Slashdot Mirror
Scotland Votes No To Independence
An anonymous reader sends this news from the BBC:
Scotland voters decided to remain part of the United Kingdom on Friday, rejecting independence in a historic referendum. The decision prevented a rupture of a 307-year union with England, bringing a huge sigh of relief to the British political establishment. Scots voted 55.3 percent to 44.7 percent against independence in a vote that saw an unprecedented turnout. "Like millions of other people, I am delighted," Prime Minister David Cameron said in a speech outside 10 Downing Street on Friday morning. "It would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end." Cameron promised new powers for Scotland in the wake of the vote, but also warned that millions of voices in England must also be heard, calling for a "balanced settlement" that would deliver more power to England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
(Somewhat related: according to a Reuters poll, one in four Americans want their state to secede from the union.)
Haven't these people seen Highlander? Or Outlander? Why would anyone vote no after seeing those?
Everyone seems to have lost here. The Scottish will get screwed when the politicians renege on all the promises they made, and the rUK will get screwed when the politicians half deliver those promises at their expense. The question won't go away and will come back round in 15-20 years. The UK will as a whole remain very conservative and averse to change.
I'm not Scottish but I feel very sad today.
const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
The CIA guys outsmarted the FSB, etc
In any other part of the world the next step would be riots followed by civil war.
Mostly the reaction seems to be a big "oh well" and a "let's move on".
Apparently, nearly 1 IN 2 people from Scotland want to secede from their union! Sounds like America is pretty comfortable in comparison. People are people, ask any population with distinct districts and you will probably find the same results. Now to wait for all the "omg look at dem $tupid 'mericans" crowd to take over...
But nobody is taking my Whiskey from me!
(Somewhat related: according to a Reuters poll, one in four Americans want their state to secede from the union.)
Didn't South Park point out that 1 in 4 Americans are idiots?
-- You are in a maze of little, twisty passages, all different... --
I wonder if this will silence or encourage the separatists that want Quebec to leave Canada?
"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." ~Plato (427-347 BC)
Apparently loads of people believe there was a huge amount of fraud and sneakery going on during the entire thing.
We the undersigned demand a revote, counted by international parties
As of posting this, it was around 38k.
Various things include an odd number of fire alarms going off, people supposedly writing on things, switching whole piles of yes votes to no, and so on.
There is one that keeps going around with a pile of Yes votes on a No table, but that was where everything was sat before the counting began, not after.
There certainly does look like some dodgy things are happening. Who knows.
Maybe certain people were paid to take off X amounts of yes votes, maybe it is just people looking for any reason to disagree with it.
Essentially half of a country were against the union given the numbers that actually voted. (>80%)
So it is hardly surprising that even 10% of those Yes people will be sorely pissed.
As much as I would have loved to have seen the whole Scottish nation paint there faces blue and lift their kilts towards the English kniggets, if the Scots would have become independant they would just start to fight amongst themselves, it is much more productive and beneficial for their sanity if they direct their political woahs at Westminster. If they became independant that would have to blame themselves and drink themselves into a Scotch stupor.
Seriously, England said that they would do better. Hopefully, they will mean it.
I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
People want to live in a country without paying for its upkeep. What's next, city-states? Everything old is new again!
Can we put all of those who wants to secede in texas or florida and kick them out of the union?
The conspiracy theorists have already started with their claims of vote rigging.
For the UK - they remain united.
For Scotland - they get greater autonomy without the pain of going it alone.
For the Scottish people - their heritage and nationality received much attention (hell I didn't know there WAS a Scottish flag before this). They proved them selves to be paragons of peaceful demonstration and democracy.
For the Britons - the Welsh and Irish nationalities in the UK benefit from greater recognition as well. The English too!
The UK is an amazing and interesting union - and all should be proud to be a part. And who knows... maybe the next generation will decide Yes.
Such is the take of this American anyway.
I am very small, utmostly microscopic.
