Scottish Government release Al-Megrahi

Yes the Scottish Government have decided to let Al-Megrahi (commonly known as the Lockerbie bomber) out of prison on compassionate grounds due to his illness. Al-Megrahi has been told after taking medical advice it was expected that three months was a "reasonable estimate" of the time Megrahi had left to live.

Kenny MacAskill decided after hearing the views of victims and doctors that it would be reasonable to release Mr Megrahi and let him return to Libya, but with conditions set by the Scottish Government.

My personal view on the matter is that I think it shows that Scotland has compassion were needed, the US said that they would not be happy if the Scottish Government made the decision to release Mr Megrahi. This shows that the Scottish Government will not be dictated to by a superpower like the US.

I do think that there should be a public enquiry into the bombing as it would be almost if not impossible for one man to blow up the type of plane that exploded over Lockerbie, questions still have to be answered in my view and until that happens we will never know what really happened on that sad and tragic day, the only think I am sure of is that Mr Megrahi was not the only person involved.

I am personally okay with Mr Megrahi being sent home to die, what benefit would be get out of him dieing in a Scottish prison?

I respect the Scottish Law system and I think that they were right to send Mr Megrahi to Prison, however I fully support his release on compassionate grounds, mainly because I believe that he was not the only person involved.

If you have any questions for me please contact me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
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This article can be found at: http://austinactive.yolasite.com/blog.php

Glasgow Fair Vigil for Jailed Gambian Journalists

Glasgow Fair Monday was a holiday of a different kind for LOCAL NEWS journalists and friends who took part in a vigil in Buchanan Street. They were showing solidarity with six journalists in The Gambia who have been imprisoned on charges of sedition and whose trial was due to start that day.

Read the full story here: http://www.localnewsglasgow.co.uk/2009/08/glasgow-fair-vigil-for-jailed-gambian-journalists/

If you have any questions for me please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk and I will get back to you As soon as I can.Thanks

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP

Austin Helps SYP set Convener & Deputy Convener policy

I was at the Scottish Youth Parliament office in Edinburgh today to help make the new code of conduct and policy for the Conveners and Deputy Conveners for the SYP subject committees along with one Convener and another Deputy Convener. The groups have seen a lot of chance in the past few months as the power of the committees have been reduced. Conveners used to have a place on the board of the SYP but due to restructure the SYP now has a new elected Board of Trustees with the Chair of the SYP as the head. This now gives Conveners and Deputy Conveners more time to focus on national and regional campaigns which I personally am pleased about. The policy has not changed very much, mostly just shortened due to reduced power and rewording, however the group decided that if a Convener leaves a group or stands down from convener for what ever reason the Deputy is to become Acting Convener until the next sitting where the group would be able to elect a new Convener. We are hoping to offer training to Conveners and Deputy Conveners in the near future.

If you need to contact me for any reason plese send me an e-mail at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk and I will get back to you in good time.Thanks

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
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This article can be found at http://www.austinactive.yolasite.com/ (blog section)

Letter from Barack Obama outlines changes to the US health care system

Dear Friend, If you’re like most Americans, there’s nothing more important to you about health care than peace of mind. Given the status quo, that’s understandable. The current system often denies insurance due to pre-existing conditions, charges steep out-of-pocket fees – and sometimes isn’t there at all if you become seriously ill. It’s time to fix our unsustainable insurance system and create a new foundation for health care security. That means guaranteeing your health care security and stability with eight basic consumer protections:


No discrimination for pre-existing conditions
No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays
No cost-sharing for preventive care
No dropping of coverage if you become seriously ill
No gender discrimination
No annual or lifetime caps on coverage
Extended coverage for young adults
Guaranteed insurance renewal so long as premiums are paid


Over the next month there is going to be an avalanche of misinformation and scare tactics from those seeking to perpetuate the status quo. But we know the cost of doing nothing is too high. Health care costs will double over the next decade, millions more will become uninsured, and state and local governments will go bankrupt.

It’s time to act and reform health insurance, drive down costs and guarantee the health care security and stability of every American family.

Thank you,

Barack Obama

I hope this does make a difference to the American people, the US health care system is sick.

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP

Contact me at any time using: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmil.org.uk and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
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This article can be found at: http://www.austinactive.yolasite.com/ (blog page)

Unsung Glasgow North East heroes receive awards

I attended the Glasgow North Community champions awards to cheer on one of our Glasgow MSYPs Julie Lennox (MSYP for Glasgow Springburn), She was nominated by a member of the Glasgow North east community for all the hard work she puts into being an MSYP and her outstanding record for volunteering she does for Glasgow North East. Julie is now into her second term after winning the SYP by-election in Springburn over a year ago. She also won "MSYP of the year 2009" for the hard work she put into helping her constituents. Julie also runs her own Youth Club that she set up in her constituency and has been a great success after months of hard work. Julie feels passionate about young people getting on in her constituency and wants to focus on gang tension in the area. She is a true pillar to her community and I genuinely respect that. She was nominated for the Youth Award which she sadly did not win. I think the most important thing is that people recognised her effort and hard work she has put into the area and remains a well respected young person in her area. So well done Julie!

You can read all about it here: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2522739.0.0.php

If you have any questions for me please e-mail me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP

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This article can be found at: www.austinactive.yolasite.com (blog page)

Austin Makes Appearance on Sunny Govan Radio

Austin Sheridan who is a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Glasgow Govan made an appearance on Sunny Govan Radio. Sunny Govan Radio covers a large area in and around Govan and is also listened to by people from all over the world via the internet. Austin was asked questions through the text system and twitter, one of the questions were, What would you do if you were Prime Minister of the UK. Austin replied "If I was the Prime Minister I would call a general election as the people of the UK are clearly not happy with MPs in this current expenses scandal. The only way we will make the public feel happy is if the MPs face their constituents in an election and let them decide if they are trust worthy to continue to represent them." Austin was also questioned on what his main manifesto commitment was, Austin said "my main commitment to my constituents was more help for young carers in Govan and in the whole of Scotland. They do such a good and demanding job but people very rarely stop to think about them, They are Scotland's unsung heroes". Austin also spoke about how he supports Scottish independence and how he got involved in the Scottish Youth Parliament. Austin has been member since the 3rd of June and will serve a term of two years.

If you have any questions for Austin you can email him at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk and he will get back to you as soon as possible.

Posted by Karren Smith
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This article can be found at: http://www.austinactive.yolasite.com/ in his blog page.

Austin does Campaign work with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

I was doing some campaign work with the Deputy First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon in Govan, Nicola Sturgeon is the MSP for Glasgow Govan which is the same constituency that I represent. I hope to have a joint surgery with Nicola sometime which she said she would be happy to arrange. She was very supportive of my campaign during the Scottish Youth Parliament elections. I think its great when MSYPs get on with their MSPs as it's important to build a good working relationship as at some point you will have to contact your MSP during your term as an MSYP. It was good just to knock on some doors and talk to the people of Govan. It really helps build up my profile with all the people in the constituency and helps improve my peoples skills. I hope to be doing more campaign work with Nicola soon.

If you need to contact me regarding anything please send me an E-mail at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

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This article can be found at : www.austinactive.yolasite.com (then click on Austins Blog)