Do Indy supporters view unionists as the enemy?

[WouldBeGood]

Tommy Sheridan on Twitter referred to unionists as the enemy.

I wondered if it’s a commonly held view?

I’m not looking for a stramash, just views

No

I wouldn’t say I view anyone or anything as “the enemy”

I have an opinion based upon things that are important to me and appreciate that others will disagree.

@florafoxtrot

I wouldn’t say I view anyone or anything as “the enemy”

I have an opinion based upon things that are important to me and appreciate that others will disagree.

That’s how I feel. I thought it sounded a bit strong

I don't really rate Tommy Sheridan's opinion. He who shouts the loudest and all that.

Not at all. Opinions will, and should, differ.

No.

Tommy Sheridan aside, I agree with everyone else. I think independence supporters who refer to anyone who's either against independence or are undecided as Yoons will probably agree with TS. I doubt that type of person would be interested in having a reasonable debate anyway.

I believe it is the view of the uneducated and over emotional wing of the SNP, but hopefully not (yet) the mainstream. The woad painted idiots waving anti English banners, largely.
However, the party inflames such views with its cynical shit stirring, referring to “Westmonster” etc and does nothing to stamp out the notion that you cannot be a true Scot if you are a unionist.
There is also their insistence on flying the EU flag instead of the union jack on public buildings, and their attempts to remove the word “British” and replace it with “Scottish” wherever possible. These are all attempts to marginalise unionists within Scotland, and make us feel unwelcome- which is the first step to viewing us as an enemy.

Don't see people with opposing views as the enemy. Meet many who hold very strong views on both sides of the debate, we are all people nd all as good/bad as each other. However I also don't see one group as being all right and one as being all wrong, I and most I know believe there are positive nd negative things on all sides and we should learn from these.

@Babdoc

I believe it is the view of the uneducated and over emotional wing of the SNP, but hopefully not (yet) the mainstream. The woad painted idiots waving anti English banners, largely. However, the party inflames such views with its cynical shit stirring, referring to “Westmonster” etc and does nothing to stamp out the notion that you cannot be a true Scot if you are a unionist. There is also their insistence on flying the EU flag instead of the union jack on public buildings, and their attempts to remove the word “British” and replace it with “Scottish” wherever possible. These are all attempts to marginalise unionists within Scotland, and make us feel unwelcome- which is the first step to viewing us as an enemy.

TS's never been in the SNP.

Just a wee clarification- it's 'Wastemonster' that Westminster's sometimes referred to and the EU flag is flown alongside the Union Jack, not instead of.

Starry, no, actually, where there is one flagpole they are told to fly the saltire, and where there are two, to fly the EU flag as well, instead of the union flag, which they grudgingly fly once a year for Remembrance Day.

I have seen Westminster referred to as both Westmonster and Wastemonster in social media posts by SNP supporters, who clearly have no respect for our country’s elected parliament.
The insidious relentless anti union, anti English, anti Westminster rhetoric from the SNP is a dripping poison that makes unionists in Scotland feel angry and demonised inside their own country. This can only lead inevitably to division, polarisation and a situation like Northern Ireland during the Troubles, if it is not tackled firmly and urgently.

The insidious relentless anti union, anti English, anti Westminster rhetoric from the SNP is a dripping poison that makes unionists in Scotland feel angry and demonised inside their own country. This can only lead inevitably to division, polarisation and a situation like Northern Ireland during the Troubles, if it is not tackled firmly and urgently.

Well said @Babdoc

Well that escalated quickly.

I don't have any respect for the institution of Westminster or all things British as is my right.

You don't have much respect for the SG as is your right.

I'm not quite sure what you mean about tackled firmly and urgently but it sounds a tad aggressive.

