If It’s Nae Scots, It’s Crap
By Mitch Berg
Happy Tartan Day, all you Scottish-Americans.
It’s a good day to observe all of Scots culture that we in America have to be proud of.
No, no no. It goes way beyond that. (Although perfecting the art of distilling spirits is no mean feat).
No, there’s the whole Edinburgh Renaissance…:
…of whom James Watt was the most famous result. The Edinburgh Renaissance was a flowering of intellectual, scientific, artistic, engineering and political thought which was, according to Paul Johnson, behind much of what we regard as “modern” today; everything from the macadam road to trousers to yellow-pigmented paint…:
…to the very means to the industrial revolution itself, found their practical application among Scots inventors. These were largely self-educated men who simultaneously mastered science, humanities and the arts at a time when they were regarded as inseparable (which is something the modern American academy would do well to re-learn). All of their stories – Watt, MacAdam, Turner, the whole amazing crew – are worth reading and learning from.
And when all the intellectual stuff wears you out, let’s not forget that when called upon, Scotland also does the music that inflames the savage beast…:
Well, no, not them, per se, although I’m nothing if not a yuuuuge fan of both. No, I’m talking about the traditional music Scots play to get the good guys into the mood to thump the bad guys…:
…which has led Scots as they kicked ass for freedom around the world, from Bill Millin leading the commandos at Sword Bearch…
…to today…
…all the way back to the founding of democracy – including the many Scots who helped found our democracy.
Congrats, Scottish-Americans!
April 6th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Aye, raise a glass to Caledonia, the land that has given so much to civilization and birthed those who – by quill or by claymore – would stand for the cause of freedom. Here’s to the poets, the preachers, the writers and the warriors: Slàinte gu soírraidh!
“It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom — for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” Declaration of Arbroath (1320)
April 7th, 2008 at 1:10 am
What’s with all those girley men? They dress like catholic highschool girls and shag sheep. Give me a real man, becuase _I_ wear the skirts in my household!
(And stifle those darn bagpipes! They sound like a wounded moose in heat!)
Kat.
Mind you, moo$e bites can be preti nasti.
April 7th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Mitch discussed: “much of what we regard as “modern” today; everything from the macadam road to trousers to yellow-pigmented paint…”
Too bad that “trousers” thing didn’t catch on. What can you say about a country full of dudes wearing Catholic school-girl skirts with furry purses in front? Pretty twisted.
April 7th, 2008 at 6:36 am
What can you say about a country full of dudes wearing Catholic school-girl skirts with furry purses in front?
You can say “pour me another shot, and no, I did not insult the Glasgow Rangers, put that bottle down”.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:38 am
31yo Laphroiag – drooooool… Mossy, peaty, swamp water… Maybe someday I’ll be able to afford it 😉
April 7th, 2008 at 10:48 am
What can you say about a country full of dudes wearing Catholic school-girl skirts with furry purses in front?
In the words of the Virginian, “When you say that, smile.” While the Virginian’s name is never used in the book, movies or tv shows, chances are he was of Scots descent. More details here:
http://thenightwriterblog.powerblogs.com/posts/1207582876.shtml
April 7th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Angryclown always smiles. It’s painted on.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:15 am
A guy who wears lipstick is trying to ding on kilts?