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Social Justice & Scottish Independence. Part One

7/29/2014

2 Comments

 
1.   An Imminent Catastrophe

If the No campaign propaganda is to believed, independence will result in Scotland physically detaching itself from the north eastern Atlantic archipelago that it has been part of for a long, long time. The very bedrock of the Scottish borders, formed 440 million years ago from layers of sediment in ancient shallow seas, will crack like a roasted yuletide nut. The soft hills of the southern lowlands, evidence of the glacial scouring 3 million years ago, will tear apart like thread bare sheets.

Having defied geology and physics the newly independent nation will then drift far from the civilisation until, reaching the end of world, the nation, its legislators and citizens will find themselves teetering on the edge of a vast and apocalyptic maelstrom. Like the foolish prince in the legend of the Corryvreckan whirlpool, the Scottish government will no doubt order three great ropes be made; one from hemp, one from wool and one from the hair of golden maidens. But despite great and heroic effort, particularly on the part of the golden maidens, the new nation will fail to anchor itself to this world. Instead it will plummet down and down into the darkest abyss and be lost for ever.          

On calm reflection this would seem to be an unlikely scenario, yet it is one in keeping with the warnings and cries of alarm by Scottish Labour and the No campaign. Gordon Brown's repeated fear mongering about organ transplants and blood transfusions echoes the babies on bayonets propoganda of the first world war. Yet No campaigners insist that proof of an apocalyptic maelstrom after independence is to be found just about everywhere, though only if, like a character from a Dan Brown novel, you know how to interpret the clues.

One recent ‘proof’ of a cataclysmic future for an independent Scotland was found by Labour Party in the recent remarks of the New European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, who on taking up his new position had said that the EU needed to take a break from enlargement. This was immediately reread by the No campaign as a warning that Scotland will not be allowed into the EU. Indeed No campaign leader Douglas Alexander went a step further and declared Junker’s statement a ‘hammer blow’ against independence

Except, as with just about every warning against independence, the interpretation had no connection with reality. Firstly, Junker’s spokeswomen specifically denied that the remark had anything to do with Scotland. With the No Campaign refusing to back down, Scotland on Sunday reported that senior EU officials were adamant the remark had nothing to do with Scotland. Unlike countries seeking to join the EU, Scotland has been a part of the EU for four decades and is a signatory to and compliant with core EU requirements. Moreover, according to the Scotland on Sunday: ‘European Union chiefs are also thought to be angered by the prospect of the UK voting on an EU exit in the referendum planned by David Cameron and view Scotland’s desire to be a member favourably.’

So how did Labour come to this? To become no better than some carnaptious barfly ranting: dinnae, cannae, wullnae dae that!

Now read Part Two: Where to begin?
Follow me on twitter

* * *
There’s a wheen o Yes campaigns and campaigners out there on twitter. But you might want to check out these to start with

@NewsnetScotland @bellacaledonia @WeAreNational

@Radical_Indy

2 Comments
Raymond Walker link
9/3/2014 04:06:02 am

I rather enjoyed your comic outlook upon an important event. I personally consider it a more serious matter than you seem to. The effect's of the referendum debate could affect the outlook of not only me but my children and my children's children. I take such things rather seriously, I can only assume that you are wealthy and so are able to take a lighthearted view on what I and others would consider a rather weighty decision.
I cannot believe that you posted such an article at a time like this. Sell a book on the back of one of the most important decisions Scotland has ever had to make?
I really wanted to put a "Sir Walter Scott" quote in here about people that made money from opportunity.
I will not, instead I shall use another of his lines.
I say sir, only a cur makes money from the misfortune of the poor.

You, i say, sir, seek to make money from the poor and worse, seek it from them for political gain.
This is unfair, for all. For and against independence. Someone that wants to sell a book or a hundred on the back of it.
I feel sure that those of you in the Yes campaign are voting the way you are because you truly believe that is the way forward for Scotland. I am sure you in the NO campaign believe the same. No matter the way the vote turns out we will all accept it. No one wants another northern Ireland. But hey it seems someone always wishes to make a profit from misfortune.

Reply
Fred Hall
9/4/2014 12:00:58 am

My grandson is Scottish, if the rules of the Father are to be Predominant. Personally I don't care too much what the Native Scots do, they never got on with anyone else, outside their own Clan. They will continue to moan and fight each other; it is in their nature.
Just get on with it and remember there is no turning back!
Wee poisoned dwarfs that you are!

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    I enjoy playing with words: making poems, plays, stories, songs, rants, whispers and jokes. All while I'm cooking or looking after my children...

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