Allen S. Moore
Well-known member
Talking of ill-informed ignorance, in my attempt to tease Allen about living in an intolerant, illiberal backwater, I've managed to out myself despite not actually being gay.
For the record, the Isle of Man now has the same equality laws as the UK, and welcomes visitors of any sexuality.
Apologies for my ignorant teasing, Allen, the Isle of Man does sound a cracking place to visit.
Graham
Citizen of the World
OK, bitterntwisted, your attempt to tease failed as I didn't notice that's what you were doing! Ignorance is bliss, eh? Of course, living in a place exposes its faults, and there are some. Birching was banned decades ago, which will undoubtedly disappoint that Norton fellow in his strange downer on the Isle of Man, or is it just a downer on me - I've never met you, mate! Talking about "living in an intolerant, illiberal backwater," there are people in England with that mind set. Just look at the toffs who expect the peasants to adhere to the law and yet break it themselves by shooting protected birds.
I'm not ignoring what KN wrote about constitutional matters. Those the are results of history, it not being easy for a small country to remain 100% independent while living close to a larger neighbour, with or without expansionist tendencies. The Isle of Man has its own parliament (and, yes, our laws have to be accepted by the UK, history!), taxation and laws. One manifestation of our partial independence is that we are only associate members of the EU. We Manx are Celts, not Germanic, and have our own Celtic language. Yes, the English language is almost universal here, as it is in many other countries on the world. The Manx and other lesser used languages are manifestations of human diversity, in the same way that we ornithologists speak about biodiversity. Indeed, areas with high linguistic diversity often also have high biodiversity, like New Guinea and equatorial west Africa.
Talking about independence, the UK is not as independent as it was thanks to its membership of the EU. That independence would have been further reduced as a result of the Lisbon Treaty, but who stood up to it and kicked it out? Our Celtic neighbours in the Irish Republic!
One last message to Mr Norton ... you need to chill. Can I recommend a holiday in the Isle of Man?
Allen Moore