tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5804759117912757983.post6298584162111795462..comments2023-10-22T02:46:05.447-07:00Comments on The farm at the back of beyond: Give us this day our daily bread.GentleOtterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04728896118931496934noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5804759117912757983.post-43553399576357916652011-11-21T14:40:46.591-08:002011-11-21T14:40:46.591-08:00I have seen for many years how hard life can be fo...I have seen for many years how hard life can be for small hill-farmers in Wales, Gentle Otter, but at least they aren't bound by the iniquitous Scottish land ownership system. Words fail me....Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5804759117912757983.post-4106849162871816132011-11-21T01:37:39.747-08:002011-11-21T01:37:39.747-08:00I often wonder about the answer to 'where is t...I often wonder about the answer to 'where is the incentive', Sarah.<br /><br />The only way that the world will know what is happening here is to spread the word, prick the conscience of Scots or those sympathetic to these issues worldwide and shame this country into changing.<br /><br />It is rare to read the truth about land imbalance in the press/ media, indeed, many Scots are unaware of what is going on.<br /><br />Other countries have successfully addressed these issues to great benefit but I feel Scotland and Zimbabwe are about on par and that is nothing to feel proud about.GentleOtterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04728896118931496934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5804759117912757983.post-89434187866243818722011-11-21T01:05:12.901-08:002011-11-21T01:05:12.901-08:00You're right, change does need to happen. It&#...You're right, change does need to happen. It's a shocking state of affairs that's been going on far too long. Will the powerful state budge? Not if they can help it, but where is the incentive to change going to come from?Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5804759117912757983.post-50818841938642299782011-11-21T00:42:56.908-08:002011-11-21T00:42:56.908-08:00Thank you, workbike.
Andy Wightman details the or...Thank you, workbike.<br /><br />Andy Wightman details the origins of the landgrab in his book "The Poor Had No Lawyers" and how it still stands today. We were forbidden this area of history in school so my eyes are opened wide to the extent of the theft.<br />His book covers some shocking facts and is very well researched. I think this book should be in the National Curriculum and taught to every child.<br /><br />There is an interesting fact about the church here.<br />A past laird built a church on the condition that the local population follow his Kirk.<br />The locals were Free Church and were indignant that their method of worship was to be changed so they removed the new Kirk stone by stone and sold it to another parish!<br /><br />I do have a strong Faith but not in the Kirk, due to some dubious ethics in how the church money is invested and other issues.<br /><br />The Scottish governments in the past appear to completely ignore these complexities over land reform but then, they are the biggest landowners in Scotland..... this government has the chance to ring in the changes but are proving a disappointment in that sphere.<br /><br />We cannot progress as a nation whilst the problem is ignored and our problem (which affects many others too) must come from a change in legislation.GentleOtterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04728896118931496934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5804759117912757983.post-58847413899216523252011-11-21T00:05:50.158-08:002011-11-21T00:05:50.158-08:00When I was in college I did a fair bit of research...When I was in college I did a fair bit of research on the history of scotland to prepare for writing play about the clearances. Quite why this seemed logical in a college in Somerset escapes me at the moment but I learned a lot and what you're saying rings true.<br /><br />From what I recall, a lot of this dates from the days when the English realised that there was land in Scotland and a market for Sport, and that as with many other places, the system of land ownership (or lack thereof) in Scotland made it easy for the English to push their way in and take over, with military force backing them up: the people were herded onto crofts and forced into the apalling agreements you're dealing with now.<br />Have I understood/remembered that correctly?<br />Your quote from the Lord's prayer has given me a possible idea: Are the local churches involved in this? Because they should be. If we christians are talking about a "loving and just God" we need to be showing it, and I've studied enough theology to be able to put the case in theological language.<br />If you can point me at some local churches to you (You can contact me on the 'workbike' blog) I can at least start writing some letters.<br />Come to that, ypour politicians may, possibly get a bit embarrased if they start getting letters from overseas about the situation: It's worth a try.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5804759117912757983.post-27621762252905045892011-11-20T08:45:26.108-08:002011-11-20T08:45:26.108-08:00Absolutely true, the fly. The morale of the people...Absolutely true, the fly. The morale of the people affected was never stronger as they helped each other amid all the adversity.<br /><br />The balance of power versus recognition of inequality has tipped and it is time to find equilibrium.GentleOtterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04728896118931496934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5804759117912757983.post-31362586937718144272011-11-20T08:12:20.305-08:002011-11-20T08:12:20.305-08:00Yes, both British and German governments believed ...Yes, both British and German governments believed carpet bombing of towns would weaken the morale of the other country's citizens.<br /><br />Did the opposite, didn't it? <br /><br />We need to eradicate from positions of power those who think like this.the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.com