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Boston Globe
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
What the Whigs can teach us
Today the Whigs are regarded as a fusty barnacle on American history, a long-ago movement banished to historical oblivion. But the historian Allen Guelzo has The party took its name from the British Whigs, themselves formed to provide a legislative counterpoint to powerful executive rule, in their case the monarchy. For nearly two centuries, the Whigs — the term is derived from the Scottish Gaelic name for a horse thief — sought a series of substantial transformations in the political culture of Britain. They sought to empower the middle class, abolish slavery, and reform the country's political system, then an untidy and undemocratic amalgam of legislative districts known as 'rotten boroughs' that were the power centers of land owners and other aristocrats. Advertisement The American Whigs were motivated by the muscular presidency of Andrew Jackson, so lionized by President Donald Trump that he placed a portrait of the seventh president in the Oval Office in both his terms. The Whigs' gloom over Jackson's overreach — they regarded his 1829-1837 White House tenure as years of executive tyranny — prompted them to seek a new path to restore an old balance. Advertisement Why the need for a new Whig party? Though only four months old, Trump's second administration is marked by unprecedented attempts to exert executive power and a flurry of executive orders that bypass Capitol Hill. Only a handful of measures have been approved by Congress, which has ceded not only the initiative in American politics but also many of its roles. Though Congress has Constitutional responsibilities in trade — and two once-powerful subcommittees specifically devoted to the issue — Trump has unilaterally imposed tariffs on friends, trading partners, and military and commercial foes alike. Though independent agencies created by Congress are historically, and legally, regarded as impervious to presidential interference, Trump has attacked them, removed their directors, and curtailed their remits. And earlier this month, the head of the executive branch summarily removed the leader of an institution called the Library of Congress . President Donald Trump arrived to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress on March 4. KENNY HOLSTON/NYT This has occurred while Congress slept. The Democrats might have mounted an aggressive opposition to Trump had they not been in the minority in both chambers and struggling to reshape their tactics and their message. Advertisement 'The American system has shared powers as much as a separation of powers,' Andrew Ballard, a Florida State University political scientist, said in an interview. 'But Congress has done just about nothing. Congress has to have incentive to share power or wrestle back some of its policy-making role from the executive. Right now they don't and seem happy with the outcomes. They haven't yet seen that the administration has crossed some line they cannot countenance.' Indeed, the eclipse of Congress has been one of the distinctive qualities of the era. 'The lack of major legislation is not because Mr. Trump failed but because he has not even bothered to try,' the conservative Wall Street Journal noted in a recent editorial. 'Even though his own Republican Party controls both houses of Congress, the president has all but disregarded Capitol Hill so far.…Executive orders feed his appetite for instant action, while enacting legislation can involve arduous and time-consuming negotiations.' The 19th-century Whigs present an appealing prototype for moderate Democrats seeking a way out of their paralysis and for Republicans impatient with, or horrified by, the Trump ascendancy. They grew out of a debate that, Michael F. Holt wrote in his 1999 'Rise and Fall of the American Whig Party,' was 'about the proper character of a republican society, that is, about what social and economic arrangements would best sustain citizens' virtue, their commitment to the public good or commonweal.' These are precisely the questions in the air today. Americans sharing those concerns gathered under the Whig banner 'focused on its everlasting basic principle: opposition to executive usurpation in general' — another analog to today. Advertisement Sean Wilentz's characterization of the Whigs in his 2016 'The Politicians and the Egalitarians' demonstrates the breadth of the 19th-century party and leads us to wonder if a 21st-century version, shorn of some of the original party's constituencies, might be appropriate for our own time. The Whigs, he wrote, were 'a national coalition dominated by pro-business conservatives, humanitarian reformers, Christian evangelicals, supporters of federally backed economic developments and moderate Southern planters.' No historical comparison works completely, or even neatly. Susan Hanssen of the University of Dallas has noted that Trump has some Whig characteristics, particularly his embrace of tariffs. The Whigs didn't endure as a powerful entity. Weakened by sectional divisions growing out of fevered debate over slavery, they collapsed soon after their 1852 presidential nominee, Winfield Scott, was soundly defeated by Franklin Pierce. In their death were the political nutrients that helped nourish the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln. Debates about the limits of presidential power have been a hardy American perennial. The Whig philosophy was perhaps best expressed by William Henry Harrison, the party's first president, who, in a reference to Jackson and President Martin Van Buren, said that considering one person 'the source from which all the measures of government should emanate is degrading to the republic.' The new Whigs could steal that quote as the founding statement of their own party. This column first appeared in , Globe Opinion's free weekly newsletter about local and national politics. If you'd like to receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up . Advertisement David Shribman is a nationally syndicated columnist. He can be reached at
The Herald Scotland
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
What could be worse than a horrible chef's uniform in a hot kitchen?
