The Scottish Government

Independence for Scotland is a BAD idea, just as much it is a bad idea for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Yes we can talk about Economics, Iraq and even Perscription charges :S but the reality lies with our history and culture. Before we forged out great nations, we were one, one country; and although we were many tribes scattered across the land we were one people, Britons. We share a common heritage which dates back hundreds of years, with common history and ties. The day we were united as one nation our destiny as a people was forged. Scotish,welsh, irish and english alike could once again fall under the umbrella of Britain, our common country.

If we were to talk about Economics and War, lets focus on what has been achieved together, Industrial Revolution, Steam Engine, Jet Fighters, Television, Radio the list goes on. The British Empire was the greatest Empire ever to be created, it wouldn't of been possible to create that empire if we wern't united together. Two World Wars we won together and numerious other conflicts.

So the Iraq war is a bad war, it doesn't solely justify independence, neither does the arguement on Health care and other issues.

I am personally proud to be both English AND British. I don't choose, but if i had to i would choose Britain every time because i know that is where our Destiny lies.

Im sure (like me) that we have decendents from all over, hey i have decendents from all over this great islands, so i wouldn't want to have to split loyalties just for the sake of free flu jabs.

Id just like to say that Alex Slamond is a man who i respect dearly, not for his views (no way) but the fact that he is focused and determined. But still i would like to shout him to the ground over Independence.

But i would just like to add that i am part scottish (and no not like a million generations down) infact only 3, second generation Irish, English and Cornish. 1st generation English, or should i prefer British. yep i prefer :D

I have alot more to say, but i don't have all the time today to do it today.

Please reply to my comments.

Thanks ;)

Rule Britannia

David Cairns admits Scotland could prosper as an independent nation ... Wendy Alexander's husband thinks Scotland would be more prosperous independent than it is now (though still favours a form of fiscal federalism) and the press (particularly The Herald) have revealed the old scare stories of "budget blackholes" and general impending doom, were nothing but lies! It is becoming more and more apparent that a referendum must be had ... if the unionist parties are stupid enough to try and block it - thats they're funeral.

Devolution recognises Scotland as a distinct polity, self-determination is the basis of all democratic systems; therefore the fullest form of self-determination (independence) is the most democratic constitutional arrangement for Scotland.

This weekend I will be in Ieper, playing at the Menin Gate, cemeteries and war memorials and with the local youth band. These young people's generation and their parents’ may be the first ever on mainland Europe which has not experienced war or feared the prospect of war.



At a time when what is now the EU was little more than a pricing arrangement for coal and steel, Donald Dewar explained to me that we were at the beginning of a long process and that the primary objective of continental politicians was to ensure that there would never again be a war between France and Germany. That was half a century ago, and some of the developments that he then predicted “within twenty or thirty years” are still as just far away in the view of even the most optimistic pro-Europeans.


The value of ending war and the fear of war between European nations is something that young Belgians understand but the economic interests of an Australian-American media owner would be threatened by Britain’s closer involvement in Europe. The alternate UK government parties which vie for the support of the Murdoch media interests dare not confront anti-European propaganda in the largest selling newspapers.



To evaluate Britain’s economic interest in joining the Eurozone, what weight would you put on the avoidance of war? If you stood in Tynecot for a week, - and it would take that long to hear the names of the fallen read out - would you then be able to put a price on it?



Britain’s economic interests and my grandchildren’s interests are more closely aligned to the interests of young Belgian wind bandsmen than elderly American capitalists. If our government is to be swayed by the interests of foreigners I’d prefer they chose the teenagers.

Before the union of the crowns, Scotland had closer trading and cultural relationships with Europe than with England. Even though we had four universities when England had only two, many Scots went to Leiden and other continental universities.

Those who do not want to be in the EU can move to England because removing the Scottish MP's will ensure a permanent majority for the Conservatives in England and and anti-EU government supported by BNP and UKIP.

Independence will deliver that too, so you have the choice.

LABOUR IN MELTDOWN ... LABOUR IN MELTDOWN ... LABOUR IN MELTDOWN ...

So there we have it folks ... according to labour's very own david cairns - 'SCOTLAND WOULDNT WITHER AND DIE IF INDEPENDENT'!!!

So for all these years the unionists have lied to us, indeed telling Scotland we were too poor, too stupid to run our own affairs, even telling us the oil would have run out etc etc and all the while its still flowing. They told us in run up to may 3rd election if we voted snp it would cost us £5000 each.

