English all the way.
I don't agree with the idea that being pro-something (i.e my nationality) is in any way racist or bigoted towards anyone else, them's weasel words from Politicians and think tank manipulators of the New World Order.
Although I do have some issues with my missus constantly calling me a Northerner when I've never even lived there (both my parents were from Hull)
I was born in Northern Ireland, my father was born in Glasgow, I'm living in Kent...
Makes it great when the rugby's on! Lots of choices.
:rollin (17-03-12, 09:25 PM)BIG MAC link Wrote: Another astonishing performance for the Scots and I think we have nearly enough wooden spoons to start rebuilding the wall out of them :lol
Dont ask it's a chef thing
After 15 years EX-Fazer owner XJR. XJR gone FJR, FJR gone NEW FJR that's gone, now Triumph Tiger Explorer an CB400n Superdream sold BMW 650 Funduro sold Now a R1200GA Adventure Rallye next ? OK so where next turns out to be V-Strom 1050 NEXT?
How many people actually know the difference between Britain, Great Britain, The British Isles, the United Kingdom and England.
For example the internationally recognised country our passports are from is the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". But the nationality printed inside is "British" (unless you have chosen your sub-tribe). It is a complex mix of history and vested interests that is interesting, but the hatred that some people foist upon their fairly arbitrary tagging seems a it extreme!
For my part I'm English and a citizen of the UK. I'm in the habit of saying I am British when asked, but don't get worried when foreigners think that English is the normal term for people from the UK. I'm against devolution - primarily because it just seems to be an excise in getting more civil servants jobs. I do think the mess of the English not having a parliament whilst every other country in the UK does need sorting out. I like the idea that Wales is keeping the language alive but don't think it should be revived above the common language (not just of our country but the world). Cornwall spending money on dual language roadsigns seems a bit pretentious to me, especially for one of the poorest counties in the country. Couldn't the money be spent on better things?
British and a Lancastrian
I joined the military at 17 so all my mates hailed from all over the UK so always felt part of a greater union
Its just a ride
I'm Scottish. I object to be called British. Scotland is currently part of the UK.
Quote:I'm against devolution - primarily because it just seems to be an excise in getting more civil servants jobs.
Devolution has been good for Scotland. We've always had our own education and legal system. Devolution means that we are now responsible for a whole host of areas that effect the daily running of our country. eg, Health, local government, social work, housing, planning, transport, police and fire services, the environment, agriculture, forestry, fishing, sport etc etc.
This is definitely softening the blow of having a Tory government at Westminster. Our roads and hospitals ain't gonna be privatised for example. No prescription charges, free eye tests etc.
But what Scotland needs to do is move on. We can't raise taxes, we can't run our economy, we have no say on foreign policy. We have a government in Westminster that hardly anybody voted for up here. We've got more Pandas in the zoo than Tory MPs.
I'm hoping for and will be voting for full Independence. Scotland and England are now politically on different paths, we don't fit together any more.
Whether we do become Independent by 2015 remains to be seen. That the Scottish Parliament will become more powerful goes without saying, that's inevitable. We may become economically independent but still part of the UK, I think that's silly, but I'll still take it over Tories running our economy.
So my nationalism is political, it's not about rose tinted specs and jumping up in down wearing a stupid kilt, it's about where we are going as a nation, taking responsibility and having accountability.
As for nationality. It's probably the culture in which you grew up in. Or for some, it's not where you come from, it's where you are going. In that respect I'm optimistic that lots of English people in Scotland will also vote for Independence.
If people ask me I say I'm English, but I don't mind being called British.
I don't think Scottish people should duck being called British, especially since their country benefitted so much from the riches of the empire of the same name.
And Scotland is part of Great Britain, whether you like it or not.
What's so Great about it?
The Frying Scotsman
These days Trev, not so much :\
to me ya can have scotland (as long as you dont want our british tax money :lol ) cant stand the place,
If we ever sell this dump and get to actually move to Wales, I'll be voting for independance as long as Wales get's it's share of North Sea Gas 
Wales's North sea coast will be awash with gas rigs..
And those who think the uk supports Scotland ...can't count or believe the eyewash from the ConDems. Labour terrified as they would never get back in if their Scottish vote walked aint much better. Scotland has about 5.1 million population - England and Wales who have enjoyed Scottish oil propping up thier spendthrift councils...54million...do the sums people...England and Wales would be gubbed without Scotland and its about time you realised it. What Scottish Banks couldn't achieve in ruining your economy...Scottish independence absolutely would.