Situated on Roseneath Street, Nàdair (which means 'nature' in Scottish Gaelic) is an independent neighbourhood restaurant, offering a daily-changing 5-course set menu, focusing on the best of Scottish produce. Sarah and Alan, who run the kitchen together, build their food and drinks menus upon local and foraged ingredients, to create experimental and bold flavours. This week, Sarah answers our Chef Q&A. (You can read Alan's answers from last month here: Going out for dinner should be fun - please, put your phones down) Pictured: Sarah Baldry and Alan Keery - chef owners at Nàdair in Edinburgh (Image: AwAyeMedia) What was your first kitchen job? Wedgwood, back in 2018. Compared to others, I'm relatively new to the hospitality industry. Previously, I'd been working in retail, but I always knew food was going to be the path for me at some stage in my life. Now I'm here! Where is your favourite place to eat out? I'll give you my favourite further afield first - Teksen in Georgetown, Penang. Peranakan cuisine, which is my most loved cuisine on earth. They do the best ever fried rice and tamarind prawns the size of your palms! Not to mention their sticky pork belly – heaven. In Edinburgh, it has to be Dumplings of China. It is always a delicious meal and such good value for money. What is your guilty pleasure meal? A scampi supper with plenty of salt and vinegar and a wee pot of tartar sauce, and it has to be from L'Alba D'Oro on Henderson Row. It really is like stepping back in time when you walk into that place, proper hand-cut chips and everything is cooked to order – delicious! Can you share a memory of your biggest kitchen disaster? Once when I was making a chocolate ganache in the Kitchen Aid set at a high speed, a spatula fell into the bowl. Honestly, I was finding spots of chocolate dotted round the kitchen for months! What is your signature dish? Probably my cheddar beignets with truffle honey. I came up with this dish in London and it has stuck with me ever since. When you go to ask our customers if they would like to add on beignets before dessert, It is usually a straight yes with no hesitation! Who would you say is your biggest inspiration? Niklas Ekstedt. His cooking style is so unique, and I find it so fascinating watching the way he moves around the kitchen and the way he uses all these very traditional Scandinavian cooking methods which have been forgotten about. Read more: What is one of your pet peeves working as a chef? Uniform. I cannot think of anything worse than standing all day in a hot kitchen, slaving over pots and pans, sweating and having this horrible old school chef's jacket on, no matter the title. T-shirt and an apron is fine for me. If you weren't a chef, what do you think you'd be doing with your life? Possibly something to do with music or design. What's your favourite trick for making cooking at home easier? At home I always like to make everything a one-pot-wonder. From broths with dumplings, casseroles, curries, stews. Something that does require very little washing up basically! What has been the one highlight that stands out in your career so far? Getting the keys to our restaurant was a huge moment, and our reviews! Still really is all a blur but totally amazing.
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
New Scottish bowling alley offering free game to anyone with this name
King Pins will open its first Scottish location at Silverburn Shopping Centre on Thursday, June 26 Glasgow's newest bowling and leisure venue is offering a free game of bowling to anyone with a specific name, as it matches their mascot. King Pins is set to open its first Scottish site in Silverburn Shopping Centre on Thursday, June 26. The eagerly-anticipated entertainment venue will be launched just in time for the summer holidays. And to mark the grand opening, they are offering a free round of bowling to anyone who shares a name with their mascot; King Pin Colin. The King Pins team are celebrating their friendly figure while also paying tribute to the Scottish Gaelic origins of his name. So if you're named Colin and fancy a freebie bowling session this summer, you know where to go. King Pins already has sites in Manchester and Bristol, with Glasgow, Leeds White Rose, and Belfast set to open soon. Bookings are now open for visitors eager to secure a fun day out at this brand-new 21,000 square foot Silverburn venue. King Pin Colin, the venue's charming mascot, promises to 'strike up fun wherever he goes,' making his Glasgow debut alongside the official launch. Anyone named Colin looking to claim their complimentary game of bowling simply needs to pre-book and email KingPinColin@ with a greeting stating, 'Hi, my name is Colin.' Beyond the free game for Colins, King Pins offers a wide array of family-friendly entertainment options. These include ten-pin bowling, the venue's signature Duck Pin bowling, tech darts, American pool, shuffleboard, ice-free curling, and a lively arcade. Their website describes it as 'a brand new bowling experience for all the family,' boasting 'state of the art Ten Pin bowling, as well as Duck Pin lanes, ice-free curling, shuffleboards, batting cages, air hockey, arcade games, karaoke booths and more!' The site promises 'altogether a different ball game' for visitors of all ages and interests. The venue will also feature a well-stocked bar and an onsite eatery, offering food and drink options 'right up anyone's alley' to complement the entertainment. Hungry guests can also enjoy delicious Neapolitan-style pizza and crispy fried chicken at Marvin's Pizza & Chicken, complete with tempting sides and house dips to round out the meal. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For those with a sweet tooth, Royal Treats offers a tempting selection of soft serve ice cream, donuts, brownies, and a head-banging range of pick and mix sweets. James Travis, Brand Manager of King Pins, said, 'We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate King Pin Colin's Scottish debut than to offer any Scots sharing his name a free game of bowling. Colins – we can't wait to meet you!' He added, 'King Pins will be open just in time for Glasgow's bowling royalty to join us over the Summer holiday so we'd love to invite families to pop in for a game or two. See you soon!' To book a visit or find out more, head to and keep up with daily updates by following kingpinsbowlinguk on Instagram.
