There has been a tide of shallow, cheap, populist politics sweeping the Western World.
There are voters who, it would seem, are only too happy to buy any bilge on offer.
You’d be forgiven for feeling that we are going to hell in a handcart.
Uncertainty is being piled upon uncertainty. International tensions are being raised. Seeds of division have been sown. Social tensions and “something must be done” syndrome are rife.
Scotland is not immune.
We too are sailing in a sea of uncertainty.
Post Brexit and post Trump, the questions are queuing up. The world is grappling to find the answers.
For what its worth, we will find them. I think.
President Trump may be sufficiently different from Candidate Trump. Long-term economic self-interest and geography will mean Brexit works out OK. I think.
But we’re still a long way from sailing safely back into harbour and there is a pressing need to find some rocks of stability amongst these international storms.
Most of us are mere observers in these affairs of State and can do little to influence the state of affairs. What will be will be.
But our jobs, the taxes which pay for our public services and the mood of the nation matter. And confidence that things will be OK, in the end, matters big time.
So the last thing we need is any more self inflicted pain. Ask any of Scotland’s major businesses. They need to plan for the future.
Which takes me to the continuing cry for another Scottish independence referendum.
There are several phrases I could use to sum up my reaction. Most of them end in “off”.
I’m not against self-determination. But we’ve had our say.
I’m not afraid of the people’s verdict, but they’ve given it.
I know Brexit means we loosen our relationship with an important market, the EU, although it does bring a few opportunities too.
But for goodness sake: if you think that leaving the EU is a kick in the proverbials, then why on earth would you bend over and invite a even bigger battering?
Post Brexit and Trump it feels we all feel like we’re walking on thin ice. Pile on another referendum on independence and would you want to bet that the ice won’t crack?
Why moan about leaving one Union, and say the solution is quitting another closer, bigger, longer standing, more valuable one?
If we rightly see red about others building walls with their neighbours, shouldn’t we be building bridges instead?
So no, Nicola. Not now. Can the plan.
I know you believe, heart and soul, in Nationalism. But the mark of a great first minister who truly wants the best for her country is being able to rise above the fray. Who has the courage to do what is right. Who knows that this, of all times, is not the time to sow more division.
This is your chance to lead your country through the storm. Part of me believes you could. But this is the test: When you sail in choppy waters, you should try and chart a calmer course. It is not a good time to rock the boat.
It is all too easy to spend each day in full grudge, gripe and grievance mode.
Moaning about the weather. Or the bus that’s five minutes late. Or the queues at the airport and at the coffee shop. The bias on the report on the radio or the lack of cauliflowers at the supermarket.
I’ve been guilty of them all in the past week.
But wouldn’t it be nice to find the silver linings instead?
The beauty of the rainbow in the skies, rather than the hailstorm which has soaked you to the skin?
The car which slowed down to let you cross the road, instead of drenching you in rainwater as it sped past?
The cheery greeting of the bus driver and the blessed relief of somewhere warm to sit on the way to work?
The time you walked through airport security in less than two minutes and straight to the front of the coffee queue? Realising that hardly anybody was listening to the radio programme and what the heck anyway. And finding a cauliflower in another shop, just a few yards away.
Simple things, simple pleasures.
Preparing a politician for a live TV interview can be a challenge. In truth, the time available for prep can be short and the list of possible questions can be endless. And when its the prime minister in the hot seat he or she is expected to know everything.
I recall one occasion when David Cameron was due on BBC Scotland’s Reporting Scotland. Jackie Bird was in the chair. It was 10 minutes face to face. And, as ever, interviewers like to try and catch the politician out…
The interview was taking place just ahead of a Scottish Cup Final between Dundee United and St Johnstone. And so the last question posed was about his predictions for the game. Would he even be aware it was on? Would he know who was playing? The question didn’t offer any clue – he has “form” on confusing football teams…
But he rose to the occasion, and even slipped in the fact that BBC Scotland’s political editor, Brian Taylor, was a massive United fan.
As it happened, he did know about the game. And he was reminded beforehand and remembered that Brian was an avid Arab.
But the untold story is not him being ready with an answer.
It was the subtle planting of the question the day before.
I allowed myself a quiet smile of satisfaction about that.
