UK at'ers..what is your view on Scottish independence?

[norseamd]

Given that no one asked to be English in the first place, leaving the Union makes perfect sense.

+1

 

[Ruptga]

So you support Crimea, "pro-russian" separatists in Ukraine, and Islamic State.

Terrorist.

On a more serious note, there'd be a dozen new states formed overnight if this was the case. Kurds in Iraq would be a much less polarizing example.

As long as the Kurds or Crimeans and their squabbling neighbors are ok with it, why the hell not? It worked for the Balkans (more or less) didn't it? They haven't been murdering each other lately, at least.

It's hardly a magic bullet though, since different groups tend to live amongst each other. IIRC, even in Crimea proper where a good 60% of the population identified as Russian and was completely down with being a part of Russia, about 20-40% of the population was not OK with that at all, and that dissident remainder has just as much of a claim and right to live there as does the majority.

 

[WelshBloke]

Given that no one asked to be English in the first place, leaving the Union makes perfect sense.

Scottish, Welsh and Irish people are not English.

It is very important that you remember this if you ever visit Scotland, Wales or Ireland.

 

[tynopik]

I think a region absolutely should have the right to autonomy.

How do you define a region? Can I declare my house an autonomous state?

 

[norseamd]

What about the Cornish?

 

[norseamd]

I support Crimean Independence for the true Crimeans. The Crimean Tatars that is.

 

[Maximilian]

I think independence is a bad idea, Scotland is fine as it is and as a tech enthusiast I firmly believe in not fucking about with things that aren't broken. I could be wrong and things could be better but really this isn't a bad country, we don't have a lot of big issues, its not the gaza strip or whatever.

Nobody really seems to know wtf will happen anyway. The sides are:

YES - Muh independance, muh oil, braveheart! Proud nation!
NO - Bettar together because of reasons.

Theres not enough info for anyone to make an informed decision about splitting the country, each side has their own agenda and just pushes the positives of what their side believes in.

Regardless I think the YES vote will win, their campaign is better, simple signs everywhere saying "YES", its pretty unambiguous. The NO people went for "Better Together" which could refer to anything really, don't get divorced, teamwork is important etc. Its not as hard hitting.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

Probably/hopefully overly pessimistic view; REDACTED.

 

[poofyhairguy]

It worked for the Balkans (more or less) didn't it?

Not really. Their government is corrupt, inefficient and inept thanks to a duplication of power and services needed for a negotiated peace. The only reason you think its ok is because their problems are largely ignored by the western media. There was a slight chance we would care when they were all waxing nostalgic about the assassination that started WW1, but for the most part the most consideration modern Yugoslavia got was "it sucked here 100 years ago and it still sucks today" basically.

 

[Ruptga]

Not really. Their government is corrupt, inefficient and inept thanks to a duplication of power and services needed for a negotiated peace. The only reason you think its ok is because their problems are largely ignored by the western media. There was a slight chance we would care when they were all waxing nostalgic about the assassination that started WW1, but for the most part the most consideration modern Yugoslavia got was "it sucked here 100 years ago and it still sucks today" basically.

Whatever, as I said, they're not killing each other. It's not the world's job to make sure every country or region is happy and prosperous, that's up to each country's citizens. Because of extremely deep-rooted issues that nothing can fix quickly, that region will be a mess for a long time whether it's united or divided, but it's still somewhat better off now than when it was under one government.

I'm not seeing many parallels between that and Scotland, though. They've got issues, but it's all a far cry from artillery strikes on population centers. Most likely, this will all blow over into a low simmer, like the issue of Quebec's independence.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

I think independence is a bad idea, Scotland is fine as it is and as a tech enthusiast I firmly believe in not fucking about with things that aren't broken. I could be wrong and things could be better but really this isn't a bad country, we don't have a lot of big issues, its not the gaza strip or whatever.

Nobody really seems to know wtf will happen anyway. The sides are:

YES - Muh independance, muh oil, braveheart! Proud nation!
NO - Bettar together because of reasons.

Theres not enough info for anyone to make an informed decision about splitting the country, each side has their own agenda and just pushes the positives of what their side believes in.

Regardless I think the YES vote will win, their campaign is better, simple signs everywhere saying "YES", its pretty unambiguous. The NO people went for "Better Together" which could refer to anything really, don't get divorced, teamwork is important etc. Its not as hard hitting.

I guess a "yes" vote will be saddest for anyone living in Scotland.

The rest of the UK, should be able to get by, relatively unscathed.

I think many people in the UK, NEVER go to Scotland, because it is too far to drive to (from most of the UK), and not worth the hassle to fly there.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Whatever, as I said, they're not killing each other. It's not the world's job to make sure every country or region is happy and prosperous, that's up to each country's citizens. Because of extremely deep-rooted issues that nothing can fix quickly, that region will be a mess for a long time whether it's united or divided, but it's still somewhat better off now than when it was under one government.

I disagree. I think a strong central state is the answer to a lot of the world's problems. When your culture and society abhor things like individual empowerment, transparency, and democratic representation the best you can hope for is a benevolent dictatorship.

