Hello, Grumpy, and Greetings with Gratitude on this frosty Canadian thursday morning: Well, Mel Gibson got the message out, didn't he Grumpy? Thanks to that movie, lots of people knew who William Wallace was. Regrettably, most patrons of that movie vaguely remember the issue with Bruce and Wallace and the Brits, but they vividly recall the battlefield line of the bare backsides of the Scots, kilts hiked and flashing one long cheeky moonscape to their opponents. Some day, along the border, will that happen in real life? Great photo op, all those kilts, butts facing south. Maybe on Wallace's birth day. How do people in your part of the world feel about the vivid international image association with Sean Connery that Scotland has somehow mustered up? He would be a formidable opponent for your Blair. By the way, your comment on lobbying is interesting. Lobbyists here are like big snakes, slithering amongst decision makers, threatening to strike at election time, but stealthily passing out, unseen filthy perks from beneath their scaly bellies, quietly and secretly, keeping their intimidation tactics to themselves and their individual victims, while wrapped around their elected prey's throats and hearts in a reassuring hug that could instantly become a death squeeze. We in Americas are the masters of the political patronage system. We did read over here that Scotland managed to wrangle some measure of political freedom from your Windsor people in recent years. Sean seemed to get the credit over here. I see that historical records and other artifacts have been returned from England, along with some large measure of authority. In fact, were not various records of old recently returned to Kirkwall? It that all fluff or did some measure of Scottish self-rule happen beyond legislative restructuring and window dressing? Over here we are fighting an ongoing civil war, a sort of extension of a short little battle fought on the Plains of Abraham (Quebec City) between the French and the Brits, way back when Moby Dick was a minnow. The French slept in that day, and had a bad experience, and ever since they want to re-write the history books' humiliating conclusion. Not underlined in the book, is the significant number of Scottish and yes Orcadian victors amongst the forces of the Brits. The kilts and pipes were there! It has been in recent times for the most part, a nice battle, with a lot of long intermissions so the factions can regroup, change political horses , and rearm from time to time. Occasionally there is a referendum, after which the defeated separatists go to sleep each night, wondering in truth how their wives cuddling beside them voted, but our federal government then pours all our national reserves into Quebec infrastructure and subsidized industries to "save the country." Occasionally someone arrogant from France drops over, massages the press, ticks off the westerners and we english-speaking easterners and re-invigorates the anti-separatists, all to the bewilderment of our massive numbers of first generation immigrants, holed up in in the cities, who never of course had historic battlefield status and identity bestowed upon their families. The show goes on. Currently we are in intermission, awaiting the coronation of another pro-Quebec prime minister (he's not french, just his wife and kids, so he assuredly won't become tainted). After he is in the chair, the perks will start to flow, too slowly for Quebec, and the intermission will cease and the battle will re-engage itself. This time maybe we'll feature a pipe parade in downtown Montreal, and hagis, streetside on barbecues just to colour things up. On my trips to Montreal, which city fascinates me, I routinely explain to any cute French lady that will listen, that if Quebec wants to separate from Canada, it's OK with me and all my neighborhood. But our view is, a caveat of sorts, the male separatists can't have any of the wonderful women of Quebec if it occurs. I swear that the ladies in Montreal get fluffed up and painted in heir most presentable and delectable form, to simply trot out to the street and put out the garbage. This country would be rendered mediocre to the extreme if we didn't have them in our available gene pool. They know it, so those wonderful women there will never consent to the radical males' demands, and my point is usually inhaled with a genuine blushed grin by any petite fille who will listen. Proud they are of their acknowledged effort in the area of grooming, clothing and paint. We used to hear of Scottish independence from time to time. Not much anymore though. Is it intermission there? There is a kiltmaker in our town who is Scottish and lovely. Her name is Margaret. She if the official kiltmaker to the Highland 48th Regiment in our army. In her store, glued below a glass counter, is a photo of Charles (Camille's friend), arms stretched out displaying a kilt she made for him, along with that look that of his which somehow looks better on a Royal Doulton plate. I was told by the clerk that customers of Scottish heritage, who tend to be her clientele, continually condemn the photo. I get the feeling that Scottish people who recently came here, have a thing about the royals. My Grandmother told me before she passed on, that one day I would