tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1725411122663433189.post7981836944657317422..comments2024-01-04T19:27:02.335-08:00Comments on Zenpolitics: Five key reasons for Scottish independenceJohn Hilleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072819649049077782noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1725411122663433189.post-61725744370351111642013-07-01T05:00:50.327-07:002013-07-01T05:00:50.327-07:00Thanks.
I think the anti-war/nuclear movement in...Thanks. <br /><br />I think the anti-war/nuclear movement in Scotland would, most likely, intensify were Scotland to go independent, with many more seeing this as the more-achievable context for opposing and removing.<br /><br />JohnJohn Hilleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10072819649049077782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1725411122663433189.post-12138342448985228392013-06-30T05:06:42.752-07:002013-06-30T05:06:42.752-07:00Another thing to bear in mind is the Scottish publ...Another thing to bear in mind is the Scottish public, I think that like the left in the US so easily abandoned the causes of the antiwar activists once they got their guy in office.<br /><br />So too you may find these higher causes will become unimportant once the policies are Scottish, rather than English to many Scots.Michael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1725411122663433189.post-628433575413434812013-06-28T00:35:26.643-07:002013-06-28T00:35:26.643-07:00Thanks Michael.
Yes, these are valid concerns. We...Thanks Michael.<br /><br />Yes, these are valid concerns. We just can't underestimate the overarching power of the US or the higher corporate forces that govern ALL countries. <br /><br />And the immediate prospects of Scotland becoming another Venezuela or Ecuador ready to protect good moral people like Snowden or Assange isn't apparent to me either.<br /><br />And yet, one still has reasonable hopes of positive incremental movement towards something that, motivated by a broad public antagonism to US/UK-driven warfare, is relatively resistant to the demands of Empire.<br /><br />It's worth noting, for example, how a Scottish government resisted such US/UK pressure over releasing Megrahi - and didn't suffer any serious popular deficit for doing so.<br /><br />The SNP leadership's dismal decision to retain Nato links post-independence - just narrowly endorsed after being opposed by about half the party - helps illustrate your misgivings - even if it seems a cautious effort by Salmond not to scare away Yes voters. <br /><br />Yet, with a specific commitment to ditch nuclear weapons, an electorate in any independent state would still be in a much better position to oppose such ties and demands.<br /><br />As I say, no panacea. No immediate socialist republic. <br /><br />Nor are governments and leaders ever to be fully trusted. Incorporation of politicians and bending to authority is always expected. <br /><br />But that doesn't mean we relinquish the tactical opportunity of independence to advance such causes.<br /><br />With control over foreign policy, anti-war and other street activism in an independent state wouldn't feel like the futile exercise it does to many within the prevailing system.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />John John Hilleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10072819649049077782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1725411122663433189.post-76326899041440300842013-06-27T15:41:44.032-07:002013-06-27T15:41:44.032-07:00I doubt Holyrood will seriously oppose the US Empi...I doubt Holyrood will seriously oppose the US Empire if it's independent.<br /><br />It will become a US lackey just like every other country in Europe.<br /><br />Not that that's a reason to vote for the Union, I just doubt your hopes about foreign policy will come to fruition in an independent Scotland.<br />Although I hope they do.<br /><br />I have a feeling Scotland would give up Snowden in a heartbeat if he seeked asylum in Scotland, for example.Michael Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098657991123067485noreply@blogger.com