Is tripartisanship over the SNP's bid to retain the £ bullying?

[visualnickmos]

This whole Scottish thing reminds me of 1999, when everyone was paranoid about the perceived threat of the Millennium "bug" which as we all know, proved to be nothing at all.

Whichever way the vote goes, 'on the ground' at everyday street-level, things will carry on pretty much the same for most people. Maybe as a British national I should be more interested in this debate, but quite frankly, there are many more urgent matters that are besetting my homeland; security threats; the possibility of a far right influence in the political system, the increasing open racism and xenophobia that many individuals are spouting.

So, therefore, whoever ends up running Scotland is really of little consequence in comparison.

[P. G. Tipps]

This whole Scottish thing reminds me of 1999, when everyone was paranoid about the perceived threat of the Millennium "bug" which as we all know, proved to be nothing at all.

Whichever way the vote goes, 'on the ground' at everyday street-level, things will carry on pretty much the same for most people. Maybe as a British national I should be more interested in this debate, but quite frankly, there are many more urgent matters that are besetting my homeland; security threats; the possibility of a far right influence in the political system, the increasing open racism and xenophobia that many individuals are spouting.

So, therefore, whoever ends up running Scotland is really of little consequence in comparison.

Yes, that seems to be quite a common view in England, unfortunately.

It reminds me of the old joke ...

When God had finished creating Scotland, He looked down on it with great satisfaction. Finally he called the Archangel Gabriel to have a look. "Just see," said God. "This is the best yet. Splendid mountains, beautiful scenery, brave men, fine women, nice cool weather. And I've given them beautiful music and a special drink called whisky. Try some."

Gabriel took an appreciative sip. "Excellent," he said. "But haven't you perhaps been too kind to them? Won't they be spoiled by all these things? Should there not be some drawback?"

"Just wait till you see the neighbours they're getting", said God.

[visualnickmos]

Yes, that seems to be quite a common view in England, unfortunately.

It reminds me of the old joke ...

...nice cool weather.

Nothing nice about grey sky for most of the year, endless rain, 'brass monkey' Arctic damp cold for most of the time, and sea that quite frankly would give many people pneumonia if they jumped in.

[ahinton]

This whole Scottish thing reminds me of 1999, when everyone was paranoid about the perceived threat of the Millennium "bug" which as we all know, proved to be nothing at all.

Whichever way the vote goes, 'on the ground' at everyday street-level, things will carry on pretty much the same for most people. Maybe as a British national I should be more interested in this debate, but quite frankly, there are many more urgent matters that are besetting my homeland; security threats; the possibility of a far right influence in the political system, the increasing open racism and xenophobia that many individuals are spouting.

So, therefore, whoever ends up running Scotland is really of little consequence in comparison.

That's a pity. Whoever ends up running Scotland, assuming that anyone does (and if the closing of the gap between the Yes and No voters continues as it is claimed to have been doing of late, the result might be so close as to require at least one re-run), there can be little doubt that a Yes vote will make considerable difference to lives north and south of the border; if you feel complacent enough to cast doubt on that, then ask yourself why so many major corporations are bothered about it and about the consequences of a Yes vote (unless, of course, you think that they have no reason to be so). If by "my homeland" you mean "England", what encourages you to suggest that issues such as "security threats", "the possibility of a far right influence in the political system" and "the increasing open racism and xenophobia that many individuals are spouting" (as you presumably perceive to pertain in England) are exclusive to England and neither affect Scotland now nor would do so should it opt for "independence"?

[ahinton]

Yes, that seems to be quite a common view in England, unfortunately.

It reminds me of the old joke ...

When God had finished creating Scotland, He looked down on it with great satisfaction. Finally he called the Archangel Gabriel to have a look. "Just see," said God. "This is the best yet. Splendid mountains, beautiful scenery, brave men, fine women, nice cool weather. And I've given them beautiful music and a special drink called whisky. Try some."

Gabriel took an appreciative sip. "Excellent," he said. "But haven't you perhaps been too kind to them? Won't they be spoiled by all these things? Should there not be some drawback?"

"Just wait till you see the neighbours they're getting", said God.

That reminds me of the joke told me years ago by a lovely Italian lady which runs "on the seventh day, God created Italy; He'd needed the first six days to practise".

[visualnickmos]

That's a pity. Whoever ends up running Scotland, assuming that anyone does (and if the closing of the gap between the Yes and No voters continues as it is claimed to have been doing of late, the result might be so close as to require at least one re-run), there can be little doubt that a Yes vote will make considerable difference to lives north and south of the border; if you feel complacent enough to cast doubt on that, then ask yourself why so many major corporations are bothered about it and about the consequences of a Yes vote (unless, of course, you think that they have no reason to be so). If by "my homeland" you mean "England", what encourages you to suggest that issues such as "security threats", "the possibility of a far right influence in the political system" and "the increasing open racism and xenophobia that many individuals are spouting" (as you presumably perceive to pertain in England) are exclusive to England and neither affect Scotland now nor would do so should it opt for "independence"?

By that I mean Great Britain.

I was not intentionally suggesting that these issues only pertain to England. I was suggesting that these issues are more important to me, than who runs Scotland.
I am not saying for one minute that there will be no consequences, whichever way the vote goes.

