Scottish Independence

[JudgeDredd]

np

I hope there's no negative consequences for anyone.

[Steelgrave]

I was very much for independence. That was based on my heart - not any of the rubbish falling out of any politicians mouths. I've just always felt Scotland was hanging on to the shirt tails and the success of Great Britain and I've always wanted her to take her place in the world.

I'm Scot/Irish and have a lot of emotional ties to the lands of my ancestors, but in terms of cultural identity, I regard myself as a Texan. Texas has a different culture from the rest of the USA, including the states which border Texas. It may sound odd to you, but there has always been a significant part of my psyche that wished Texas was it's own nation. When push came to shove, I've always understood why Robert E. Lee chose his home state of Virginia in our Civil War over leading the Union army. It was home, people talked like he did, people understood who he was. That's how I feel about Texas, and if that's what Scotland means to you, I can completely understand where you're coming from.

[BanzaiCat]

I'm much the same, SG. Irish descent, born in New York state, grew up in Norther Virginia, but consider Texas my home.

Not that anyone would secede from the Union down here, but the state Constitution here in Texas makes for some interesting reading.

This site is pretty  :D  but makes some interesting points: http://www.texassecede.com/faq.htm

[skeptical.platypus]

Just reading about the fire at Glasgow School of Art. I've been there, it's a beautiful building. So sorry to hear about it.

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2023679994_apxbritainartschoolfire.html

GLASGOW, Scotland —
A major fire has devastated the Glasgow School of Art, a landmark in the Scottish city.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze, which broke out just after noon on Friday, was a "very significant fire."

Flames flared through the roof and windows of the sandstone Art Nouveau building, designed by architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and completed in 1909. A 2009 poll by the Royal Institute of British Architects voted it the best British building of the last 175 years.

RIBA president Stephen Hodder called the fire "an international tragedy."

The school said students and staff were evacuated safely. Many students had been setting up work for an end-of-year degree show.

Students' Association Vice-President Alex Misick said "that's everyone's work over three or four years. Everyone's in tears."

[JudgeDredd]

my sister got her art degree and then her phd there...she's gutted

[undercovergeek]

i left Glasgow at 11:25 - it wasnt me

[JudgeDredd]

lol

It is a crying shame though. A very popular building and very successful university.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27541883

It looks like the building and a lot of the work inside has apparently been preserved, according to fire fighters

[Boggit]

Years ago I met a girl from the UK (English IIRC).

She was quite firm in pointing out that the UK consisted of four different countries.

Tell that to two of my cousins! They are Cornish first, and English as a very long second. That said their Dad is Welsh (and Welsh speaking), and our Great Grandad was a Scot. So how do we work that one out. Oh, BTW we don't get a say in the referendum.

I can see where Judge Dredd is coming from. Frankly, I find the twits at Westminster are Londoncentric in their outlook, completely divorced from their understanding of ordinary people, and show a particular delight in using their public role to promote their own self interest. I don't particularly want to see the break up of the UK, but I do think their is a case for the SNP to expand the ambit of their politics southward to challenge Westminster. As things stand, the only practical alternative to the big parties who all suck for self interest, is UKIP, and I'm not really sold on some of their policies. I hate politicians, and how they want to screw over the ordinary guy in the street for their rich backers to avoid paying taxes.

[JudgeDredd]

Years ago I met a girl from the UK (English IIRC).

She was quite firm in pointing out that the UK consisted of four different countries.

Tell that to two of my cousins! They are Cornish first, and English as a very long second. That said their Dad is Welsh (and Welsh speaking), and our Great Grandad was a Scot. So how do we work that one out. Oh, BTW we don't get a say in the referendum.

I can see where Judge Dredd is coming from. Frankly, I find the twits at Westminster are Londoncentric in their outlook, completely divorced from their understanding of ordinary people, and show a particular delight in using their public role to promote their own self interest. I don't particularly want to see the break up of the UK, but I do think their is a case for the SNP to expand the ambit of their politics southward to challenge Westminster. As things stand, the only practical alternative to the big parties who all suck for self interest, is UKIP, and I'm not really sold on some of their policies. I hate politicians, and how they want to screw over the ordinary guy in the street for their rich backers to avoid paying taxes.

Quite aside of my passionate Scottish side, it's also this.

I don't know if Scotland is going to have a different kind of system. I don't know if it's going to be better off...but given the alternative - staying with the "twits" in Westminster and the London-centric and self-obsessive politics that are occurring government after successive government - I think it's at least a chance to change things.

