Alec Salmond please make Scotland independent

Jock · Post by **Jock** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 5:19 pm

Andy, et al,

As I've said before, I would prefer to see one independent Scottish soldier "handing out rice in a blue helmet" than 5 divisions of Scots in the British Army. And have also said before, that one soldier will do more for Scottish pride all over the world than the 5 'British' divisions ever could.

Erik, I don't know what has got in to you, but seriously...cease and desist man. How dare you call my nation, and the rest of the UK, "wankers". Your comments earlier in the thread may call people to question you, I myself may not agree with homosexuality, but I do believe in some form of choice.

To suggest torture because of someones choice, however right or wrong, is beyond despicable, it is truly unfeeling, and barbaric.

Paddy Keating · Post by **Paddy Keating** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:44 pm

Sorry...but I've got this vision of some project neddie in a polyester uniform with a plastic beret badge offering a helmetful of rice to a surging mass of wogs while the fat-arsed scum running the show keep telling us that we are bringing democracy to the Third World...

Troy Tempest · Post by **Troy Tempest** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:44 am

Jock wrote:Andy, et al,

As I've said before, I would prefer to see one independent Scottish soldier "handing out rice in a blue helmet" than 5 divisions of Scots in the British Army. And have also said before, that one soldier will do more for Scottish pride all over the world than the 5 'British' divisions ever could.

Good for you Jock! Independent Scotland rules!

You can come and do UN missions in East Timor and the Pacific with us, no need for heavy armour and fighter squadrons.

Cott Tiger · Post by **Cott Tiger** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 3:57 am

Troy Tempest wrote:
Jock wrote:Andy, et al,

As I've said before, I would prefer to see one independent Scottish soldier "handing out rice in a blue helmet" than 5 divisions of Scots in the British Army. And have also said before, that one soldier will do more for Scottish pride all over the world than the 5 'British' divisions ever could.

Good for you Jock! Independent Scotland rules! You can come and do UN missions in East Timor and the Pacific with us, no need for heavy armour and fighter squadrons.

You'd have to send the RAN or RAAF to come and pick him up though!

Regards,

Andre

Cott Tiger · Post by **Cott Tiger** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:43 am

Paddy Keating wrote:... a surging mass of wogs..

Turn it in Paddy.

Paddy Keating · Post by **Paddy Keating** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:48 am

It was meant ironically...

Troy Tempest · Post by **Troy Tempest** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 12:55 pm

Cott Tiger wrote: You'd have to send the RAN or RAAF to come and pick him up though!

Regards,

Andre

As long as we didn't have to deal with "Hey pal, gies a shot o' a tenner till Friday!"

(no offence Jock!)

Jock · Post by **Jock** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:34 pm

Hiya Folks,

Andre, I mentioned a pontential Scottish Defence Force maintaining a small, modern AF, one that could support Scots land forces. Im no strategist, but I imagine a battalion of light infantry could be combat delivered by roughly 10 C-130's and a small fighter escort. Three waves of course guys...I'm not that amateur.

However, regardless, I would hope that any future force would keep close ties with England, them being our neighbours and closest ancestors and all.

And I think that co-operation could go both ways. I want to see an independent Scotland, but have no problems with RAF Airbases in Scotland, or the Trident. and PS, I dont want a million pound per missile.

Maybe just a tenner...

So...I can say whatever I want, regardless though, at the end of the day, the (ENGLISH) publics image of the Scottish Army is a jakey dressed in beret and kappa's, dishing rice outta his helmet, and smack outta his pock'iet.

Cheers guys. Just remember Bannockburn, and smile, eh?

(Of course, I jest)

Cheers,

Troy Tempest · Post by **Troy Tempest** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:24 pm

Jock wrote:Hiya Folks,

So...I can say whatever I want, regardless though, at the end of the day, the (ENGLISH) publics image of the Scottish Army is a jakey dressed in beret and kappa's, dishing rice outta his helmet, and smack outta his pock'iet.

Perish the thought Jock! They probably think more along the lines of:

'You got anything fer eating mister?' or

'Youse wanna buy ma sister?' or

'Hey chief, youse gauny negotiate appearance fees an' at?'

Cott Tiger · Post by **Cott Tiger** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 6:33 am

Jock wrote:Hiya Folks,

Andre, I mentioned a pontential Scottish Defence Force maintaining a small, modern AF, one that could support Scots land forces. Im no strategist, but I imagine a battalion of light infantry could be combat delivered by roughly 10 C-130's and a small fighter escort. Three waves of course guys...I'm not that amateur.