I was so looking forward to it.
This coming Thursday the Scots will vote on whether to make Scotland an independent nation. And I hope they do because it will be a disaster.
I don’t say this as a prejudiced Irishman. Even though the thistle-arse sheep-shagger Scots swiped Ulster and sent a herd of Presbyterian proddy dogs and porridge wogs to squat on our land and won the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 by using unfair—indeed, unheard of —- organization, discipline, and tactics on an Irish battlefield. We Micks only hold a grudge about such things for 300 years or so.
Nor is Scottish independence a misery-loves-company moment for us Irish. True, Irish independence has been no bed of shamrocks, what with the Easter Rebellion, the black-and-tans, the civil war, the IRA, and the Celtic Tiger turning out to be a mangy barn cat drowned in the well.
We Irish don’t hate the Scots per se. They’re too much like us Irish, who all hate each other. So we’re just looking for a fine entertainment from across the Irish Sea as Highland Scots have a donnybrook with Lowland Scots, Glaswegians dust up with Edinburghians, and Clan Dewers unsheathes its claymores for battle with Clan Johnny Walker.
I, however, have a personal reason for wanting an independent Scotland. I’m an ex-foreign correspondent, vintage 1983-2003, who retired after the Iraq War, too old to be scared stiff and too stiff to sleep on the ground.
Yet once foreign correspondenting gets in your blood
Ah, there’s nothing like a primitive, quarrel-torn, disastrous Third World country. And Scotland has everything it needs to be what old-school foreign correspondents fondly call a “shit-hole.”
Plus Scotland is conveniently located for aging journos like myself. It can be “covered” from the comforts of The Ritz in London, and there will be plenty of unemployed Scottish unionist refugees hanging around waiting to be hired as drivers and translators.
Scotland’s economy will be the requisite Third World shambles. Scotland’s two dominant political parties are the leftist Scottish National Party and the leftist Scottish Labor Party. These can be counted on to vie in out-lefting each other. Cuba-with-chilblains, here we come!
In other news, one full quarter of Americans are blithering idiots.
More telling was reading TFA and seeing that it's more predominant in the lower quintile of wage earners. Also tended to be in states where should they secede they would lose all their water contract rights with other states. Anybody who wants secession is just bad at economics.
Hire me...
FFFRRRRREEEEEDDDDDOOOOMMMM!
As a Scot living through the referendum, it has been a sea of optimism and YES flags and events. Many people, including myself woke up this morning very disappointed but also wondering how did this happen:
One of the biggest revelations was that The over-65's swung it for No whilst all age groups from 16 to 55 voted for independence. one of the key elements of the YES campaign is that none of the media TV channels or daily newspapers supported independence and so Scots could only get information from the internet. Twitter, websites such as Bella Caledonia, Wings over Scotland have been on the only places to find real information that hadn't been skewed heavily in favour of the No campaign.
The over-65's are the least internet connected and the most trustworthy of the BBC, even though the BBC has been accused of bias in an academic study from a survey of their entire news output over a 6 month period.
Also, the over-65's have the shortest time stake in this. plus have had the trappings of gold plated pensions that the generation behind them cannot look forward to. It's a disgusting state of affairs and as a Scot I am embarrassed for my country.
http://youtu.be/8iusUq4-f5U
Well, maybe the 52nd after Puerto Rico.
May the force be with you.
A heart, he no doubt had stolen from a Welsh, Irish, or Scottish street urchin.
Yes, because anyone who disagrees with you is obviously an idiot. Maybe they just feel that whatever problems are affecting them in their state outway any benefits they get from being in the Union. It good to see that critical thinkers like you are around to help us all relieve ourselves of our idiocy. Thank you for your inspiring words that tell us money is more important than happiness and safety.
Clever of them to rig all the opinion polls too.
