My Scottish Referendum article appeared in today's edition of the Cumberland Times-News. Today I shall proudly wear my tartan kilt to my college classes. To read my article, you can click on the link below or download the print version below. Cheers!
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The day we have long since feared has arrived! Tomorrow, Scotland's future will be determined! Tomorrow, September 18th, the people of Scotland will vote in a national referendum, to whether or not they shall break away from the rest of the United Kingdom and become an independent country. I am one of the thousands of people who are supporting the “NO” vote for independence, here are some of the reasons why Scotland should not become an independent country: First, if Scotland were to break away, this would mean that national stability in Britain could slip. Foreign enemies (such as ISIS or Al Qaeda) could see this as a weakness in the country and this could become a prime target for terrorism. If they stayed, they would remain part of one of the top members of defense alliances in the world, such as NATO and the UN. Second, Scotland means a lot to the economic stability of the United Kingdom. By this I mean all of the natural and man-made resources found in Scotland. Scotland's industry is built upon coal mining, ship building, and not to mention the Whisky Industry. The country is also big in the petroleum industry with the extraction of North Sea Oil. There is also a lot of buzz about what Scotland's Plan B will be if they cannot use the Pound as their currency. Alex Salmond, the First Minister has been questioned and questioned and will not explain. He keeps referring to page 110 of the publication "Scotland's Future", which is the guide to what will happen if there is a "Yes" vote. He says there are 4 plans. I have read page 110 and it lists them only, and does not describe them. He is pushing for a currency union with the UK to share the pound. Whether it would work or not is too large of a risk for Scotland to make. Third, we(England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland) have dedicated over 300 years to this glorious Union and it would be horribly demeaning and cruel to end it now. Yes, in the past 700 years there have been tensions, but through it all they have had Scotland's back in good and bad times. Others will disagree with this, but most people believe that Scotland was meant to be a part of this union, and that goes for Wales and Northern Ireland as well. The whole point is to show that the people of British Isles have a deep sense of communal relations and feelings that cannot be broken up no matter what a few people think. British Prime Minister David Cameron spoke at the recent NATO Summit in Wales. When asked about Scotland’s future, he had this to say “I take a very clear, loud message from the rest of the United Kingdom, which is “We want you to stay”. We care passionately about our family of nations. Of course Scotland can make a different choice, the Scottish people are sovereign in this matter. But, they shouldn't be in any doubt that the rest of the United Kingdom passionately wants them to remain a part of our successful family of nations.” He went on to speak about Scotland staying due to its importance to defense of the United Kingdom. He spoke about it being a “dangerous and insecure world”. This is what he said, “I would have thought, one of the strongest arguments that those of us who want to see the United Kingdom stay together can make, is in that dangerous and insecure world, with terrorist threats and other threats, isn’t it better to be a part of a United Kingdom that has a top five defense budget, that has some of the best security and intelligence services anywhere in the world, that is part of every single alliance that really matters in the world in terms of NATO, the G8, the G20, the European Union, a permanent member of the Security Council of the UN? To have all of those networks and abilities to work with allies to keep us safe. Isn’t it better to have those things, than to separate yourselves from them?" There are many other reasons, but I shall let you look into them yourselves. Below is the official site for the referendum. It provides all of the information about it, and what will happen with a "YES" or God permitting a "NO" vote! It also provides all of the details why the Scots are pleading for this vote.
