ONE of the most unattractive aspects of politics is the zeal with which politicians pursue the man not the ball - the blame game.
So it was that my colleague and good friend Stewart Stevenson was hounded by politicians and some sections of the media for what he admitted was an error in communication.
This led to Stewart resigning.
Friends of mine in Canada expressed amazement that a Minister would resign for the weather, which, after all, is not within the control of any government.
What was especially depressing was not just the unpleasant personal nature of the attack, but also the total lack of any suggestion of what Stewart as Minister could or should have done which would have made any difference to the drivers stranded on the M8, which followed the huge snowfall and a series of jacknived lorries blocking the way.
What should he have done? Close the motorway, on the grounds that there was to be a modest snowfall? We don't know - the other parties did not say.
Ranting and raving is hardly effective opposition - but in the febrile atmosphere of the political hothouse, Stewart felt that he had "become the story" and that he needed to go to allow the Government to focus on the job.
Stewart, who is entirely without malice, behaved in a dignified way throughout, and many MSPs in the other parties, who were not involved in the Rottweiler-like onslaught on Stewart, privately felt that the vilification of him was unfair.
Indeed, my colleague and friend Jamie Stone said as much in a column in his local paper! Good for you, Jamie.
Witch-hunting was outlawed in this country centuries ago - but not in the political world.
Burst pipe misery
MY working week normally involves my voting in parliament at "Decision time" just after five o clock, and then travelling north to Boat of Garten.
When I got back home about 8.30pm, I arrived to find that the pipes had burst above the bedroom and water was pouring through the ceiling.
Anyone who has been through this experience knows that it is pretty unpleasant. Mopping up the damage, removing clothes and personal things such as photos of our wee girl from the danger area took several hours that night.
Early the next morning, McLeods of Grantown arrived, and Fiona and I want to pay tribute to them for their marvellous response which could not have been better, quicker or more efficient - and also the help that we received from neighbours.
That response reminded me that, outside the political world, Scotland is a country where folk are generally positive and helpful to one another.
Large retail supplement
JOHN Swinney's budget for Scotland contained a measure which will see many large supermarkets and large out of town retail units, pay more business rates, whilst continuing the small business bonus which sees tens of thousands of small shops and offices receive help in the form of lower bills or no rates at all.
This has produced howls of protest from supermarkets. My view is that the rates they pay are unfair in relation to those paid by smaller shops, and this unfairness has gone on for far too long.
I wrote to John some time ago urging that he increased the rates for these large retail units. I was pleased that my argument has been accepted.
In tough financial times, supermarkets must pay their share. I would also challenge them to say where we should raise the money were we to drop this plan as they wish.
Would they say that your Council Tax should go up? They have not said, and never will!
Panto fun
CHRISTMAS is of course for children, but it is also a time when adults are allowed to be a bit childish.
I am very much looking forward to our own Christmas, with our wee girl now two-and-a-half, and a fervent fan of Santa Claus whose journey down our chimney is on schedule.
We are particularly looking forward to taking her to her first pantomime - we hope at Eden Court. Fiona thinks that the Scottish Parliament can be a pantomime... to which I reply; "Oh no it isn't!"
