tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post6383845532012435748..comments2024-03-03T17:01:57.876-05:00Comments on Montreal Simon: Why Canadian Progressives Should Have Supported the Scottish Independence StruggleSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-4844765447637687882014-09-18T00:26:00.527-04:002014-09-18T00:26:00.527-04:00Call it what you want, it's tribal and as the ...Call it what you want, it's tribal and as the majority of the UK get no say in it it is distinctly undemocratic. And there has been plenty of lies and intimidation on both sides with Scottish Civil Servants threatening businesses and even letter bombs being sent.<br />Progressives would never support nationalist rationale because that is inherently noninclusive and divisive as are all nationalist and patriotism based politics. Solidarity and togetherness are progressive traits not appeals to blood and heritage, those qualities appeal to fascists and Nazis and are used to divide working people and create hatred.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-43906093846341061562014-09-17T23:19:28.348-04:002014-09-17T23:19:28.348-04:00hi Dr Dawg....If I misinterpreted you I'm sorr...hi Dr Dawg....If I misinterpreted you I'm sorry. But how am I supposed to interpret your suggestion that I go out more? Or your tweet this evening that i should "grow up'" Why do I hear that all the time? Older people mean it an insult. Are we supposed to get better when we get older? Some do some don't. You could have said Simon believes that the progressive blogosphere hasnt written enough about the Scottish referendum. And I would have been interested to hear how you explained that. Oh well I admit that I am totally frazzled, so if I misinterpreted you I'm sorry. And thanks for retweeting my story...Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-88012524263150169842014-09-17T22:53:31.161-04:002014-09-17T22:53:31.161-04:00hi lagatta...just enjoy the picture. If they ever ...hi lagatta...just enjoy the picture. If they ever make a poster of a rasta in a kilt like the one I met in Edinburgh I promise you I'll publish it. But you're right about the pale skins. On the way up north in the train I passed a few beaches which were crowded with locals. And they were the whitest white people I've EVER seen. So bright was the glare I had to put on shades.... ;)Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-60607774989755190032014-09-17T22:46:32.695-04:002014-09-17T22:46:32.695-04:00hi Beijing...Thank you. I'm glad you feel like...hi Beijing...Thank you. I'm glad you feel like me about the YES side. Their brilliant campaign has sent my spirits soaring. In a gloomy world it has stood out for me like a beacon of hope. And I dream of seeing the same thing here one day.And yes aren't those posters great? And there were so many. I was going to choose the one of the hunky guy swinging a hammer. Ahem. But the lassies were just too beautiful... :)Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-3399036428640572812014-09-17T22:43:42.671-04:002014-09-17T22:43:42.671-04:00"Mocking Tweet?" I told people to go vis..."Mocking Tweet?" I told people to go visit your site! Good grief, no good deed goes unpunished.Dr.Dawghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416571487451925246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-13358046738348075332014-09-17T22:40:31.639-04:002014-09-17T22:40:31.639-04:00hi jan...I borrowed it from the internet somewhere...hi jan...I borrowed it from the internet somewhere, so go ahead. She is beautiful isn't she? And the picture deserves to be shared widely....Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-33830368488897797992014-09-17T22:38:27.558-04:002014-09-17T22:38:27.558-04:00hi jan...good stuff. As I said in my posts I can&#...hi jan...good stuff. As I said in my posts I can't believe any progressives would not support the YES side struggle. It's not the Revolution, but it's a step in the right direction, and it has been a stirring democratic spectacle. If I could bottle that political enthusiasm I'd bring it back to Canada and invite everyone to take a swig...Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-26700860529912991982014-09-17T22:35:08.488-04:002014-09-17T22:35:08.488-04:00hi WILLY...brilliant as usual. I always used to ki...hi WILLY...brilliant as usual. I always used to kid my Dad about having settled in the Moray upon our family's return to Scotland, because it just happens to be within striking distance of the so-called Whisky District. Not that I would know anything about that because I can't stand the stuff...or haggis. My Scottish grandmother warned everyone that those who start late are the WORST. But luckily she was wrong. At least until referendum night when I fear I may need a bottle or two to settle my nerves... ;)Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-78822066372677742992014-09-17T22:25:39.564-04:002014-09-17T22:25:39.564-04:00hi anon...Van Morrison Days Like This? Hmmm..a lit...hi anon...Van Morrison Days Like This? Hmmm..a little too down for the YES side but perfect for the NO... ;)Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-56061245362464561972014-09-17T22:22:15.395-04:002014-09-17T22:22:15.395-04:00hi Namo... you got it, something has gotta give. S...hi Namo... you got it, something has gotta give. Scotland is trapped in a country with a City State called London, that dominates the entire island. It is wealthy, greedy, rapacious, its dismantling the social safety net, privatizing medicare, making the rich richer and the poor poorer, and ANY risk is worth taking to break out of that nightmare. We need to take chances and strive to be better, or they will drag us all down in their insane race to the bottom...Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-83378359666550387682014-09-17T22:16:12.513-04:002014-09-17T22:16:12.513-04:00hi lagatta...I see dozens of people every day suff...hi lagatta...I see dozens of people every day suffering from cancer and fighting it bravely. If I'm humble, and I am, it's largely due to them. I wish Ford the same strength, I don't condemn him for being a drug addict, I despise him because he is a ghastly bigot bully. For there is noting lower...Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-38721836447266985912014-09-17T22:09:22.478-04:002014-09-17T22:09:22.478-04:00hi harebell...the the Scottish police commissioner...hi harebell...the the Scottish police commissioner has sent out a message accusing the NO side of exaggerating a climate of intimidation, which of course they would do because their entire campaign was based on fear. By contrast the YES campaign was based on hope If Scotland's departure would cause England to become even more right-wing than it already is, then that's a problem the English people must solve, not Scotland's problem. The Scottish referendum is a socioeconomic revolt not a tribal one. Many people in Scotland want to live in a centre-left country. They couldn't do that in a union, so they're trying to do it the only way they can...Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-88990363309119448812014-09-17T20:33:29.725-04:002014-09-17T20:33:29.725-04:00I do too, but remember than not all Gaelic folk ar...I do too, but remember than not all Gaelic folk are gingers. Lots of Scots and Irish have a Celtic type that is dark haired and pale skinned - and of course nowadays, there are Scots of all colours!lagatta à montréalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610410709900333230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-28614920795404257392014-09-17T18:02:44.263-04:002014-09-17T18:02:44.263-04:00I am definitely thrilled by the YES campaign and h...I am definitely thrilled by the YES campaign and hope they win. And thank you for your brilliant posts throughout the campaign. I just adore the butterfly poster and today's Scottish lass.Beijing Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05579118045254845839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-72810608815856230872014-09-17T17:41:52.559-04:002014-09-17T17:41:52.559-04:00hope you don't mind if I try to upload your sc...hope you don't mind if I try to upload your scottish lass pic into my background of twitter.susansmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02573558646874765432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-24389082626694930932014-09-17T17:39:37.897-04:002014-09-17T17:39:37.897-04:00oh I"m yes for sure Simon. I don't blog a...oh I"m yes for sure Simon. I don't blog anymore but am on Tweeter and FB. I've a strong Scottish heritage with grandma from Scotland. <br />FYI, Luke Skipper who is the chief of staff to the Scottish National Party is from my hometown - Kincardine, ON. Everybody here is flying their Scottish Flag - the blue and white one! susansmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02573558646874765432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-38859869028041701842014-09-17T16:52:18.786-04:002014-09-17T16:52:18.786-04:00I feel the same. I don't wish painful and poss...I feel the same. I don't wish painful and possibly terminal illness on anyone, but I sure as hell want him and his damned brother far from anywhere near an elected office. <br /><br />Obviously, Ford had about the worst health habits one could imagine, but I also knew people who were very health conscious, such as cycling activist Claire Morissette, who died far too young of cancer. Better to have reasonably healthy habits (without becoming a fanatic, which can lead to other problems), but there are no guarantees. <br /><br />He was also always going on about the gravy train and saving taxpayers' money, but being coked-up, drunk and stoned during his working hours was stealing from those hallowed taxpayers. lagatta à montréalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02610410709900333230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-54247434527606823502014-09-17T14:46:28.934-04:002014-09-17T14:46:28.934-04:00Hey I did my part too.
