After my wee break in the Highlands with the Prism good guys it is back to work this week. Firstly a big thank you to Yvonne Ridley for stepping in last Sunday to ensure we had a show. This week I am joined by Phil Boswell of the SNP and Roger Anderson, the historian.
We discuss the weeks highlights, including SNP angst at Unionists being unionists and working together to defend the union and defeat the SNP. In Council after council the SNP has been removed from office by the Better Together cartel. We discuss the SNP 1 2 strategy and its consequences going forward. Why are the SNP members surprised?
Has the SNP now dropped their stance to unilateral disarmament of weapons of mass destruction? Is this long standing pillar of the SNP to be jettisoned just as independence appears to have been? Are we going to now allow Brits to keep their nukes on the Clyde post independence?
As Liz Truss hints at ending the Northern Ireland protocol and in so doing trashing the Good Friday Agreement we discuss the implications of such an action and the likely response from USA and EU.
China in response to NATO expansion is suggesting BRICS to should be expanded. Are we entering another cold war period or is it more dangerous than ever? Should an independent Scotland join NATO or should we follow the example of our Irish cousins and become a neutral state?
Is there any sign to an end of hostilities in Ukraine? Why are so many independence supporters in lockstep with British and US narrative?
As you say Roddy, it is colonialism and imperialism that’s the issue, whether American, English or Russian, and which brings us to the realisation that, also according to the UN, self-determination independence is decolonisation.
Phil is right to home in on values, and with colonialism here we should remember that there are no human values, and an infinite distance between colonialism and civilization.
Roger is maybe a bit off-beam with the ‘civic nationalism’ trope which arguably cost us indy in 2014, and which ignores the fact that postcolonial theory tells us all independence movements reflect and depend on the ethnic solidarity of an oppressed ethnic group; in our case this is the Scots-speaking Scots deprived of their language, access to their resources, denied opportunities in their own land, subject to socio-linguistic prejudice etc. and who have rule imposed on them by another dominant ethnic group, imperial cultural hegemony, language etc.
https://wp.towson.edu/iajournal/the-socio-political-determinants-of-scottish-independence/
Well said, Alf.
Remind me what I said Alf, I haven’t watched it back tbh because I hate watching myself.
Sounds like an interesting point you’re making though.
@ 23.04: ‘the civic nationalism that Scottish people talk about’
“‘Civic nationalism’, which is all too often stressed by the SNP Scottish Government, is defined as an association of people from different nations and identities who identify themselves as ‘belonging to a nation’. Civic nationalism may sound positive in theory, however, Self-determination stands to be thwarted when those granted national voting rights do not share the same desire for a given national identity or in holding its citizenship, as the ‘people’ seeking Self-determination and independence.”
https://yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2021/07/25/determinants-of-independence-nationalism/
For sure, IIRC I was contrasting that with the Ethnic blood & soil Nationalism a great many supposedly civic Scots are now supporting in Ukraine was I not?
Is that not a fair irony to point to?
Yes, fair point Roger.
My point is merely that postcolonial theory (Fanon, Memmi, Said etc) tells us that independence/decolonisation movements depend on the solidarity of an oppressed ethnic/indigenous group, with language being a key feature. In other words, without that indigenous ethnic group, the Scots in our case, there would be no independence movement. The point is that ethnicity has a major part to play in every case of self-determination independence/decolonisation of ‘a people’. And when we talk of ‘a people’ in this (i.e. self-determination) regard we are really talking of an ethnic group seeking independence from the oppressions imposed on them by another ethnic group, imperial/colonial power. The SNP ‘civic nationalists’ seem not to be aware of this reality, which probably helps explain why we are no closer to national liberation despite repeatedly electing nationalist majorities.
Excellent talk today, chaps. Not much at all to disagree with. I do agree that it is now impossible to predict how malleable people will be in the face of massive injustice and ill-treatment and taking for granted across the board. I must admit that I have been shocked at the compliance in the ranks of both the SNP and the wider independence movement. Basically, power was handed to a FM who has shown not even a modicum of understanding of anything at all, really. Her strength lies in being a consummate actor, but strip away the surface and there is nothing underneath but virtue signalling hypocrisy. In my lifetime, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen such a set of duds at the top of the SNP.
As for the Ukraine-Russian situation, too many people see things in black-and-white and simply will swallow any nonsense rather than stir their stumps. They are both totally preoccupied with independence regardless of the efficacy of that independence (and regardless of the reality that it is not coming) and totally careless as to the position of others whom they are willing to jettison in the vain hope that this will bring independence. Europe, as a whole, has behaved atrociously towards Russia since the break-up of the Soviet bloc when it could have been gradually eased into Europe, and probably at the behest of the Americans. America is isolationist at its core and, therefore, all its wars are proxy wars to keep America and Americans (or at least some of them) safe and profitable. There is no special relationship either: it’s a fallacy that plays very well into English delusions of grandeur. It is only English delusions of grandeur because the other three parts of the UK are not interested in maintaining the illusion of greatness at the expense of their well-being.
Phil: it became obvious in early 2015 that something very strange was happening with the SNP: hordes of former Labour people entered the party; and, while many were genuinely seeking an independent Scotland, many were not; they were a far left woke cabal. These people have always been dangerous because they always behave like a parasitical infection, and their tactics open the door to the far right – always. Indeed, they are the reverse reflection of the far right, both authoritarian, both using inflammatory tactics to seduce the unwary and unguarded – the right, the ranks of the working-class disinherited and the far left, the virtue signalling middle-class, guilty about its privilege and laying the blame on everyone but itself.