[ahinton]

Nothing nice about grey sky for most of the year, endless rain, 'brass monkey' Arctic damp cold for most of the time, and sea that quite frankly would give many people pneumonia if they jumped in.

"Grey" sky throughout Scotland (which is what I assume you to imply) is something of an exaggeration, as is "endless rain" (the highest proportion of which is largely confined to the western isles and parts of the west coast and "'brass monkey' Arctic damp cold "for most of the time" and, whilst I accept that Scotland's climate is not exactly balmy and Mediterranean (unsurprisingly, given its location), it's hardly worse than those of Norway, Finland or Sweden. Are you also suggesting that the sea around the whole of Scotland would give many who jumped into it pneumonia at any time of year whereas that around the coasts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland would not?

Clearly, you're relatively unimpressed with fine malt whisky, the best of Aberdeen Angus beef, beautiful raspberries and fabulous scenery (in some parts of the country) and one presumes also that haggis, neeps and tatties fail to float your boat either.

Thea Musgrave and James Dillon quit the country. Ronald Stevenson and James MacMillan haven't. Peter Maxwell Davies has adopted it.

[ahinton]

By that I mean Great Britain.

I was not intentionally suggesting that these issues only pertain to England. I was suggesting that these issues are more important to me, than who runs Scotland.
I am not saying for one minute that there will be no consequences, whichever way the vote goes.

OK, fair enough, at least insofar as it goes - but, if you really are concerned about those things throughout your homeland that currently includes Scotland and may continue to do so post-referendum, why would Scotland's secession from UK reduce your concern about them in Scotland (if indeed it would - you don't clarify this), given that Scotland would still have a border with England and might even retain the same monarch and currency as England despite having opted for "independence" from UK?

[visualnickmos]

"Grey" sky throughout Scotland (which is what I assume you to imply) is something of an exaggeration, as is "endless rain" (the highest proportion of which is largely confined to the western isles and parts of the west coast and "'brass monkey' Arctic damp cold "for most of the time" and, whilst I accept that Scotland's climate is not exactly balmy and Mediterranean (unsurprisingly, given its location), it's hardly worse than those of Norway, Finland or Sweden. Are you also suggesting that the sea around the whole of Scotland would give many who jumped into it pneumonia at any time of year whereas that around the coasts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland would not?

Clearly, you're relatively unimpressed with fine malt whisky, the best of Aberdeen Angus beef, beautiful raspberries and fabulous scenery (in some parts of the country) and one presumes also that haggis, neeps and tatties fail to float your boat either.

Thea Musgrave and James Dillon quit the country. Ronald Stevenson and James MacMillan haven't. Peter Maxwell Davies has adopted it.

I'm not saying Scotland is wrong for having these meteorological attributes; it is how it is.

Whisky; not a fan

Aberdeen Angus Beef; delicious

Beautiful raspberries; love them

Fabulous scenery; inspiring, sometimes breathtaking or tranquil

Haggis; gorgeous in winter for supper

Neeps and tatties; don't know what they are (contains potatoes?)

[Flosshilde]

Nothing nice about grey sky for most of the year, endless rain, 'brass monkey' Arctic damp cold for most of the time, and sea that quite frankly would give many people pneumonia if they jumped in.

I wonder where this is? Bournmouth? Clacton?
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7229/7...95d5ed3f_z.jpg

Ah - Troon, on the Scottish West Coast

& these gleaming white sands, crystal sea & blue sky? the West coast again!

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2576/3...6b8088c6af.jpg

[Flosshilde]

I'm not saying Scotland is wrong for having these meteorological attributes; it is how it is.

But you are wrong if you say that's all Scotland's climate is. I would think that even the Languedoc has its dismal grey cold days.

[P. G. Tipps]

Keen students of meteorology will confirm that the Moray Firth area in Northern Scotland is not averse to posting the warmest daily temps in the UK a number of times throughout the year.

Some of the coldest, wettest days I've ever experienced have been in the SE of England though it is only fair to point out that this area also produces the most consistently warmest and driest periods throughout the year.

[agingjb]

Er well. The millennium bug, mentioned above, proved to be nothing at all because some energetic and capable people (some of whom I knew) took the trouble to make certain that it's implications were avoided.

Scottish independence (for good or ill, as they say) has implications that are not being given quite the same close attention; indeed I can hardly see how they could be.

[visualnickmos]

But you are wrong if you say that's all Scotland's climate is. I would think that even the Languedoc has its dismal grey cold days.

It would take an entire book to detail all the meteorological data concerning Scotland and/or Languedoc-Roussillon. My initial comment on the weather north of Hadrian's Wall, was just a light-hearted throwaway comment in response to one reference in PG Tipps very good joke! But, you knew that anyway didn't you Flosshilde? I admire your usual continuance of good old-fashioned banter. Still friends? Of course we are.

Btw - this summer has been the worst weatherwise, since we came here in 2004. The first year we haven't heard the daily chorus of cigales. And more grey days than we can remember. However September and October bodes well; 35° today, beach tomorrow...

[visualnickmos]

PS agingjb - your friends who allayed the 'bug' fears by their expertise are to be praised, indeed. Hats off to them, I say.