I'm pretty sure if parts of the UK could divorce itself from London - they would do. We are currently heading for another boom and bust. They're talking on the TV about the superb growth in the UK and house prices rising significantly - and they seem to be bragging about it when in fact just about everyone else knows there's a bust heading round the corner...but they don't see it because they just aren't affected by it!

As for independence, from what I gather alot of Scots don't want to vote independence purely because it's being driven by the SNP and they don't want the SNP in power. But it's not a vote for the SNP - it's a vote to choose a future NOT set by London-centric politicians.

Anyway - as I said a break up of something great is a shame - but politicians in the UK just won't listen. They are too detached from normal life and too busy lining their own pockets and making their beds for when they get out of politics.

I, like a lot of my English, Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts will be stuck with the same bunch of muppets as now. When the General Election comes around - do you know what peoples choices are in the UK?...

"Do I vote for that muppet that's going to screw everyone over except the well off, that muppet who's going to go spend mad with money they don't have or one of the other muppets who simply don't have a chance of government"

...those are the choices. Change is required and Scotland has a chance to do that and not ONLY do that, but send a message to Westminster that people in this country are fed up of boom and bust politics, their fed up with London getting everything and they're fed up with politicians not listening. And that, by the way, is why UKIP did pretty well in the local elections.

Sorry for the rant - but I am so disillusioned with political system in the UK at the moment...it needs a shock and a shake up.

[Boggit]

Years ago I met a girl from the UK (English IIRC).

She was quite firm in pointing out that the UK consisted of four different countries.

Tell that to two of my cousins! They are Cornish first, and English as a very long second. That said their Dad is Welsh (and Welsh speaking), and our Great Grandad was a Scot. So how do we work that one out. Oh, BTW we don't get a say in the referendum.

I can see where Judge Dredd is coming from. Frankly, I find the twits at Westminster are Londoncentric in their outlook, completely divorced from their understanding of ordinary people, and show a particular delight in using their public role to promote their own self interest. I don't particularly want to see the break up of the UK, but I do think their is a case for the SNP to expand the ambit of their politics southward to challenge Westminster. As things stand, the only practical alternative to the big parties who all suck for self interest, is UKIP, and I'm not really sold on some of their policies. I hate politicians, and how they want to screw over the ordinary guy in the street for their rich backers to avoid paying taxes.

Quite aside of my passionate Scottish side, it's also this.

I don't know if Scotland is going to have a different kind of system. I don't know if it's going to be better off...but given the alternative - staying with the "twits" in Westminster and the London-centric and self-obsessive politics that are occurring government after successive government - I think it's at least a chance to change things.

I'm pretty sure if parts of the UK could divorce itself from London - they would do. We are currently heading for another boom and bust. They're talking on the TV about the superb growth in the UK and house prices rising significantly - and they seem to be bragging about it when in fact just about everyone else knows there's a bust heading round the corner...but they don't see it because they just aren't affected by it!

As for independence, from what I gather alot of Scots don't want to vote independence purely because it's being driven by the SNP and they don't want the SNP in power. But it's not a vote for the SNP - it's a vote to choose a future NOT set by London-centric politicians.

Anyway - as I said a break up of something great is a shame - but politicians in the UK just won't listen. They are too detached from normal life and too busy lining their own pockets and making their beds for when they get out of politics.

I, like a lot of my English, Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts will be stuck with the same bunch of muppets as now. When the General Election comes around - do you know what peoples choices are in the UK?...

"Do I vote for that muppet that's going to screw everyone over except the well off, that muppet who's going to go spend mad with money they don't have or one of the other muppets who simply don't have a chance of government"

...those are the choices. Change is required and Scotland has a chance to do that and not ONLY do that, but send a message to Westminster that people in this country are fed up of boom and bust politics, their fed up with London getting everything and they're fed up with politicians not listening. And that, by the way, is why UKIP did pretty well in the local elections.

Sorry for the rant - but I am so disillusioned with political system in the UK at the moment...it needs a shock and a shake up.

I totally agree with you. Every word. Start a new party and I'll vote for you!

[bob48]

Seconded.

[BanzaiCat]

I'd third if I could. Does being an ex-subject allow me to vote in your elections?

[Gusington]

^We have enough of a mess over here to concentrate on.

[Boggit]

I'd third if I could. Does being an ex-subject allow me to vote in your elections?

Yeah! Why not? ;)

[GDS_Starfury]

and whats the typical Scots stance on mel gibson?