<p>For some perhaps. But many really want to remain part of the United Kingdom. </p>
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<p>it’s rational to fear things that have a high likelihood of killing u. The YES side has no plan.</p>
<p>I am project manager for a major construction project that is taking SEVERAL YEARS to research & design, then additional YEARS to execute. An 18-month “go-live” target for a new Scotland, w no currency, no fiscal regime, no embassies, no nothing, is suicide.</p>
<p>I’m fascinated by this vote. It really seems that most of the young people are headed one way and the not young/established the other. </p>
<p>Yeah, mamabear1234, “10 generations” is a bit much. One of my grandparents was born in Ireland, so I could get citizenship also. It’s 4 generations back in another, but that takes us back to the 1860s or 70s.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I would never consider describing myself as “Irish” anymore than I would Welsh or Finnish (the other parts of my ancestry). I’m an American.</p>
<p>It would seem to me that people who are registered to vote in Scotland ought to be able to vote, even if they are temporarily abroad. Am I correct in gathering that they cannot? I was under the impression that Sean Connery was a tax exile and lived elsewhere. Is that no longer true?</p>
<p>I totally understand the independence, but this seems like a choice between the current arrangement and being governed by the bureaucrats in Brussels.</p>
<p>Main laws = my in laws (bloody autocorrect)</p>
<p>Most of the celebs on that list have no vote. I think only Susan Boyle and JK Rowling can vote.</p>
<p>It is a fascinating question. I wonder if the opposition’s warnings are legitimate. I mean, look at the Republic of Ireland. Ireland seems to have no national problems that aren’t routine in other nations. Ireland has substantial banks, a few excellent universities and is generally a stable and attractive (economically) country. What would stop Scotland from enjoying similar success?</p>
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<p>Scotland probably can enjoy similar success, but just not in 18 months with a half-baked transition plan.</p>
<p>Sally22-yes, but Sir Paul wrote Mull of Kintyre, which should count for something – it was a flop here in the US, but isn’t it practically Scotland’s national anthem? </p>
<p>nope- “Flower of Scotland” is!</p>
<p><a href=“Flower of Scotland sing-along lyrics - YouTube”>Flower of Scotland sing-along lyrics - YouTube;
<p>Gives me chills every time I hear it. </p>
<p>Scotland needs to be very careful today what it wishes for!</p>
<p>Andy Murray is a ‘yes’ vote. </p>
<p>I just saw that- and the tweets he has received are disgusting. I hope this all resolves peacefully with a Nation intact </p>
<p>I wonder if the yes votes win if Murray will still get credit as the first British male to win Wimby since Fred Perry. I can see that as the reason for nasty tweets from Englanders. They won’t be able to claim him as theirs. </p>
<p>I really have trouble figuring out why this matters to anyone but the Scots. FIFA and the Olympics are the major reasons it matters to anyone else, and many people (in the US) don’t care about FIFA or the Olympics.</p>
<p>IMHO, the British shot themselves in the foot and said “well, if you say “No”, we’ll reward you!”. WHY did they not do something sooner, they knew there was this sentiment before.</p>
<p>I think people are rooting for Scotland as the “underdog.” It’s also fascinating since they’ve been united for hundreds of years. Makes me want to (re)learn the history behind it all.</p>
<p>oh, Emilybee it wasn’t that.</p>
<p>You won’t probably don’t know the connection, but Andy Murray was born in Dunblane where the mass shooting in the primary school took place in 96. That’s all I will say.</p>
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<p>The UK is an important geopolitical figure & ally. For starters, an independent Scotland would kick out the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet. Many other countries have their own separatists movements that would be spurred on by Scottish secession. A balkanized Europe is weak and not a good thing to have while Russia & radical Islam is growing as a menace. </p>
<p>Economically, many multinationals have significant interests in Scotland. These companies plan to leave or halt investment. </p>
<p>FIFA is the least of the concerns…</p>
<p>For me it matters only in the sense it is a very unusual action. I know the Congo split about three years ago and Quebec tried (2x?) but it’s pretty rare. </p>
<p>Good points, GMT. But I will guess that a sovereign Scotland would remain in NATO and other western alliances etc. </p>
<p>TempeMom, the situation in Quebec is a stark contrast because it was fueled by old ethnic resentments. Once James I of Scotland became Monarch of the United Kingdom, the discrimination by the English against Scotsmen eventually became non-existent. Whereas in Quebec, French culture was suppressed by the Anglos, starting after Britain’s victory in the Seven Years War (known as the French and Indian War, in the American colonies), if I recall the history accurately.</p>