Identity in the Scottish Diaspora

[neloon]

David,
I will try to say something useful - entirely my own thoughts and, if anything is inappropriate, I assume the Mods will delete the post.
First, a long preamble.
Our Canadian friends have the aphorism "As Canadian as possible ....under the circumstances" i.e. trying to live next a giant. We, in Scotland, also live next a giant. Indeed, after the 1707 Union, we were supposed to be referred to as "North Britain" and even when I was young, that designation was often found on addresses. (One never saw "South Britain"! ) The last verse of the UK National Anthem still asks God "Rebellious Scots to crush". In the last 60 years, Scotland's thoughts about our relationship with the English giant have become increasingly schizophrenic which, of course, may hint at insecurity but not in the way that Reiver wants to suggest. Some of this probably spills over into other national relationships such as with the US.
For example, we are embarassed that one of your Presidential candidates is half Scots (which did not stop him taking the Scottish government to Court - he lost). A few years back, we had President Obama and US senators screaming abuse at Scottish Law over the Pan Am Flight 103 tragedy - "I think all of us here in the United States were surprised, disappointed and angry about the release". Obama came over especially to tell us how to vote in the Scottish Referendum to satisfy "America's best interests". (He similarly interfered in the UK EU referendum!) This makes us feel a bit "put upon" by the US - I'm trying to be tactful - and that may make us insecure in an environment such as this site which usurps(?) our name yet where we are so outnumbered. Why should we accept any connection with a country that is the laughing stock of the rest of the world?
To give you just one example - we find it difficult to accept that people in the US who are big on An crann tara, who can't spell the Gaelic word for children and who have purloined Burns' poetry in a foundation statement should incorporate such "Scottishness" into their philosophy. Of course, that doesn't apply to members of XMarks, we know that but.... So please drop the Scottish ancestry thing - we don't see the point and it must bring some suspicion on yourselves. Especially if you come from certain parts of the US.
However, in Scotland's "best interests" some of us will continue to help XMarkers where we can. Hope you enjoyed "being" Luther!
Good night.

Alan