They could have told the EU to get out. After seeing what lack of control of your own currency did to Greece, Italy, and Spain I've come to the conclusion the tight economic binding which is the EU is a bad idea. There are also no firewalls. It creates a situation where a country as small as Greece, Italy, or Spain can threaten to take down the entire global economy.
putting the 'B' in LGBTQ+
Going into this it was non-binding meaning that even if the populous voted "YES!" the UK was in no way obligated to split off Scotland.
So by the same token, even though the majority voted "NO" the UK can still go ahead and split off Scotland just out of spite if they wish. //No, of course they won't.
I think the regaining of Scottish independence would have made it easier for their population to restore union with the bishop of Rome
Yeah, if there was the slightest shred of evidence that the majority of the population would have wanted to- which they don't.
The majority of Christians in Scotland are protestant, not catholic, and the Scottish Reformation took place over forty years *before* the Union of the Crowns with England, let alone the political formation of the United Kingdom a century after *that*!
The Church of Scotland is far more purely protestant than the Church of England; the latter retains many elements of catholicism. So you're out of luck.
It's all BS to me personally, though.
The US has plenty of attorneys with experience representing plaintiffs in contested national elections, going back at least to 2000.
To those of you in Scotland, feel free to take as many as you want. Return is not necessary. Special volume discounts available.
There has never been a referendum on independence in Scotland before. There were two referendums on devolution: the one in 1979 was narrowly in favour but failed because it did not reach the required 40% of the electorate, and the one in 1997 succeeded, establishing the Scottish Parliament.
Our experience is that everything becomes a "federal issue" in spite of the constitution.
The referendum was a binding vote because it was approved by the Queen and Parliament in the confusingly titled "The Scotland Act 1998 (Modification of Schedule 5) Order 2013"
Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
Karma: Chameleon
This is all so much saber rattling. Neither should, nor would separate. It is a political ploy fed to citizens in order to negotiate a better deal within respective unions or confederacy. In both cases, should the actual event ever happen they would be screwed in so many ways. Quebec gets preferential treatment to appease them. Every now and then they will threaten, but in the hopes of getting even more preferential treatment.
The last referendum Quebec had, we ran a pool on what the vote would be. That is about how worried the rest of the world is about Quebec actually leaving Canada. Eventually people will get sick of it and call their bluff and say, go ahead then, separate already. It's like the child threatening to call child services on their parents, and the eventual response being, here is the phone, would you like me to dial the number for you?
Completely ridiculous. You, as a people, have lost your spirit, and so deserve this.
They took one look at the US and saw how fucked up they are after getting independence. Long live the queen!
it is much more productive and beneficial for their sanity if they direct their political woahs at Westminster
What are "political woahs"? It sounds like something out of "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure in Scotland". ;-P
And as if the English are any better; go out in any crap nowhere provincial town there late on Saturday night and I'm sure you'll see as much drink-fuelled disorder as anywhere in Scotland.
"Slashdot - News and Chat Sites Deviant". (Click "homepage" link above for details).
Oh.
Wait.
Too soon?
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
The referendum was a binding vote because it was approved by the Queen and Parliament in the confusingly titled "The Scotland Act 1998 (Modification of Schedule 5) Order 2013"
For centuries, Canada was just something approved in "The British North American Act".
Not that confusing.
Canada was created in 1867, only was not considered Britain in 1947, gained independence in 1982 (yes, I know you don't know this, you're American, you probably think Canada is a state).
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
Most of the rabidly religious from Scotland ended up in the bible belt of the USA and ruined that part of the country
"The hands that help are better far than lips that pray." - Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899)
Feckin' jobbies!
As an Englishman observing this from outside Scotland (but from within the UK), I find the geographical breakdown interesting. The overall result was 55.30% No and 44.70 % Yes, but looking at the results from the 32 councils only four had majorities for the Yes vote. 28 had a majority for No (albeit very slim in one instance).
