Scotland and ISIS!

Devolution of Scotland - say No!

By Emoscopes (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

You can be Scottish AND British!

Both in the news and my title for this post may suggest a link between the Scottish independence and ISIS, but little is less likely. The Scots are courageous, patriotic and rarely, if ever, cowardly, lets hope they are not brave to the point of stupidity. I am in the "NO" camp and fervently hope that our Scottish brethren are not so impassioned that they vote 'yes' on Thursday 18th August 2014.  Let's stay together!

Alex Salmond is a man hungry for power, perhaps lonely as recently suggested by one newspaper, but there is no doubt he believes passionately in his cause and is on a quest, but does that make him right? Is it truly just independence he wants? To be known forever as the man that broke a long standing union, a union that, at times, has had its troubles and disagreements, but one that stands united and strong on the world stage. How sad Alex, if your legacy is to destroy not build.

Accounting for just 8% of the UK population, can Scotland and its 5.295 million people truly survive without their staunchest supporters? Salmond's intent to keep Scotland a part of the EU is a contradiction to his promoting devolution, Scotland will inevitably become a small cog in the very large wheel that is, in the main, a dysfunctional Europe.

Forget the debate about debt and North Sea oil, such things are finite, surely this debate is about so much more. It is about patriotism, it is about politics, it is about independence and empowerment but it is also about collaboration, strength, a powerful voice on the world stage, not a measly croak all too easy to ignore. It is about a union of like minds, shared history, a shared future, access to education and medical resources. A shared military protecting our borders in times of uncertainty, freedom and global recognition of British citizenship and to be a part of the Commonwealth international community.

Being British and a part of the UK is something special, it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling when you think of it, it's quirky, it's a little odd, it has pomp and ceremony, it has the Queen and Prince Philip, it has a big history and a big future.  Let's stick together, vote no on Thursday!

Voting?

Perhaps the biggest injustice is for such an historic event as the potential breakup of the United Kingdom to be exclusively voted on by residents of Scotland from 52 Commonwealth countries, 27 European Union countries and yet nobody in England, Ireland or Wales is permitted a say. Isn't this fundamentally wrong?

Isn't it also wrong that just one vote in favour over those against will mean the bill goes through. A vote of 50.001% to 49.999% will mean the devolution of Scotland and a break up of the United Kingdom, surely just one person should not hold so much power? Isn't this fundamentally wrong?

Distraction?

And what of the distraction?  Here's where ISIS comes in! The world sits practically on the brink of war, thankfully, Russia and the Ukraine has gone off the boil but what of the Middle East? What of ISIS and their brutal murder today of a British citizen, a Yorkshireman brought up in Perth, Scotland. A man who's parents live in Ayr, Scotland. I was disgusted to read this morning a comment on a newspaper article about Scottish nationalism:

Who are we defending ourselves from? We're not going to be entering every single world conflict at the behest of the US like the UK currently does. Will we be invaded by sheep from Wales? Perhaps some Badgers escaping the cull in England. Scotland has a proud military tradition, it won't go to waste but our soldiers will not die fighting in foreign lands.

Should the vote go through as a yes, is this comment accurately representative of what the Scots actually think? I don't believe it is, no. The distraction of the Scottish referendum from such major world changing events and the threat of such cruelty, is at the behest of one man, passionate though he may be. Let's hope this vote results in a no and puts this debate to bed once and for all so the world can focus on the elimination of a barbaric, inhuman group who are propagating an evil culture.

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D-Day 6th June 1944

After knocking out 3 photo albums (Provence, Paris, UK & Brunei - viewable on my Travel blog), it occurred to me this morning that it is way past time for a Blog post!  I have been neglectful but then, nothing has inspired me.  Not a lot of worth in pondering, deliberating, chewing over and thinking about nothing, although plenty do!

I wasn't inspired, until today that is!  On the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the focus of the world is on the beaches of Normandy.  As I browsed the news, I surprised even myself, I cried.  I cried for D-Day, I cried for the many who lost their lives, I cried for those who lost their mobility and I cried for those who lost family, mates and neighbours.   I cried for those who lost their faith in mankind because it is their very act which reminds us we must never lose our faith in mankind.  I cried because I felt humbled that so many risked their lives for liberty on that day, 70 years ago.

I wonder if they would think it worth it today?  I hope so.

Veterans, re-enactments, world leaders speeches, fireworks, ceremony and many tears, all marking the 70th anniversary of a pivotal mission, the beginning of the end of 6 years of wretchedness in Europe, and an event that was, in the words of Winston Churchill - "undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever taken place", a mission involving 3 million troops and costing 250,000 lives.  Many nations coming together with a common goal, we could learn from them today.

Most people of my generation cannot begin to imagine the horror and fear that comes with such a war.  Yes, today, we hear talk of terrorists, likely exaggerated and of course there is the occasional bomb blast and events in the Middle East, none of which is pleasant but imagine, walking out of your front door every day and not knowing if you will return.  For 6 long year's, not knowing if your house will even be there when you return.   Hell!!!  What about going to bed at night not knowing if you or yours will waken and survive tomorrow and if you do, what nightmare will it bring?  The smell of fire, the noise of the air-raid warnings, the bombs, the destruction and the stench of death.  Then the elation of victory, followed by the horror and the discovery of the death camps.  The recovery and rebuilding, reconciliation and forgiveness.

As France played host, I dried my tears and smiled at pictures of lunch and "The Top Table"!  Centre stage Francois Hollande, France's President, surrounded by Queen Elizabeth and Presidents Obama and Putin!  Who'd want to work out that seating plan!  Fortunately Queen Margrethe of Denmark, a very gracious and elegant lady helped even up the numbers and made boy-girl-boy-girl-boy look like the plan all along!

Pictures in the Huffington Post were haunting, images from today overlaying those of yesterday!
 
The stories from the veterans, especially those who took the opportunity to sneak out of their care homes to attend makes for another tear followed by a smile ...

Inspirational!

Eversley Street, Liverpool - my Mum is in the midst of the crowd here somewhere!  Just 2 years old.

Note: I hope the creator of the D-Day image doesn't mind my borrowing it, I could find no accreditation.

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