GUESS WHAT???

LIES LIES LIES.

So in the space of a couple of days last week the argument moved on as they finally admitted to the fact that Scotland has never been subsidised and more than capable of standing on its own two feet - the unionist 'herald newspaper' produced the facts no less!

So the fearte 3unionist cabal has been been meeting behind closed doors to come up with another trick to out do the 'we are too poor to go it alone' claptrap.
They are in meltdown because their union is dead and so their self serving interest is under threat.

No wonder labour was kicked out, the people have been verified and after this cant see anyone trusting them again.

By the way, cant remember anyone voting for any of the feartie 3 unionist parties voting for them on a joint ticket, have they no individual polices left? Theyd sell their granny for a replacment for trident.

They are on the rack the unionist parties and their pravda like unionist media, theyve tried it all to stop independence and guess what?

ITS NOT WORKED.

Scotland has the moral and democratic right to be an independent country like all other normal countries on this planet.
Independence is near and thats why the unionists are in a panic.

To the feartie 3 - VOTE DOWN THE SNP BILL FOR THE REFERENDUM AT YOUR PERIL BECAUSE SCOTLAND WILL HAVE ITS SAY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AT THE NEXT ELECTION.

What a difference the SNP makes, makes you wonder why we ever put up with the dark dreary days of the lab/lib dums pact.

After having been out of Scotland for 50 years, I returned in 2005 to find my hometown in a mess. Little had improved it seemed to me over those 50 years. Yes, a leisure centre, a sometimes swimming pool. But the Broch seems to be the 'forgotten corner' - no more railway there and precious little tourism. Too much drinking on the streets and loutish vandalism. And the fishing industry a convoluted garble that was too difficult to follow. Not even a really decent local newspaper. Some of that has been changing lately I will say, thankfully. There is less vandalism, less racism heard, and a couple more policemen driving around. The reason I voted SNP is many-fold: I listened o BBCRadio 4 practically round the clock and began to realize that England is absolutely the main country in this foursome - in their own eyes. One could hear nuances daily.
I believe that a separated Scotland would be far easier to govern; problems could be recognized and sorted more efficiently; a fair income tax system could be possible, being no longer a part of London City; I do believe in a strong central government, with lesser powers to the 'shires'. And I do believe in elected mayors who have a deal of responsibility and accountability to their towns and cities. I cannot figure out who is the 'boss' in the Broch - who is the accountable person taking responsibility for a thriving town. It is simply too ancient a place not to have gotten things right yet! Education would be easier to deal with; the medical system would be easier to deal with; and the economy would be easier to deal with were the country of Scotland at last be on its own feet. All around the world people love us you know, even if they are just tickled about our men in skirts. And look at the huge number of events which are aided and abetted with a Pipe Band! With a strong central government at the helm, this country could really develop its brainy people, its businesses and its health care to the highest levels. As for the E.U., if we are joined up to a Club, ok, then, let's join. But let's steer clear of another boss or bosses who act in their own favour; we've had that for centuries. I heard a radio interview from Edinburgh, I believe, in which one of the men interviewed mentioned the large number of strong economic brains the SNP has backing it - and I think our popular Alex Salmond should grab one or two to accompany him everywhere he goes before the world comes to think that the SNP is a one-horse pony. Blessings and congratulations, Alex, and all you hard-workig SNP people. And certainly not to forget Alex's great wife Moira for her steadiness and charm and common sense.
A couple of ideas (in my own interest I guess): find a system of charging road tax by usage, not size of engine. I hardly drive much at all and do resent having to pay the same road tax as those who may be travelling into the City every day for work. Couldn't mileage be recorded each year at M.O.T. time and charged on a scale of mileage?
And council properties should be properly inspected for leakage and poor insulatio in these times of global warming worries and high energy costs. For example, my house is okay on right and left sides, joined onto other properties, but the back - kitchen area doesn't seem to have much in the way of insulation. Open any cupboard door to get a blast of cold air! Now I am paying for this, to the tune of £90 per month, even though I don't run a full size cooker, a washing machine or drier, nor dishwasher, nor TV set. The storage heaters need looking into, seriously because they are either on or off, so i sweat or freeze.It's really great to have a council house available upon my return, after a year of waiting, but I would have expected some sign of inspections regarding energy-savings to happen by now. There is something a strong central government could deal with and ensure it happened. We have a helluva lot of staff at the Aberdeenshire Council, most of whom seem to be intersted in doing a good job; but then there are the rest...Same thing happens in the provincial governments out in Canada; they sometimes forget that they are provincial public servants and get techy about the Federal Government in Ottawa sorting them out. Well, sometimes it is necessary to sort out the local 'rulers'. Re nuclear: I would always vote for a ban on all things nuclear; a nuclear war cannot be won! nuclear waste can't be made to disappear and it is poisonous. End of that story. I once knew a fellow who was Ukranian and was part of the clean up crew right after Chernobyl - he wouldn't even talk about it - EVER. His rage and sadness were too great. He is now in Canada, supporting half a dozen relatives in Ukraine.
I'd be a lot tougher on speedsters; one infraction of driving (anywhere, anytime) of 15 miles over the posted limit would equal a year's loss of licence. Tough luck. And I would name and shame all those caught using or dealing drugs - their names should be in the paper as soon as they are found guilty. But not before. What a handy reference list this would make for moms and dads! These are awful problems; they need awesome penalties. And a yellow school bus system - why I couldn't get past all the traffic parked in a half-ass way around the local schools moms driving the young ones to school. If they must be driven would not school buses make much more sense? And save gasoline into the bargain. And provide jobs for drivers and wardens. And let's have parents in for a good stiff talking to if their child persistently turns up without their homework done; and perhaps prizes for all the kids who are consistently good about doing homework. Maybe they would be more willing if it were properly explained to them WHY homework is important. It was never explained to me, but a skelpit bottom was in it for me being delinquent.
A great word of praise must be given for all the precious volunteers and fund raisers for charitiess, beach cleaning, and other tasks. The Broch is chock full of these good people as is obvious to a returning Scot. Away more than in Canada, that's for sure. More should be made of this wonderful gift of people helping people. Annual awards or something. Published lists across the country. I'll shut up now.

