Skeptic lawyer went to a really nice reception last night at the Scottish Parliament building, which is apparently almost as ugly as the Experience Music Project here in Seattle, and in much the same style –
…a fellow lawyer suggested that it looked like someone had eaten a giant jigsaw and then thrown up on the Old Town.
Behold the EMP:
Very much as if someone had thrown up a huge jigsaw.
But that’s not the real subject. The real subject is that reception; what a jolly occasion it sounds.
it was a reception for equal marriage (same sex marriage) held at Holyrood and co-sponsored by all four parties currently represented in the parliament.
To quote from the linked article in the Scotsman:
Labour’s Johann Lamont, Ruth Davidson of the Conservatives, Willie Rennie of the Lib Dems and the Greens’ Patrick Harvie signed a pledge expressing their backing for homosexual weddings.
The four opposition leaders signed a declaration saying that they would “campaign to beat the ban on same sex marriage”.
At an event in the Scottish Parliament organised by the Equality Network, they cut a wedding cake to symbolise their support for a change in the law. The cake-cutting ceremony was carried out before MSPs of all parties attended an evening reception co-sponsored by the openly gay SNP MSP Joe Fitzpatrick.
That makes me very wistful. Such an event couldn’t possibly happen here, in the land of paleolithic views married to relentless pandering.
It pissed off the right people, too. Guess who got all scowly.
Last night John Deighan, parliamentary officer for the Catholic Church in Scotland, said: “It is disappointing that party leaders have been so cavalier in joining the bandwagon for redefining marriage. We deserve a more reflective approach from those in a position of political leadership.
“Marriage is essentially linked with recognising and supporting the roles of mother and father. There is a lack of real tolerance when that view is sweepingly likened to a form of discrimination or bigotry. This is, of course, an attempt to win a political position by intimidation rather than by coherence of argument.”
Disgusting as always – the bullying Catholic church accusing elected politicians of intimidation.
But the party leaders were unrepentant, indicating their strong support for changing the law.
Oh that makes me so wistful. Here they would be falling all over themselves to apologize and mollify and attempt a compromise.
Skeptic lawyer has some wonderful commentary on Roman law and the Theodosian code.
Apparently, the reason the Theodosian Code is so hysterically bad is because it wasn’t drafted by lawyers, but by various Christian mates of the emperor. The Roman legal profession kept its paganism with great tenacity, only capitulating when — after repeated professional harassment — they were all threatened with the loss of their practicing certificates (ius respondendii) if they failed to convert. At the same time, women were driven from the Bar and shortly thereafter, the Greek schools of philosophy were closed.
In other words, the conservative Christian attempt to define marriage so that gays and lesbians can’t use it is intimately linked to misogyny and hostility to intellectual freedom. That’s worth keeping in mind.
That’s just a snippet; read it all.
Every time I turn round, I’m more sure it was a mistake for liberals to invoke “tolerance.”
But god damn is that guy skilled in bullshit PR speak. “We deserve a more reflective approach…” just sounds so meek, so “maybe someday,” so British.
Let me guess: More edifice wrecks brought to you by Frank Gehry.
The Gehry architectural abortion that’s closest to where I am made the news a few years ago, and not in a good way.
Why is it that every time someone mentions equality, the media has to find a religious bigot for a dissenting viewpoint? Who gives a damn what some pinhead from the Child Rape Club has to say on the issues of the day?
Marriage is essentially linked with recognising and supporting the roles of mother and father.
Emphasize on roles for you cracker humpers. As in strictly defined of the gender variety.
Sorry, but we’re done with that now, padre. Do catch up.
There is a lack of real tolerance when that view is sweepingly likened to a form of discrimination or bigotry.
The only intolerance that is acceptable is to be intolerant of intolerance, dear.. If you don’t want to be considered guilty of discrimination and bigotry, then don’t do things that reek of discrimination and bigotry!
This isn’t rocket science, dear.
This is, of course, an attempt to win a political position by intimidation rather than by coherence of argument.
Unlike what you propose, which is that everybody vomit out their brains and follow the child-raping cult you shill for.
