Europe fears Scottish independence contagion

[DeFuret]

Yes, let’s just forget about what the Brits did to the Scots and Irish before all that, right?

I think you mean “what the Lowlanders did to the Highlanders”. The former, might I incidentally add, by virtue of a vastly higher population size, are firmly in control of Scotland and the SNP. A cursory look at the early history of Scotland and the Normanisation/de-Gaelicisation of Scottish government (which really took off in the mid to late medieval and early modern period) would make you aware of this. While the SNP may trot out traditional Scottish (read: Gaelic) paraphernalia every once in a while as a token gesture, their urbanised society is firmly divorced from (and did fatal damage to) the culture that produced such things. Things in Scotland aren’t as simple (Scots vs. English) as you would seem to believe.

For the record, in case one pulls conclusions from my listed denominational adherence, I am of Scottish descent (both kinds of Scot) and ended up learning passable enough Gaelic (there are a good number of Gaelophone ex-pats in the city I live in, and classes are available).

 

[FollowChrist34]

Agreed. I’ve seen that Republican National History Museum in Dublin. It did really shake me up. And if I went there tomorrow, I am sure the same thing would happen again.

But I think we can all agree Scotland today is a little different. Not only their history with England leading up to this point, but in my humble view, the simple fact that the Scots in 2014 are not doing too badly in the UK. There are very serious concerns about how independence would work that you would have be a little crazy not to worry about it, national integrity concerns aside. As for national integrity, I don’t think anybody on the planet doesn’t know and respect the Scots as Scots. If they didn’t before, they do now…

 

[TARSUS_PADDY]

The Scottish referendum is one of the last remaining nails in the coffin of the great British Empire. There are two others…the Welsh and Irish referendums…but they may take a few more years yet!
The idea of a Scots referendum when first aired was not taken seriously by anyone especially the British but it took root and grew and grew! now we have the hilarious sight of a British prime minister crawling on his belly begging the Scots to stay in the UK! …Mel Gibson, when you made “Braveheart” did you not realise the terrible beauty of Scottish pride and nationalism you unleashed??
In three days time we will know the outcome of the referendum…I personally believe there will be a wafer thin majority against independence. I ask God to guide the Scots in their decision and that the majority will be respected afterwards.
Now, about that Irish referendum…Mr Gibson, any plans for a rant against the Brits a la Irlandais??
God Bless all

 

[GEddie]

Yes, let’s just forget about what the Brits did to the Scots and Irish before all that, right?

Regardless, do you think Scotland is fairly represented in Parliament?

Ireland succeeded from Britain and I didn’t hear anyone cry about that. Why is Scotland any different?

Would you have been against American succession of Britain if you were alive then?

You mean Braveheart and all that?

Why should a bunch of unpleasantness that no-one alive today, nor their grandparents experienced, be grounds for fracturing a country in 2014?

Had I been alive in the 1700s, I’d not have been me; therefore such a question is meaningless.

ICXC NIKA

 

[freeRadical]

You mean Braveheart and all that?

No, I mean history.

Why should a bunch of unpleasantness that no-one alive today, nor their grandparents experienced, be grounds for fracturing a country in 2014?

Given how long the Scots have been under the rule of the Brits, I don’t blame them for wanting independence.

Had I been alive in the 1700s, I’d not have been me; therefore such a question is meaningless.

It is not meaningless. Do you think it was right for the US to secede from Britain? Furthermore, do you think independence was worth fighting a war over?

 

[freeRadical]

Might I suggest that the word you were really looking for was ‘English’ rather than ‘Brits’ because, while I’m sure that you have an unparalleled grasp of the history of the islands, far beyond those of us who live here, you are committing a terminological inexactitude.

No, I mean the British.

Actually, they’re overrepresented in terms of voters per constituency.

That doesn’t really answer my question now does it?

I see, nobody made a fuss over Irish Independence (the term would be secede, not succeed, by the way), now what was it you were saying about getting a history book?

Except maybe the Irish and British.

I was saying that you need to get a history book.

 

[freeRadical]

For the record, in case one pulls conclusions from my listed denominational adherence, I am of Scottish descent (both kinds of Scot) and ended up learning passable enough Gaelic (there are a good number of Gaelophone ex-pats in the city I live in, and classes are available).

I am of Scottish and Irish descent. Plus, I’m American. So, I don’t think too fondly of the British.

 

[Kaninchen]

No, I mean the British.

So, what’s your definition of British and describe how the British have been oppressing the Scots?

Here’s a hint, the term ‘British’ includes Scots. Probably not in the freely radical history book but in everybody else’s. It really comes from the Brythonic Celts who were here before the English.

That doesn’t really answer my question now does it?

It does, actually.

Except maybe the Irish and British.

But nothing that the freely radical might have noticed, obviously.

I was saying that you need to get a history book.

 

[FollowChrist34]

I am of Scottish and Irish descent. Plus, I’m American. So, I don’t think too fondly of the British.

So am I. With all due respect, what harm have the English ever done to you? About as much as the Canadians, the French, the Ivory Coast, the Poles…for goodness sake.