"Sir" Sean, why did you accept a UK honour and become a Knight of the BRITISH Empire if you oppose the Union itself?

Sounds like hypocrisy to me, just like the increase of 1,000 police officers that the SNP have lied to us about.

Let's have a national conversation WITHOUT hypocrisy.

The first person to convince me of the inevitability of Scottish Independence was Tam Dalyell. Before his "West Lothian Question" and his fierce, impassioned and intelligent camapiagning against a Scottish Parliament I only aspired to a free country, I did not expect it.
I now expect it. Dalyell was right, devolution is "a motorway to Independence with no exits".
Unlike Tam, I eagerly await that happening.

In responce to Kevpb

I must say that I find your comparison of my pro-British views to Nazi rants somewhat amusing. However i'm not sure if my opinions would have made one of the Nuremburg rallies.

Could I just ask, in what ways are my 'rants' similar to those of the Nazi's?

Being serious now, making such comments is childish. Just because someone has different views to you does not give you the right to be insulting.

I could easily say that you are anti-English just because your pro-independence - although I have no doubt that you are not.

In making such comments all you are dong is undermining the integrity of your own argument.

Cheers

Craig

In response to Malcolm of Glasgow, I believe that the SNP and my party should regard the noble demand for independence to be a pre-decision-making negotiating stance. It is likely that when Scottish and English nationalists sit down to agree an appropriate arrangement within the islands of the British Isles, something less than absolute independence will emerge. But it is vital that Unionists, with their presuppositions, be excluded from this process.

If Scotland gets her "Independence" from the big bad English people, will that mean the Bay city rollers would reform? because as we all know music died when they split up. Does it also mean that the young Jimmy Shand would be the director of music.
These important questions must be answered, as for too long we have been forced to listen to nasty English music, like the Spice girls, led zep., the Beatles, rolling Stones pink floyd, etc.,Surely a corrupting influence on the Scottish younger generation. What I would really like to know is how would you market the real strong points in Scotland like domestic violence and alcoholism. Surely there is an export market for these commodities?And as for the nuclear position, what is the matter with you independence espousers. Nuclear is good, just ask the people of Chernobyl, didn't they all get new houses, which would have made them really happy.
Yes I am in favour of Scotland becoming another state of America, as the benefits of supersizing big macs, would be a great asset to the economy. Also ex pats like myself and big Sean, have absolutely no right at all to make comments, because we do not live there. And hey if I was really rich there is no way I would give any money to any politician, because believe it folks they are all a load of nest featherers, who are trying to con you in to thinking that they are well meaning.Fir Park rules.