http://ffibnamol.wordpres...Hey I did my part too. <br /><br />http://ffibnamol.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/a-scotch-versus-a-brit/<br /><br />and all 46 visitors seemed to like it.<br /><br />WILLYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16507295892199741837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-38670195606493998282014-09-17T11:56:28.474-04:002014-09-17T11:56:28.474-04:00Simon: I put down my opinion at Dammit Janet, here...Simon: I put down my opinion at Dammit Janet, <a href="http://scathinglywrongrightwingnutz.blogspot.de/2014/09/alba.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>, in overall agreement.Námo Mandoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04876501353961485728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-26099986602486392582014-09-17T10:16:22.312-04:002014-09-17T10:16:22.312-04:00hi Steve...I'm afraid you sent your comment to...hi Steve...I'm afraid you sent your comment to the wrong box. But I can only repeat what I said in what I earnestly hope will be my last post on Rob Ford. I wish the man a full recovery. But I can never forget or forgive his vicious homophobia, his crass misogyny, his bullying behaviour, and the way he shamed his city and his country...Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-67133843952693894732014-09-17T10:00:28.664-04:002014-09-17T10:00:28.664-04:00hi April Reign...why did I know that you would sup...hi April Reign...why did I know that you would support the YES side? ;) And don't you love the way most of the heroic YES side posters feature women instead of men? Women have had a decisive role in shaping the YES campaign, and are largely responsible for its success. And it's another reason I support the YES campaign so much...Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-52136561987228364162014-09-17T09:59:39.181-04:002014-09-17T09:59:39.181-04:00Rob Ford has cancer and I am sad. No matter how mu...Rob Ford has cancer and I am sad. No matter how much he did things he should be schooled for this man raised himself <a href="http://thinkingaboot.blogspot.ca/2014/09/rob-ford-has-cancer.html" rel="nofollow">into ICON.</a>, In a world of bland platitudes he spoke his mind. For sure I disagreed with most everything he said but he said it, and that in our weasel down world was courageous,Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14162783936999869984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-453185426425103592014-09-17T09:55:20.938-04:002014-09-17T09:55:20.938-04:00hi Edstock....thanks for that comment which is as ...hi Edstock....thanks for that comment which is as great as you. I'm sure you've heard the joke that there are more pandas in the Edinburgh zoo (two) that there are Con MPs in Scotland. But of course one is too much... ;)Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-32686975512342056052014-09-17T09:52:09.823-04:002014-09-17T09:52:09.823-04:00hi anon...no I'm sorry I don't see it as a...hi anon...no I'm sorry I don't see it as a disaster. Please don't compare it to the Quebec referendum because as I pointed out here...<br />http://montrealsimon.blogspot.ca/2014/09/why-scottish-referendum-is-not-quebec.html<br />...the two are quite different.<br />Scotland is also wealthy enough to exist without being attached at the hip to Con England. Even if the YES side does win I'm sure the two countries will get along just fine. And as for your recommendation that I should ":grow up" I take it like a grain of salt and toss it over. For if growing up means becoming as old and as passionless or as Con as so many in this half dead county I think I'll stay forever young, even when I am as old as you. But thanks for your comment, and have a nice day...<br />Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-72939000147296180482014-09-17T09:51:34.773-04:002014-09-17T09:51:34.773-04:00hi anon...oh no. I'm sorry about that. But I d...hi anon...oh no. I'm sorry about that. But I do feel that way about Buckdog, and I appreciate your support of that great cause. Because now there's at least four of us... ;)Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.com