The Open Challenge of Cllr Paddy S Hogg, dear Paddy, time is so precious, it's so precious, that a person cannot waste a minute of it, as Sean Connery said in the movie, Thunderball, 'the little minnows, I throw back into the sea', when you are in public office, remember it's about public service, clearly you have a lot to learn, if I had the time, I would humour you, but I am rather busy at the moment to listen to you, rabbit nonsense in my ear

Dear Mr. Paddy S Hogg 

If your intent was a geninue open challenge, you wouldn't have 'queered the pitch' by starting off saying: 

"Mr Working Class Laird." 

And then expect that I would entertain you, also it seems on your Facebook page you're putting yourself forward to stand as a list candidate for Holyrood. Do you have a campaign manager? The reason I ask is because if you did have a campaign manager, they would have vetoed any idea of you contacting me. So, if you are doing it off your own bat, you obviously haven't got a grasp of what is expected of a political candidate standing for public office. Are you aware of the Nolan Principles for standards in public life? The principles require you to act in a certain manner. 

The Nolan Principles 

Selflessness.

Integrity.

Objectivity.

Accountability.

Openness.

Honesty.

Leadership. 

Right at the start, you decided by a conscious effort to look down your nose at me. As I understand it, you are a former SNP Cllr, which may explain the dripping contempt you exhibit in the first sentence. You could even wait to at least get a little bit into your piece before letting your mask slip. So, where was your selflessness, objectivity and leadership? Is abusing me by looking down your nose at me because I am working class in keeping the Nolan Principles? 

I think above covers the four words in the first sentence. 

"Why don't we host a chat together and I will prove to you that the 7 states who did not close down and Sweden had a slightly LOWER death rate from Covonavirus than all the USA states who did lockdown." 

This is where you get it wrong, there are multiple factors in why some people get covid, your argument could also be used to say, 'if you walk about on a battlefield, you might not get hit by a bullet'. The fact is, the danger is always there. So, citing 7 states who did not close down and Sweden is just a nonsense argument. I could point you in the direction of Thailand, a country of 70 million, with people wearing masks outside, social distancing taking place and a death toll of 81 deaths. Sweden death toll from covid, 12,464 out of a population of 10.4 million. 

"Use these 7 states and SWEDEN as your control and you have a science data analysis that tells any person with a functioning brain cell that lockdowns have NO bearing on covid deaths." 

That is your view, and you are entitle to your view, but as I mentioned above, you lose your argument because you deny that the opposition could have a valid point in their argument. " any person with a functioning brain cell", well that just drips with contempt. Is it your contention to be taken seriously as a list candidate for Holyrood? You appear very closed minded, you don't respect other people's point of view, and you don't understand leadership or are indeed a leader. 

"I am NOT a covid denier. Nor a flat earther." 

No, you're just Paddy Hogg, the Lanarkshire councillor charged after allegedly organising anti-lockdown protests. The first question is, did you organise anti lockdown protests? Do you think, you are somehow above the rules? Did you understand the rules on public gatherings? What exactly is your defence if you did organise anti lockdown protests? Is it the classic, 'I didn't like the rules'? 

"My sister almost died of the damned virus. And a dear friend did." 

Do you think your activities help or hindered the spread of the virus? 

"Are you unaware of the Great barrington Declaration? 53k scientists and medics AGAINST lockdown signed this declaration." 

Firstly, yes, I wasn't, but they are like you, they can't speak with absolute certainty. Here is a quick tip, just because someone has a degree, doesn't mean they are competent or in full possession of the facts. What we don't know about covid and how it mutants could fill a reference library. So, if all these people have a view why isn't being rolled out in all countries? What exactly is it that governments around the world don't trust? 

"Are they crackpots?" 

I am supposed to know the mental stability of 53,000 people that I have never met? Is that a serious question, is that your level of debate? How many of the 53,000 do you know and can speak to fact of their mental condition? Is it none? You appear to be to be suggesting that because they agree with your point of view that should be enough to convince anyone, is that the case? So, what about all the people working in governments, are they all to have their points of view dismissed? 

"Im happy to debate via skype with you anytime on the science which I have checked in forensic detail." 

Let's just stop you there, what degrees do you have and what in? If you think I am buying into you saying that, "I have checked in forensic detail", you are sadly mistaken. You are just offering an opinion, a general opinion, nothing more. Maybe you can clear something up in forensic detail for me. I found this: 

"Cllr Paddy Hogg has left budget meeting before voting. This is a failure to represent the residents of Cumbernauld East." 

Found this on an SNP Facebook page, so can you explain to me, if this is true? Did you leave a budget meeting before voting? And can you tell me, how your conduct lives up to the Nolan Principles? Where exactly was your leadership there? Maybe instead of challenging people whose opinions you don't like, your time would be best served 'doing the day job' and I suppose acting in a manner expected of someone who is standing to be an MSP. 

"Let's talk about the veracity of Vitamin D in assisting people PREVENT covid. Let's talk on the veracity of PCR testing and see what you really know. I read Dr Kary Mullis's autobiography. He invented the PCR test. Cmon Mr Laird let's hear you and I talk about this and see who knows their subject matter. Email me on patrickscotthogg@hotmail. This is an OPEN CHALLENGE Paddy S Hogg". 

Finally, I am not an expert on covid, but let me remind you, neither are you. I do to my credit however have a track record of being right in what I think needs done in society and what should be expected of people in public office. You list an email address, as patrickscotthogg@hotmail, is that .com or .co.uk? I am not an expert on email myself, but one thing that I can do as a working class man is put it correctly down on paper and digitally. You wanted to hear from me, I hope this blog post helps, you need to get your act together. Personally, I don't think you make a good public servant because you appear to me to be selfish and irresponsible. Act your age!

Update to Paddy.

https://tinyurl.com/3j54xnld

This is about how Sweden is doing badly now regards Covid, remember your Swedish argument, well that's fell right on its arse! I think the expression I have to say to you is that, 'you've made a right cunt of yourself here Paddy', are you sure you want to go to Holyrood as a possible list MSP?  

George Laird                                                                                                                        The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University