political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Not the Only Guido in the Village
I have just been alerted to the existence of a Welsh equivalent to Guido. He (or she) writes a blog called Arsembly. Well worth a visit, isn't it?
Well done on succeeding to make every other Welsh political blogger green with envy. Except Blamerbell. Bastards. Still, at least I'm on Wales Elects 2007.
PS my bets on a Labour-Plaid coalition, unless Labour can stomach PR
Nice but I think it will get stitched up like you and Guido are going to get ,have you seen your mate tim's blog they are ganging up on the both of you.
Ha ha, there's another Guido! It's those italicised remarks in red type that do it!! Seriously though, the more Guidos there are, the better. Although there will only ever be one true Guido, of course. Guido 1.0.
This remindes me - why are we English subsidising the Welsh language? And why is it compulsory to print government documents in Welsh as well as English? What an utter waste of money. If we Tories really believe in a smaller state and localism, there is a tempting target.
One of the more plausible suggestions is that Arsembly is the boss of a Cardiff Bay-based pressure group. Unfortunately some of his opinions would probably get him fired... Don't think the blog's SusTainable unfortunately.
This remindes me - why are we English subsidising the Welsh language? And why is it compulsory to print government documents in Welsh as well as English?
Because it's our national language, cretin.
What an utter waste of money.
From our perspective, printing information in English is a waste of money. Deal with it, dick head. We've been here longer than you lot, so get a grip.
If we Tories really believe in a smaller state and localism, there is a tempting target
The Tories support a new Welsh language Act, making Welsh finally equal in status to English (it isn't at the moment. You'd know that if you took your head out of your arse). The Welsh Tories have learned their lesson. The last time they screwed with Welsh speakers, 220 houses were burnt down and letter bombs were sent to Tories in England and Wales. So you'd prefer us to return to that scenario?
A Tax on the majority solely for the benefit of the minority.
A complete waste of my money."
The Welsh Language: the language of the majority in the Western half of Wales, from Amlwch to Llanelli. If you don't like paying taxes then I suggest you break the law and go to prison for your beliefs, as hundreds of Welsh speakers have done to defend our right to have equal status for our language in our country.
Arsembly's blog is wonderful - and the comments are absolutely excellent.
On the subject of the Welsh language and how many people actually use it - anyone see the item in the Press lately about a particular road sign put up somewhere in Wales? The English wording said "Cyclists Only" and the Welsh wording said something lengthy in Welsh, the literal translation of which was apparently "Bladder Disease is here".
The sign had been up for some time before it was eventually noticed by someone who actually understood Welsh. It was explained that the road sign makers (in Wales) don't speak it either but type words into a translation machine and then prepare their sign. They started off typing "cyc........." and picked what was offered, which unfortunately related to cystitis, rather than cycling!
So, we now know who the Welsh wizzard behind Arsembley is - Mat Withers of Wales On Sunday.
Does Mat speak Welsh? Because Arsembly does. He proved so here, by commenting on a conversation between myself and Vaughan Roderick on a Welsh language message board, and although I blogged about it in English an hour before he did, he mentioned various things that I hadn't, ergo he must have been able to read the original Welsh conversation.
Well done on succeeding to make every other Welsh political blogger green with envy. Except Blamerbell. Bastards. Still, at least I'm on Wales Elects 2007.
ReplyDeletePS my bets on a Labour-Plaid coalition, unless Labour can stomach PR
The only conversation in the Assembly corridors before breaking for the election campaign was of speculation as to his / her identity.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone knows, please pass it on.
Nice but I think it will get stitched up like you and Guido are going to get ,have you seen your mate tim's blog they are ganging up on the both of you.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, there's another Guido! It's those italicised remarks in red type that do it!! Seriously though, the more Guidos there are, the better. Although there will only ever be one true Guido, of course. Guido 1.0.
