Straddling the Tracks

Europe might be more representative with independent Basque and Flemish states and an independent Scotland. These are not new notions. If you are a student of Scottish history or have even seen the movie "Braveheart", you know England and the Scots have not always enjoyed a comfortable union. If you remember the Madrid train bombings back in 2004, you know even if Basques were not blamed directly for exploding the bombs, ETA separatists may well have provided the explosives that were ultimately used, even if they had no knowledge of what and who was to be targeted. While the Flemish have been almost always peaceful in their demands, they feel they have been deprived of fair representation. Over the centuries, the borders of European states have changed repeatedly and almost never peacefully. Maybe, an era of nonviolent change for the better will begin with Scotland severing her tie with Great Britain.