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ToGiveDivine -> RE: End of the Union......dissolution of Britain (1/16/2007 11:10:22 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Lady Ellen
Now this is not to say that England rescued Scotland, or that Scotland is too weak to stand alone, even if it would be a struggle. What it says to me, and proved worldwide in the two or so centuries following Union, is that it makes far more sense to both sides for the countries to be united in the world; a sum greater than the two parts scenario. For one other thing is true too - without Scotland, England would have been as hard pressed to compete back then as Scotland was, and I suggest that the same thing applies today.
In the greater scheme of things, the UK is a power punching well above its weight in the world, and we would ALL lose from dissolution, without a shadow of a doubt. Instead, lets confine our rivalries to the sports field, and understand that.
E
Why do I hear people chanting, "Wallace! Wallace! Wallace!"
Being proud of who you are isn't a crime and has a major impact as to one's understanding of self. Would the United Kingdom survive divided? Maybe eventually, but trying to divest in a fashion that all parties could accept would take years of animosity (refer to the breakup of the USSR and the impacts to the various nations that split from Russia).
The key is not to devalue the benefits that the union brings to all parties while at the same time to maintain a sense of self. Being Scottish is not the same as being English (or Welsh), but they bring a different perspective to the United Kingdom as a whole (as well as the English and Welsh having their own perspectives)
As for the Irish, they're troublemakers (being part Irish myself - Grandson of Mrs. Murphy - I can attest to that ;-) By the way, it's MY Island.
The Colonies rebelled against the Crown because they were looked upon as 2nd class citizens and, well ... they were troublemakers too. Point is, you have to embrace your differences in order to make your similarities work.
No one refers to anyone as a UKer; they are English, Scottish, or Welsh. Sometimes you are all lumped together as English (much like copies are called Xerox and tissues are called Kleenex), but that's more of a brand name then anything. As far as a power base, the people from the UK are still a power and well respected throughout the centuries; even when they've made their mistakes. You are still good friends with your old Colonies (and not just the U.S.),and with your old life-long enemies which is a testament to who you are as a nation, not just as individuals.
Be you English, Scottish, Welsh, or Irish; you are family - which means this is why you all squabble with each other so much. You may poke fun, name call, yell at, pick on, etc. each other, but let some outsider attack any one of you and they'll find a united force to be reckoned with.
Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.
Not Bad for a Yank :-D
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