“Up here we call it the ‘wha’s like us’ mentality”.
I do promise to leave the Megrahi – MacAskill affair alone for a while – soon – but a post from Liam Murray tickled my fancy. Apart from subjecting the defining characteristics of ‘compassion’ to closer scrutiny, Murray takes the SNP minister to task for asserting Scotland’s ‘moral superiority.
“You have to wonder what characteristics Mr MacAskill would ascribe to our English neighbours”, Murray ponders, “it’s probably best not to ask”.
“Up here we call it the ‘wha’s like us’ mentality”
“You have to wonder what characteristics Mr MacAskill would ascribe to our English neighbours”, Murray ponders, “it’s probably best not to ask”.
Comments
I've found the criticism of this issue from those on the right and unionists in particular disappointing.
They've shown themselves up and the SNP may well benefit from such anti-scottish nonsense.
"he lauded the qualities of 'a people"
Isn't a nation's laws directly linked to it's people?
Are you suggesting that Uk law does not reflect the values of the british public?
You've got some very confused thinking going on here and it seems tinged by a general anti-nationalist view.
"It is not 'anti-Scottish' to be sceptical of such rhetoric"
I was referring to the various posts on The Times, The telegraph, The Scotsman where various posters attacked Scotland itself.
Is such public racism acceptable when it's related to a nationalist decision?
Why do unionist conservatives have such a need to stifle alternative voices. What are you all so afraid of?
Is that you 'Wardog'?
From:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/This-Week/Speeches/Safer-and-stronger/lockerbiedecision
>> In Scotland, we are a people who pride ourselves on our humanity. It is viewed as a defining characteristic of Scotland and the Scottish people. The perpetration of an atrocity and outrage cannot and should not be a basis for losing sight of who we are, the values we seek to uphold, and the faith and beliefs by which we seek to live.
Now run along and play. There's traffic outside.
Wha' like us? None, thank f*ck.
The 'moral superiority' tag came from the quote from James Bowman - it was just an assertion but a reasonably sound one and one that nothing here successfully rebutts.
One of the general points I was making was MacAskill's claim that we are a people renowned for our humanity was as spurious as the claims to American exceptionalism that we Scots so often ridicule.
Guilty until proven innocent, nice unionist logic there.
"renowned for our humanity "
Again, your being spurious, where did MacKaskill say the word "renowned"?
These accusations tell us more about your cringe than anything else.
"In Scotland, we are a people who pride ourselves on our humanity. It is viewed as a defining characteristic of Scotland and the Scottish people. The perpetration of an atrocity and outrage cannot and should not be a basis for losing sight of who we are, the values we seek to uphold, and the faith and beliefs by which we seek to live."
Well done for proving my point Alec
You seem incapable of debating and instead seek to rubbish others alternative views, is your blog a 'closed shop' for unionism.
How about actually answering my questions of your assumption?
Where is your evidence?
Oh I see now, it IMPLIES.....
Debate over, put away your parochial cringe, it' brings shame on you.
What is apparent is just how limited unionism's view of the world really is.
So desperate to attack any form of self determination are they that the blinkers come done and they attack a decision that has been lauded internationally for being "enlightened' & 'humane"
Unionism 0
Compassion 1
This is 'FBI Bob', should have gone to spec savers.
"inferiority complex"
Just an opinion ;-)
Unionism as a staging post has shot itself in the foot over this one and dare I say, revealed it's true right wing leanings to many in Scotland.
Many Labour & Liberal supporters are choking in their porridge at the antics of their leaders whilst the inter-faith community have lauded it, a survey of solicitors have backed it and the following support it:
Labour
Malcolm Chisholm MSP - made his point clear in the chamber.
Lord George Foulkes - listened attentively, nodded, and didn't make comments; not his usual behaviour towards the Scottish Government (his favourite people, really).
Henry McLeish - already stated his position.
John Prescott - made it clear earlier.
Cathy Jamieson MSP - never came forward to ask a question in spite of having been in the position herself.
Frank Doran MP - one-time lawyer, left wing (in current Labour terms), used to run his legal practice in Whitfield in Dundee (not hunting the big money cases, then).
Gavin Strang MP - his politics point to compassion rather than vengeance.
Bill Butler MSP, Marlyn Glenn MSP, Rhoda Grant MSP, Frank McAveety MSP, Cathy Peattie MSP, adn Elaine Smith MSP - their consciences will be hurting.
Lib Dem
John Farquhar Munro MSP - already declared
Mike Rumbles MSP - I think he said so on Radio Scotland?
Hugh O'Donnell MSP - seems inclined to mercy.
Ming Campbell MP - has already said so.
Lord David Steel - has already said so.
Lord David Owen - has already said so.
Charles Kennedy MP - he's a liberal as well as a Lib Dem (they don't always go together), surely he backs MacAskill?
Iain Smith MSP - I just think so.
Jamie Stone MSP - it may seem cheesy, but I think Jamie Stone is strong and mature enough to not go blue and get smoked ...
Conservatives
Ted Brocklebank MSP - he seems to be to be a compassionate and libertarian kind of guy.
Derek Brownlee MSP - he's sensible enough.
Alex Johnstone MSP - a fair-minded chiel.
Struan Stevenson MEP - surely he would?
Jamie McGrigor MSP - he's a chap who looks on others with a kindly eye.
John Scott MSP - the kind of guy who would agree but wouldn't like to upset his party colleagues either. I think he'd be compassionate.
The dictionary definition of 'renown' is:
"The quality if being widely known and acclaimed"
The Justice Minister said:
"It is viewed as a defining characteristic of Scotland and the Scottish people"
When he says 'It is viewed' who was he speaking about? I'd suggest it was a general view he was referring to and if so his meaning is indistinguishable from the word renown.
That you seek to advance your case on little more than semantic squabbles is reassuring...