 

[WelshBloke]

What about the Cornish?

You 'might' get away with calling a Cornishman English as long as you buy him a cider.

 

[IronWing]

Scottish, Welsh and Irish people are not English.

It is very important that you remember this if you ever visit Scotland, Wales or Ireland.

That's the point. This is just one more step in the dissolution of England's empire. Maybe the Scots, Welsh, and Irish can hit England up for 800 years worth the reparations.

 

[Puppies04]

Given that no one asked to be English in the first place, leaving the Union makes perfect sense.

Your post just broke my dumb comment meter. You owe me a new one.

 

[norseamd]

That's the point. This is just one more step in the dissolution of England's empire. Maybe the Scots, Welsh, and Irish can hit England up for 800 years worth the reparations.

For sure.

The British Empire was built off the backs of the poor from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Mann, Shetland, Orkney, The Channel Islands, The Hebrides, and yes even England.

 

[norseamd]

I think you get call any ethnicity English as long as you buy them some free cider and mead!

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

Well since I seem to be the ONLY person with my location marked as "UK" in this whole thread (excluding Welsh ones), I feel I need to post this:

This says it all, I guess.

 

[Maximilian]

I guess a "yes" vote will be saddest for anyone living in Scotland.

The rest of the UK, should be able to get by, relatively unscathed.

I think many people in the UK, NEVER go to Scotland, because it is too far to drive to (from most of the UK), and not worth the hassle to fly there.

Yeah im from Scotland lol.

Its the same as the rest of the UK with extra rain and hills.

The worst thing is and this applies to any country in the world... the whole thing hinges on how well each side can sway the general population of idiots that are out there. The kind of people that wanted this guy out of jail for example:

http://www.dailyedge.ie/handsome-mugshot-goes-viral-1527632-Jun2014/

Its funny but sad at the same time that's what this country's future hinges on. People swayed by pretty colors, catchy slogans maybe a free toy etc Usually these types are too lazy to vote but if they get riled enough they turn up...

 

[nehalem256]

Yeah im from Scotland lol.

Its the same as the rest of the UK with extra rain and hills.

The worst thing is and this applies to any country in the world... the whole thing hinges on how well each side can sway the general population of idiots that are out there. The kind of people that wanted this guy out of jail for example:

http://www.dailyedge.ie/handsome-mugshot-goes-viral-1527632-Jun2014/

Its funny but sad at the same time that's what this country's future hinges on. People swayed by pretty colors, catchy slogans maybe a free toy etc Usually these types are too lazy to vote but if they get riled enough they turn up...

Which is why I don't get the obsession with high voter turnout.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

Yeah im from Scotland lol.

Its the same as the rest of the UK with extra rain and hills.

The worst thing is and this applies to any country in the world... the whole thing hinges on how well each side can sway the general population of idiots that are out there. The kind of people that wanted this guy out of jail for example:

http://www.dailyedge.ie/handsome-mugshot-goes-viral-1527632-Jun2014/

Its funny but sad at the same time that's what this country's future hinges on. People swayed by pretty colors, catchy slogans maybe a free toy etc Usually these types are too lazy to vote but if they get riled enough they turn up...

I guess you need to be careful, of what you wish for.

I think I heard, someone thought (in the government), polls say the Scottish would NOT vote against leaving the UK by a comfortable margin, so we can 100% safely let them vote for it, can't we ?

The rest, is beginning to be history.

Apparently because this type of poll is a one off, and somewhat unusual, the poll predictors are having a very difficult time, and can't accurately predict the outcome, either way, especially given that the results are so close.

I guess if things turned out really bad, you could always move to England or the rest of the UK.

Similarly if Scotland was to do brilliantly out of this in the future, I could (in theory), move to Scotland.

Analogy: It's a bit like selling your well oiled/running £1,000 Amd computer, and buying a £1,100 Intel computer, just because it benchmarks 2.5% faster, and uses 8.6% less electricity.

It would just take one or two major problems, e.g. The graphics card is no longer compatible, or something. To make the move a total disaster.

The potential gains of Scotland moving out of the UK, are so slight, the immense risks/pitfalls, could easily ruin the slight gains, which are probably false in practice anyway.

As you said in an earlier post, "If it ain't broke, why fix it ?".

 

[Hugo Drax]

Whats interesting is London is becoming an Arab state. You would be surprised how much of it is in London.

Edinburgh definitely is Scottish compared to London becoming which is becoming a Middle Eastern country. The are probably better off separating.

I spent plenty of time at both places and it is a night and day experience.

 

[WelshBloke]

That's the point. This is just one more step in the dissolution of England's empire. Maybe the Scots, Welsh, and Irish can hit England up for 800 years worth the reparations.

British empire.

 

[Remobz]

My Dad is the son of Scottish ex-pats and has British Citizenship but he only visited Scotland a few times in his life time. I guess he should not not make a comment on the matter?

 

[IronWing]

British empire.

Right, the one with the English on top (until you gave away the store to the current crop of krauts), the one no one asked to join.