher has obviously seen the potential himself by passing over team-talks to Richie on occasion.

Every time, Chris, every time. Anyway, Brewster's biggest influence was definitely Oleg Blokhin. Unfortunately, he's in the Dynamo Kiev job at the moment but if we want to revisit some of the joys brought to us by Brew's rigid 4-2-3-1 then I think we should look for another of Valeriy Lobanovskiy's protégés. No, not Sergei Baltacha, but Vladimir Onishchenko who is currently working as a Dynamo scout. This way, Alan Savage can finally live out his dream of seeing ICT become "a boutique club showcasing Eastern European talent". Seriously, though, Charlie Christie.

apart from this .... http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/Sport/Football/Butcher-denies-link-to-Hibs-04112013.htm Our chairman says no approach. I know and trust our chairman so dont expect him to lie (quite apart from the refreshing fact that he doesnt have a good poker face for lies anyway!) ICT have issued a statement to the same effect and condemned the BBC story out of hand in what is quite strong language where you normally have to be quite 'diplomatic'. Courier reporting Butcher has not spoken to Hibs and denies "terms agreed". story in tomorrow's paper STV reporting that ICT will refuse permission Hibs saying nothing There are a few more twists and turns to come I am sure but ultimately I can see one of three scenarios happening .... Butcher will stay on a nice extended contract with extra cash for him, Malpas and Marsella. Interest from another club will always restart stalled salary negotiations !!! Kenny - if this happens, be careful not to use the same invisible ink pen that Steve Paterson and Duncan Shearer used to sign their bumper contracts a few years ago .... and dont let any of them near Tam Cowan. Butcher will go to Hibs and we will speculate/argue and get very vocal and nasty about how terms could be agreed before permission was given? who lied? Was this a case of shady agents or representatives agreeing terms so the principles could have plausible deniability? TB will become a pariah despite all the excellent work he has done at ICT. The Hibs interest (and media gullibility) is being used as a 'shop window' for other positions, perhaps Middlesborough? I would be comfortable with #1. I would wish him all the best if #3 happened, but #2 which seems most likely would be very hard to take. He's worked wonders up here, and should be applauded for all he has done ...... but much like Pele making a big deal over turning own Dundee Utd, signing a new ICT contract and ending up at Aberdeen a week later, this would leave a very bad taste in the mouth !!! I prefer #2. It means we get to sing the Diego Maradona song on Saturday.

True. Delighted for Saints but still feel a bit sick thinking about what tonight could've been for us.

Wow, lots of confidence on this thread. I've voted 'not sure' because I think the there's too little difference in quality between most SPL squads for us to be confident of almost anything. Last season there was almost nothing between 2nd place and 11th place for the whole season, and I don't see that changing greatly this year. I worry a little about the fans being too confident - we've never been the most realistic support (something I think stems from our quick rise through the leagues under Pele) and that definitely transmits onto the pitch. If we struggle against St. Mirren in the first game, will the fans start getting impatient because we are expected to beat a team that we finished 8 places above last season? We may have done that but we also took only 2 points from 3 games against them and they looked a decent side on each occasion. They may be well be better than us this year, I have no idea. The New Firm might be different propositions under new management with lots of new faces - again, no idea. So I'm not confident or concerned, just clueless.