Comments on: Learning from the Writing on the Wall

By: Joanna

Joanna — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:20:10 +0000

Colin, hello, and thanks.

Yes, I guess it has. Devolution is still in its early days, historically speaking, but there’s been a huge amount of change and I think progress since then.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:15:39 +0000

Jackie, I know what you mean, esp when you consider how much it cost. But it does have something special. I like the way the light falls inside, and that you can see people moving around and having meetings in other parts of the buildings.

And yes its proximity does make politics and parliamentarians much closer to ‘ordinary folk’ and that can only be a good thing.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Good to catch up with you on Twitter today!

By: Colin

Colin — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:58:25 +0000

Amazing essay, really loved reading that. Scotland has seen a lot of change since 1997!? Colins last blog post..Graffiti Creator

By: Jackie Cameron

Jackie Cameron — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:48:00 +0000

You know Joanna - I hated that building with a passion as it was being built and I really struggle with the outside of it on the entrance side still. But I think inside it is beautiful. Even the stark plain walls in the entrance hall... I got to sit in one of the MSP's chairs in the Chamber and I can't describe how thrilling - and just a little moving - it was. There are many flaws in the Scottish Government but I have found it so much easier to rub shoulders with those decision makers over the past couple of years. Even though I am not a political person I find that I am often at events which an MSP is hosting - and you know what? - They are human beings doing a job. Unlike most of us though they have no job security.... Great post! Jackie Camerons last blog post..First rule of effective networking - be nice!

By: Joanna

Joanna — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:10:55 +0000

Ellen, I’m glad you found the quotes of value. Interesting point about place and making a difference. Some of the quotes are about the beauty and wildness of Scotland and at first glance you’d wonder what they have to do with a parliament – but of course it’s the love and appreciation of the land, history, culture and heritage that can motivate us as citizens and ‘them’ as politicians to work to creating a better world.

By: Ellen Weber

Ellen Weber — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:42:20 +0000

Thanks Joanna, for the inspirational quotes – that remind a person of the value of finding a place and making a difference. Now that is HOPE!

By: Middle Zone Musings « Godspace

Middle Zone Musings « Godspace — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:07:30 +0000

[...] Learning From the Writing on the Wall, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing [...]

By: Middle Zone Musings » All Entries: What I Learned From Government

Middle Zone Musings » All Entries: What I Learned From Government — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:01:10 +0000

[...] Learning From the Writing on the Wall, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing [...]

By: Joanna

Joanna — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:24:19 +0000

Robyn, one of the reasons I feel most optimistic about Obama’s election is because of the emphasis on the ‘power of we’. I very much he and all of you can make it a two-way street too.

By: Robyn McMaster

Robyn McMaster — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:24:28 +0000

Joanna, I so agree with what you share, "That government isn’t a one way street: something ‘they’ do to us. It’s about us ‘ordinary’ citizens paying attention to what they do, making our voice heard, and doing what we can to make the whole thing work." I'm hoping we make it a two-way street with Barak Obama new at the helm in the U.S. He can't do it without us, nor us without him! Thanks for very thoughtful entry to Robert's "What I Learned from Government? challenge. Robyn McMasters last blog post..What I Learned from a Government Deportation Notice