be irreversibly more proud of my Orkney Scottish roots, than I would be of being Canadian. I am just now starting to appreciate the depth of her unusual comment. To bring this around to Orkney, is there a strong bond between Orcadians and Scotland, and is there some measure of difference in values and desires, which is identifiable? Are there any unresolved outstanding issues between the mainland and Orkney? How can Orkney muster up any meaningful political support for anything, as things are currently structured? We have no real orthodox values or culture in this country, only in Quebec, and amongst First Nations people. Vive la difference et c'est la guerre! So if the abandonment of orthodoxy is an issue with you,Grumpy, you are not alone in the world. Orkney from afar looks mighty good. Good to hear from you............Stephen On Thursday, November 27, 2003, at 06:14 AM, Grumpy wrote: > Glad Tidings and Peace on Earth Stephen, > > There has been a few letters guessing at who, what and where am I. > > I am neither animal, vegetable or mineral, don't live in or around > Stromness > have never been a councilor (and never will be). > > I am the long forgotten spirit of Scotland, and if I could take on > flesh > form I would have been found fighting side by side with Scotland's > greatest > hero "William Wallace", (the real "William Wallace" and not "Mel > Gibson"). > > Wallace was also seen as one of the bad guys, not only by the English > King, > but by the Scottish noble men of the time. But there is no denying the > fact > that for a short period of Scotland's history he managed to unite men > of > courage to fight for the basic right of "FREEDOM" > > What would the great man make of todays Scotland?, well not much has > really > changed, the role of the Scottish noblemen has been taken over by > Scottish > Politicians, and like their forebear they are still in the pocket of > the > English King - Tony Blair! > > Wallace was one of a kind and his like will never be found again, he > lived > in a time where living and dying by the sword was for some an accepted > way > of life. In today's modern society we are told that the correct way to > fight > for what's right is through lobbying. Unless of course you are in a > position > of power, you can then start dropping so called smart bombs, invade > far off > lands, under the banner of freeing oppressed people, and then declare > that > you will manage their valuable resources on their behalf - bah humbug! > > Orkney was given as a dowry for marriage many centuries ago, little > regard > was given to the effect on local inhabitants's at the time. Decisions > are > made at high level, and to ensure that correct decisions are made we > need > more true natives in these high level positions, who cannot be bought > for > pieces of silver. > > Take care > > Grumpy > > > -------Original Message------- > > From: ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com > Date: 27 November 2003 02:34:34 > To: ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [] Grumpy > > Hi there, Grumpy: > > I'm breaking a rule I made last week after the bantering about on the > site of the "T" word. That was a ride of Titanic proportions. First > time I ever got a red face from e-mail. > > You see, this week I decided to dump some of the mail off the in box, > and read again a few of your comments in doing so. So here goes. > > I have to tell you that I admire your balance of common sense and power > of observation and reporting ability on one side of the equation , and > as an essential offset to keep you sane in this democratized shrinking > world, a little cynical dark humour to exercise your capable brain > where the world lets us all down. > > I gleaned from your musings that you once were a council member in > Orkney. Is that correct? Assuming that the trip for you was a little > frustrating, did you opt out? Ever think of giving it another go? When > are your municipal elections, and how often? > > I too spent a time at this art form called government. When I bucked > against the boring and popular with some of my ideas, they went over > with my council like a pregnant poll vaulter. Seems all the bad guys > were the best lobby people. Doing what was right, was usually > unpopular. I became of the opinion that many meeting would have been > more enjoyable with bar service. Poliiticians around here are either at > sleep at meetings, or at war. > > So, Grumpy, why not toss the old hat in the ring, and colour up the > political landscape on those unique little islands of ours? I'll help > with the buttons and ads. Hey, at today's rates, I could work the > phones from over here! Maybe someone in Australia would pitch in too. > How could you beat that? > > Hey, when I'm over there I'd love to sit across a table from you in > some quaint little stone dram well, and eat clams and exchange > experiences and wash it all down with something wet and intoxicating. > > Good luck to you Grumpy. Hope there are lots more like you over there. > > Stephen > > > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the > word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com > > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the > word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com >