Hugh Reilly
Hugh Reilly
Hugh Reilly: Will this blight on our nation ever go away?
In March 1836, at the Alamo Mission, a brave band of Texan brothers held off a superior force of Mexican soldiers for 13 days before succumbing to inevitable defeat. Their heroic effort is not forgotten, thanks to a song celebrating the exploits of their leader, Captain William B Travis. The chorus of this rousing air is:
Hugh Reilly: Cross purposes over how to cast a vote
MOST historians agree that Athens was the cradle of democracy. In that ancient city state, citizens who were not slaves or female participated directly in the political process.
More top stories
Hugh Reilly: Iain Gray day for learning to deal with disruption
Where are intimidating security men in sharp suits and sunglasses with one hand on a bulging breast pocket when you really need them?
Hugh Reilly: Rusticated by April shower of holidays
Despite what my detractors may opine, I am a sensitive man. For example, as a young boy I cried my eyes out at the 1948 film Oliver Twist, unable to control my sobbing as I watched a nice workhouse master face financial penury due to the sheer gluttony of an ungrateful orphan.
Hugh Reilly: Teachers, now red in tooth and claw…
EIS national officials believe Daniel had it easy when he entered a pit filled with pacing, roaring, hot-breathed lions. A week tomorrow, the mutinous EIS Glasgow Committee of Management is holding a meeting calling for a rejection of the revised pay and conditions deal that the EIS leadership are recommending the membership accept.
Hugh Reilly: Another generation driven up the poll
It's tiresome but every piece of junk mail dumped at a school's office with the words "democracy" or "election" on it is shovelled towards the modern studies department.
Hugh Reilly: If only I had the skills of a Last-Minute Reilly
It's been a fantastic season for my school's Under-13 football team. The manager, Stuart, a fellow Modern Studies teacher, led his young side to the latter stages of a national cup competition.
Hugh Reilly: Looming exams turn truants into triers
With only four teaching weeks left till the start of this year's SQA diet of examinations, there has been a predictable spike in sales of Immodium Plus to terrified teenagers. The fear of failure is palpable. To be honest, it's a wonderful time to be a teacher. Arrogant youths who bought into the praise culture and believed, despite the absence of objective evidence, that they were gifted pupils, find themselves staring down the barrel of a gun, a big gun, something like Big Bertha.
Hugh Reilly: Set for mother of all battles on pay front
IN OCTOBER 2002, Saddam Hussein, the president of Iraq, displayed his faith in democracy by sanctioning a simple "yes/no" referendum on his leadership.
Hugh Reilly: Today's youngsters need press ganging
Monarchists with a misguided sense of tradition will be aghast to discover that my Buckingham Palace mole informs me the carriage taking Kate Windsor (née Middleton) back to the honeymoon suite will have a tasteful "Princess on Board" sign daintily hanging from the rear window.
Hugh Reilly: 'Could do better' read parental report cards
IN THE autumn of 1986, six years after I qualified as a teacher, I left the profession.
Hugh Reilly: Teachers, get ready to made a last stand
AT THE Battle of the Little Big Horn, it would be fair to say that things went a tad awry for George Armstrong Custer.
Hugh Reilly: Prelims and the first steps to exam glory
IN CUP competitions, the function of a preliminary stage is to knock out the no-hopers who would otherwise bring shame to the main event. School prelims are no different.
Hugh Reilly: McCormac offers an object lesson in futility
I'd LIKE to wish the McCormac review of teaching well, but in my view it has all the credibility of an investigation by President Mubarak into human rights abuses in Egypt.
Hugh Reilly: It's logical, neds are born under bad sign
TOUCH wood, I've never been the superstitious type. Rubbing the amputated foot of a rabbit or stalking a black cat for miles means nothing to a man whose life is ruled by logic. Experience has caused me to dismiss the irrational. For example, bad luck has dogged me all of my 54 years yet I don't recall breaking eight bathroom mirrors or having a Black Spot pressed into my palm at birth.
Hugh Reilly: Claims teachers are illiterate don't add up
Like most classroom teachers, the weals on my back are now slightly less visible after last week's scourging of the profession in the media. Claims of illiterate chalkies catched the public's attention and matters growed worser when it emerged that many of those trusted to teach our fine young people struggle with basic numeracy.
Hugh Reilly: There's no such thing as a free education
It's the news every parent dreads: their child has received an unconditional acceptance at a distant university.
Hugh Reilly: Gray short of friends for his day in the sun
As I write, it's likely that Labour leader Iain Gray is sitting at the hearth, totally engrossed in reading The Broons Annual 2011, a book he mistakenly believes to be a ghost-written account of Gordon and Sarah's final days at Number 10.
Hugh Reilly: Dunkirk spirit rises as temperature drops
I don't work Wednesdays, part of my work/life balance arrangement with my model employer. Last midweek, I had planned to watch repeats of Homes Under the Hammer but, on receiving a cabin-fever induced phone call from mother, I trudged through the snow to clear her path.
Hugh Reilly: Who shot Hugh Dallas is a question for us all
It's a moral dilemma of our time: at the workplace, on receiving an e-mail containing an allegedly humorous attachment, should one open it or hit the delete button?
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- Six Nations: Steadman given notice as ruthless Robinson seeks to strengthen team
- Scottish independence: No breakthrough in talks between Alex Salmond and Michael Moore
- Scottish independence: David Cameron set to snub Alex Salmond’s separation talks bid
- The Rumour Mill: Tuesday’s football news and gossip
- Devo-max merely a dodgy back-up plan to save SNP, says Jim Sillars
- The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip
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Weather for Edinburgh
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
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Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
