Whitburn Vale

Oh dear,democracy alive and well in Spain,maybe Franco is still with us?

No argument on the financial side of things,undoubtedly the richer countries in the North would be better off if they werent bailing out the South of spain,they put far more into the pot than what they get back. The franco years are a scar on the very soul of spain and will not be forgotten for a long time. As for suppression of Catalan culure or anywhere west of it along the Pyrenees to the Bay of Biscay,successive Castillian governments in Madrid have tried every means possible to stifle any sort of individualism. Its only in recent years with greater self control that the Catalan government has had more control of what go's on within its borders. I would say that denying the Catalan people a vote on their future that a clear majority want is supression. Supression by a castillian judiciary and government,once again comparisons abound.

Strange indeed and no surprise but a lot of this is buried in the past,the Catalans/Basques etc have simply never forgiven what happened from the mid 30's onwards!! The bombing of Guernica in the Basque country by the Luftwaffe in support of the fascist Franco was an atrocity on a massive scale and has never been forgotten!! The supression of local languages and culture has parallels with what has happened on this island.

The heavily Castillian Ruling PP party is grasping onto anything it can to keep control of its wee spanish empire!! They are shitting themselves that if Catalonia go's then more will follow,particularly in the north. The Basque Country in particular has long had a large separatist movement and are the only part of spain to take to arms to get it. The devo max/home rule/full autonomy deal from the spanish government has quietened things down a bit up Bilbao way. But without doubt they are eyeing up proceedings over on the east coast. Galicia,Navarre and Aragon in the north too are all watching and waiting for what lies next. The PP/Francoist dictatorship are acting like they did back in the bad old days of the republic,slamming down hard on the Catalans,just like they did to them back in the day along with the Basques,Galicians etc,surpressing their languages and cultures. Spain simply do's not do democracy and the sore lessons of the past quite clearly have not been learned

Jean claude Juncker has today admitted that the EU will respect the will of the Catalan people in the event of a Yes vote on the 1st of October but in the same sentence says he respects what the Spanish government and courts are trying to do to stop it.....talk aboot sittin on the fence

You would hav thought so john?

1 Million reported to have took to the streets in Barcelona yesterday for Catalonia's national day and in support of holding the referendum. Seems to be geographically split,on the coast their pro spain while further inland is pro independence. Catalannews agency.com or Catalannews.com is a good site for info on whats going on down there.

nice one jld like it (Except for the Basque Country!!)

The Catalan government are pressing ahead with their Independence Referendum on the 1st of October despite pressure from the spanish government and courts in Madrid. Spanish premier Rajoy has promised any means possible to stop it though stopped short of declaring martial law and troops on the ground as not to inflame the situation between Barcelona and Madrid any further,the Catalan premier puidgemont has promised to mobolise the Catalan people in any event of troops being deployed. Catalonia is one of the most wealthiest areas of Spain,a country of 7.5 million that puts far more into the spanish economy than what it recieves back from the central government in Madrid. It also casts envious eyes to the Basque Country and see's how the 2.5 million basques enjoy full autonomy,devo max,home rule etc,Catalonia's parliament is much on a par with Scotland's powers wise. Interesting times on the iberian peninsula other countries with similar grievances towards Madrid like the Basque Country and Galicia are eyeing up proceedings over in Catalonia with interest.

Positive move by the club,a man of his standing in the game and his level of experience,lets hope it pays off.

How are LTHV getting on with the ground works at Saughton enclosure? Hopeful of gaining their license by the end of this season?

Last time i checked logie,i'm in my forties. Also Ibrox?? Only anti sevco sentiment in C3 logie,at the pars home game there was a nova scotia flag,a catalan flag and a flemish flag behind us,dont think you'd find any of they flags flying at Ibrox!!! I've stood with the guys for a number of years now and enjoy the singing and the banter,unfortunately one or two have come along and got all "Green Street". But by and large the vast majority are die hard livi fans. We're fewer in numbers now as there has been a bit of a vandetta on us and a few of the lads are now keeping a low profile.

Still here Atlis,not in the same numbers but there still standing up at C3.

BSC currently 3-1 up with only a few mins to go,good start to the LL season.

1 week to go till the league k.o,things shaping up nicely doon Almondvale way,though a wee bit concerned if we lose Mullen. Feel another season with us would benefit him and LFC greatly

Cheerz Logie

What is the nature of Carrick's injury and how long will he be out for?

Minter'

Somebody tell hoppy!!! Robinson is a good keeper.

Thats exactly what is happening miz!! She was on the tele a few weeks ago coming out of no.10 and the guy commentating pipes up "The tories rising star was at no.10 today visiting the pm".

What did the trialist goalie look like guys? Sign or no sign?

Nice one cha,defo need a good keeper in as Maley is nothing more than a back-up!!