torsdag 21. august 2014

Scotland's referendum-Independent or not?

A referendum on whether Scotland should be an independent country will take place on Thursday 18 September 2014. The referendums most important issues are Scotland's economic strength, defense issues, the further relations with Britain, whenever they should be an independent country or not, and particularly the European Union and NATO.

In feburary 2013, 32% of  the Scottish population wanted Scottland to be an indipendent country. 43% voted NO to this solution, and as many as 21%  were undecided.
According to the web page http://whatscotlandthinks.org/questions/should-scotland-be-an-independent-country-1#table , the statistics were quite similar one and a half year later. As much as 10% that were undecided have now changed their answer to either the yes or no-side.
The final result of the referendum is that 38% wants Scottland to be an indipendent country. 51% does not want indipendency, while 11% is still undecided the day to day.

Today in class we had a video conversation on Google Hangout with Ewan MacIntosh who is a counselor and speaker, regarded as one of Europe’s experts in digital media for public services. Everyone in class had to make up one question for Ewan to answer. I asked him what the main reason was that so many people have voted NO to the referendum.  To explain his answer, he talked about a his friend that is a marine soldier. He is stuck with an ilness that makes it hard for him to walk, so he has to use a special kind medicin that gives him the opportunity to walk, run and play with his son. The only thing this man cares about is to get his medicin that makes it possible for him to live a normal life, and he is very worried that he won't have access to the medicin if Scottland gets independent as a country. Scottland has since 1991 (when they got their parlament) been responsible for their own health care system, so most of the scottish population does not want England to limit their access to different medicin, employment opportunities and other important requirement. " It has everything to do with people's uncertainty about the existing policy" Ewan finishes. "Some voters are still not sure if it would improve things for them as an individual".

My expectation for this year

Last year I studied abroad in a small city named Dallastown, Pennsylvania in the United States.
I went to a typical American high school and practised my oral and written English by speaking and learning it every day. I had an amazing year in the States living with my crazy hostfamily consiting of host mom Ruthie and my host dad Scott Failor. I am now sitting here, a year later with a lot of great memories and experiences that I would not have if I did not choose to study abroad the second year of high school.

My expectation for this year is higher than ever before. I have promised myself to work hard in every single subject that I have choosen, by doing all  the assigments given and paying attention in class.I am currently planning to study Law in Bergen when I have finished high school, so I know have to work extremly hard by studying for tests and oral presentations. I can not wait to accurique a wider vocabulary and get a lot of knowledge about the British political system.