Scottish Govt put the kibosh on Dressed to Kilt

[slohairt]

It all comes down to education of the masses. I was raised to be able to look at a map and tell where I was and where I was going. When I went to Austria a couple years ago, one of my coworkers asked if I was going to drive and whether or not I was going to see kangaroos. I did not want to burst his bubble, so I told him yes. I have had much the same when I talk of going to Scotland. It's all the lack of education, not only in their youth, but as adults. It just grates on my nerves to listen to people when they just don't know what is going on. Ok......Soapbox: off.

Next time, tell him you're going to see some Viennese wallabies!

[McFarkus]

Sadly foreign affairs, which includes responsibility for overseas diplomats and relations with foreign governments, is not a matter that has been devolved to the Scottish Government in Holyrood - a responsibility reserved by the Westminster Government along with defence and a number of other issues. What you are suggesting would be akin to the Governor of Ohio sending an ambassador to London.

Many governors of US states DO open trade offices abroad in order to promote their states. Ohio, for instance, has 13 international trade offices: Brussels, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Sao Paulo,
Santiago, Chile, Shanghai, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Toronto, Sydney and New Delhi.

[Phil]

Many governors of US states DO open trade offices abroad in order to promote their states. Ohio, for instance, has 13 international trade offices: Brussels, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Sao Paulo,
Santiago, Chile, Shanghai, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Toronto, Sydney and New Delhi.

I think that you haven't really read what I have just written. I am talking about diplomatic representation which Scotland is not permitted to have in its own right. The English gentlemen from "the consulate" referred to earlier by TheScot are appointed by, and solely responsible to, the Foreign Office in London. There may well be someone in a small room somewhere in the corridors of that institution whose job it is on Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons to remember about Scotland but otherwise they generally concentrate on England and English interests. Unlike your country "pork-barrel" politics does not exist here and no London politicians feel it necessary to placate Scottish interests in that way.

[Galician]

I'll just say that I'm profoundly disappointed by the Scottish government's decision to scrap the Tartan Week celebrations here. It was where I got my first kilt. If not for that, I would not have had ANY idea where to go.

I had wondered about the Scottish Village display, since the usual locale in Grand Central Station was just closed for renovations. It was a great way to get up front and personal with a number of Scottish musicians and enjoy their music.

I would add that I began a campaign to have the NYC tartan declared official after last year's celebration. I learned that my City Councilman was familiar with it due precisely to the Tartan Village, which he would pass on his way home from City Hall. I fear now that they will feel that there is no interest in this, since I wasn't able to generate any support among local Scottish groups.

[thescot]

Phil, I understand your comments, and you are, of course, exactly right.

But on the other hand, I think we're talking more about the economic interests of Scotland and its cities and towns. I suspect that if the Scottish Tourism Board had a tent at the Atlanta Games, they'd be covered up. And while tourism is not the same as a company investing millions, it certainly pumps a lot of money into cottagess industries and hotels.

My point was that the only British representation at the games is English and rarely Scottish. And you're right; they're going to present England and things English if at all. Why not pop for a few thousand quid and open a tent at these events. Let folks know about Scotland from Scots, and let them hear some Scottish accents.

Few things flow sweeter on the ear than the words of a Scottish lass.

[Phil]

My point was that the only British representation at the games is English and rarely Scottish. And you're right; they're going to present England and things English if at all. Why not pop for a few thousand quid and open a tent at these events. Let folks know about Scotland from Scots, and let them hear some Scottish accents.

Few things flow sweeter on the ear than the words of a Scottish lass.

I know and that was what I was trying to explain. While we depend on what is essentially a foreign country to represent us, we are never going to achieve what we are capable of.

[Dalmore]

What a shame, though in a way, I do understand why they are reacting the way they are.

Does this mean that next months parade might be the last? Or is it too soon to speculate.

[Galician]

The parade is sponsored by local Scottish-American groups, like the St. Andrew's Society of New York (founded 1756), not the British government. So that should still be safe.

[macwilkin]

I think that you haven't really read what I have just written. I am talking about diplomatic representation which Scotland is not permitted to have in its own right. The English gentlemen from "the consulate" referred to earlier by TheScot are appointed by, and solely responsible to, the Foreign Office in London. There may well be someone in a small room somewhere in the corridors of that institution whose job it is on Tuesday mornings and Friday afternoons to remember about Scotland but otherwise they generally concentrate on England and English interests. Unlike your country "pork-barrel" politics does not exist here and no London politicians feel it necessary to placate Scottish interests in that way.

Phil,

British consuls and other members of the diplomatic corps frequently attend functions of Scottish societies overseas; I know for a fact that the British Consul in Chicago attends the St. Louis Burns Supper every year, and I believe the British ambassador attends the Caledonian Society of Norway's Burns Supper -- I'm sure Freelander will correct me on this if its not the case. And yes, I know they may not necessarily be Scottish, but you can't say they never attend such things.

Regards,

Todd

[McClef]

post deleted.