One
interesting angle on the recent vote in Scotland, which has been largely
ignored by the mainstream media, is the utter absence of analysis of
the issue involving secession.
Even those who were most adamantly urging a “no” vote did not deny Scotland the right to decide its own fate.
What
a contrast to strident Unionists in this country, who vehemently deny
that the South, or Vermont, or any of the many factions in this country
seeking independence, past or present, have the right to determine their
governmental fate.
England
didn’t threaten to send troops, or state that having in 1707 agreed to
the complete joining of the two countries, Scotland had lost its right
to autonomy.
No,
while they were certainly anxious about the election, there were no
military threats or cries of treason. What a contrast to the handling of
our Late Unpleasantness.
London made no threats for several reasons....one being that economically Scotland costs more than it returns to the commonwealth. The second reason is that Britain itself is nearly bankrupt, it can't afford the destructive costs of forcing Scotland to stay. And finally the British military is a shadow of it's former self and might not have been able to force the Scots to stay even if so tasked. London in all probability wouldn't have minded too much to see Scotland split. The loss would have been matched easily by saved costs.
ReplyDeleteThanks and Anonymous commented on the Scottish Secession and American Self-Government: http://freenorthcarolina.blogspot.com/2014/09/scottish-secession-and-american-self.html
DeleteI have a friend I have known since the '70s. A reporter who's family lives in Scotland. He believes firmly that the British Crown ordered the vote rigged. He told me that the vote was rigged for the same reason that the vote was rigged in Canada in 1995--M-O-N-E-Y . Just as Quebec is Canada's richest province, Scotland brings in 35% of all Crown revenue in the form of north sea oil and Scots make up 25% of the British military. Their nation makes up almost half of the Island of Great Britton and if they managed to succeed Wales would be out the door behind them the next morning. If Scotland broke away it would reduce the Crown to the status of nothing much more than a curiosity smaller than the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Yes the "Great powers" are nearing there end; I hope they allow civilization to survive it.