The councils where the Yes vote was in the majority were all urban. In all the rural (and some urban) councils the No vote had the majority. OK, some of these are a lot smaller (in population) than the councils where the Yes vote had the majority, but they were a lot larger geographically.
What was very interesting was that some areas which voted No are SNP strongholds, including Alex Salmon's own constituency.
I think there is enough here to keep the pundits going for months!
You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough. - Blake
that's how many fucks I have to give.
"His only "legend in his own mind" was that he claimed that "his" hosts file could completely secure a windows computer. " - by tomhudson (43916) on Saturday February 12, @11:19AM (#35186644) Homepage Journal FROM -> http://slashdot.org/comments.p... in the YEAR 2011 years ago no less
I never claimed a HOSTS file can secure you completely... show me where I have? I want a quote, big talker... you'll never get it, because I never, EVER said that: HOSTS files are, however, a valuable layer of defense for the concept of "layered security".
* You couldn't produce proof THEN, & you certainly can't now (vainly *trying* to put words in my mouth I NEVER ONCE SAID!)
APK
P.S.=> Still @ your LIES, you transsexual weirdo? Ok, asking it again now nearly 5 yrs. later now in response to your bullshit lies again here quoted:
"APK - not only an expert on how the HOSTS file is the best way to secure your computer" - by BarbaraHudson (3785311) on Wednesday September 17, 2014 @07:06PM (#47932519) Homepage
Under your NEW sockpuppet account too no less: SEE my challenge to you above - where've I ever said they completely secure you? I never have, liar...
Of course, YOU ARE welcome to disprove my points on them after you said this lately too:
"I tore apart your stupid hosts file crapola." - by BarbaraHudson (3785311) on Tuesday August 19, 2014 @10:46AM (#47703255) Homepage
Oh, really?
Then why'd you run from disproving my points on them giving users added speed, security, reliability & more here too then -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme... ?
... apk
One of the 1st times "Barb" libeled me stating "APK is a know-nothing that's never worked in the industry" -> http://slashdot.org/comments.p... in 1 of her numerous sockpuppet fake accounts kept active @ the same time here she uses to upmod herself & downmod opponents she can't get the better of (everyone's onto your games, freak).
Funny part is I've DONE FAR BETTER than ole' "cyclops Frank N. Furter" ever has shown in that exchange too http://slashdot.org/comments.p... , lol!
---
Later, he/she kept a journal on me & libeled me even more but worse -> http://slashdot.org/journal/25...
(Typical b.s. to *try* to 'put down' computer "geeks/nerds" saying "I live in a basement with my mommy" etc. when *ANYTHING BUT THAT* is true, considering I am a taxpaying homeowner!).
---
* From the dates you can SEE she's kept this up unceasingly since early to mid 2010 no less, & that's only scratching the surface (there's far more).
(Even TELLING OTHERS TO HARASS ME BY ANONYMOUS COWARD POSTS, calling me a "pedo" -> http://news.slashdot.org/comme... )
He/She left in May 2012 after being exposed for ALL OF THAT, but came back with this NEW account of hers, & what started up again (I did *NOT* bother "shim" even once before that)?
You guessed it (more harassment) -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
Where I challenged her for her usual CRAP she always runs from (to validly disprove my points on hosts, which she clearly, cannot):
"I tore apart your stupid hosts file crapola." - by BarbaraHudson (3785311) on Tuesday August 19, 2014 @10:46AM (#47703255) Homepage
Oh, really?
Then why'd you run from disproving my points on them giving users added speed, security, reliability & more here too then -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
APK
P.S.=> Barb/Tom (whatever, with multiple sockpuppets too http://slashdot.org/~BarbaraHu... = http://slashdot.org/~tomhudson... + http://slashdot.org/~Barbara%2... ) you've destroyed yourself yet again...