That the SNP was so unwary, but, rather, euphoric, should have rung alarm bells. I do recall wondering what the far left was up to, but, after the 2014 defeat, I felt too demoralised to even raise doubts. I think that’s the answer to how they managed to infiltrate the party so easily: they seemed like a kind of boost at the time. They were actually on a mission to take over the Scottish government and all its public institutions. They succeeded, and they allied themselves with the foot draggers already there, the devolutionists, and, ultimately, the Greens. That is how the SNP was destroyed in less than a decade, and from within. Yes, it is a neoliberal and neocon party these days. Undoubtedly, but the far left is every bit as authoritarian, and ultimate, insanely stupid, as the far right, its powerful twin.
ALBA needs to offer a very different agenda from the SNP’s – albeit not too far left or right – and it needs to nurture and promote its brightest and best, unlike the SNP.
Can’t stress enough what a joy it is to listen to mature political discourse without fighting a desire to throw things at the screen.
In a parallel universe, Scottish Prism would be on Scottish terrestial television current affairs, and filling the role of Brian Walden’s Weekend World.
The fact it isn’t, is a constant reminder of Scottish talent everywhere you look, but always stunted, underdeveloped, and never reaching it’s full potential because Scotland is locked inside a nightmare Union which cannot contemplate a Scotland which is free to thrive unchecked, think for itself, and form it’s own perspectives.
Next week sounds like a belter too…
Roddy, you have such a powerful show here ; I am only sad that I don’t know more people to share it with, and it’s a pity when you think that there must be so many people out there who have never heard of the Prism show.
Is Iain coming back onto the show at some point?
No, he will not be returning.
What a pity. Iain was able to provide challenge (and therefore balance) to what sometimes feels like a one-sided anti-western chorus. He is greatly missed.
He is not missed.
Talking of one-sided, Joan, have you seen today’s National: a plethora of pro trans propaganda. All about how wonderful trans rallies are, etc. The ones I’ve seen have been displays of too many fetishes to count on the fingers of two hands and the toes of two feet. The National is a drum beating propaganda sheet for the SNP parliamentary party.
As for the Ukraine-Russian conflict, nobody is trying to make it a one-sided anti Western thing: all of us abhor the invasion; and nothing can make it right; however, there are two sides, and we simply do not get to hear the side that it is not the Ukrainian government side. Even Americans who are in the know, who have made international affairs and politics their life’s work, are in agreement that the West has behaved very badly in its own interests. Iain lived in Estonia, and I, for one, fully understand where he is coming from, and why, but facts are chiels that winnae ding.
As a Westerner, I can see much that is wrong with the West, as I can see much that is wrong with Russia, and, if I had to choose, I’d choose the West because at least we have the semblance of liberty and there is much to lose. The undermining of Western societies as a whole is well underway with the trans movement, no matter the propaganda it spins to the contrary. I’ve been called a bigot and an obsessive – and, again, I understand how people must feel when it’s their own kids – but this movement is so extremist and dangerous that it must be halted, and, often, even our own kids are very, very wrong about some things and pandering never brought any good to anyone.
It is not Russia we should fear, but our own tolerance of people who want to destroy us from within. That is not to say that I am anti trans anymore than I am anti Russian: people can be whatever they want to be. I hate nobody. What either of them has no right to do is expect me to go along with their views and call me a bigot and obsessive because I won’t bend the knee. Neither should the Ukrainians to the Russians nor the majority of us to the trans lobby. Russia (or the Americans, or the Chinese or anyone else) cannot rule the world and the trans lobby cannot rule Scotland. There are parallels if you are watching closely.
Sorry to hear you guys have fallen out. Personally I value both your blogs.
Not Better Together cartel, English establishment. Why are folk in lockstep? Because many are reliant on the West’s media and are bombarded with a false narrative. When folk get information on the true reasons behind the proxy war then they generally decry the West’s involvement.
Sanity does prevail in an insane world. Where would I be without a regular injection from you and your critical thinking guests and esteemed commentators, that is the Prism?
I missed my fix last week, Roddy. But I’m okay now, thanks….
Sturgeon is a joke , SNP1 and 2 she is intent in destroying the Independence movement and selling of our assets for the English establishments enrichment .She is no Patriot time people woke up and emptied this Unionists plant.
At 44.23 a very interesting statement from Phil. Waterloo was the first battle where both sides were funded by the same bank. Aye. Rothschild. What input does the Masonic movement have in all of this? The Rothschild empire built on Masonic influence. Any thoughts? It’s interesting how far into the shadows the Masons have receded. Used to be, everyone was talking about the Masons. Now, no-one talks about the Masons. I wonder why?
Because its a secret?🙂
Another great discussion! Thank you, all. Re: Phil’s bemusement at the stance of this Tory government in relation to the North of Ireland, the EU and the US. etc. There’s always an element of racism present when the Anglo-Saxon mentality considers any situation that it doesn’t understand or can’t control. Ireland and, indeed, Scotland, being no exceptions. That the US Irish vote, with its substantial representation within US politics will always unite against the-auld enemy, doesn’t seem to have registered in the consciousness of a certain class of Brit, though; that is, those who arrogantly regard the totality of Americans, in-the first-place, as being little better than a colonial rabble. As for the European’s: well, what chance have the Brit’s got of ever understanding them, with their rich diversity of cultures and histories?