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Tag: Scottish Independence

  • Loch Ness Monster Supposedly Says “No” To Scottish Independence

    Perhaps there are some Scottish citizens that remain unsure of exactly how they intend to vote this week.

    Who better to consult than a long-time Scotland native?

    According to images (which may or may not have been heavily photoshopped), the Loch Ness Monster has been on a campaign of her own in recent days.

    First the creature was allegedly spotted in Lake District. The sea monster would had to have traveled 150 miles from its home in Loch Ness to get to Lake Windermere, where the sea monster was allegedly photographed.

    24-year-old Ellie Williams said that she set up her camera to take a series of pictures automatically.

    It wasn’t until she had them developed that she noticed what appeared to be a Loch Ness Monster-like creature in one of the images.

    Okay, so Nessie picked one Hell of a time to go on vacation. Even mythical sea creatures need to get away from it all, right?

    Well, perhaps not.

    A second photo was released this week. It showed the sea monster at home, but with a “message” for voters.

    In the photo we see the beast rising from the waters to seemingly spell out a “No” with her body.

    The campaign against leaving the United Kingdom has decided to take these supposedly genuine images as a sign that one of Scotland’s most important residents has already decided she’s staying with England.

    The “Yes” side of the issue should take comfort in the fact that sea monsters can’t vote.

    In just four days the citizens of Scotland will make their voices heard during a referendum that could change the United Kingdom forever.

    If Scottish citizens vote “Yes” on the question of independence on September 18th, it could bring about a process that would free Scotland of English control for the first time in hundreds of years.

    Speculation has caused the sterling pound, the UK’s typically strong currency, to fluctuate significantly in recent days.

    Regardless of what Nessie herself feels, everything will come down to a final word from the voters on Thursday.

  • Scotland: Independence Is Not A Simple Matter

    For the first time in nearly three hundred years, Scotland is on the verge of being an independent nation.

    Some countries are still fighting bloody battles to free themselves from other nations wishing to determine their future. As for Scotland, its move for independence would be comparatively bloodless.

    If you as an American are thinking that the obvious solution is to vote be free of England, you haven’t been paying attention.

    Scotland’s push to leave the United Kingdom (or to stay) is hardly simplistic.

    The various complexities involved have made some Scottish citizens highly doubtful that a “Yes” vote on September 18th is remotely in their best interest.

    Of all the concerns surrounding the implications of leaving the United Kingdom, two major factors stand out: Money and self-defense.

    It’s possible that Scotland will continue to use the British sterling pound. If Scotland decides to join the European Union (it would have to apply separately after leaving England) and is successful, it could adopt the Euro.

    It might use its own currency. Of course, the currencies of new and not quite settled nations tend to be very weak.

    As for defense concerns, Scotland’s North Sea oil and fishing reserves must be protected. Establishing its own military will require extracting Scottish soldiers from England, followed by redeployment. It is a process that could take years.

    Scotland could face serious problems when seeking to join both the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO.

    It’s possible that current Scottish sentiment regarding the Trident nuclear deterrent could negatively impact their ability to join NATO and the EU.

    Thus leaving Scotland all alone and struggling to protect itself.

    The problem with “Yes” as far as many skeptics can tell is that there are too many obstacles and not enough sensible solutions.

    It’s believed that those who want an independent Scotland have not properly planned ahead of this referendum. The independence of Scotland seems to be something to be played by ear, a terrifying prospect for many Scots.

    However, as the vote looms, a little more than a week away, it’s hard not to notice that sentiments have shifted recently.

    Where the “No” answer once held a strong majority in polls, it now appears that Scots voting “Yes” and Scots voting “No” are nearly even in recent survey results.

    Could the world greet a free and independent Scotland on March 24th, 2016?

    It’s too close to call at the moment, but it will be interesting to see how things turn out after the vote on the 18th.

  • J.K. Rowling Voices Opinion on Scottish Independence

    The debate over whether or not Scotland should separate from England and become its own, independent, sovereign nation has been waging for quite some time now. The discussion will finally come to an end on September 8, when Scots 16 years and older will vote in the referendum. Before that time comes, though, both sides of the argument have much work to do in order to convince their constituents to vote for the right side. Unfortunately for the No movement, the Yes campaign may have just acquired the last piece of the all-powerful Deathly Hallows with the celebrity endorsement to end all celebrity endorsements.

    J.K. Rowling, author of the immensely popular Harry Potter series, has pledged a donation of $1.68 million (or 1 million pounds) to the Better Together campaign, a group pushing for the people of Scotland to stand together with the United Kingdom and vote No in the referendum.

    Rather than simply give a substantial sum of money to her side of choice, Rowling went one step further and justified her position through a blog on her official website.

    While Rowling insists that she is Scottish through and through, stating, “By residence, marriage, and out of gratitude for what this country has given me, my allegiance is wholly to Scotland and it is in that spirit that I have been listening to the months of arguments and counter-arguments,” she had serious doubts as to whether or not Scotland can continue to exist as it does now if it decides to break its 300 year tie with Great Britain.