...apk
"His only "legend in his own mind" was that he claimed that "his" hosts file could completely secure a windows computer. " - by tomhudson (43916) on Saturday February 12, @11:19AM (#35186644) Homepage Journal FROM -> http://slashdot.org/comments.p... in the YEAR 2011 years ago no less
I never claimed a HOSTS file can secure you completely... show me where I have? I want a quote, big talker... you'll never get it, because I never, EVER said that: HOSTS files are, however, a valuable layer of defense for the concept of "layered security".
* You couldn't produce proof THEN, & you certainly can't now (vainly *trying* to put words in my mouth I NEVER ONCE SAID!)
APK
P.S.=> Still @ your LIES, you transsexual weirdo? Ok, asking it again now nearly 5 yrs. later now in response to your bullshit lies again here quoted:
"APK - not only an expert on how the HOSTS file is the best way to secure your computer" - by BarbaraHudson (3785311) on Wednesday September 17, 2014 @07:06PM (#47932519) Homepage
Under your NEW sockpuppet account too no less: SEE my challenge to you above - where've I ever said they completely secure you? I never have, liar...
Of course, YOU ARE welcome to disprove my points on them after you said this lately too:
"I tore apart your stupid hosts file crapola." - by BarbaraHudson (3785311) on Tuesday August 19, 2014 @10:46AM (#47703255) Homepage
Oh, really?
Then why'd you run from disproving my points on them giving users added speed, security, reliability & more here too then -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme... ?
... apk
One of the 1st times "Barb" libeled me stating "APK is a know-nothing that's never worked in the industry" -> http://slashdot.org/comments.p... in 1 of her numerous sockpuppet fake accounts kept active @ the same time here she uses to upmod herself & downmod opponents she can't get the better of (everyone's onto your games, freak).
Funny part is I've DONE FAR BETTER than ole' "cyclops Frank N. Furter" ever has shown in that exchange too http://slashdot.org/comments.p... , lol!
---
Later, he/she kept a journal on me & libeled me even more but worse -> http://slashdot.org/journal/25...
(Typical b.s. to *try* to 'put down' computer "geeks/nerds" saying "I live in a basement with my mommy" etc. when *ANYTHING BUT THAT* is true, considering I am a taxpaying homeowner!).
---
* From the dates you can SEE she's kept this up unceasingly since early to mid 2010 no less, & that's only scratching the surface (there's far more).
(Even TELLING OTHERS TO HARASS ME BY ANONYMOUS COWARD POSTS, calling me a "pedo" -> http://news.slashdot.org/comme... )
He/She left in May 2012 after being exposed for ALL OF THAT, but came back with this NEW account of hers, & what started up again (I did *NOT* bother "shim" even once before that)?
You guessed it (more harassment) -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
Where I challenged her for her usual CRAP she always runs from (to validly disprove my points on hosts, which she clearly, cannot):
"I tore apart your stupid hosts file crapola." - by BarbaraHudson (3785311) on Tuesday August 19, 2014 @10:46AM (#47703255) Homepage
Oh, really?
Then why'd you run from disproving my points on them giving users added speed, security, reliability & more here too then -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme...
APK
P.S.=> Barb/Tom (whatever, with multiple sockpuppets too http://slashdot.org/~BarbaraHu... = http://slashdot.org/~tomhudson... + http://slashdot.org/~Barbara%2... ) you've destroyed yourself yet again...
...apk
The comment at the bottom needs to be updated to say "one in four idiots want to secede". It isn't going to happen, so stop wishing for it. We are not going back to the rich white man rules the Earth at the expense of all others. Gay people are not leaving, and everyone will not go to worshiping your mystic space fairy in the sky. Get over yourselves.
Yes, it MUST have been a REALLY CLEVER fraud and conspiracy.
Because they managed to fiddle all the opinion polls, too....
If you look at this map, you will see that the northern islands (Orkney, Shetland), were the most opposed areas.
Um...that's where the oil is.
I suspect that the new nation of Caledonia would have had to mount an immediate invasion of those islands, or they would have been completely screwed (not to mention that the companies that already run the North Sea Crude rigs are not Scottish).
