to think this is unacceptable and wonder why Scotland is fair game for racist attacks like this

[ScotsWhaHae]

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2015/mar/09/steve-bells-if-

It's not even funny.

Incest? Wtf?

I'm disappointed in the guardian. It raises the question though, substitute the Scottish references for some other nation, would that be acceptable?

We got told repeatedly about the anti English sentiment north of the border last year, during the referendum. Shit like this isn't appearing in Scottish editions of the news papers.

Along with the casual racism lets add sexism into the mix. We have a female first minister. Repeatedly in main stream media I hear people talk about Alex salmond and the snp. He's not the leader of the party or the first minister. Is the press that out if touch with Scottish politics or are they just ignoring Nicola on account of her begin female?

And let's not get started on 'the wee lassie with a tin helmet' comment. But that won't be in any of the English editions will it?

Your link doesn't work.

Sorry link fail

That is disgraceful. It's not funny, witty or satirical. It's just stupid.
I'm English living in Scotland and honestly I do get a lot of anti-English crap when I'm out and about, but I take the view that those people would be twats to someone, it just happens to be me.

Those are images of Salmond and Sturgeon in Highland Dancing outfits, highland dancing. Scottish Country Dancing is very different

...and I thought Nicola said last week her stance on Trident wasn't negotiable.

Agree, not funny.

Substitute the Scottish references for some other nation, would that be acceptable?

Welcome, Scotland. Wales and Northern Ireland have been expecting you.

Well it is offensive and unfunny but technically I don't think you can term it racism

No, it's not funny. It's juvenile, and badly drawn too.

I am English & I think that cartoon is vile & spectacularly unfunny but please don't start attributing one man's views to an entire nation. Steve Bell doesn't speak for me or anyone that I know.

Maybe direct your complaints to The Guardian.

So if calling Scotland a country that advocates incest isn't racism what is it?

I already have, holdthepage. I don't think I was the first to do so judging by the woman's resigned sigh when I told her the reason for my call.

It's not just him though is it? It had to be approved and deemed acceptable by others to get printed. And to me it's indicative of the contempt aimed at Scotland.

So if calling Scotland a country that advocates incest isn't racism what is it?

Being a different nation doesn't make you a different race

I thought their thing was sheep, not incest. Shows what I know.

Well, 'try everything once except incest and country dancing' is a famous quote by Thomas Beecham. I'm too dim pre-menstrual and befuddled, plus shamefully ignorant about Trident and Scotland/the SNP's position on it, to do the necessary thinking to make sense of it; please forgive me.

But I think the thrust of the cartoon is probably less that Scotland is into incest and country dancing, and more about trying most things once but some things never.

I don't find it offensive because it's so bizarre and not funny. It just doesn't make any sense to me- I'm clearly missing background! If I understood it, possibly I would find it offensive.

I thought the "wee lassie" comments were appalling though!! I can't stand the SNP/Nicola Sturgeon, but that Labour person was really offensive!

No geeky sheep are our thing in Wales, apparently.

Gosh that's awful. In terms of why its acceptable, it's because we dared try for something different. We failed. It's over. But that stick will be whipped out to beat us with for years to come.

I'm English in Scotland.

I've got my Labour MP standing outside local A&E congratulating themselves on how good the unit is even though they tried to close that unit.

I've got political parties with no policies other than 'WATCH OUT! SNP!'

Jim Murphy claimed back the cost of his patriotic Irn Bru. £.137 is a lot when you''re on 67k per year you know.

I've got free education and hospital parking, and prescriptions, and care for the elderly. And instead of saying 'How come the Scottish Goverment puts aside money for these things and Westminster doesn't' we have people calling us scroungers for having a few policies that look after everyone.

If they don't mock the Scottish Government they might have to start acting like them.

*£1.37

I don't get it or find it funny so can't help explain it!
On your point re sexism I think the references to Salmond are to do with the fact that he is standing as an MP at Westminster and so he (and other SNP MP's) could impact the make up of the next British government. I listen to a lot of news radio and they always mention Nicola Sturgen as SNP leader and have soundbites from her, particularly to do with the SNP having the balance of power at Westminster, so I don't think it is an obvious issue of sexism.

So what is it then 5foot5?

Oh I think Wales and Ireland are 'fair game' too. Those Celts can't take a joke*, obviously! Not to mention the France, Australia.....

*Of course my definition of a joke is somewhat different. Usually involving a squirrel and its nuts.

I don't actually get what is supposed to be funny about that..

Ah well! It is a Beecham quote. But I suppose being outraged ranks higher than being well read.

And as Bair said, it reflects the Scottish having tried for something new. More of a back handed compliment, when you know what it is all about!

(OK, that is pushing it too far )

It's not racist. 'Scottish' isn't a race. I think xenophobic might be the word you are looking for.

It doesn't make sense even with the Beecham mis quote added in.

The Beecham original referred to trying anything once (except incest or Morris dancing).

Steve Bell suggests that Nicola Sturgeon will try anything (to get elected, presumably) but she is especially keen on incest and Scottish Country Dancing, these being the non-negotiables.

So, yes, I think he wanted people to think about Beecham, but mainly he was just seeing how rude he could be while hiding behind a half-arsed literary reference. So, par for the course really.

Best ignored.