    Rowling’s main skepticism comes through economic worries:

    My hesitance at embracing independence has nothing to do with lack of belief in Scotland’s remarkable people or its achievements. The simple truth is that Scotland is subject to the same twenty-first century pressures as the rest of the world. It must compete in the same global markets, defend itself from the same threats and navigate what still feels like a fragile economic recovery.

    In particular, Rowling worries that Scotland will not be able to continue to fund its universities and hospitals, to which Rowling has donated much money to fund the research of multiple sclerosis, an affliction her mother died from: “My fears about the economy extend into an area in which I have a very personal interest: Scottish medical research. Having put a large amount of money into Multiple Sclerosis research here, I was worried to see an open letter from all five of Scotland’s medical schools expressing ‘grave concerns’ that independence could jeopardise what is currently Scotland’s world-class performance in this area.”

    The most recent polls show that the No campaign has more support with 42 percent of the people planning to vote against independence in the September referendum. The Yes campaign trails the No movement by 12 percentage points, a margin which has held consistent over the past few months.

    In her blog, Rowling did not spare her opposition, likening them to the main villains in her Harry Potter novels:

    However, I also know that there is a fringe of nationalists who like to demonise anyone who is not blindly and unquestionably pro-independence and I suspect, notwithstanding the fact that I’ve lived in Scotland for twenty-one years and plan to remain here for the rest of my life, that they might judge me ‘insufficiently Scottish’ to have a valid view… However, when people try to make this debate about the purity of your lineage, things start getting a little Death Eaterish for my taste.

    Rowling’s views were met with extreme opposition and vitriolic behavior on Twitter, with one Scottish charity resorting to ad hominem attacks against the writer:

    It is quite evident from the discussion Rowling’s contribution has sparked that the debate for Scottish independence is far from over. Whatever the outcome, however, Rowling simply wishes that there are no regrets: “Whatever the outcome of the referendum on 18th September, it will be a historic moment for Scotland. I just hope with all my heart that we never have cause to look back and feel that we made a historically bad mistake.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Shetland Islands, Place of Vikings and Oil, Question Scottish Independence

    The Scottish referendum of independence scheduled for September leaves the Shetland Islands with a question. Go to with Scotland, stay with Britain, or become independent? A petition went online recently on the Scottish Parliament website asking to hold a referendum of this very question.

    29.2% of Shetlanders are direct descendants of Vikings according to a study by BritainsDNA, the U.K. Huffington Post reported. The islands were part of Norway until the 15th century and hold important oil reserves for Scotland. Catriona Murray, secretary of the group Referenda On The Islands told the Telegraph “We believe that it is up to islanders to decide, and that now is the time to do so. Our own group includes supporters of all three options.”

    The 23,000 people who live in the Shetland Islands may not have much of an impact on the September referendum. But they do play an important role in Scottish economy. Since the 1960s, the Islands have gained strategic importantance, especially in the construction of Sullom Voe, one of Europe’s largest energy terminals, according to the Associated Press. Baron Lamont of Lerwick told the BBC “Scottish oil would go out of the window” if the islands left the country.

    Meanwhile, Shetlanders continue to embrace their Viking heritage. The Up Helly Aa Viking fire festival takes place “in the late winter dusk, hundreds of Vikings are marching down to the beach, bearing flaming torches,” as Associated Press’ Jill Lawless described, “Their studded leather breastplates glint in the firelight as they roar and sing. It’s a scene that would have struck terror into the hearts of Dark Age Britons.”

    Whether Shetland stays with Britain, goes with Scotland, or becomes independent, it seems it will remain a place of Vikings.

    Image via STV Scotland, YouTube

  • Sean Connery Encourages Independence for Scotland

    The name Sean Connery is one of the few names still synonymous with James Bond. Like the daring 007 character portrayed through the well-known films Sir Sean Connery brought to life, the actor has shown his own daring nature by voicing his desire for Scotland’s independence. Connery has recently expressed his wish that Scotland vote in favor of leaving the UK. According to the New Statesman, Connery claims that the decision should be made by “the people who choose to live and work there [Scotland]” however, the actor does not hold back his support for such a prospect. “Scotland has the chance to make a step change,” Connery shared.

    Though Connery does not presently reside in Scotland, he articulated his wishes for Scotland. “I fully respect the choice facing Scotland in September is a matter for the people who choose to work and live there — that’s only right, but as a Scot with a lifelong love of Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss. Simply put there is no more creative an act than creating a new nation. A Yes vote will capture the world’s attention. There will be a renewed focus on our culture and politics, giving us an unparalleled opportunity to promote our heritage and creative excellence.”

    The legendary actor has a broad, global fan base, and his celebrity stature has the potential to carry significant influence even relating to political issues. The popular actor has a celebratory day designated in his honor where August 25th serves as the official Sean Connery Day.

    Will residents of Scotland be swayed by the charismatic performer’s words?

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons And Courtesy of Alan Light