@Babdoc

I believe it is the view of the uneducated and over emotional wing of the SNP, but hopefully not (yet) the mainstream. The woad painted idiots waving anti English banners, largely. However, the party inflames such views with its cynical shit stirring, referring to “Westmonster” etc and does nothing to stamp out the notion that you cannot be a true Scot if you are a unionist. There is also their insistence on flying the EU flag instead of the union jack on public buildings, and their attempts to remove the word “British” and replace it with “Scottish” wherever possible. These are all attempts to marginalise unionists within Scotland, and make us feel unwelcome- which is the first step to viewing us as an enemy.

So you can insult and make offensive generalisations about people who disagree with you, but they're the ones shit stirring and being divisive.

To answer the OP I don't view anyone as the enemy, unlike babdoc.

“This can only lead inevitably to division, polarisation and a situation like Northern Ireland during the Troubles, if it is not tackled firmly and urgently.”

Tackled? You make that sound um, forceful

Anyway, interesting that you bring up Ireland as I was about to say I think one of the issues that causes division is that the opposing viewpoints have been for lots of people divided along sectarian lines.

I have seen Westminster referred to as both Westmonster and Wastemonster in social media posts by SNP supporters, who clearly have no respect for our country’s elected parliament.
The insidious relentless anti union, anti English, anti Westminster rhetoric from the SNP is a dripping poison that makes unionists in Scotland feel angry and demonised inside their own country. This can only lead inevitably to division, polarisation and a situation like Northern Ireland during the Troubles, if it is not tackled firmly and urgently.

I see NS constantly called "Wee Nippy" and likened to Jimmy Krankie. I've seen her photoshopped into Kim Jong-un etc. I've seen just as much venom from the unionist side.

Interesting. Thanks for the replies.

I wondered if there’s more of an Indy identity than there is a Unionist one. I don’t think of myself as “unionist” though I’m not pro independence.

Anyway, thanks. I know TS is a nightmare, but it just made me wonder.

“I wondered if there’s more of an Indy identity than there is a Unionist one. I don’t think of myself as “unionist” though I’m not pro independence.”

I think the answer to that is that for some people on both sides there is and for others there isn’t.

I mentioned sectarianism because I live in an orange walk area.

I think language like "unionist" is partly what divides those of us who don't support independence. Unionism is just another form of nationalism and I don't support either - I want Scotland to remain a part of the UK, I wanted the UK to remain a part of the EU, I support people working together but with power devolved as close to communities as possible.

I really don't support independence but that doesn't make me a unionist and with an Irish Catholic background I have a very strong reaction to anyone trying to describe me as such!!! Despite my vehemently held anti-independence views there is NO WAY I could ever bring myself to vote for a conservative candidate at any level.

@Sturmundcalm yes, that’s how I feel but better put!

(Not Irish and no religion though, but I share that concern)

In my experience Indy supporters view Unionists as the shit on the sole of their shoe. And treat them accordingly. One of them had the temerity to tell me that I couldn't be a true Scot if I didn't vote for independence, and that "they" would allow me to stay in Scotland when independence was achieved. As if I was less of a Scot, and human being than them. It's really quite chilling if you consider the implications of that statement.

See what I suspect is that whether you’re pro independence or not - is that there’s an us and them if that view is part of ‘something’ else.

As in for some people it’s tied up in the tribalism of politics, football, religion... whatever. For those people then there is an enemy for want of a better way of putting it.

And for everyone else it’s just a different opinion.

@tabulahrasa

“I wondered if there’s more of an Indy identity than there is a Unionist one. I don’t think of myself as “unionist” though I’m not pro independence.”

I think the answer to that is that for some people on both sides there is and for others there isn’t.

I mentioned sectarianism because I live in an orange walk area.

Totally agree. I don't think its as simple as "unionist" or "nationalist" on either side and the emotive language - such as that used by TS - fuels division and rage rather than encourages debate.

I also wouldn't describe myself as having an indy identity as such, my views are my own and those closest to me know where I stand but I wouldn't say I make it part of my day to day life.

I don’t see anyone as the enemy just that I don’t share the same political beliefs or identity as being British.
I think the constant references to NS as weenippy/ Jimmy Crankie is disingenuous to women.