Better Angels Of Our Nature
I listened to Alex Salmond's inaugural speech to the Scottish Parliament earlier today - in his second term as Scotland's First Minister.
And I have to report that Alex Salmond made a very good speech indeed.
One that simply could not have been delivered by any of his rivals at the recent Scottish elections - even had the speech been shorn of all its nationalist sentiments.
The First Minister went out of his way to speak for the nation - eschewing partisan party politics and instead emphasising how much people agreed upon - across the whole chamber.
In effect the First Minister appealed to the 'better angels of our nature' - echoing the voice of Abraham Lincoln from so many years ago.
And that - in short - is why the SNP leader ran right over the top of his political opponents - and managed to win such a famous victory in the recent Scottish elections.
Scotland made the right decision - of that I have no doubt - and I'm not even an SNP member or supporter.
And I have to report that Alex Salmond made a very good speech indeed.
One that simply could not have been delivered by any of his rivals at the recent Scottish elections - even had the speech been shorn of all its nationalist sentiments.
The First Minister went out of his way to speak for the nation - eschewing partisan party politics and instead emphasising how much people agreed upon - across the whole chamber.
In effect the First Minister appealed to the 'better angels of our nature' - echoing the voice of Abraham Lincoln from so many years ago.
And that - in short - is why the SNP leader ran right over the top of his political opponents - and managed to win such a famous victory in the recent Scottish elections.
Scotland made the right decision - of that I have no doubt - and I'm not even an SNP member or supporter.
