The Golden Toad is extinct

My commitment to Scotland's Independence is motivated by the belief (I'd say "knowledge" but it's time consuming having to read all the angry comments so i'll stick with "belief") that it not only makes economic sense (actually that bit's "knowledge") but it's absolutely the right thing to do in terms of maintaining and developing our culture and our contribution to the world.

It's not motivated by this idea that Scotland is treated badly by the UK. Scotland is treated how the people of Scotland vote for it to be treated. But .... you can see why some people (inc myself) get irritated by other UK attitudes toward us. The worst is when it's like we don't exist.

This morning for instance. A very interesting guy called Nigel was reporting to GMTV about global warming, the threat to up to a third of the worlds species (the golden frog is now extinct btw!) and why the goings on in Copenhagen are so important to the world.

"We're trying hard here in England" he says and adds "and so is America". So I'm watching BRITISH TV which is supposed to be aimed at a BRITISH audience, not purely England. And whilst I don't object to people talking about Scotland or England, I do think if you're referring to "we" and you're not on "regional" TV, you ought to remember that there are other parts of the UK and it's not just England.

You're broadcasting to the UK countries. You want to say something positive about our attitude to climate change. Given that one of those countries, ie Scotland, has very recently passed the MOST AMBITIOUS CLIMATE CHANGE BILL IN THE WORLD, you might think that was a worthy example. But no. "We're trying hard in England" was all he could manage.

I am sure this guy will know about it but when you believe that the UK IS England, it's very easy to forget that Scotland exists. He reported that the Golden Toad is now extinct but as far as I'm aware, Scotland isn't. Someone ought to tell this guy.

The sooner we get our Independence and start to play a full role in the world, the better.