Glasgow Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
King Pins revealed opening date for Glasgow Silverburn venue
King Pins announced its first-ever Scottish site will be opening in the Southside shopping centre on Thursday, June 26. Ahead of its opening, the bowling alley has revealed guests can now make a booking at the venue. The new entertainment destination will offer a variety of family-friendly games and activities, including ten-pin bowling, King Pins' signature Duck Pin bowling, tech darts, American pool, shuffleboard, ice-free curling, and an arcade. (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Leisure attraction to open first Scottish venue in Silverburn READ MORE: 'Not long': Popular clothing brand to open store in Glasgow's Silverburn It will occupy a 21,000-square-foot unit in the centre. On its opening day in June, King Pin Colin, the venue's friendly mascot, will be in attendance. To celebrate King Pin Colin's arrival and the Scottish Gaelic roots of his name, King Pins is giving away a free game of bowling to anyone named Colin who pre-books before the opening date. (Image: Supplied) (Image: Supplied) For any Colins looking to land their free game of bowling, they should email KingPinColin@ saying: 'Hi, my name is Colin'. James Travis, Brand Manager of King Pins, said: 'We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate King Pin Colin's Scottish debut than to offer any Scots sharing his name a free game of bowling. Colins- we can't wait to meet you!' 'King Pins will be open just in time for Glasgow's bowling royalty to join us over the Summer holiday so we'd love to invite families to pop in for a game or two. "See you soon!' (Image: Supplied) Since launching its first two sites in Manchester in Summer 2023 and May 2024, King Pins has quickly expanded across the UK, and its venue in Silverburn will be its first Scottish location.
Daily Record
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
New video game is 'journey through Scots folklore' where players can pick up Gaelic
The video game, developed in Edinburgh, helps gamers practice what was once Scotland's primary language The Gaelic language is a vital part of Scotland's culture and creativity. It influences and shapes Scottish literature, music, art, film and TV, and all aspects of collective creative activity - and it is now entering the gaming world. Gamers, who also have a penchant for language-learning, will be delighted to know they can merge their two passions thanks to a new Xbox game that promises to be a "journey through Scottish folklore". The game claims to help players pick up Scottish Gaelic by giving users the option to play the game in what was once Scotland's primary language. The language is still spoken by around 60,000 people today, with the Western Isles being the hub for the historic tongue. The game was developed by Ant Workshop, an indie video game developer based in Edinburgh. Tony Gowland is the mastermind behind the game and the founder of Ant Workshop. He wanted to showcase the rich but often overlooked legends and tales of Scotland. Speaking to NAG magazine, Tony explained: "We wanted something different. Scottish folklore doesn't get the spotlight like Greek myths, so we saw it as a great opportunity to introduce players to these stories. "It felt like a no-brainer for a game about Scottish mythology. We're excited to be part of a trend where more games are incorporating local languages, like Sker with Welsh." Into the Restless Ruins is a "roguelike deck builder" and a deck of cards, representing rooms and corridors, are used to grow the labyrinth of the ruins, all with a nod to Scotland and the language which is undergoing a revival. "Into the Restless Ruins is rooted in Scottish folklore," the Xbox description reads. "Explore a world inspired by Celtic legends, from witches and faeries to the eerie Maiden and her connection to the Harvests, with the option to immerse yourself in the experience by playing in Scottish Gaelic." The summary goes on: Auto-battle your way through them, harvesting as much Glimour as you can from the cursed residents before darkness overcomes your torch. "Earn favours from the Harvest Maiden, find Relics to trade with the Hen Wife, Wulver and other characters from Scottish folklore to upgrade and curate your deck. You should just hope you are strong enough to face The Warden when you can finally reach it." Gaming enthusiasts can create dungeons as they play and place rooms like campfires, libraries, and portals to unlock powerful effects and adapt your approach to every challenge. There is also 'Endless Replayability,' which means each run offers a new dungeon layout, fresh challenges, and evolving strategies, so the younger players among us don't get bored. In fact, new dangers are confronted with every attempt, "from generated ruins to powerful enemies and artefacts that redefine your strategy." Hidden treasure can be unlocked, too, meaning rare charms, weapons, and lore fragments to uncover the secrets of the Restless Ruins are there to be discovered. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. One gaming enthusiast on X said: "I've had a chance to demo Into the Restless Ruins... it's a very solid, fun experience." Another agreed: "I played it today and I loved it." A five-star rating on Xbox's website read: "The combination of building a dungeon with a deck of cards and then battling through the labyrinth you've crafted, taking advantage of each room's special abilities is very satisfying." Into the Restless Ruins is a single-player game for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch and Xbox X|S.
