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Post by mossie on Sept 19, 2014 18:18:18 GMT
I am still very ambivalent about the result, and I simply cannot trust our politicians. The real panic of the main party leaders in rushing up to Scotland at the 11th hour with wild promises just shows our PM to be the puff artist, sorry PR man, that he is. A quick soundbite and all will be well. What a loser. I was sent the attached poem this morning.
England, my England
Goodbye to my England, So long my old friend Your days are numbered, being brought to an end To be Scottish, Irish or Welsh that's fine But don't say you're English, that's way out of line.
The French and the Germans may call themselves such So may Norwegians, the Swedes and the Dutch You can say you are Russian or maybe a Dane But don't say you're English ever again.
At Broadcasting House the word is taboo In Brussels it's scrapped, in Parliament too Even schools are affected. Staff do as they're told They must not teach children about England of old. Writers like Shakespeare, Milton and Shaw The pupils don't learn about them anymore How about Agincourt, Hastings , Arnhem or Mons ? When England lost hosts of her very brave sons.
We are not Europeans, how can we be? Europe is miles away, over the sea We're the English from England, let's all be proud Stand up and be counted - Shout it out loud!
Let's tell our Government and Brussels too We're proud of our heritage and the Red, White and Blue Fly the flag of Saint George or the Union Jack Let the world know - WE WANT OUR ENGLAND BACK !!!!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2014 18:36:55 GMT
Ha ha, that almost sounds as bad as the self flagellation in which the French constantly revel.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2014 18:42:02 GMT
Well, at least it doesn't mention dark people.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2014 18:45:09 GMT
That reminds me of one of the most striking images I saw on TV this morning, although I don't remember if it was on Sky News or BBC World -- a Sikh wearing both his turban and a kilt.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2014 7:26:29 GMT
A lovely song about an enduring England.
"Oh England My Lionheart"
Oh! England, my Lionheart, I'm in your garden, fading fast in your arms. The soldiers soften, the war is over. The air raid shelters are blooming clover. Flapping umbrellas fill the lanes-- My London Bridge in rain again.
Oh! England, my Lionheart! Peter Pan steals the kids in Kensington Park. You read me Shakespeare on the rolling Thames-- That old river poet that never, ever ends. Our thumping hearts hold the ravens in, And keep the tower from tumbling.
Oh! England, my Lionheart, Oh! England, my Lionheart, Oh! England, my Lionheart, I don't want to go.
Oh! England, my Lionheart! Dropped from my black Spitfire to my funeral barge. Give me one kiss in apple-blossom. Give me one wish, and I'd be wassailing In the orchard, my English rose, Or with my shepherd, who'll bring me home.
Oh! England, my Lionheart, Oh! England, my Lionheart, Oh! England, my Lionheart, I don't want to go. Oh! England, my Lionheart, Oh! England, my Lionheart, Oh! England, my Lionheart, I don't want to go.
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Post by waterhazardjack on Sept 22, 2014 3:38:37 GMT
It's going to be very interesting from here on in...if the EU referendum goes ahead in UK in 2017, it will re-open the fissure between the (so-called) Celtic nations (Irish, Scottish, Welsh) and English attitudes towards 'Europe'...the same English establishment parties that were campaigning on British sentiment and 'family of nations' arguments in this referendum will have very little sensitivity towards the same 'family of nations' opinions on the EU issue...coupled with possible (or perceived) bad faith over implementation of promises made during the referendum (The Vow, anybody?), I can foresee the drive for Scottish independence coming back on the agenda much quicker than people seem to think.
Interesting times ahead...
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Post by bjd on Sept 22, 2014 10:04:25 GMT
As we were driving to Ottawa the other day, my son's car radio was tuned to the CBC who "interviewed" 3 Scottish comedians about the referendum results, one for no and two for yes. One said his biggest hope for a yes vote was not living in the same country as Piers Morgan, and the nightmare of the result was still living in the same country as Piers Morgan.
Of course, I had to look up to see who this PM guy is just now -- guess you have to be British to get the joke.
And I talked to a woman of Scottish origin in a long bus ride two weeks ago -- she said the vote had divided her family, although she was not allowed to vote as a foreign resident.
Although it does seem reasonable for countries to not splinter into ever small bits, I do feel rather disappointed that the referendum went against independence. The mentality seems so different from that in England and it's hard to know how things would have developed if Scotland had stayed independent in 1707.
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Post by mossie on Sept 22, 2014 14:09:36 GMT
I am still undecided over the Scottish independence issue. In some ways it would have been good for us if it had happened because the present mess in Parliament would have been straightened out and we would not have Scottish MPs to vote on matters that do not concern them. But I don't doubt that in a few years time we would have to bail them out again, Mr Salmonds bluster and wishful thinking would not raise the necessary cash to complete his grandiose schemes.
The main reason for the Union of 1707 was the collapse of the Darien Adventure, in which the Scots had sunk at least half their money in founding a colony in Panama. In consequence they had no recourse but to beg the old enemy to bail them out and we backed their currency to the tune of 1 shilling to 1 Scottish pound, i.e. 20 Scots pounds for 1 pound sterling.
Now is the time for our PR wizard Prime Minister to forget quick sound bites and get a real grip. Some hope unfortunately.
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