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By Pat Kane. First published on MARCH 30TH, 2019
IT’S an odd feeling, when your own nerdy obsession becomes somebody’s demonic other.
Earlier this week, hard Brexiteer MP Suella Braverman said in a speech at Westminster that “as Conservatives, we are engaged in a war against Cultural Marxism. We’re engaged in a battle against socialism.”
The second bit isn’t so surprising. But whatever could “Cultural Marxism” be, as something to go to war with?
By Pat Kane. First published on MARCH 23RD, 2019
A SCOTTISH diplomat, perhaps until relatively recently, has been a biographical description, not a professional one. The passing of Paul Scott earlier this week – who nursed a lifetime commitment to independence, alongside a glittering career in UK diplomacy – is a case in point.
When I engaged with him in the late 80s and early 90s, as a fellow university rector (alongside Muriel Gray) and as a commentator on arts radio, Paul still embodied the calm, stern authority of an international negotiator. Except, in retirement, he was punctiliously scaring the life out of university administrators, and fighting for the right of Scottish arts and artists.
By Pat Kane. First published on MARCH 16TH, 2019
IT’S the strangest feeling: to say the word “Mum”, and realise that nobody, living, loving and breathing, stands behind that word anymore.
I don’t wish to challenge those who fondly imagine her in an afterlife, re-entwining with my Dad, who died 12 years ago on the same calendar date, the day before my birthday. It’s as if they had a long-standing appointment, ready and waiting.
By Pat Kane. First published on MARCH 9TH, 2019
HOW we imagine the future affects the choices we make now. So I’m really looking forward to the National Theatre of Scotland’s (NTS) forthcoming trilogy of science-fiction plays, Interference, performed in the old WD & HO Wills cigarette factory (now known as City Park).
They’ve chosen their topics very well from the futures menu. Each of them hinge on some very familiar, and all too-human dilemmas – mother-daughter relations, ageing, the commitment to childbirth.
By Pat Kane. First published on MARCH 2ND, 2019
THE best thing for me about BBC Scotland's The Nine, after watching three of its five episodes in its initial week, is its opening title sequence.
That sounds dismissive, but it isn’t. When Channel 4 News opens up its swirling graphics and toots that trumpet line, you know that Jon Snow and his colleagues are about to deliver their cool, liberal take on the day’s news. Good: that’s why you’re here.