An Interesting Story

[BarryBobPosthole]

The Catalans of Spain are pushng for secession, much like the Scots. Speaking of where is that now in the process? Are they done? I forget.

Spain is not amused. but it makes for an interesting story and is proof that in some parts of the world, people are looking for more direct representation to select their government based on their history and heritage moreso than their political beliefs.

Something to watch. And it'll be really interesting to see what Spain does. That whole area is interstimg as hell. Its where most of rome's most effective fighting legions came from like the friggin 10th Legion that was BAD ASS, yet as a country they've been one of the least effective militaries in the world.

BKB

Catalonia's separatists try to stage Spain breakaway attempt

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/usworld/ap/catalonia-s-separatists-try-to-stage-spain-breakaway-attempt/article_b99739d2-36d3-51cf-a874-e78daa6b6acf.html

(Sent from Tulsa World)

[DeputyDog]

Scotland took theirs to a vote and it was defeated. The Catalans tried to get their independence back a couple hundred years ago too.

You think of all those countries being ancient, but the current make up of many of them is relatively new, several being a lot "younger" than the USA. Germany and Italy, for example, both have long histories, but didn't become a single large country until the later 1800's, and of course the current divisions in the middle-east are only 100 years old.

Spain already has issues with the Basque's wanting their traditional homeland back, now the Catalans. Gonna be interesting, especially with most of Europe so entangled in the EU that they have lost a lot of their national independence already.

[Buckrub]

I'll wait to hear Herb's assessment..........

:thumbsup

[Herb2]

Catalonia has often tried to separate from Spain, as have the Basques.

In fact the "Wild Geese" the famed Irish "mercenary" tercios of the Spanish lowlands (now Belgium) were moved to Spain proper and were bled white in the Catalan uprisings in the 1640-1650s. This was at a time when "Spain" (more properly the Hapsburg family) controlled all of Spain, 80% of Italy, half of France, all of the Netherlands and Belgium (the Dutch also rebelled) and Austria-Hungary, and had close family ties with Bavaria and the Tyrol. Spain was THE preeminent Christian power in the world and was arguably the wealthiest and strongest military power as well, but the Catalans still rebelled.

If modern day Spain lost Catalonia, it would be like Italy losing it's industrial north; a BIG chunk of the GDP would go as well, plus if the Catalans leave the Basques would be hard on their heels; they both have a distinct (non-Spanish) language and culture.

[Buckrub]

See?

[FooBang]

The difference is that there vote is illegal. The biggest problem is that they want to continue being part of the EU and using the Euro. It doesn't look like it would be the case, so I'll doubt it will pass. That and a few of there leaders were brought up on corruption charges. They're trying to spin it like that is a primary reason for seceding-- Spain makes it too easy to be corrupt!