The Frying Scotsman
(19-03-12, 07:57 PM)ddtwelve link Wrote: to me ya can have scotland (as long as you dont want our british tax money :lol ) cant stand the place,
:moon :finger :nana :2fingers :2guns :grumble :fish (when words fail )
Better to stand and look a fool than speak and prove it !
If it aint broke, I'll fix it till it is !!
Aurelio Russell Cano and proud to be Scottish ( Spanish roots only come in when it comes to International football )
Better to stand and look a fool than speak and prove it !
If it aint broke, I'll fix it till it is !!
(20-03-12, 10:56 AM)BIG MAC link Wrote: - England and Wales who have enjoyed Scottish oil propping up thier spendthrift councils...54million...do the sums people...England and Wales would be gubbed without Scotland
As I inferred in an earlier post, modern Scotland was founded on empire money. If the English hadn't allowed you Scots unfettered indulgence in the fruits of that domain you woukdn't be half the nation you are. I think the North Sea Oil is a fair return for that bountiful privilege.
And if the impoverished Scots hadn't spent a large part of their time 'going over the top' and being mowed down in order to create your British Empire then there wouldn't have been one...much the same as the tobacco barons were Scots, The Chinese Markets and Hong Kong opened up by the Scots, Australia and New Zealand colonised by Scots (along with English Crims), Television, Steam power, metallised roads, The pneumatic tyre...The ships that allowed the 'British Navy' to rule the seas for years...let's say as a minority partner Scotland has punched way above it's weight for years. Oil revenue invested in Scotland will see England buying water and Hydro power from Scotland long after the oil has gone....because you dont like building nuclear power staions in your own backyard..then again maybe the welsh would like some...I am sure any nation who has been lucky enough to receive nuclear waste from BNFL will be happy to repatriate it to its point of origin.
I am not sure that Scotland has much to thank the UK for...our forebears being chased of their crofts to allow English or Anglicised gentry to run sheep for the Northern English Mills....Once upon a time Glasgow was the workshop of the world...not now...failure to commit to the cause has seen car manufacture, aluminium smelting, paper milling, mining, steel manufacture and heavy industry go down the toilet. As an inconvenient 5.1 million out there in the hinterlands until it suits political ends...maybe the double standard chickens are coming home to roost.
The Frying Scotsman
(20-03-12, 12:21 PM)BIG MAC link Wrote: And if the impoverished Scots hadn't spent a large part of their time 'going over the top' and being mowed down in order to create your British Empire
Ha Ha, don't pretend that the Scots weren't in it for the profit and greed as much as the nasty old English were.
Impoverished my arse.
Quote:to me ya can have scotland (as long as you dont want our british tax money [img alt=:lol width=32 height=32]http://foc-u.co.uk/file:///C:/Users/GARETH%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif[/img]) cant stand the place,
Oh dear I feared this might happen as soon as I mentioned Scottish Independence. Why is it that English people go in such a huff when a Scotsman states his desire to run his own affairs.
As for having Scotland, it's not up to you ddtwelve, it's up to the people of Scotland to decide.
And help ma boab I find myself agreeing with Big Mac! Good posts Mr Mac.
Quote:If the English hadn't allowed you Scots unfettered indulgence in the fruits of that domain you woukdn't be half the nation you are. I think the North Sea Oil is a fair return for that bountiful privilege.
Now lets not forget that the Scottish people were never asked if they wanted to be part of 'Great Britain' We were sold out for a few pieces of silver by a parcel of rouges. It is only right that the people of Scotland are being asked for the first time in the history of the UK if they actually want to be part of the UK.
Scotland's biggest problem is of course is self confidence. We are our own worst enemy, and England has done a impressive job of exploiting us. Scots don't tend to believe in themselves and for far too long have listened and believed England's lies. Without Scotland there would have been no British Empire, or at least it would have been a very much smaller affair, neither of which would have been a bad thing. The British Empire? Good riddance!
Scotland as a country needs to look back at her achievements and realise, that having practicably created the modern industrial world, that we are more than capable of running our own affairs (oil or no oil) and hopefully creating a much more equalitarian society than we currently have, and perhaps help change the direction of the corrupt neoliberal capitalism currently sweeping the globe.
Meanwhile both the Government and Labour party have shat their pants at the thought of us subsidy and welfare junkie Scots leaving the union. Strange eh? I wonder why!
Quote:I think the North Sea Oil is a fair return for that bountiful privilege.
Yes indeed, it is our oil.
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