tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post367972724996476964..comments2024-03-26T09:38:39.888+00:00Comments on Borthlas: The People's FlagJohn Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-4770375752167755582008-09-27T09:35:00.000+01:002008-09-27T09:35:00.000+01:00Stonemason,Some 'nationalists' respond to 'unionis...Stonemason,<BR/><BR/>Some 'nationalists' respond to 'unionists' on the basis of what they assume them to believe rather than what they actually say; and some 'unionists' respond to 'nationalists' on the same basis as well. It's unfortunate, and prevents rather than facilitates debate.<BR/><BR/>I think that most 'unionists' (but not necessarily all!) start from a genuine belief that Wales is better off united with England. I disagree, but recognise that it's a perfectly valid position to hold. <BR/><BR/>I want Wales to move forward, but I want to do so by convincing the people of Wales that my vision of the future is the right one. I don't know any way of doing that, other than by being willing to engage in debate. Independence for Wales will come if, and only if, the people of Wales decide that they want it.John Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-47594518277673451352008-09-26T17:37:00.000+01:002008-09-26T17:37:00.000+01:00Speaking with you I might be wondering why I remai...Speaking with you I might be wondering why I remain a Unionist, then I read some of your fellow bloggers and must respond quite differently to them.<BR/><BR/>But .....<BR/><BR/>I personally could campaign for "self-government" in a regional context, a model for the whole of the UK. With much less government from the centre.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05037177825712467778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-89864344007145089112008-09-26T11:19:00.000+01:002008-09-26T11:19:00.000+01:00Stonemason,"this Unionist doesn't take any issue w...Stonemason,<BR/><BR/><I>"this Unionist doesn't take any issue with your post"</I><BR/><BR/>I think you'd be surprised at how far it is possible for 'unionists' and 'nationalists' to agree on a whole range of topics. The late Phil Williams used to tell the story of the man from Bargoed who said to him once, <I>"You know, if you only dropped this talk of self-government, Plaid Cymru would sweep the Valleys."</I><BR/><BR/>The chief difference, very often, is whether, and to what extent, the solutions can, or should, be implemented at a Welsh level by an independent parliament, or at a UK level by the current parliament. Given the radical traditions of Wales, one of the strongest arguments for self-government for me has always been that Wales, given the power, would move further and faster than the more naturally conservative England.<BR/><BR/><I>"how do we find the honest poachers to turn into the honest gamekeeper?"</I><BR/><BR/>That's a good question. One of the tragedies of the current mess in the financial markets is that so many bright people are using their talent and ability to find 'innovative' ways of working the system to make massive profits for the few. Just imagine what could be achieved if that brain power was put to work to seek advantage for the many. Part of it, surely, is about what motivates them. As long as personal and corporate greed are the main drivers, they will continue to behave in the same way.John Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-72403118617599136372008-09-25T17:58:00.000+01:002008-09-25T17:58:00.000+01:00Well this Unionist doesn't take any issue with you...Well this Unionist doesn't take any issue with your post, but how do we find the honest poachers to turn into the honest gamekeeper?<BR/><BR/>I think we need the "poachers turned" because so few understand the mechanisms of the modern financial casino's, that should read "modern markets" but casino has a truer ring.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05037177825712467778noreply@blogger.com