Re: Titled Gentlemen

Dear Donald:

WOW! In no particular order!

If you think I am a rightie... you should check out for whom I vote (sorry, no public admissions on a list such as this)

Sorry if you feel my english usage is too hoitie-toitie.... it is however, how I speak on a daily basis even to my clients (I am a building contractor). I make no apologies and Indianapolis is hardly log-cabin country anyway.

Title at one time meant money. It rarely does today. The two Earls are scrambling to keep our heritage alive with very little resources. I re-iterate: They deserve out support.

I do hope you had perfect great-grandparents from whom no sin can now be visited upon you. Neither Malcolm Caithness, nor Peter Rosslyn, nor their ancestors, participated in the Clearances so, aside from the fact that placing blame on current individuals for past error is abhorent to me, it does not fit this scenario even remotely so save the sanctimony for another occasion. The dispossession of so many of our people from their land is a disgraceful episode in Scottish history, almost as reprehensible as the dispossession of aboriginal peoples of their land a few decades later on this Continent the fruits of which dispossession you and I now enjoy. I have not forgotten, quickly or otherwise, either disposssession but it does not make me depise the descendants of those who did the dispossessing either titled Scots or you. Rather I take them as I find them.

I will not carry any can for Margaret Thatcher so don't place one in my hand.

The matter of respect for the current holders of titles that belong to our whole family, (all of whom in my opinion are terrific individuals and ouststanding members of our Clan) is mine to enjoy and I do. I will not foist such respect on you just as you cannot hope to disuade me from same. I would, suggest however, a little lightening up.

My views on your views on my views etc.

Aye,

rory

-----Original Message-----
From: Donald H Sinclair <horace@mb.sympatico.ca>
To: Sinclair Discusion List <sinclair@matrix.net>
Date: Monday, May 08, 2000 6:28 PM
Subject: Titled Gentlemen

Dear Rory Old Friend

There are five points on which I wish to comment.

1.    In perusing your writings to the page, I would say your views were well right of center.

2.    How quickly one forgets, when it is convenient, that it was nice "titled gentlemen" with, then police and soldiers, under the guise of hereditary ownership, stole our ancestor's land, killed our people when they resisted. Even burning some some of our elderly people in their homes to make way for pasturing sheep.

3.    This word NASCENT, it wasn't in my 4" dictionary so I had to go to my daughter's 5" one. You have to remember that some of us are old country boys, with a great deal more hands-on practical experience rather than literary experience.

4.    I agree with you, offering large amounts of money would not work. Those who have had their share of the world's wealth all their lives, plus hundreds of thousands of other people's shares, would not likely be moved by a little more money, even with the greed factor ruled out.

5.    Margaret Thatcher reinstated a fair amount of this "Titled" criminal nonsense, with hard earned tax payer's dollars as pensions in many cases. Her right-wing mind set explains it well. Some years back the UK worker's were complaining about a terrible housing shortage, with the Thatcher government doing nothing to remedy this problem. Margaret got up on her soap-box and viciously attached the workers for complaining and whining about not having a home. When at that very moment, she had nine homes.

My views on your views.

Donald H. Sinclair