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| Britain |
| Scotland unveils blueprint for independence |
| 2013-11-27 |
| [Pak Daily Times] An independent Scotland would keep Queen Elizabeth II as its monarch but create its own defence force, nationalist leader Alex Salmond said on Tuesday as he unveiled detailed proposals ahead of next year's historic referendum. Launching his regional government's long-awaited "white paper" on independence, Salmond said he could build a "wealthier and fairer nation" if Scots vote next September to end the 300-year-old union with London. "We'd become independent in more promising circumstances than virtually any other nation in history," Salmond, the first minister, told a packed news conference in Scotland's biggest city Glasgow. "Ultimately at the heart of this debate there is only one question and one choice. "Do we, the people who live and work in Scotland, believe that we are the best people to take decisions about Scotland's future?" Among the proposals in the 670-page tome, an independent Scotland would take 90 percent of revenues from the North Sea oil reserves lying off its shores and would no longer play host to Britannia's Trident nuclear deterrent -- both highly contentious issues. Salmond did admit however that while Scotland had "huge" hydrocarbon resources for another 50 years, "we need to build renewable wealth which will last forever". An independent Scotland would continue to use the pound as its currency, but would ditch the BBC as its national broadcaster. With 10 months to go until the vote, Salmond's Scottish National Party (SNP) is struggling to convince Scots -- some 38 percent are currently planning to vote for independence, according to a Panelbase survey for the Sunday Times, while 47 would vote against. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #23 I'd look at the small print ZF, I wager that proposed paper sez 90% if the Net, and the English guard if for free. This is Scotland! |
| Posted by: Shipman 2013-11-27 22:29 |
| #22 Among the proposals in the 670-page tome, an independent Scotland would take 90 percent of revenues from the North Sea oil reserves lying off its shores Good luck with that. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2013-11-27 21:47 |
| #21 Never underestimate the power of poor navigation skill when it comes to genetics. (I just made that up) |
| Posted by: Shipman 2013-11-27 17:48 |
| #20 You're welcome joe. The 1/64th of my family tree that wasn't pure Kraut got stuck in Scotland...I think I got an overdose of his genes. 8^) |
| Posted by: AlanC 2013-11-27 17:41 |
| #19 Usually a bourbon guy, but a couple of concoctions from across the water thrill me.... -Deanston 12 year -Lavagulin 16 year -Balvenie Doublewood -Laphroaig 10 Any of these are a nice change of pace (not replacement) from the corn. |
| Posted by: no mo uro 2013-11-27 16:53 |
| #18 Thank you Alan my family prefers one-stop shopping |
| Posted by: regular joe 2013-11-27 16:41 |
| #17 At least people wouldn't look at me funny when I wore my kilt. Also, I would ban haggis. I could play a lot of golf and maybe hand-feed Nessie. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2013-11-27 15:20 |
| #16 The horses are small and the cows are scrawyny Deacon. Bad Teefs everywhere, beggary and bad living abound. I would rethink. All the good 'uns like me and you were escorted out prior to 1800.... But if you insist I'll carry a brick for 'ye. I still got a good arm. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2013-11-27 15:08 |
| #15 Balvenie, Dalwhinnie, Dalmore, MacAllan, Ardmore, Old Fettercairn, Glen Morangie You were asking for this years Xmas list, right? |
| Posted by: AlanC 2013-11-27 14:48 |
| #14 I am going to cut and paste this thread and make it my Christmas list... |
| Posted by: regular joe 2013-11-27 13:48 |
| #13 Try Armagnac, you'll be pleasantly surprised. |
| Posted by: Glung Glineger3215 2013-11-27 12:38 |
| #12 I prefer Balvene 21 year old Portwood. And Laphroaig. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2013-11-27 12:26 |
| #11 Is Lagavulin 16 a renewable resource? If so, I am for it. Yeah, but once Brussels gets a hold of it they'll probably order it watered down to match French wine. I'd like to stock up on MacAllan 16 but $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ are too rare. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2013-11-27 11:20 |
| #10 Someone from England should give this clown some help. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2013-11-27 11:03 |
| #9 "Is Lagavulin 16 a renewable resource?" It is, but maybe not fast enough for you ;-) |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2013-11-27 10:53 |
| #8 Recognition of one's western political and cultural heritage is a healthy and civilized accommodation. A counter-argument might be found in their rejection by many former colonies in Africa, but you must decide the merit. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-11-27 08:29 |
| #7 ..well, the Canadians and Aussies still have 'ties' to the monarchy. Cheaper than paying for new ones. They're sort of useful in providing something to allow the people to identify with while not actually having any power - sort of like our written Constitution. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2013-11-27 08:18 |
| #6 Independence but keep the monarchy? This could be the Idiot of the Day. |
| Posted by: BrerRabbit 2013-11-27 08:13 |
| #5 Is Lagavulin 16 a renewable resource? If so, I am for it. |
| Posted by: regular joe 2013-11-27 07:49 |
| #4 I'm taking this morning's light dusting of snow in midlands Georgia as a favorable omen. Go for it Deacon ! |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-11-27 07:27 |
| #3 we need to build renewable wealth which will last forever Some never learn... |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2013-11-27 07:26 |
| #2 Since I'm a direct decendant of Robert de Bruce maybe I can be King. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2013-11-27 07:14 |
| #1 Blueprint for Independence I c wut u did thar |
| Posted by: Shipman 2013-11-27 01:52 |