Sorry. That’s worse than intimidation. That’s terrorism against working brains.
a fellow lawyer suggested that it looked like someone had eaten a giant jigsaw and then thrown up on the Old Town.
Oh good grief, what were they thinking?
It doesn’t even look finished.
What makes Catholicism so evil (and evil is an apt word) is that it’s propagandists misuse the language of tolerance, reason, rights, and so on for their oppressive cult instead. It’s an obvious lie used in brute force fashion until people start to actually believe it. It’s a lie, it’s fake, it’s not the real thing.
“There is a lack of real tolerance when that view is sweepingly likened to a form of discrimination or bigotry.”
Says the guy whose parent institution practiced and perfected sanctified, institutionalized intolerance on a global scale when it had unquestioned authority and power over the lives of millions of people.
“This is, of course, an attempt to win a political position by intimidation rather than by coherence of argument.”
Says the guy whose parent institution won political arguments for centuries by fiat and burning people at the stake. They must really miss having this power now that they are forced to make arguments and have no good arguments to make.
Ms Daisy Cutter, oh yes, that’s Frank Gehry all right. Nobody else would have been allowed to perpetrate such a fucking mess.
Honestly: it’s repulsive: a big lump with sheets of ugly cheap-looking colored plastic bolted onto it in random ways. BLARGH!
While the Scottish Parliament building was clearly inspired by partly digested jigsaw, that other …thing looks like it was inspired by partly digested offal. I was going to suggest haggis, but haggis is considerably more blended than that.
Thanks for the linky love, too.
One also needs to be aware that this is the glorious cityscape to which that monstrosity was added. Edinburgh rivals Prague as the most beautiful city in Europe:
1. From the Castle:
http://blog.groupon.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/edinburgh1.jpg
2. From Princes Street (lots of nice pics):
http://www.snaphappyross.co.uk/europe/scotland/edinburgh.shtml
No wonder the Scots are pissed off.
“Behold the EMP”
Not enough drugs in the world to make that an acceptable building design.
I agree with Aquaria, the Scottish Parliament building doesn’t look finished. Certainly the painters are being very sloppy in their work.
Did anyone else either skim or forget the phrase “Experience Music Project” and think, instead, “electromagnetic pulse”?
Egbert, I don’t think those tactics are exclusive to Catholicism. The Protestant fundies are pretty adept with them as well.
Beautiful Edinburough.
Beside the castle, the Tatoo and a number of very nice pub’s, I quite vividly recall my ascent of (in) the Scott monument. Incidentally I got intermigeled with an über-stressed (understandaly so) mother with a ADHD son, at the quite claustrophobic passages near the top 🙂
Anyway the Scot’s parlament is thankfully located rather distantly from the central parts of the beautiful old city. isn’t it? I would think the gravest visual damage is to the adjacent (summer) Royal Castle (English), where the queen likely are “not amused” by the new architectual surrondings.
Cassanders
In Cod we trust
I know it’s irrational to be proud of something one had effectively no hand in (except voting, but considering all four parties were represented (and all five involved) that doesn’t count), but that event and the pledge make me feel proud anyway.
Nice quote from Rennie: “I want Scotland to be one of the most fair and progressive places in the world. Extending marriage equality to all is a really important part of that.”
Blimey, I’ll be forgetting all about the seamier side of Scotland if I get any more misty-eyed.
The Scottish Parliament complex is not ugly. Strange in places, yes, but not ugly. They had to incorporate Queensberry House and I wouldn’t have wanted acres of pastiche of that. Would you?
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/scottishparliament/
The brewery wasn’t significantly better – http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/details/509489/
I realise I am in a minority here and promise not to bring any gods, any pre-digested history, any whinges into the discussion.
As for the rest, agreed.
The Scottish Parliament building isn’t for everyone but it is full of beauties which even its worst enemies can see. Especially the interiors. It’s easy to forget that a building is as much about its inside. Anyway, there are some more sympathetic images here (although they are hard to see on this typically abject architect’s website). Look at those beautiful rooms!
http://www.mirallestagliabue.com/project.asp?id=55
That should be all five parties: SNP, Labour, Lib Dem, Conservative, and SGP.
