An excellent overview of the Scottish referendum on independence, which is happening today, was just pointed out to me by a friend – and, we should note that the referendum has great significance all around the world, and not only for the Scots. The article is well worth two minutes of
Continue readingTag: Scotland
The Disaffected Lib: The Union May Survive Intact but Cameron Is Seriously Wounded
According to The Guardian, late polls show Scotland will stay in the United Kingdom. As Scots went to cast their ballots the No side was up six points, 53 to 47 for the Yes secessionists. Assuming those numbers hold, the onus is going to fall very heavily on London to
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Dear Scotland: Do whatever you think is best … but remember, the Globe and Mail never has your interests at heart
A typical Western Canadian scene: snapped in Edmonton, Alberta, in 2014. The Scotch, as we used to say when I was growing up in B.C., pretty much built Western Canada, leastways the European superstructure of buildings, roads and railways that lies atop the land of the first inhabitants. You need
Continue readingPolygonic: Let’s dream a bigger dream, Yes People
I like the Yes People. Who wouldn’t? They’ve got a fantastically daring vision, and they’re unafraid to upset the status quo in favour of creating a society that’s more just. They seem like builders. With all their zeal to engage the world as a blank slate rather than an inherited
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Scottish Independence: The Triumph of Hope Over Fear
With less than two weeks to go before the Scottish independence referendum a new poll has shown the YES side ahead for the first time. Some 51% of those who have made up their mind and intend to vote back an independent Scotland while 49% plan to vote no, the YouGov
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Harperland Summer and the Country Where Hope Lives
It's Labour Day. The Snowbirds are roaring over my house for the last time, heading for the CNE air show on the other side of the island. It feels like summer is over.And the roar of the jets only reminds me of what a cataclysmic summer it has been. The
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Scottish Independence and the Struggle for a Con Free Country
It's now less than a month before the people of Scotland will vote YES or NO to independence.And some Canadian newspapers have been running stories, mostly comparing the campaign to the one during the last Quebec referendum.But after spending a couple of weeks in Scotland recently, I have to say
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Scottish Independence and the Search for the New Left
OK. So it's probably not the best time to leave Canada. Not in the middle of that tragically short warm period we call summer in the Great White North.But politically it's the dead season here, or even deader than usual.While in Scotland where I'm going, it's very much alive. Read more »
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Robbie Burns and the Scottish Independence Question
Well today is Robbie Burns Day, and all over the world tonight the Tartan Army is marking the bard's birthday, piping in the haggis, and no doubt drinking heavily.And although I don't drink, and I don't eat the awful offal.I'm extremely proud of my Scottish heritage.And this is a momentous
Continue readingmark a rayner | scribblings, squibs & sundry monkey joys: Meanwhile, in Scotland
Agnes MacPummel made her living as a hired mourner, but her métier was punching the unsuspecting bereaved in the face, just as the casket was lowered in the ground. Alltop once punched itself in the face. Photo via Buzzfeed. Originally … Continue reading →
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Scottish Independence and Some Lessons for Canadians
Well for a brief moment today I was able to escape the grim, grey, reality of Harperland. My body was in soggy Toronto, but my heart was in Edinburgh. Because one year from now Scotland will hold a referendum to determine whether it wants to become an independent country. And
Continue readingThings Are Good: Scotland Starts Europe’s Largest Tidal Wave Energy Installation
Tidal wave energy installations are nothing new, but installing it on a scale that can power 42,000 homes is. The other day, the Scottish government gave the go ahead for starting a wave-powered energy installation. “This is a major step forward for Scotland’s marine renewable energy industry. When fully operational,
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Robbie Burns and the Rebel Voice
Well today was Robbie Burns Day, the most sacred day of the Old Scottish Calendar.And no doubt all over the world the Tartan Army was drinking heavily, and eating the horrible haggis.But not me eh?Because although I'm extremely proud of my Scottish heritage, I don't drink, I don't touch the
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Another of Donald Trump’s Depredations
While watching this video, which accompanies a story on Salon.com about ‘the Donald’s’ depredations in Scotland, I couldn’t help but think of a well-known biblical rhetorical question. Recommend this Post
Continue readingThings Are Good: New Windfarm for Shetland Islands to Power 175,000 Homes
The Shetland Islands will be getting what is expected to be the most productive wind farm on the planet. Wind blows across the islands almost all the time thus producing a space friendly to wind turbine efficiency. The joint venture between energy giant SSE and Viking Energy Ltd, owned by
Continue readingSlap Upside The Head: Twisty Poll
An anti-gay lobby group called Scotland for Marriage is publishing the results of an in-house poll which claims that a majority of Scotspersons opposes equal marriage rights, a deviation from what reputable polling companies suggest. Perhaps this difference can be explained by the wording of the question, which asks if
Continue readingArt Threat: Debunking the “asking for it” myth – Scottish anti-rape PSA tackles sexist attitudes toward women
I know I know, this is sooooooo 2010 – but there is a chance you didn’t catch this snappy little PSA by Rape Crisis Scotland as it was circulating way back when. If that’s the case, watch it now, one day after International Woman’s Day.
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Scottish Independence and My Lost Canada
When I was a small boy I used to lie on these dunes near my small Scottish town, stare up at the sky, dream about a place called Canada. And wonder whether there would be bears in Montreal. These days I find myself thinking a lot about Scotland, and what
Continue readingImpolitical: The Scottish secession referendum question
Isn’t this a light Friday afternoon blog post? Well, we can’t help what we are interested in and when. Yes, the Scots are having one, in case you have missed this development. It’s a few years away, incredibly, but things are taking shape now. Polly Curtis at the Guardian does
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Robbie Burns and the Progressive Beacon
Well today was Robbie Burns Day, the most sacred day of the Old Scottish calendar. But I wasn’t planning to write anything about it, until I saw this. And then I felt I had no choice eh? So I’ll just repeat what I’ve said before. I’m not one for the
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