For about 50 years now European politicians have been trying to suppress Nationalism, and establish European Federalism. It's been a general world phenomenon, in fact - driven by the UN. Even the US is now 'nodding' to globalised politics.
That's been very unpopular in most countries. The net result has been a huge growth in 'independence movements'. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_active_separatist_movements
It's in this environment that the Scots were encouraged to vote. They weren't voting for a real, on-your-own independence. They were voting to throw off the slimy politicos of Westminster, who have been selling ALL the UK citizens down the river.
Put a better set of politicians in Westminster, and there would be no pressure for 'independence'.
The underlying problem is that devolution in the United Kingdom was asymmetric. England does not have an assembly. Actually this means that the English as second-class citizens in the UK, but irrational resentments can be built out of any inequality, even one in your favour.
All they would have to do is decide to make every English MP a member of a "Convention of England" or some such, and give them £1 a year to underline that it's a separate job.
Anything done to make Scotland more unequal - in either direction - will only make things worse.
Not just conspiracy theorists, the police are investigating a number of cases. It's unlikely to be widespread enough to affect the result.
Whimpered the gutless Scotsman.
Cryonics - Keep cool and carry on.
I'm reasonably proud of my little island and a bit we refer to as the UK.
Punched above our weight for a couple of hundred years, and made out mark on the planet. Generally I think we've done more good than harm - but definitely not perfect and plenty of room for improvement.
Personally glad that Scotland didn't leave us - but would have happily accepted any decision they made.
Hopefully this is just tacit acceptance it's a bit shit for all of us at the moment, and we all need to ride this out together. It'll get better, it'll get worse again, we'll bitch and we'll whine about the unfairness of it all - but at least we're not France.
Someone must remind you guys:-
The rest of the world does not care.
If in a remnant part of a decayed empire where men likes to wear skirts and voted for their lords to keep profiteering from their investments, well good on them as they have voted.
Meanwhile somewhere else on the planet, English or Gaelic is not our primary language and nobody cares about it either.
And I agree with most of what you say. Although I also struck Britain off my list of places due to all the surveillance state stuff going on over there (Not to say it isn't going to be as bad of an issue over here, although it'll be a public-private partnership now that people are installing security cameras on their homes and then linking them to for-profit websites to share feeds.)
Regarding the filthy rich churches though: In my particular area the per-capita churches are probably around 1000 citizens or less per church. With the exception of a few areas of town, you don't have to drive more than a 1/4 to 1/2 mile to find a church around here, with about half of them having sprung up in the past year (mormon, baptist, and evangelicals (not sure what denominations, but you can tell by their churches) being the highest-expanding, other sects for the most part are in established congregations around here and may expand their site, but for the most are not establishing new churches.
That said the school situation out here is irredeemable. If I made the mistake of having kids while I was still in the US, they would have to be homeschooled, and if not I would have to find a place stable, safe, and free enough for me to wish them to grow up there. None of those being things I still feel available in the majority of the US.
some scuffles in Glasgow tonight
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29288249
Using many /. accts http://slashdot.org/~tomhudson... + http://slashdot.org/~Barbara%2... that's been stalking apk on slashdot since May 2010 (proof shown here below quoting her from her other sockpuppet account (tomhudson) from those links above):
"Wait until he starts on another kick, then reply to him as an AC. It's the new meme." - by tomhudson (43916) on Sunday May 09, 2010 @08:29PM (#32150544) Journal from http://slashdot.org/comments.p...
Stooping so LOW to even libeling ME as a pedophile - WHICH I AM NOT!
Shown her doing that? Proof's easy:
What's quoted below was done here only a few days ago, here -> http://news.slashdot.org/comme...