You think it’s strange that this can happen? Well, you’d better sit down before I tell you that Ruth Davidson (the new leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, to give them their formal title) is openly lesbian. Yes, that’s right, it’s such a non-issue that even our Conservatives can happily elect a lesbian leader.
Whilst the opposition from the Catholic Church and the Muslim community is only to be expected, I must say I was very disappointed when the Church of Scotland came out in opposition. They’re usually fairly progressive on social issues.
“I was very disappointed when the Church of Scotland came out in opposition. They’re usually fairly progressive on social issues.”
It’s all about margins Dunc. Almost nobody leaves church over disappointment at it taking a conservative social position (you can try to reform from within!) but they will jump ship when things are the other way round if a nearby church is offering them an alternative. We saw this recently in the CofE over women bishops. My local priest, very charming and charismatic, good with the children, hard working etc, gave up a beautiful house and church and a lifetime’s dedication to a congregation to join the Catholics because he can’t stand the thought of a woman in a purple frock.
Given the lingering effects of sectarianism in Scotland, I’m really not sure that there’s a big worry about people jumping ship to the Catholics. You could be right though.
“Given the lingering effects of sectarianism in Scotland, I’m really not sure that there’s a big worry about people jumping ship to the Catholics.”
Who said anything about the Catholics? It’s the Muslims they are worried about!
Ha!
I understand Edinburgh Central Mosque serves excellent food. That’s got to be a selling point. 😉
I think these ugly buildings are examples of postmodernism, because modernist buildings are thought to be ugly and functional. I think irony and postmodernism go together very well.
The sad fact is that the SNP are still dragging their feet on this via a public consultation; and that there remains (largely religious) opposition from within the party itself. I’m a Scot and an SNP supporter but they are not all sweetness and light on this issue. The fact that they co-sponsored this reception is great news but there’s lots more to be done.
Also our Parliament building is awesome and anyone who says otherwise is wrong 🙂
Says the representative of the religion in which childless, unmarried men are called “Father”.
I also like the design of the Scottish Parliament building. But, then I loved the EMP when I lived in Seattle. I also really liked the MIT buildings (dorms?). I spent a summer in Boston and used to go see indie movies at a theater near MIT and always walked around campus afterwards.
On the other hand, I’d rather have more traditional buildings than have the mold and leak problems MIT is having.
So, Maureen, you’re not a minority of one, here!
I have to stick up for the Scottish Parliament. I used to walk past it quite often and if I had my camera I would always take a picture. It’s quirky and interesting looking, if not beautiful. It’s also splendidly placed, at the edge of Holyrood Park.
You can get a cheap curry there, which is nice for the price. The vegetable curry is highly unauthentic, being runner beans and carrots, however the sauce and rice you have with it is flavoursome, so it is a good deal.
Also our Parliament building is awesome and anyone who says otherwise is wrong
It certainly cost a fortune, and so I hope you’re getting your monies worth.
I tried to shorthand the description of the political arrangements, which never works. Apologies for that.
An openly gay SNP MP co-sponsored the event, but SNP First Minister Alex Salmond was not there, while the other four party leaders were (Labour, Tories, Lib Dems, Greens). The SNP is holding a public consultation (which they seem to do for everything, probably because right now they are under intense pressure and scrutiny from Westminster). There is likely a fair bit of truth in what Ewan says @24, too.
“On the other hand, I’d rather have more traditional buildings than have the mold and leak problems MIT is having.”
Yes but new traditional buildings have those problems too (the older ones have generally had 100 years or so to mend them), they are only controversial when the style of the building is at issue. Good to see so many sticking up for excellent modern architecture.
“much the same style”?
As an architecture critic, you’re a pretty good blogger. I don’t see even a single similarity in style, only that a) they’re both unconventional (intentionally, obv) and b) you think they’re both ugly (a subjective judgment call at best).
The “same style” I had in mind is the superfluous junk pasted on to make it look uglier.
I don’t set up to be an architecture critic, but I don’t think one should have to pass an exam to have (and express) an opinion about the built environment. I live near the EMP, and even nearer a hilltop viewpoint from which it’s conspicuous. It’s a blot on the landscape.
We are; and we’ll have a sovereign, independent government to occupy it soon enough.