In reply to Ciro:
> Looks like they got the painters in as soon as they could, and whilst both actions are deplorable, one piece of graffiti and one assault does not add up to the campaign of intimidation the papers seem determined to paint a picture of.
Indeed, it has been pretty good considering the numbers getting involved. That said any vandalism by Yes supporters is counterproductive, and to be condemned , but this overt 'intimidation' if that is what it is intended to be, is countered by a more subtle type of 'persuasion' I witnessed by the No camp.
I was taking my old mum to vote tonight ( not the same polling station as me)
As we were leaving the neighbours were in a huddle talking about the referendum. They are in a sort of sheltered housing association community. Anyway, as we passed the neighbours ( all elderly) she told them where were were going.
One of them said, rather curtly, to my mother:-
" I HOPE you are voting 'wisely' "
Mother is a No voter, (as they were- most elderly are apparently ) but she had not revealed that to them.
Mum is also a bit deaf, and asked him to repeat it, and it was repeated just as curtly .
She caught it that time, and promptly took the hump, and moved off,as she realised that he was inferring that they were all voting No, and Not to vote No was 'unwise'
She took this to mean, (rightly or wrongly) that Yes voters were perhaps not welcome as part of the community.
When we got in the car, she got a bit annoyed about this. Again , like defacing posters, unnecessary, and negative vibes , which quite possibly might have rebounded, as she has grandchildren that are Yes voters, and she knew they had thought about, and researched things long and hard, and she respected that.
I don't now know how she finally voted, I never asked her, but she was a bit shaken by this.
At work today, there was one vocal,and opinionated, person who was telling, all that would listen, that those who did not vote as he was voting, had not considered things properly, or were not capable of understanding the issues.
All this petty nastiness, does not help things after the vote, best to respect everyone's view's as, as valid as everyone else's .
We will all hopefully accept the result, whatever it is , with good grace, and get on making the best of life in the future 'we' have chosen together.
Of course there will be huge disappointment for some, and, it is down to those that have got their wish, to reach out to those people, and not crow about it.
My eldest voted No, I understand her husband voted yes, so best not to voice opinions like these,mparticularly those that infer intellectual superiority for one camp of another, as it is inflammatory and divisive.
I hope this is not a common thing across the country?
Interesting times