By now you have all read countless blogs ,newspaper articles opinions on the appalling brutal attacks on the innocent voters in Catalonia on Sunday.
Most people reading this concur the Spanish Government’ s actions are against every democratic principle and charter ever written ,and enacted.
All the decent fair minded democrats have condemned the brutality without equivocation,except some rather strange ,or maybe nowadays not so strange bedfellows.
The British Government , issued what can only be described as a free pass to the Spaniards to carry right on with anything they saw fit to bring these ‘illegals’ back into line.
Several SLAB supporters gave mealy mouthed comments ,of course linking it to SNP Bad , Nicola Bad messages and stressing the illegality of the vote.
The Tories in general of course think beating up pensioners ,breaking women’s fingers one by one baton charging voters and fellow emergency service workers is just fine if it keeps separatists in line.
Indeed you can almost read their minds and thought processes.
These were the usual suspects and I don’t think it came as any great surprise to any of us when they sided with the fascist going ons.
The two that saddened and really upset me were firstly the Irish and their statement from The Taoiseach
“ Ireland will not recognize the result of the Catalonian Referendum, Ireland respects the courts and constitution of Spain,however we do condemn the violence”
I respect that the present Irish Government does not express the opinion of every Irish person,however they speak for Ireland.
You would think of all nations in the EU ,even the ex Soviet bloc countries Ireland would be revolted by the violence meted out to the unarmed population just trying to exact their democratic right.
You would think that the Irish ,more than anyone else would be enraged when fellow Europeans ,a minority were having their human rights smashed on the end of a fascists baton.
I love Ireland ,and the Irish people it is and will continue to be one of my favourite holiday destinations ,however I cannot deny a bit of the shine has come off of the romantic opinion I hold .
The second boot in the guts came from the EU Commission
European Commission – Statement
Statement on the events in Catalonia
Brussels, 2 October 2017
Under the Spanish Constitution, yesterday’s vote in Catalonia was not legal.
For the European Commission, as President Juncker has reiterated repeatedly, this is an internal matter for Spain that has to be dealt with in line with the constitutional order of Spain.
We also reiterate the legal position held by this Commission as well as by its predecessors. If a referendum were to be organised in line with the Spanish Constitution it would mean that the territory leaving would find itself outside of the European Union.
Beyond the purely legal aspects of this matter, the Commission believes that these are times for unity and stability, not divisiveness and fragmentation.
We call on all relevant players to now move very swiftly from confrontation to dialogue. Violence can never be an instrument in politics. We trust the leadership of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to manage this difficult process in full respect of the Spanish Constitution and of the fundamental rights of citizens enshrined therein.
Liz Castro that well known Catalonian activist tweed this :-
“Catalonia *was* extremely pro-European. We knew not to expect much, but those expectations have sunk even further.
Let me set the record straight I have always been a pro EU person I have viewed it favourably and looked to it to protect us from the excesses of continuous Neo-Con British Governments, in the workplace and in our human rights.
I have recognised unlike a great many in UK that for example without the EU there would be no cheap flights , freedom of movement is something I have embraced,as many of you know I now live in Catalonia, however with the idiots negotiating Brexit god knows if that will be sustainable.
It has helped keep the peace in Europe since the end of WWII, it has used its influence in troubled areas of the world .
It till now has been seen as an honest broker ,unlike our own right wing governments.
However that statement and the mealy mouthed words about the abuse of the Catalans human rights and protections has sickened me to the point of no longer being in love with the EU.
There is the whole thing about is the Referendum legal or illegal ,is there Conventions and treaties that can be explained.
I am no constitutional lawyer ,however Craig Murray has written a fantastic appraisal of what he sees as a dereliction of duty by EU towards the Catalans ,and indeed very eloquently shows that the Referendum may zindeed have been legal even under the Spanish Constitution
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/
I have always thought in our struggle for Self Determination the two pillars we could depend on where the Irish ,and the EU.
Therefore today I feel a wee bit like the guy that has come home unexpectedly and found his wife in bed with his two best mates.
I think it is a good comparison because when Ireland and EU turned their back on Catalonia they were only thinking of what was good for them a proverbial quick roll in the hay for self pleasure.
They certainly did not think on the high ideals of morality ,right and respect for the Catalan people or their human and Democratic Rights .
One can only guess at Ireland’s reasons ,do they think because of Brexit they dare not upset a fellow member of the EU ,or the commission?
Do they think this will aid them in their quest for an United Ireland?
We can only speculate unless someone close to the Irish Government can enlighten us.
As to the EU Commission it would seem all those high ideals it proclaims are merely words for the masses.
Actions speak louder than words and their actions say it is ok to baton charge innocents it is ok to steal ballot boxes ,it is ok to say there was no violence ,it is ok to blame people who just wanted to vote on their own future.
We in the Commission are only interested in the protection of big business and the founding nations of this club.
Therefore it is my opinion now that when our time comes to vote do not expect help from anyone but ourselves.
When the day of Independence comes say no to EU and Yes to EFTA. there we can enjoy the Single Market ,Freedom of goods and travel the Customs Union without being part of an organisation that will throw principle out of the window to appease fascists and big business.
I don’t want Independence on just any terms I want them in a manner that says I am proud of our nation ,our ideals our principles.
I want to be able to speak out against fascists and non democrats when ever the needs arrive.
My heart is a little broken ,however time is a great healer thanks for the memories EU ,we can still be friends just not living under the same roof , unlike you we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Catalonian friends.
Barrhead Boy 