Below that are two of the "No" campaign sites. These are really the two official ones. They provide excellent reasons why Scotland should remain part of the United Kingdom and the plans they intend to put into effect should the Scots lovingly vote "NO". Below that is a link to read the Official Publication called "Scotland's Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland". It is a guide that maps out Scotland's plans and terms for what will happen if God forbid a "Yes" vote is successful. From the bottom of my heart I pray that this vote is not successful and the life of the United Kingdom shall not come to a forceful end. In honor and awareness of this historic event, I shall be wearing my Blackwatch Kilt and sporran with pride tomorrow as I attend school and walk through Cumberland. I hope that all of my fellow Americans with Scottish descent shall join me in awareness for this day. I shall be back tomorrow or Friday with the results. As always Rule Britannia and we are "BETTER TOGETHER"!!!! Thirty years ago today, Prince Charles and Princess Diana welcomed their second son, Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London. He was third in line to the throne at the time of his birth, the same as his grandmother the Queen when she was born. He was baptised on 21 December 1984 at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie. Diana wanted Harry and his older brother William to have a broader range of experiences than previous royal children and took them to venues that ranged from Disney World and McDonald's to AIDS clinics and shelters for the homeless. Harry began to accompany his parents on official visits at an early age; his first overseas royal tour was with his parents to Italy in 1985. Harry's parents divorced in 1996, and his mother died following a car accident in Paris the following year. Harry and William were staying with their father at Balmoral at the time, and the Prince of Wales told his sons about their mother's death. At his mother's funeral, Harry, then 12, accompanied his father, brother, paternal grandfather, and maternal uncle, Earl Spencer in walking behind the funeral cortège from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey. Like his brother and father before him, he was educated at privates schools. First, at Wetherby pre-prepatory school. Then, Ludgrove school, and finally, moving on to Eton College upon passing the entrance exam. In June 2003, Harry completed his education at Eton with two A-Levels (achieving a grade B in art and D in geography) having decided to drop history of art after AS level. He excelled in sports, particularly polo and rugby union. Passing two A-levels, Harry was eligible to apply for an officer commission in the British Army. Like most royals, Harry has done military service. He began at Sandhurt Royal Military Academy in May of 2005 where he was known as Officer Cadet Wales. Within a year, in April 2006, Harry completed his officer training and was commissioned as a Cornet (second lieutenant) in the Blues and Royals, a regiment of the Household Cavalry in the British Army. He was given the service number 564673. On 13 April 2008, when he reached two years' seniority, Harry was promoted to lieutenant. Later, he was deployed to serve in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. His tour made Harry the first member of the Royal Family to serve in a war zone since his uncle, Prince Andrew, flew helicopters during the Falklands War. For his service, Harry was presented with an Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan by his aunt, Princess Anne, at the Combermere Barracks in May 2008. Harry of course has many royal duties, such as carrying out engagements on behalf of the Queen and others. Along with that,Prince Harry is patron of the following organisations:
For more info on Prince Harry, view his official webpage below. On that point, I would like to wish him a very happy 30th birthday!
On the afternoon of September 3, 1939,75 years ago today, after Adolf Hitler's Nazi troop annexed Poland, a radio announcer in Britain had this to say... "This morning, the British Ambassador in Berlin, handed the German government a final note. Stating that unless we heard from them by 11 o'clock that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I am here to say that no such undertaking has occurred, and consequently this country (Britain) is at war with Germany." When this happened, the office of the Prime Minister quickly put to gether one of the greatest speeches of World War II. It was quickly rushed to Buckingham Palace for a six o'clock radio broadcast to the nation and the world by His Majesty King George VI. As it happens, George VI was known for having a stuttering problem. But, with the help of his speech therapist Lionel Logue and the loving support of his wife Elizabeth and his two daughters, he gave on of the best speeches in history. Here is a transcript of his speech: In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history, I send to every household of my peoples, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself. For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at war. Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. But it has been in vain. We have been forced into a conflict. For we are called, with our allies, to meet the challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilized order in the world. It is the principle which permits a state, in the selfish pursuit of power, to disregard its treaties and its solemn pledges; which sanctions the use of force, or threat of force, against the sovereignty and independence of other states. Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive doctrine that might is right; and if this principle were established throughout the world, the freedom of our own country and of the whole British Commonwealth of Nations would be in danger. But far more than this - the peoples of the world would be kept in the bondage of fear, and all hopes of settled peace and of the security of justice and liberty among nations would be ended. This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of the world's order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own. I ask them to stand calm, firm, and united in this time of trial. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to God. If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, with God's help, we shall prevail. May He bless and keep us all. By delivering this speech, it announced officially that Britain had declared war on Nazi Germany. From that day on, the King became the face for British National stability during the dark days of the war. Although the Princesses were sent off to stay at Windsor for the duration of the war, he and his wife stayed in London to be close to their people. In 2010, a movie adaptation entitled "The King's Speech" was released starring Colin Firth as King George VI, Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth,and Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue. It is a wonderful movie and for anyone who wants to learn more about King George VI or wants some insight about his speech impediment, I suggest you see this movie. It is based off a book called "The King's Speech: How One man saved the British Monarchy". It was written by Mark Logue who is the grandson of the real King's speech therapist Lionel Logue. Lionel kept journals and correspondence between him and the king all the years they worked together. I have also read that and it really sheds light onto the previously well hidden secret of the King's speech impediment. To listen to the real King's speech, click on the link below. Cheers!
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