Poetry Corner

[longshanks]

[NickB]

Burns also wrote 'Scots wha' hae' of course.

I think every political party and movement has at one time or another claimed the allegiance of the bard.

There's a perceptive article by Ian Bell on Burns and the Union HERE . . . written back in 1996, before the second devolution referendum.

[DonnieC]

http://www.dickgaughan.co.uk/songs/texts/sicaparc.html

Sic a parcel o rogues in a nation!

Song Notes

Written about the Treaty Of Union of 1707 which, in theory, abolished the independent Parliaments of Scotland and England and created the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In practice, it merely ended the autonomy of the Scots and reduced us to the status of a province of England.

The "parcel of rogues" refered to were the bourgeousie of the Scots Parliament who were, quite literally, bribed into voting for the Treaty, completely abandoning all the principles of The Declaration of Arbroath

[longshanks]

Written about the Treaty Of Union of 1707 which, in theory, abolished the independent Parliaments of Scotland and England and created the Parliament of the United Kingdom. In practice, it merely ended the autonomy of the Scots and reduced us to the status of a province of England.

Only in your opinion, and an opinion very much open to question if your really think that the two parliaments were abolished only "in theory".

Long History (Facts, not spin, by choice)

[DonnieC]

The opinion expressed was not mine but that of Dick Gaughan.

However, I don't find much to disagree with.

Scotland was 'bought and sold for English gold' - that is fact.

Anybody who claims that the union has been hamonious for the past 300 years should realise that rebellion was rife within 2/3 years of the union among the ordinary people of Scotland - i.e. the ones who did not have any say in the decision. Fact!

Burns wrote 'Haughty Gaul' when he was a member of the Dumfies Volunteers in order to inspire his cohorts to repel possible invasion from the sea by France. This is the same defensive body that existed on Easdale Island and Ellenabeach and other coastal communities. Fact!

I hope 'Gaul' is not an attempted claim that Burns was a 'Better together?'

"A province of England?" I opine that that feeling was abroad throughout Scotland after the union! Opinion!

I think his patriotism for Scotland is unquestionable. Fact in my opinion!

[longshanks]

The opinion expressed was not mine but that of Dick Gaughan.

However, I don't find much to disagree with.

Sorry, Donnie, but who is this Dick Gaughan who has influenced your opinions such that you believe that Scotland is a Province of England and that our two parliaments were only abolished only "in theory" ?

Do you really believe that?

I had to google Dick Gaughan and could find no mention of him being an historian or expert in these matters. All I could find out about him is that he is an accomplished musician and an extreme left winger, but no academic background.

[DonnieC]

Ain't taking you on Longshanks - been there , done that - nor am I going to engage in any of the acrimonious exchanges that have taken place here recently.

That's despite your attempt to discredit Dick Goughan's opinion because you cannot find evidence of his academic qualifications - disgraceful!

We cannot all be as gifted as you but it does not stop anyone from forming and expressing an opinion!