Are Scotland, Wales and Ireland really "feeble little countries"?

There’s nothing feeble about being free to be who you are. All three Countries rightfully celebrate who they are with their own culture... When I think of England, I think multiculturalism being rammed down our throats and being bound unable to be English in case we offend! Now that’s a feeble excuse on behalf of our so called government and the PC brigade and is a fecking disgrace……

"Dr" David Starkey is sorely under educated. The Scots are the founders of Golf, The Steam Engine, the Cure for Scurvy, the Decimal Point, The Telephone, The Telegraph, The Fax Machine, and the Encyclopedia Britannica. I would hardly consider that a feeble gift to the world at large.

I'm proudly Irish - and so I have a great respect for Scotland, Wales and of course Ireland. This man's comments are shallow and ignorant.

And bagpipes aren't awful.

The Celtic Countries are home to many talents and have a distinct culture plus our beliefs in many mythical creatures. I am proud to be Welsh as it is known as 'The Land of Song' which is true - Wales is famous for it's Choirs and hosting the 'Eisteddfod' [Not sure what it is in English] Like a concert - but not so animated. We have our own cultural dance and costume. Ireland is known for the Riverdance and shares the Harp with Wales and not forgetting the flute. Scotland have the Bagpipes and the Highland dance. We all have our famous poets as well. And what do the English have? A bunch of guys dressed in rags and bells dancing with sticks... very cultural. You have to admit the Celts are more talented. Sorry but we need to make a stand. So... i think an apology is needed.

The context of Starkey's remarks is clear. Insofar as Ireland, Wales, and Scotland have national saints days and poets and so-called "national dress", and so on, they're trapped in - as Starkey says - a rather 19th century romantic nationalism, and are consequently feeble. None of these countries actually need that kind of cheap, pathetic fabricated symbolism to be "Welsh", "Scots", etc.

If England then decides it too wants St George's Day to feel good about itself and pander to its insecurities, then it also officially joins the ranks of the enfeebled, emotionally crippled nations. Starkey - for once - is right.

The 'feeble' Irish kicked the Brits out of the south of Ireland in the 1920s. Makes me wonder which nation is the really feeble one.

Dave Starkey is sooooooo boring. Of course he doesn't have to apologise.To do so would lend his views some credibility. Anyway, who's really interested beyond sad acts like me who sit on Yahoo answers on a Friday night...!

Dr Howard Starkey is allowed an opinion.

I too have the same rights, ''I firmly believe that Dr Howard Starkey is a Total and Unremitting Prat''.

He is right, but he can be wrong too. Scotland, Wales and Ireland are not 'feeble little countries, they are strong, rich and proud countries, and are part of Great Britain.

I think he got a bit too carried away with himself and yes I think he should take that back and apologise. I do think he is a bit of a snob.

Cymraeg

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi

Gwlad beirdd a chantorion enwogion o fri

Ei gwrol ryfelwr, gwlad garwyr tra mad

Tros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.

Gwlad Gwlad,

Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad,

Tra mor yn fur i'r bur hoff bau

O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau

English:

Land of my Fathers, O land of the free,

A land of poets and minstrels, famed men.

Her brave warriors, patriots much blessed,

It was for freedom that they lost their blood.

Wales! Wales!,

I am devoted to my country.

So long as the sea is a wall to this fair beautiful land,

May the ancient language remain.

I had to turn the sound down, I just couldn't handle his angry diatribe. All the man can do is insult, criticise others and constantly moan, the man's a pain and a bore, full of insults yet bereft of any constructive thought himself. Each time I listen to him I'm more convinced that whatever he says is worthy of being dismissed, he's so tactless that everything he says winds people the wrong way. There's nothing clever about that.

Al, Great Britain is a feckin island. Ireland is NOT part of it!

And this man would get shot comin here and sayin that, and I won't say he wouldn't deserve it. That arrogance really pisses me off. Bloody English...tolerant? lol...

Agree with Tris. Irish and Proud.