President Obama (in the recent NATO summit in Newport) treated the Welsh language with a modicum of respect, greeting Welsh schoolchildren by saying “bore da”.
Hardly learning Welsh, but it shows a bit of respect, which is the main thing! Fair play to him!
[Cameron, the prime minister of the state which includes Wales did no such thing. The most respect he has similarly shown for Wales is echoing “What’s occurin’?” in his visits, seemingly assuming that an individual catchphrase for a Welsh character from a comedy series (which is not a typically Welsh phrase) can sum up several thousand years of history.]
Actually, Cameron did do it as well, but (as proved by his previous visits sans American presidents) only because Obama did it, leaving my original point valid
Yes, chwarae teg iddo fo. I assume this is due to the excellent influence of the American ambassador, who, as we recently heard, really did have a fair stab at learning the language.
Come on Scotland. Give us a kick up the pen-ôl!
Absolutely! Shortly followed by Wales, I hope. Seriously, you’re better off without us!
I lost the argument in the old forum that we should be politics-free and I accept reluctantly the consensus as expressed then.
In light of this I need to state my own view that fragmentation of our own small and vulnerable community of nations by Scotland or Wales would be in no-one’s interest.
I don’t intend to argue my position here but I do want to register (amicably I hope) at least one opposing view.
Huw said - “I do want to register (amicably I hope) at least one opposing view.”
Of all the people on this forum, I think you would be the least likely to express something in an inamicable manner!
And this particular view of yours is a view which is absolutely reasonable and respectable, of course!
Huw said - “I don’t intend to argue my position here”
I absolutely understand and respect that, Huw, so I will ask you first if you want to me to respond to the point you make that the UK must stick together because it is “small and vulnerable”. I will only do so if you say that it is ok, as I would not want you to be without a right of reply to something I say! No problems if not, and no need to answer in the negative
Huw, you always have something interesting to say, founded on reason and expressed amicably!
Your reply as always is thoughtful, courteous and generous, Owain. Diolch o galon.
The reason that I am uncomfortable debating “political” issues on the internet (even on this treasured forum) is well illustrated by the impact of my phrase “small and vulnerable”. I admit that this phrase comes no where near encapsulating my actual thoughts and I suspect that no written medium would be much better for me - I just waffle too much.
I very much hope, however, that we might have the chance to debate this or other topics face to face and voice to voice because you are the sort of man I’d enjoy sharing ideas and maybe a pint with.
I think I owe Aran a similar debating session from some time back.
I do wish that we could all express our views as courteously as you both. You are an inspiration to everyone in this Island of ours, however we choose to share it out in the end… Diolch :-):-)
I’m horribly disappointed that no one from the Oval Office thought to contact me before The President’s trip…especially given that I’m from President Obama’s hometown.
(Completely joking. Even if they’d contacted me I’dve said no out of absolute terror)
