I think that the Scottish people made the right choice.
I live in India and the impression that most of the news channels (including international) were giving that Scotland would choose independence over staying in UK. All survery were indicating that pro-independence were leading. It was only last two days when reports started coming that people may vote otherwise. And, the margin was difference was almost 11%, which is not small by any mean.
So, the first question that comes into the mind why all reporters and surverys were getting it wrong?
Secondly, i very carefully watched the thanks speech of independence leader Alex Salmond. He seems to be a very shrewed person to me. His only interest is his own future, not the Scotland. He would not remain silent and cause more trouble in one way or other. Scottish people should be beware of him, especially youngs.
When it looks like they are going to get the “wrong vote”, they alter the reports so as to persuade the voters. And all you ever see of Scotland (and any other country) is what is broadcast for sake of persuasion. Media does nothing BUT persuading. Truth has very little to do with anything in their world.
I can’t say if the vote was correct or not. I think that is between the scots and England.
However I would love it if Texas votes to succeed and we let them. Let all the right wing crazies
move to texas. That is my dream. It is a simple dream from a simple man. I would happily help
those crazies pack. If you don’t want to give them texas, fine, give them South Carolina or
North Dakota or Wyoming. A state no one has any use for. Build a large wall surrounding said
state and deny them any federal money of any kind. I predict that state would fold inside of a
year and this is important, don’t let them back. Treat those who live in that state like they
had the plague. Let the crazies take care of their own. A simple dream for a simple man.
Politicians support a New World Order. The countries of the World are grouped in Units of Debt borrowings and will need to regroup cooperatively to carry on governing. The world’s finances are in a mess. No one can survive if they do not agree to support and give their allegiance to a New World Governing Body, in exchange for this support, they will be guaranteed peace and security. Who really pulls the financial strings? Is it the Arab States, the American Federal Reserve, the Jewish Bankers, the International Monetary Fund? The future looks bleak.
Anyway, I don’t know much about the Scotland thing- there’s of course a gut instinct that says when a group wants ‘independence’ they should get it, and it’s sad when they don’t. But some of the economic predictions of how Scotland would be devastated sounded legit; Scotland has been described as one huge welfare state supported by English money. On the other hand, I heard reports that Scotland wouldn’t be able to use English currency if they split off, which sound like baloney to me- if a Scotsman has a handful of pounds, and the guy at the grocery store will accept them for some bread, then they can use English currency. There’s so many places out there that accept U.S. dollars as payment for things without question, that I’m sure there’s no issue with Scotland using English money.
Anyway, doesn’t affect the U.S., and it seems to have been decided by a popular vote, so good enough I guess.
I’m not sure that any of them are “neutral”, certainly not in the USA. I agree that the BBC has some seriously honest documentaries at times, but becoming less all the time. Their entertainment programming for children is highly slanted toward new-age New World Odor mentality. But England and most countries admit to being socialist. I can live with that. The USA has to hide it because it is extremely unconstitutional. I have a much harder time forgiving the USA for lying to its populous.
I have very serious doubts of considering your expresssions as a simple dream of a simple man.
Your tone just does not fit into that category.
As far as my experience of this world of many years tells me, simple men do not consider their own coutrymen as crazy or infected by the plague and wish them to be in some sort of isolation/prison. Simple men do not wish bad lack and curse their fellow citizen either, irrespective of agreements or disagreements.
Unless, you have invented some new definition of a simple man.
I seriously wish that US would not have many simple men, as you put that forth.
Contrary to you, not even being a US citizen, i can wish some luck and prosparity to all US citizen without any hesitation, whether i agree with their viewpoints or not. Disagreements are mere disagreements to me. Those do not compell me to hate and curse to others.
Perhaps, i am not as simple man as you. Sorry for that. I am really ashamed for my shortcomings.
I do not know whether that is true or not but the reality of the today is that Scotland is more prosperous than the rest of UK in many ways. Its GDP and per capita income is higher than average. So, does it give right to be saperate from Uk?
No Ucci, it affects everyone, more or less. It sets up a bad precedent.
What if tomorrow Alaska will say that the rest of US is exploiting its huge natural resources and demand independece in the same way of Scottland? Is the rest of US is willing to let go all that oil and gas that Alaska has? Even the demographic position of Alaska does not gel naturally with US!
Let us not try to change history just for petty or personal reasons.
Well, that is crux of the issue; the definition of the independence, what goal it wants to achieve?
Gut instinct may give the wrong conclusion.
Scottland is not under some colonial rule as pro-indepence group is trying to present.
Perhaps, many people may not be aware of the fact that grandson of Gandhi was invited from India to give the speech during anticipated victory ceremony by pro-independence group, though that did not happen. But, this shows that how shrewedly all this pro-independence campain was carried throughout. They tried to equate the independence struggle of India with the Scottland case. They tried to play victim card. This is the clear case of manipulating innocent people.
The actual purpose was not betterment but to draw innocents into the play by fooling them emotionally. I am sure that most of the Independene supporters and voters will be youngs, especially who were voting for the first time. Mature persons are less prone to be fooled emotionally without any valid reason.
One votes for the devil you know. The the way things are, especially now, people are not fond of surprises and for good reason because most of those are not likely to be in their favor. This does not presuppose they made the right choice just the one that was least psychologically resistant.
I think you're right, that some people would look at it that way, but I don't think "Should regions seek independence from the nations to which they belong?" is something to which precedent can apply- each situation is too different. You certainly can't say that because Scotland didn't split, that means the Koreas should have never split, or that because the United States remained united after the civil war, Quebec should remain united to Canada. The individual circumstances would have to answer the question.
You rightly said that each case is different and should be seen or treated differently but that is precisely the problem.
When someone puts one precedent forth, others start taking the excuse of it, whether they are worthy of it or not. That is why it is necessary to take care before creating any precedent.
I do not see any need of Scottland going for referendum on the issue of independence from UK. They were not supressed in any way and not treated like second class citizen either. It was understandable if Kurds would have demanded referandum on independence from Iraq during Saddam regime.
It is not important whether it went down or not. It has been set the precedent of taking geographical differences up to the level of splitting the nation. And, that is enough dangerous precedent itself.
Secondly, if that referendum would happen ever, pro-independence group would win it for sure.
OK, zinnat, I think we’re on the same page. I don’t know much about Scotland’s grievances, but taking a minor disagreement up to the level of succession could create bad precedent, certainly.