Interesting story, and it is indeed getting passed by the media.
But then its getting passed by the media because afaik there isnt a country lining up to annex venice when it votes.

Yah, I know there are various attempts of sundry levels of sincerity. But I honestly believe we might be better suited to being broken into smaller nations of more compatible temperament. If nothing else it would be worth it to see how well the anti-government South fares without the state welfare that keeps them afloat from the North.

The more you insulate people from the consequences of their choices, the poorer those choices become. That's what we have a country full of people voting against their own self-interest, and paralytic in the face of hard decisions.

We're already fragmenting into a nation of self-identified tribes, many of which have less in common than do the warring tribes of other lands (Hutus and Tutsis, Sunni and Shia, etc). I think the idea that we can reach a national accord as one is rapidly evaporating. Especially when so many of the participants are of the childish "no, YOU" type like the previous poster I responded to. That's not how you have a national discourse.

Well, no fuckers reporting on the Yorkshire independence movement either.

No, I do not sympathize with the "anger" and "prejudice" side, just responding to what I saw to me as a hateful post in it's own right. Not that I don't agree, I just don't agree on how it was worded.

Fair enough, and it was pretty intemperate of me to phrase it that way. I confess that get unreasonable flashes of anger over the issue. Partly because I work in a field where I am constantly witness to, bluntly, human stupidity that is causing massive damage which it need not. And much of this is supported by political inertia, and not just in our country. So I get angry at humanity at large, and then turn it back against my motherland.

I do realise that if the US was to break apart into smaller nations, there would be a lot of horrible problems as well as chances for improvement. I'm not oracular enough to know whether it would work out better in the long run or not. But at times I just reach saturation and want the obstructionists to just go away. So many people seem to be pining for a mythic America that was worse for almost everyone, simply because they personally think they'll be the lucky one who'll have it better. They won't be, but that is the lie they are sold.

Sorry for my profanity and vitriol. Hopefully I don't let it out too often, but it can be ugly when it happens.

The Yorkies are revolting? *ba-dum-bum*

Seriously, I didn't know they were on the move too. I knew about Scotland, and the rumblings from Wales and even Cornwall. If this keeps up they'll have to rename England to London. ;)

It's cool, BTW this is more like how I'm used to seeing your posts... the other one caught me off guard :D

theres has been a "free yorkshire" movement for a long time actually - though now its becoming serious.

I can kinda see why too - the guildhall is fully operational still, AND you would live in strangling distance of the PM who would have to fight you bare bummed two hundred yards from my house. works for me!

Even rats have the basic common sense to leave a sinking ship, so it's no surprise humans have that instinct as well.

I understand people in Veneto, Catalonia, Bavaria, Flanders etc.
Of course, the people who are leeching off those wealthy regions are apparently not happy about being shown the middle finger and neither is the EU aka big bully syndicate who doesn't accept anyone leaving the gang, not even parts of their parts. Especially not any cash cow parts.

Thanks, I'm glad to hear such lapses on my part are an infrequent occurrence at least. :D

Yes, I had heard of the Yorkshire movement but it had seemed very low-key at the time, almost factional rather than something embraced by a majority. That's interesting that it is gaining traction now. Really does seem like the world (or at least the Euro-Ameri section of it that I'm most aware of) is becoming more interested in re-establishing old cultural borders. I wonder if we'll see a renaissance of the city-state?

I tought that north italy wanted to separate from south Italy. I've seen it mentioned quite few times.

Personally don't see why Venice would full independence. Some level of autonomy, considering the weakness of Italy's central goverment, yes, but full independence? Last time I checked Venice did not have vast reserves of exploitable natural resources and largely depends on tourism for it's income.

I didn't know pudding could declare independence.

Well as much as I know the area of former Republic of Venice in which this referendum is being made is the most industrialised and richest part of Italy.

You mean not counting The Vatican. :P

Surely, they could achieve de facto independence by floating out into the Adriatic. Venice could advertise the Indian Ocean as a destination, but instead wedge themselves firmly in the mouth of the Suez. Make a real name for themselves.