I don't get the national pride thing. I acknowledge my approval of Scottish and British achievements within the past 300/400 years, but to say I'm proud of something that my being had no effect whatsoever over is quite preposterous. I'm also pleased to live in a very tolerant society where, regardless what any 'minority' tells you, 99% of people live next to each other and get on reasonably well. Pride though? I'm proud of my kids, as they struggle against a severe bout of malnutrition, yet still do well at school and within social circles, I'm proud of that because I helped shape their personalities and their desire to do well. I'm also proud of my wife's collection of shoes.
But is "pride" the correct way to describe it? I acknowledge that the Scots had punched way above their weight in times gone by, but I'd feel a fraud if I said that I was proud of their achievement as I had no bearing on their success.
I never said that Salmond was a typical Scot. Unless the typical Scot is a fatty. He is our representative on the world stage and collectively 'we' elected him. He makes me cringe. That said, I am Scots first and foremost. I like being Scots (that's about as strongly I feel about it) but I can't feel pride in it.
Says the man who seems to be ashamed of being classed as Irish. Any reason why you are PROUD to be British Medro or will you now backpedal furiously realising you have once again undone your own argument?
I have no time whatsoever for nationalism of any kind, hence my signature. It engenders intolerance, ignorance and racist tendencies. The scottish attitude to the English is a prime example. Look at the celebrations in Glasgow about Thatcher. I had as little time for her as most (she did do some good things) but to see grown people out on the streets (one with a bottle of Verve Cliquot FFS, aye working class my ass) celebrating the death of an 87 year old woman was cringeworthy and pathetic and chronic in the extreme. Scotland, on the whole, wallows in self pity and a feeling of being somehow "trodden on". Maybe Independance is the only way and if it does go tits up Scotland will at last have mo-one to blame for it's shortcomings. No wonder the world is in such a state. And as for Sean Connery, don't get me started on that false "nationalist". He would be better sticking to beating his wife up. What a shining example indeed.
Nationalism and Pride in your country of birth are two different things though ER. I don't parade around in a kilt with my face painted blue but I still take pride in being Scots.
That wasn't irony you fud, that was ignorance. Do you think those dafties have any understanding of irony. What a plonker you are. You stick to your kilts, roaming haggis, shortbread, tweeness and inverted snobbery in the most backward capital city in the world Hoots mon, och aye the noo.
You know me Dev. I sometimes partake in a bit of wummery but I do mean everything I say about nationalism of any kind. I feel exactly the same about religion. Both breed intolerance.
The 1980s, champagne, Porches, yuppies etc. They clearly have a better understanding of irony than you Nigel.
