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| (This is my polling station. Pretty, eh?) |
But as the day dawns today I am pleased and relieved that it is finally here whatever the outcome is. It will finally be over. Why?
1. I am tired being patronised by men. If I hear "but it's an important decision, Lyndsey" one more time there may be (in the words of stalwart Scots detective Taggart) a murrdurr. Excuse the blonde hair, I am actually aware what huge implications for my country and my daughter this has. I started my research months ago to make my mind up. And not by watching a programme on the telly or reading a newspaper because frankly I don't trust them. Bringing me nicely on to..
2. I don't want to know what you are voting. So please stop with the six Facebook status updates a day linking to articles promoting your opinion. I don't entirely trust the BBC to report without bias, I am not going to be influenced by rhetoric surrounded by "what 80's sitcom character are you" and ice bucket challenge videos. Give it a rest and give me cat photos. Or even what you had for your tea! I have actually hidden people from my timeline for this. Not unfriended anyone (because frankly that is ridiculous, small minded shittery. I might unfriend you for being an arse but not because of who you intend to vote for) but temporarily chosen not to see dozens of articles rehashing the same set of figures to say whatever best fits your opinion. Facebook, for me, is for fun. Yes I realise it's an important decision (see point 1) so make it stop!!
3. And finally. It's causing friction. The polls say the vote is approximately split 50/50. That's a LOT of people disagreeing. Now I am not predicting riots in the streets when the results are in (surely to god that won't happen, right?) but even in small ways people are pushing their opinions on others. I saw my level-headed, well educated, business owner brother tell someone to "wind your neck in" a few months ago and that about sums it up. Your opinion is just that. YOUR opinion. I actually saw someone I respect suggest recently that if you haven't made your mind up yet then you've not done your homework. Were you not paying attention to point 1?! Big decision, no absolutes. Two people can read the same set of figures and have polar opinions on what they say. That's how statisticians make their money. Have some respect, for Pete's sake, and please don't assume because someone disagrees with you or can't decide which set of reports to side with that they are thick or aren't taking it seriously. It's very serious. We ALL know that - that is why it's such a difficult decision to make!
Okay, enough of that. Fabric, yarn or horses next time. Be kind to each other, we are all children of the universe! X
As an English woman the biggest thing about all this I've found so perplexing is how the ordinary Scots person in the street can get unbiased non political information to make an informed decision. It's a big decision because unlike voting in say a general election nobody can go back four years later and make a different decision if they don't like the outcome. I think whatever happens it's going to be messy. I just hope whatever happens Scotland get a decision which ends up being good for everyone that lives there.
ReplyDeleteI heard on the radio a bloke from Quebec talking about their referendum and although I cant remember much of what he said what I do remember is the fact that it caused massive upset amongst the population no matter what they voted which has taken decades to subside. Like Jan I think it will be messy either way and hope it can all come out amicably in the end.
ReplyDeletemwah! heres to it being over, and heres to abiding by the decision, whatever it is.
ReplyDeleteSmart chick :). We get never ending television commercials with the smiling candidates, blah! Enough already. Hope it's a good outcome
ReplyDeleteGreat post honey, I wish everyone was as level headed. Why can't they just report facts and stats and trust people to interpret them as well as they can. After all, you are being trusted with the vote anyway. I worry about the friction and the long term impact of it, especially as it it such a close thing.
ReplyDeleteWe can always count on you for the straight stuff! All we get in the USA is 'commentary' by talking heads.
ReplyDeleteWell said Lynz .....
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing historical day, no matter how it goes. I can see you telling your grandchildren about this day and how you felt.
ReplyDeleteWell said Lynz! I have been watching this with much interest from the US and think of you every time I hear about it. I keep telling people I have a friend that lives in Scotland and I get looks like I'm nuts! Whichever way it goes I wish the best for you and your family and hope that your beautiful country has a future full of peace and prosperity.
ReplyDeletePerfectly said.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
ReplyDeleteMy friend was grumbling about not getting a vote last weekend. I politely pointed out that it has absolutely nothing to do with us so why would we? Her husband agreed with me :)
May the odds ever be in your favour.
Couldn't agree more, wish I could have written it so well! I'm looking forward to....moving forward! Juliex
ReplyDeleteWell said ! Outside our polling station there stood three people two voting one way one the other they were totally ignoring one another how sad I thought in a village that I associate with friendliness. Tomorrow is the dawn of a new future for our beautiful country we need to stand together and move forward regardless of how we voted
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping the friction can be assuaged whatever the result. Seems to have all kind of whipped up a frenzy. It's important that people vote in a way better informed than by television and political spin and vote by giving consideration as much to what has NOT been said as what has. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteHurrah! some sense here... Voting is private, and we will all find out in due course what is happening- and then live with it!
ReplyDeleteGood on you Lynz!
Rather you than me is all I have to say - see you on the other side, or the same side, or something ;) xxx
ReplyDeleteBeautifully eloquent post Lynz. :) x
ReplyDeleteVery well said Lynz. I missed reading this yesterday (I have been VERY busy this week, thank goodness actually!), and after a very bad night's sleep I have woken to the news and am very happy and relieved. As I always predicted there was a quiet sensible majority. I do however feel very bad for the Nats as they wanted and believed so passionately about this. I just hope we can all pull together now and go forward in a united and positive way :D
ReplyDeleteWell said! In the end, you have to make the decision that's right for you, your family and your priorities. With the over-invasion of media in everything we do now-a-days, that's very difficult to do. I think you did a wonderful job making your decision.
ReplyDeleteDoes life feel any different up there today vs. yesterday? I have only hear the results, but came to work before the public was really up and chatting. xx
Unfortunately we did actually get the riots *sigh* Albeit I suspect that really it was the Weegies previously on opposite sides of the footie stadium embracing a whole new reason to have a square go... Thank christ it's all over though, I was dreading turning on the TV or radio recently in case I got one more politician lecturing me or shouting at each other, even bloody Radio 1 got on board, and you can usually rely on them to skip the serious news!
ReplyDeleteBTW, your polling station is much prettier than our 60's single story primary school that last saw better days in about, err, the 1960's
Yay - totally agree. Hope that we can all be kind to each other, as you say, and move forward.
ReplyDelete