 

[FollowChrist34]

I do have a feeling the Yes might take this. Who knows, maybe it’s better in the end. I hope the No people can vote safely without personal attack or their homes being burnt down, now or after Yes wins. (I doubt they’ll let in Americans, huh? ) I’ll stop at York,

 

[Vouthon]

Who knows, maybe it’s better in the end,

One of my next door neighbours is making plans to move if the Yes vote wins. I truly do not think it will be better. The Nationalists will surely dominate the parliament and elections forever…about the closest thing to hell I can imagine. To imagine that the Labour Party will ever be the same post-independence is sheer naivety.

I of course would do my best to try and make an independent Scotland a success, however I have been shocked by the displays of aggression from many Yes voters.

Seeing these voters makes me question if I truly would have a future in an independent Scotland. I am young, so who knows I might find a job in the “rump” UK or overseas.

Please keep praying for Scotland. We need it

 

[Tomdstone]

One of my next door neighbours is making plans to move if the Yes vote wins. I truly do not think it will be better. The Nationalists will surely dominate the parliament and elections forever…about the closest thing to hell I can imagine. To imagine that the Labour Party will ever be the same post-independence is sheer naivety.

I of course would do my best to try and make an independent Scotland a success, however I have been shocked by the displays of aggression from many Yes voters.

Please keep praying for Scotland. We need it

I don’t believe that the world will be all that worse off if Scotland is independent of the UK. Yugoslavia survived its breakup and Czechoslovakia has survived its division into Czech and Slovak countries.

 

[FollowChrist34]

One of my next door neighbours is making plans to move if the Yes vote wins. I truly do not think it will be better. The Nationalists will surely dominate the parliament and elections forever…about the closest thing to hell I can imagine. To imagine that the Labour Party will ever be the same post-independence is sheer naivety.

I of course would do my best to try and make an independent Scotland a success, however I have been shocked by the displays of aggression from many Yes voters.

Seeing these voters makes me question if I truly would have a future in an independent Scotland. I am young, so who knows I might find a job in the “rump” UK or overseas.

Please keep praying for Scotland. We need it

Don’t worry I will. I am really shocked too at how ugly and full of hatred this is. I can’t understand it. Doesn’t anybody believe in forgiveness or loving one’s neighbor anymore? I don’t mean to rant, but unfortunately I think this situation justifies genuine concern. If the Yes side wasn’t so negative and just shutting down all opposition, I’d be ok with it. I’d be ok with an independent Scotland if you were actually really being unjustly treated and it was a better option. Just my opinion, but this drive just seems kind of crazy to me. I will pray for you. And, actually the York area is really nice. Seattle’s ok, but we get a lot of rain and grey days. However, you’re probably used to that.

Take care.

 

[Kaninchen]

Interesting shot over the Yes vote’s bows is what happens if Scotland narrowly votes Yes but the Shetland and Orkney Isles largely vote No - might the UK arrange separate independence for them?

For non-UK posters - it’s where the Oil is, so fabulously rich Shetland islanders but no more ‘Scotland’s Oil’ - and an interesting prospect for negotiations between ‘Team Scotland’ and ‘Team UK’.

 

[FollowChrist34]

Interesting shot over the Yes vote’s bows is what happens if Scotland narrowly votes Yes but the Shetland and Orkney Isles largely vote No - might the UK arrange separate independence for them?

For non-UK posters - it’s where the Oil is, so fabulously rich Shetland islanders but no more ‘Scotland’s Oil’ - and an interesting prospect for negotiations between ‘Team Scotland’ and ‘Team UK’.

I heard that the oil reserves will last until about 2035. And, yes, I was wondering if there might be a further split, basically the Yes and the Nos (if it can be done by region).

 

[FollowChrist34]

One of my next door neighbours is making plans to move if the Yes vote wins. I truly do not think it will be better. The Nationalists will surely dominate the parliament and elections forever…about the closest thing to hell I can imagine. To imagine that the Labour Party will ever be the same post-independence is sheer naivety.

I of course would do my best to try and make an independent Scotland a success, however I have been shocked by the displays of aggression from many Yes voters.

Seeing these voters makes me question if I truly would have a future in an independent Scotland. I am young, so who knows I might find a job in the “rump” UK or overseas.

Please keep praying for Scotland. We need it

Just one more caveat on a move to the US, you won’t escape annoying people!

 

[Kaninchen]

I heard that the oil reserves will last until about 2035. And, yes, I was wondering if there might be a further split, basically the Yes and the Nos (if it can be done by region).

While there’s always a chance that, if they lose, the SNP will push for endless referenda until they win (despite saying that it’s a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity) the truth is that in economic terms it could well be ‘now or never’.

 

[GEddie]

I don’t believe that the world will be all that worse off if Scotland is independent of the UK. Yugoslavia survived its breakup and Czechoslovakia has survived its division into Czech and Slovak countries.

“The world” would hardly notice one more small sovereignty on a planet burdened with over 200 of them.

The grief would begin if this were to stir up nationalist longings in other regions of Europe or beyond (which is the only reason I hope the vote ends up being “nay”).

ICXC NIKA

 

[John_Lazarus]

Yugoslavia survived its breakup and Czechoslovakia has survived its division into Czech and Slovak countries.

Czechoslovakia had its Velvet Divorce after its Velvet Revolution. The breakup of Yugoslavia was a civil war: the successor states I think barely survived.

 

[freeRadical]

“The world” would hardly notice one more small sovereignty on a planet burdened with over 200 of them.

How is having sovereign nations a burden?