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Can we talk Scotland?

lmccandless

lmccandless

The Force is strong with this one.
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
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OK, I know...I know...politics are a dangerous topic! However, I am totally fascinated by the pending Scottish independence referendum. Scotland is one my most favorite places I've ever traveled and I find its history so interesting.

How do you guys think this vote is going to go? I am curious if it's being covered as heavily in the media in other countries as it is in the UK and US?

I'll be refreshing my BBC feed repeatedly tomorrow, that's for sure!
 
I am also curious!!! Scotland is one of the places I definitely want to visit when my boys are a bit older!

Like you, the rich history appeals to me.

In Belgium there is also a lot of coverage about it. But really, I have NO idea on how it will turn out! I'm curious though...
 
It could go either way I think. In the Danish media today there were a fair bit of guessing going on, Betting shops have even odds against a split, slightly higher for a split, if that means something ?! Here in Malta up to a few days ago people thought it most unlikely that there would be a separation, but now it is anyone's guess.
 
my cousins daughter is studying in Scotland this semester so she is getting all the scoop, very exciting time to be a student there.
 
so far it looks neck and neck... first time I heard about it was this morning... will be interested to see...
 
I'm interested in seeing what happens as well. I'm not sure it will pass this go-round, but I do think it will pass at some point. Just fascinating. And from a totally American perspective, I can see both sides.

And Judy, this would be a SUPER cool time to be a student in Scotland. If it does pass, what a story she'll have to tell. The birth of a nation.
 
I think the voting is being undertaken in the most bizarre fashion. It is not Scottish people voting, but purely people that live in Scotland. They won't get a true representation of Scottish opinion tomorrow because of immigration and emigration.


Furthermore, I think it would be utterly ridiculous for any nation to leave the UK behind for so many reason; no NHS, no pound, diluting the state education system to name a few. But, if it happens, it happens and England, Wales and Northern Ireland will find a way to retain as much of our vibrant and interesting culture (and financial and political institution) as we can.
 
Also, I imagine it will end in a vote for Scotland to stay with England. I can't imagine any woman voting for Alex Salmond...
 
Independence is a very hot topic in Quebec, which has been running referendums for years to separate from Canada. I consider myself Canadian, but I'm married to a French Quebecer, so we've had some heated discussions in our respective families. I suppose the roots of this desire for independence are very similar to those in Scotland. I know the French separatists here are looking closely at how Scotland is handling this quest.
 
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JuliettePerkins said:
I think the voting is being undertaken in the most bizarre fashion. It is not Scottish people voting, but purely people that live in Scotland. They won't get a true representation of Scottish opinion tomorrow because of immigration and emigration.
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agree with you on this one-


Furthermore, I think it would be utterly ridiculous for any nation to leave the UK behind for so many reason; no NHS, no pound, diluting the state education system to name a few. But, if it happens, it happens and England, Wales and Northern Ireland will find a way to retain as much of our vibrant and interesting culture (and financial and political institution) as we can.
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now on this one...I don't think it is ridiculous they want independence because they never wanted the union to start with-
I know the idea of unity is great....

But have a look at the John Oliver video Keely posted above-you can see this isin very very funny way in it- if anything , you ll have a laugh for sure :)

Now think about this:
Scotland has OIL-
that gives a lot to think about- (the reason why Cameron and his acolites do not want Scottish independence, is a huge revenue)

the currency thing is tricky yes- NHS? they can build their own IF the government body acts intelligently....
which brings us back to your initial point- as isn't the Scottish choosing...not sure what kind of government they would have...

but anyway......
am just a bloody foreigner
so...what do I know :giggle



http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/
 
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MrsPeel said:
but anyway......
am just a bloody foreigner
so...what do I know :giggle
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Just to clarify Cynthia, I wasn't intending to come across badly with my immigration/emigration comment. It was purely based on the number of Scottish people I know who no longer live in Scotland and would like to have had the chance to vote :) I spent most of my youth as the bloody foreigner all over Europe and not in England, so I can empathise with that, hehe!
 
The whole thing fascinates me. And John Oliver's take on it...hilarious.

As an American, I don't know all of the ins and outs of the Scottish independence movement. It's really hard for me to get a feel for how things will fall out since it's not something I've seen prominently covered in-depth in the news here in the midwest.

I will be interested to see how it all works, one way or another. But I do wonder if this succeeds, what that will mean for the separatist movement in Northern Ireland.
 
JuliettePerkins said:
Just to clarify Cynthia, I wasn't intending to come across badly with my immigration/emigration comment. It was purely based on the number of Scottish people I know who no longer live in Scotland and would like to have had the chance to vote :) I spent most of my youth as the bloody foreigner all over Europe and not in England, so I can empathise with that, hehe!
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ohhh gosh nooooooooo I wasn't thinking you did!!!!!

and I agree with you 100% on the fact (about the voting)

we always joke on the bloody foreigner thing with Sarita, she calls me that every time I change the lyrics of a song or mis pronounce a word... :giggle
 
It's very interesting. Have you guys been watching Outlander? That last episode was really brutal and made me think of the history behind this vote.
 
It will be interesting to see how it affects Australia should they gain independence. We still have the union jack as part of our flag and they will have to look at that if Scotland leaves.
 
I'm interested to see what happens. I'm still reading and learning a bit, but very curious!
 
Am I right in reading that 16 and 17 year olds are allowed to vote on this? That seems pretty young to be voting on such big issues. I have nothing against young people, I am raising a teenager myself, but I do realize that this is still a very formable and vulnerable age. I know the way I thought at that age is way different than I do now.
 
gracielou said:
Am I right in reading that 16 and 17 year olds are allowed to vote on this? That seems pretty young to be voting on such big issues. I have nothing against young people, I am raising a teenager myself, but I do realize that this is still a very formable and vulnerable age. I know the way I thought at that age is way different than I do now.
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Yes, Scotland decided a few years ago to lower the voting age for this referendum. Interestingly, teenagers are actually slight less likely to vote for independence. Having a 16 year old, I was surprised by this stat, but here's a great NPR article on it.
 
I don't know whether the British Empire has a national debt, but if Scotland votes to leave, won't they have to take on their fair share of the national debt? I think things could get really ugly as issues such as this are sorted out if Scotland chooses independence.

These are always the issues that get raised whenever separatism rears its head here in Canada. As LM said, Quebec has been holding referendums for years, and I think they will continue to do so until they get a Yes vote. Even Alberta had a separatist party a few years ago which further complicated a rather emotional topic.
 
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