Mike Vickers' Blog

Radical Independence Campaign Scotland [RICS] Event in Glasgow: 26/10/19 – a few comments
‘Unthink the Britishness’

From today’s Guardian

“I came to fusion because I passionately believe that it is needed – that it can change the world,” says Chapman. “I’m convinced that not only is fusion important: it’s going to happen.” We’re not on the verge, but it’s just about in sight.”

It could equally have been

“I came to Scottish Independence because I passionately believe that it is needed – that it can change the world,” says Lesley Riddoch. “I’m convinced that not only is Independence important: it’s going to happen.” We’re not on the verge, but it’s just about in sight.”

Is Independence an attitude of mind?

Getting the Referendum through, looks to be target of a lot of the people at the meeting yesterday.

It’s a little like the Leader poem by Roger McGough.  To ‘Wanna be Independent – I am Independent – What shall we do now’.

OK I stretch the point

Yesterday was a good event

Even though the hearing loop was not on – I continually hammer this with the organisers of the event I attend, and they all apologise and promise to better, I heard quite a lot.

I am now used to Aamer Anwar having been to his Jimmy Reid lecture and read his address on becoming Rector of Glasgow University, but his speech is still good with Hope at the end

Lesley Riddoch was good in the final wind up session even though we got a touch of the Nordics.

And I did like ‘Unthink the Britishness’

Get rid of the feudal society once and for all.  I could add: Eradicate David 1 who I am studying at a course given by Edinburgh University.

But it is not that easy.

“Unthink the Britishness”; but its more than that – its unthink Western Europeanism.  You will reply that Norway has successed and I hope they keep to it.  But Sweden is backsliding, and Denmark?

Are we fighting ‘Human Nature’?  John Gray take a very pessimistic view.  Dawkins- The Selfish Gene.  I much prefer the late Stephen Jay Gould.

But to closer at home; I note that for all the good intents of the SNP Government to move Scotland towards the constitution of the RICS it is failing, and this is NOT wholly Westminster’s fault.  It is more that the SNP are at best hitting their heads against Democracy and all its legal trappings as we know them.

It is unclear to me that Full Independence will resolve all the history of European Civilisation and reach the promised land of the RICS Constitution.  It’s the people who love to be in power; ‘power corrupts’.

As a small aside it could be that the small comings together of the townships such as Eigg and Knoydart are the nucleus of a new human society.  Gould put forward the concept of Punctuated Equilibrium that change takes place in small groups away from the centre but once these small groups become strong enough, they move back and take over the centre.

In my experience the small townships are as much populated from across the UK as a whole, as from just Scotland.

BTW Cat Boyd was one of last persons proselyting the original RICS Constitution.
Realism and Passion are uncomfortable bedfellows.

Find the RICS Constitution at:
http://radical.scot/about-ric/ric-constitution/