[Small Farmer]

So why did the Edinburgh politicians buy the story when the locals didn't?  Aberdonians aren't stupid and have a great deal more experience of serious US money men than most 'cos of the oil.  And the project was rejected by a local and democratic process - oh well, history is full of such stuff.

Leaves Grampian police with some questions to answer though.   Like just how stupid do you have to be to arrest a journalist and cameraman while they film you?

[princesspiggy]

why were there subtitles?     nothing wrong wi country buchan 


its an awful programme, no wonder he wanted it banned. horrible man - going for president? tshh!

[Penninehillbilly]

Just watched a repeat - that man is a monster. How money talks. and opens 'doors'
I wonder how much money changed hands behind closed doors.

[Small Farmer]

I doubt very much there's been any actual corruption.  Even though the UK Bribery Act came into force after this all kicked-off the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has pretty scary consequences for Americans.  I'd imagine there were a few all-expenses-paid trips to the US to look and see what gorgeous projects he has built there.  Possible rather less than was spent on Googling his business practices.


Even gerrymandering carries real risks these days, so I suspect the whole episode is a consequence of politicians with the best of intentions being suckered.  Trump's presentation to government will have been full of projections showing the economic benefits to Scotland.  The presentation to his board will have shown how it can be built and run for as little as possible without using expensive local labour.  His investors will be expecting their cash to be paid back, so every bit of profit will be repatriated.   Politicians are depressingly receptive to promises of economic largesse.

[Mays]

A lot of local people were very excited about this development initially, myself included, I thought it would be an amazing facility . We could not understand why there was such an uproar about the area being revamped as the area had nothing else going for it, poor weather and the city dump a few miles south.
In the programme, both Les Taylor and Jamieson lorrys / trucks and earth movers were on site from the film yesterday, they are local businesses employing local people.
However following the hoohar regarding the way Trump has treated the local residents and disrespected their homes I no longer support the project. I thought the site manager was an joke of a man.
 
 

[Sudanpan]

I watched it in disbelief - I can't understand how the police were able to act in the way they did without any comeback. Also the bit about the re-fencing and the invoice for that ridiculous amount of money!


Just shows that if you can't employ a legal team to obstruct actions then you are the mercy of whatever they want to do to you


I was fuming  by the time it was finished - not a great way to then go to bed!

[princesspiggy]

so the fact that hes not building the hotel now - is that good or bad?
the poor council guy that initially refused the planning, did he not get the sack, if not completely ridiculed?


if trump thought that farm was a pigsty, then he should visit here cos we are - literally    im sure dorothy wud have bitten his tooshie 
it was an upsetting programme.

[doganjo]

I'm an Aberdonian, and I could see right from the start that Trump was in it for Trump and no-one else.  I've also been on shoots and training days on the Menie Estate and it's a b---y shame that it's been ruined by the likes of that American scum bag

[Ina]

But wasn't it amazing that the local press - i.e. Press & Journal - refused to print anything in the slightest anti-Trump? They even refused to mention in the cinema listings when "You've been Trumped" was shown at the Belmont... It was more or less sold out several times, anyway, just through word-of-mouth. Shows you the real thinking of the locals.

[doganjo]

The cinemas were owned by the Donald family (not same as teh ice cream family - that's ours), don't know if they still are.  They also had an interest in a lot of major projects in Aberdeen over the years.  That makes me wonder if they had an interest in this too?

[Berkshire Boy]

I think the most worrying thing was the attitude of the police. I always poo poo DITW and his conspiracy theories etc but I am starting to think we are living very close to a police state.

[Crofterloon]

It was an eye opener for me, I was very annoyed at the treatment the residents got.
 
I had been possibily for the development up to watching this program.
 
But Grampian Police are probably pawns in the Trump/Scottish Government game and are between a rock and a hard place.
 
Trump was I think was reported last week to say Alex Salmon had asked him to help sway public opinion in the states over the realise of the lockerbie bomber (I also find this hard to believe), also that if the wind farm development goes ahead he will pull out (Oh dear).
 
How would I feel if I was on the receiving end of what these peoople got (not very happy to put it mildly).
 
 

[Scotsdumpy]

A lot of local people were very excited about this development initially, myself included, I thought it would be an amazing facility . We could not understand why there was such an uproar about the area being revamped as the area had nothing else going for it, poor weather and the city dump a few miles south.
In the programme, both Les Taylor and Jamieson lorrys / trucks and earth movers were on site from the film yesterday, they are local businesses employing local people.
However following the hoohar regarding the way Trump has treated the local residents and disrespected their homes I no longer support the project. I thought the site manager was an joke of a man.

Les Taylor went out of business last year sometime - I think the machines were bought by the Irish contractor, or have been made available to them. Not sure about Jamieson's.
The film clearly states that most of the contract work is being done by non-local firms. I doubt if the hotel is ever built that local folk will be employed - we expect at least the minimum wage and 37 hour weeks!
Scotland has enough golf courses - and blooming good ones at that. We don't need Disney (sorry Trump) or his theme parks here thank you very much!!
And doesn't the fact that the site is a SSSI - site of special scientific interest mean anything?

[downsized]

When this project was first mooted I was generally supportive but I was absolutely furious by the end of this film.

Grampian police must be held to account absolutely disgusting, unjustified and reprehensible behaviour.

Talk about raping the land

[tobytoby]

It will not be the last thing that salmond sells off - he will do anything for a vote or get his fat baw heid in front of a camera!!
 
I have yet to speak to anyone that will vote for independence. I am sure it won't be long until he starts canvassing in the methodone queues, or gives the under 10's a vote.