This is one of those topics where it's hard, at least in my opinion, for people who don't live there to comment...because they don't actually have to deal with the issues themselves. It's like when people outside of Canada talk about Quebec succession yes or no (not that that is a real problem anymore); you don't live here, how can you form a definite opinion one way or the other.
Funny, I don't feel that way at all about Texas. Whenever I hear Texans threaten that they should leave the union, sometimes I wish they'd just succeed and be done with it already (just kindly leave every penny of federal property and funding at the door on your way out, thank you very much)., At least then we wouldn't have to listen about how much better off that state would be if they were on their own. (My apologies to Texans who'd prefer to remain within the U.S. - I feel similarly about people who want to carve California in two...)
Personally, I welcome the court of public opinion anytime, no matter where they come from, even if they don't have a stake in it.
Sure, I can see how it might be annoying for someone to profess what they think is best for the Scottish people or the Quebecois, but then think about how much this goes on daily in regard to issues like the occupation of Palestine, Kurdish autonomy, independence in East Timor, etc. Sure, there are going to be a lot of opinions, many of them misguided and probably wrong, but then if you completely shudder the entire spectrum of thoughts and ideas, well then you're also preventing potentially good ideas as well.
That being said, I have no opinion on the Scottish independence issue, other than to say that if they want it, then they certainly deserve it.
Canadian_Coat said:
This is one of those topics where it's hard, at least in my opinion, for people who don't live there to comment...because they don't actually have to deal with the issues themselves. It's like when people outside of Canada talk about Quebec succession yes or no (not that that is a real problem anymore); you don't live here, how can you form a definite opinion one way or the other.
Would you feel the same about healthcare in the US? I mean, you don't have deal with the issue yourself...
This was on NPR this week. It really came out of left field for me. But then, everything I know about Scottish/English relations I learned from Trainspotting... I wish I were joking, but I'm not.
I would like to hear more opinions about this from UK and/or Scottish SG members. What does Scotland hope to gain by seceding? I'm not sure I grasp the importance of the economic arguments from your second link, Waldo_Jeffers. Economically it seems to me that Scotland is closely tied to the UK, but isn't Scotland's ability to bail itself out of a risk gamble is less important than its ability to keep itself out of said risk gamble to begin with? I'm guessing economics isn't the real issue here, but again, emphasis on guessing. Is it fundamentally considered a matter of cultural identity? Are there other political issues at stake, such as the relationship with the European continent? Help me place this into context. Make fun of my characterization as appropriate. (Not that you all wouldn't do that without my permission...)
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has set out the question he intends to ask voters in a referendum on Scottish independence.
The SNP leader said Scots would be asked: "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?" in a ballot which he wants to hold in 2014.
Mr Salmond said people would also be asked their views on increasing the Scottish Parliament's powers, short of independence, which has been described as "devo-max".
Mr Salmond said he also wanted to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote.
Mr Salmond told the Scottish Parliament: "The referendum will be held in autumn 2014 on the same terms as any Scottish election, to the same standards and with the same guarantee of fairness. We will decide our future in a vote which is beyond challenge or doubt.
"Our nation is blessed with national resources, bright people and a strong society. We have an independent education system, legal system and NHS. They are respected worldwide. I believe that if we connect the wealth of our land to the wellbeing of our people, we can create a better country."
Thousands of Americans will don a kilt on Wednesday and raise a toast to the bard as they celebrate Burns Night. But how much do they know about modern Scotland? And does it matter?
Thousands of Americans will don a kilt on Wednesday and raise a toast to the bard as they celebrate Burns Night. But how much do they know about modern Scotland? And does it matter?
Haggis*, scotch (blended and single malt), and McDonalds^.
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*Not too certain maybe substitute FREEDOM!!!!!!
^Most other countries could be equally simplified. Mexico for example would be Tacos (more like Taco Bell), Corona, Montezuma's Revenge, and job stealing drug dealing baby anchoring illegal immigrants.
Thousands of Americans will don a kilt on Wednesday and raise a toast to the bard as they celebrate Burns Night. But how much do they know about modern Scotland? And does it matter?
Haggis*, scotch (blended and single malt), and McDonalds^.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Not too certain maybe substitute FREEDOM!!!!!!
^Most other countries could be equally simplified. Mexico for example would be Tacos (more like Taco Bell), Corona, Montezuma's Revenge, and job stealing drug dealing baby anchoring illegal immigrants.
A new date has been set for talks between Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond and the UK government's Scottish Secretary Michael Moore about the independence referendum.
Mr Salmond and Mr Moore will meet in Edinburgh on Monday 13 February.
The pair had been due to have a discussion in the city a week ago, but it was cancelled because the Scottish secretary had chickenpox.
Scotland's voters must have a "straight choice" between independence and remaining in the Union, rather than being given a third option if a referendum is held, peers say.
The Lords constitution committee found an option of "devolution max", giving more tax powers to Holyrood, would set up "competing" systems within the UK.
Well instead of Scotland leaving the Union, how about everything inside the M25 becomes independent of the UK, Parliament is moved to Dunsop Bridge, Lancashire as an administrative capital like Canberra. The Royal family can decide where they want to be, but I personally would prefer if they buggered off out of London.
But the key thing would be financial independence of London from the rest of the United Kingdom. All revenues, Income Tax, Corporation Tax, National Insurance, VAT, TV Licencing, Road Tax, Luxury Tax etc etc etc. that is generated by the populous of Greater London remain in Greater London. The rest of the UK can continue to generate their own Revenues and Taxation. We just ensure that what London generates isn't used for the rest of the country.
As there is no Church of Greater London, the proposal is is that it remain Secular and Multicultural,
National Institutions such as Galleries, Libraries Museums etc we keep, but you can visit
Finally, I propose that a portion of the GDP of Greater London that would go to Nations and Regions be diverted to UN agencies for the betterment of Children and their development in under-developed Nations, not the World Bank, the IMF or the European Union.
My question at this stage is simply whether, as a Scot living in England, I will be eligible to vote in this referendum. The fact that I don't currently live in Scotland doesn't mean I don't want a say in my nation's future, particularly if it might make living and working in England potentially more difficult. Emails to the office of the First Minister have garnered, as yet, no response.
Waldo_Jeffers
United Kingdom
OLD SKOOL
JAN 10, 2012 03:45 PM