h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I suppose most nationalities have image problems in certain quarters. My preconceived image of Scotland is primarily rural. All those beautiful mountains and lakes. I also have an image, probably (hopefully) inaccurate, of Scots and English both being clannish and unwelcoming to strangers. Of Englishmen with a superior attitude. I must say that during my short visit there, everyone was friendly and pleasant.

Back on thread, I suppose if I lived in New York and discovered that Exxon had dumped between 65,000,000 and 130,000,000 litres of oil in the ground and that it's now seeping into a tributary of the East River I could be persuaded to take to the streets, peacefully of course, to highlight a point.

Tony -

You're right. The Scots have a scary image within Britain. But in my experience, this doesn't carry overseas. Straw poll amongst our overseas correspondents?

(I'm not grinding an axe, btw. I can't understand national chauvinism of any stripe. Far better to be proud of what one has *done*, than of a mere accident of birth.)

Well as I said, I don't believe this notion, I'm merely pointing out that this is the perceived view of them, I point to my Bermudan friend who was going to read at UoG the year before I coincidentally ended up here, and how she was afraid that she'd get beaten up while she was out in town, and another American friend who was scared of a similar fate to me when I declared I was going here.

Perhaps the rest of the world is more generous in accepting the Scots than the English because they recognise them as being oppressed rather than the oppressor, despite their public image.

>>My preconceived image of Scotland is primarily rural

You've not been to Airdrie, then...

Edward, unfortunately I haven't. I'm far too poor to fly across the pond very often. Someday I am definitely going to vacation in Scotland.

Have to try haggis with neeps and tatties before ya die.

I've had wildly different reports about haggis. It seems to be similar to Boudain, which is common in Louisiana.

I've never tried it either.

English POV - I'm not sure Scots have a more scary image in the rest of the UK but I would perceive them as tougher. Not sure why...

I imagine you'd have to be tough to eat haggis all the time.

Nah, I'm weak as a daisy and I have it once a month, 'tis gorgeous. No pie&mash though.

A great Scot, my Uncle Stewart once told me that Haggis have longer legs on one side so they can run round the mountains without falling off. He comes from up the top near John O'Groats.

Hypatia:
>>Edward, unfortunately I haven't. smiley I'm far too poor to fly across the pond very often. Someday I am definitely going to vacation in Scotland.

*Don't* plan your holiday around a trip to Airdrie. You'll be disappointed.

LuckyLl
Actually, there are two breeds of haggis. One has the left legs longer than the right and travels clockwise around mountains. The other has longer right legs than left and travels anti-clockwise. The two species seldom inter-breed.

Joking apart...haggis is actually very tasty. Although it's perceived internationally as a bizarre oddity, most Scots will admit to a fondness to it. There are even a couple of tasty brands of vegetarian haggis. Anyway, they're a lot tastier than painch, tripe or thirm.

I forgot just how difficult it must be to actually oppose the HRA itself having just re-read it (thanks for the link Ed). So that is obviously why its opponants always put up straw men eh?

Painch and thirm?
By the way Ed I really do like Haggis! And also I've enjoyed tatties and neeps in a pub where Burns used to go - or so it said on the wall!

Painch, Thairm...1st verse:
http://www.robertburns.org/works/147.shtml

Human Rights Act:
It's always a pleasure to advertise what it's *really* about and to shatter some reactionary myths. Here's a reminder: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/19980042.htm (skip ahead and read the Articles in the Schedule).

It's not 'political correctness gorn mad'. It doesn't govern individual or corporate behaviour. It's about the limits of power of the government and public bodies. In fact, only last night there was a story on R4 (couple finds itself liable for church repairs; HRA issues raised; Church ruled not held to HRA because not a public body).

It's not European law, either. The EU adopted the International Convention, amongst whose authors were Eleanor Roosevelt. EU member states, including Britain, have agreed to write the Convention into their own law.

I have criticisms of it myself. It's not nearly strong enough. As with much New Labour legislation, the govt. signed up to it under the impression that it would make them look good without actually having to *do* anything. As soon as they have a problem, they start looking for 'Derogations'.

Incidentally, Roosevelt wanted something a lot stronger. They watered down a lot of her proposals on rights to healthcare, alleviation of poverty, etc.

Has Math read it yet? I'll give you time to digest your humble pie...

So Eddie, you expect me to deconstruct the act in the twinkling of an eye do you and thus hand you a clear cut victory.

No such luck mate. I shall post when I am good a ready and not before.

Unlike your characterisation I do not think that the act is 'political correctness gone mad'. I do, however, think that the primary assumption underpinning it is incorrect and that this has led to some people abusing its good intent.

So be a good little victim of instant self-gratification and have patience.

Blessings,
Matholwch .

Ok but it isnt that long a thing to read math....

Unlike the DDA, which I had to read in its entirity t'other day

w00t, post 100. That's all I have to say really. Oh except on the subject of the phrase "political correctness gone mad" and the annoying way people have turned political correctness to having generally negative connotations, my friend once overheard his boss at Homebase talking to the security guard (who incidentally was a black migrant worker) and used the phrase "you can't even paint your room n*gger brown anymore, it's political correctness gone mad."