Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Devolution

Gonzales v Raich (the medical marijuana decision) may be the straw that broke Max’s back.

devolution transference (as of rights, powers, property, or responsibility) to another; especially : the surrender of powers to local authorities by a central government

I lived in Edinburgh in 1989-1990 and I have three distinct political images etched in my memory from that time period:
1. The Berlin Wall being torn down;
2. Nelson Mandela’s walk out of prison; and
3. Scottish Nationalist Party graffiti all over town.

The SNP was established in 1934; they stand for an independent Scottish nation, which they have not (yet) achieved. However, seven years ago the UK Parliament passed the Scottish Act of 1998, an act of constitutional reform, which included the words: “there shall be a Scottish Parliament.” In July of 1999, the Scottish Parliament was convened for the first time since 1707. The Act devolved the power to determine domestic policy and laws for Scotland away from the UK Parliament and back to Edinburgh. In the same year, the National Assembly for Wales was convened.

It can be done.

7 comments:

Devastatin' Dave said...

I love the Scots. Just wish they'd be more forceful in telling the Brits to piss off.

Anonymous said...

I'm picturing a legion of angry rioters, tearing down walls while wearing yellow jumpsuits and little red plastic domes on their heads.

Whip it good!

Monkey's Max said...

rtm, you're finally here! You got part of my point, at least of the previous post. Great comment anyway.

Riggs, no kidding. It breaks my little liberal heart. I could not believe what I was doing while I was quoting Thomas and O'Connor in the comments to my last post, but they were indeed the ones upholding the Constitution.

AG said...

When they were both appointed to the Supreme Court (O'Connor and then Thomas), I was not worried about the Roe vs. Wade issue - as were many others - and felt that their records concerning Constitution law would guarantee the safety of individual rights in America. These are "old fashioned" conservatives - as opposed to the new "right wing" bible thumping fascists who want to make America a "christian" nation.

Anonymous said...

I love boyz who don't wear anything under their skirts. *wink*

AG said...

Sorry to disappoint you Riggs, I'm more a lion than a lamb. Wanna arm wrestle?

AG said...

Hey, Chatsy, did I send you that picture. Will do on email if I still have yours.