However, regardless, I would hope that any future force would keep close ties with England, them being our neighbours and closest ancestors and all.

And I think that co-operation could go both ways. I want to see an independent Scotland, but have no problems with RAF Airbases in Scotland, or the Trident. and PS, I dont want a million pound per missile.

Maybe just a tenner...

So...I can say whatever I want, regardless though, at the end of the day, the (ENGLISH) publics image of the Scottish Army is a jakey dressed in beret and kappa's, dishing rice outta his helmet, and smack outta his pock'iet.

Cheers guys. Just remember Bannockburn, and smile, eh?

(Of course, I jest)

Cheers,

Hi Jock,

Ah, so you want the comfort, support and protection of your big bad hard-ass brother (England), but you don’t want to be associated with the real dirty work big bruv gets into (Afghanistan etc).

Sounds like having your cake and eating it Jock.

Scotland has historically shared and reaped the rewards of being part of the large British Empire. I can understand, now that things have got a bit sticky in the Middle East and people have actually started dieing, that many people in the home nations would like to cut loose form the UK and just cherry pick the rosy jobs in the international community (i.e. a bit of peace-keeping here and a bit of gratifying relief work there). However, who exactly is going to be left to strategically defend the British Isles in any future hostile engagements from either a Nuclear power or a large powerful conventional force, or to fight aggressive actions on foreign soil to protect Scottish long term interests?

Kind regards,

André

phylo_roadking · Post by **phylo_roadking** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 4:54 am

Scotland has historically shared and reaped the rewards of being part of the large British Empire

Surely you mean "having been".....

just cherry pick the rosy jobs in the international community (i.e. a bit of peace-keeping here and a bit of gratifying relief work there).

Don't let any irishman hear you say this - the Irish Defence Force got its hands dirty in forty years' of "rosy jobs" around the world as you call it, starting in Katanga when I was a nipper right up to STILL being in the Lebanon today. And any British UNFOR veteran will tell you Yugoalsavia was a sh1t of a job.

However, who exactly is going to be left to strategically defend the British Isles in any future hostile engagements from either a Nuclear power

NOONE can or EVER could "defend" ANY part of Britain from nuclear attack

we could only retaliate or threaten to.

to fight aggressive actions on foreign soil

AGGRESSIVE wars? This is a "good thing"???...That's right - of course, Jock, when Scotland gets rid of "other nation's" WMDs....then the ENGLISH government will be happy to declare war on Scotland and invade to prevent you using any NON-EXISTENT weapons. They DO have a habit of doing that, it seems....

Troy Tempest · Post by **Troy Tempest** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:25 pm

Phylo, such cynicism! I'm shocked!

Potsdamerplatz · Post by **Potsdamerplatz** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 2:55 pm

Ah, so you want the comfort, support and protection of your big bad hard-ass brother (England), but you don’t want to be associated with the real dirty work big bruv gets into (Afghanistan etc).

Sounds like having your cake and eating it Jock.

The Scots were dragged into the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan by an English Prime Minister.

In nowhere else in the UK is there more opposition to the current overseas conflicts than here in Scotland. The Ruth Gentle "Stop The War" campaign has attracted massive support and I have no doubt that the SNP would withdraw Scots troops from Iraq and Afghanistan if Scotland were independent. Even former Labour FM Jack McConnell was privately opposed to the war but kept his mouth shut on orders from London.

An independent Scotland would only need a small defence force, similar to other smaller European nations with a population of 5-6 million.

Kind regards.

Troy Tempest · Post by **Troy Tempest** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:17 pm

Hi Potsdamerplatz! We have just had a general election, and our new PM has pledged to remove our troops from Iraq as soon as possible. He has, however, committed himself to Afghanistan, as that is a UN mandated mission. Would an independent Scotland not consider staying in Afghanistan, as it is not as tainted as the Iraq adventure? I agree with you that Scotland would only need a similar sized armed forces as other similar sized western countries possess.

A small air force, mainly transport with some fighter cover, similar to ours but on a smaller scale, should be ample, with a small navy, mainly for coastal defense should be ideal I believe. I don't see why you would need anything bigger than some helicopter equipped destroyers or frigates (or corvettes, whatever they are called nowadays). You certainly don't need nuclear subs, who would you vapourize with them anyway?