to a point. it doesn't make it nice though. it i sort of slef-inflicted here though. the independence movement goes up and down but hasn't gotten that close despite the fact that a lot of people want it.

if people are asked the straight question about whether or not they want scotland to be independent the polls usually show around a 50/50 response. its when theyasked if they want to vote for the main independence party that the vote falls away as people don't like them because of other issues. #

writing this i was reminded of the bit in the southpark movie where the black battalion of troops are getting sent on the dangerous mission...not so much this time round but in previous conflicts i can envisage that happening with the scottish troops

 

We do the same here, with poor people. It used to be minorites, but now there are plenty of poor whites who go die for a rich white guys ideological war of choice. It is disgusting.

South Park makes me laugh. "It will be your job to protect the tanks as well," as they strap the black soilders to the tanks as a human shield. exaggerated, but it has some truth to it

 

Michael you beat me to it. After reading the post and before getting to the comments, first thing I thought of was "Operation Get-Behind-The-Darkies".

Seriously though. The statistics have to be worse in the States. What is needed is a way of articulating simply and widely that people never fight their own wars.

 

Don't you have "student deferments" there, or Dick Cheney's "other priorities" excuses? Is it more misguided patriotism or just plain old economics that fuels the recruiters quotas? D.K.

 

I know! It seems every other time I go to the BBC, there is another batch of Scots heading to Iraq. I can't figure it out - I know the majority of Scots oppose the war, so why in the world are there so many soldiers coming from there? Do they not have any way to avoid it or are they forced? Sad, for sure.

 

and now you have me singing the pogues 'and the band played waltzing matilda'. one of THE saddest songs i have ever heard

 

DK - they have a sort of student system but it is mainly for wannabe officers - called the officer training corp. they do 5 years or something.

mary - there are a few scots regiments but they are not entirely made up of scots. it is a confusing picture because they get moved around. i am only using the stats for where soldiers are from and not which regiments

delescluze, thansk for reminding me of that quote

rose - it is a good tune. i saw a guy doing it brilliantly at an open mic a while back

keir - right as usual

graeme - yeah. scots are a minority in the UK sense.

 

Poorer areas of the UK contribute a greater number of servicemen and women - it was ever thus. Northern England, Wales and Scotland disproportionately contribute compared to the wealthier Southern England. When opportunities are limited the forces seem more appealing. Depressing, but true.

 

Wow. Fascinating article - thank you. I know the Scots have a big tradition of fighting the English government's wars, but I had no idea the figures were so high.

Seems like a disproportionate amount of Scotland's current army strength seems to be in Iraq, compared to the rest of the UK. Yet, they're pruning down the Scottish regiments. Hmmmm.

Of course, years ago, round the times of WWI and WWII, joining up and going to war was a way of both escaping poverty and "seeing the world", particularly in the Highlands and Islands. The first time my grandfather walked on a tarmac'd road was when he left Lewis to go to WWI, and his first stop en route was Dingwall. I can understand how going to war would have appealed to guys back then, but not so sure why it does nowadays.

But anyway, how I hate the all too prevalent "cap in hand" attitude!