Using this technique quoted from him/her below using ac posts for stalking/harassing/libeling ME as said "pedo":
"HOWTO: trolling the hosts file guy in one easy step The next time you see a post by him, just reply anonymously. And to really mess with his head, reply anonymously to your anonymous post, disagreeing with your first anon post (extra points if you claim in the second post that you're him - that REALLY sets him off)." - by tomhudson (43916) barbara.hudson@ ... a - h u dson.com on Saturday April 16, 2011 @01:38PM (#35841122) Journal from http://slashdot.org/comments.p...
Calling ME a pedophile! Again, I am *NOT* one by ANY means!
(Yes, that is libel ontop of her other libeling me trying to adversely affect MY professional programming career and more).
All done using his/her (lol) other sockpuppet account (barbara, not barbie) also shown in the 1st links above.
APK
P.S.=> Solid undeniable proof's are ALL above backing my words, USING "shim's" words & deeds - This has been going on here on /. for 5++ yrs. now in a concerted organized effort of libel & stalking/harassing me orchestrated by this nutcase barbarahudson (as well as using those multiple accounts to moddown a huge number of my posts unjustifiably)... apk
People are especially prone to disappointment when they are not aware of the rigged shell game. Think of it like this - nations, in all of their infinite hubris, believe that the world is their stage and are heroic protagonists no matter how immoral or corrupted they truly are. Fact of the matter is that any country that has nuclear weapons will always have too much power over those who do not have nuclear weapons. It's really that simple. We've evolved to such a level where it is now virtually impossible to dismantle a tyrannical government armed with WMDs. What really appalls me is the lack of recognition of the obvious dishonesty and dishonor displayed in this election - on both sides. Look at the obvious corruption that the SNP entertained while disguising itself as liberty. This doesn't excuse the abhorrent behavior of the Londoners either. It's amazing to me that the new generation in England are so poisoned by hatred. You should have heard what people were saying in typical conversation - to take lightly in speaking of killing and genocide is a crime. It's assault plain and simple. It's very difficult for me to decide which group I hate more. Bottom line is, nothing really changed. Let's be real here - nothing would really change if people voted the other way. Don't even pretend that this is nothing more than a show to get people distracted. In the end, our political machine will continue to create monsters who would expect ever more unctuous praise every passing day. It's clear that the ruling elite has such an extreme contempt for others, that they would gladly devise machines to run everyone's life and replace them. It's a disgrace. The greater disgrace are the people who look up to these dangerous leaders. The ones who only want to entertain themselves with annoying slogans and enviously taste miniscule crumbs of power. Once again, there is a failure to understand that this is a running theme with mankind. Too bad it greatly benefits these corrupted powers, they thrive in the illusions.
Voters may be suffering from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...
Casteism
They vote for members of the Parliament in London
Except for the members of the House of Lords, which nobody votes for. If I had a Parliament like that and got to vote against it, I would.
The House of Lords is selected on merit by elected politicians, which is completely different from the US where key governement roles are selected on merit by an elected politician.
You are argue whether the selection is actually on merit rather than political considerations, but the situation is the same both sides of the atlantic.
An independent Scotland would already be in the EU
Not really. The SNP White Paper was clear that this was a matter for negotiation:
"Following a vote for independence, the Scottish Government will immediately seek discussions with the Westminster Government and with the member states and institutions of the EU to agree the process whereby a smooth transition to full EU membership can take place on the day Scotland becomes an independent country."
The President of the European Commission said "A new independent state would, by the fact of its independence, become a third country with respect to the EU and the Treaties would no longer apply on its territory" and when interviewed said it would be "extremely difficult, if not impossible" for an independent Scotland to secure membership.
They wanted the spaceport because they have been assimilated (given the majority now thinks they are English).
As I've already said several times, I'd personally like to see the state church and the monarchy go as a matter of principle, but not as a matter of principle, and not at the cost of
...an elected, party political "head of state" and the economy nearly running off a fiscal cliff because the two elected houses full of party animals were having a cockfight.
In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.