ReplyDeleteThis remindes me - why are we English subsidising the Welsh language? And why is it compulsory to print government documents in Welsh as well as English? What an utter waste of money. If we Tories really believe in a smaller state and localism, there is a tempting target.
ReplyDeleteOne of the more plausible suggestions is that Arsembly is the boss of a Cardiff Bay-based pressure group. Unfortunately some of his opinions would probably get him fired... Don't think the blog's SusTainable unfortunately.
ReplyDeletei love that blog
ReplyDeleteNot enough pictures of sheep to attract a Welsh following.
ReplyDeleteDisappointing. Except for the title.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blog. Who runs it?
ReplyDeleteAuntie Flo'
I think its excellent. It is very insidery. You need to know whats going on in Welsh politics to appriciate it.
ReplyDeleteBUt it is very well written. The wya he takes apart the Thursdya night welsh political TV is genius. I know all the journalists are really pissed off.
This remindes me - why are we English subsidising the Welsh language? And why is it compulsory to print government documents in Welsh as well as English?
ReplyDeleteBecause it's our national language, cretin.
What an utter waste of money.
From our perspective, printing information in English is a waste of money. Deal with it, dick head. We've been here longer than you lot, so get a grip.
If we Tories really believe in a smaller state and localism, there is a tempting target
The Tories support a new Welsh language Act, making Welsh finally equal in status to English (it isn't at the moment. You'd know that if you took your head out of your arse). The Welsh Tories have learned their lesson. The last time they screwed with Welsh speakers, 220 houses were burnt down and letter bombs were sent to Tories in England and Wales. So you'd prefer us to return to that scenario?
Sanddef - well said.
ReplyDeleteArdderchog.Diolch Iain.
ReplyDelete@pj April 06, 2007 5:39 AM
ReplyDeleteThe Welsh do'nt have to pay for prescriptions.
If the TV licence was'nt necessary in Wales, now that would start the ball rolling!!
Have they got TVs in Wales yet?
ReplyDeleteThe BBC cater's for the few Welsh speakers...Geeee's what's the cost,per individual.....unbelievable!!
ReplyDeleteThe Welsh Language.
ReplyDeleteA Tax on the majority solely for the benefit of the minority.
A complete waste of my money.
"The Welsh Language.
ReplyDeleteA Tax on the majority solely for the benefit of the minority.
A complete waste of my money."
The Welsh Language: the language of the majority in the Western half of Wales, from Amlwch to Llanelli. If you don't like paying taxes then I suggest you break the law and go to prison for your beliefs, as hundreds of Welsh speakers have done to defend our right to have equal status for our language in our country.
Arsembly's blog is wonderful - and the comments are absolutely excellent.
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of the Welsh language and how many people actually use it - anyone see the item in the Press lately about a particular road sign put up somewhere in Wales? The English wording said "Cyclists Only" and the Welsh wording said something lengthy in Welsh, the literal translation of which was apparently "Bladder Disease is here".
The sign had been up for some time before it was eventually noticed by someone who actually understood Welsh. It was explained that the road sign makers (in Wales) don't speak it either but type words into a translation machine and then prepare their sign. They started off typing "cyc........." and picked what was offered, which unfortunately related to cystitis, rather than cycling!
So, we now know who the Welsh wizzard behind Arsembley is - Mat Withers of Wales On Sunday. He mentions being a candidate - presumably in Nantwich?
ReplyDeleteAuntie Flo'
anyone see the item in the Press lately about a particular road sign put up somewhere in Wales?
ReplyDeleteThe April Fool one , you mean?
So, we now know who the Welsh wizzard behind Arsembley is - Mat Withers of Wales On Sunday.
ReplyDeleteDoes Mat speak Welsh? Because Arsembly does. He proved so here, by commenting on a conversation between myself and Vaughan Roderick on a Welsh language message board, and although I blogged about it in English an hour before he did, he mentioned various things that I hadn't, ergo he must have been able to read the original Welsh conversation.