The chief executive of HK is putting tomorrow as the deadline for the demonstrators to move out of the streets.   Exactly what he would do if the demonstrators don't move is unknown.  But this is a fight that the protestors cannot win.  As I said before, there is no international pressure on China.  China can shut off the water supply to HK and blockade its port and that will bring HK to its knees.  Of course, China would not want to go this far.  But the average people in HK is not going to put up with the financial costs of the demonstrations either.  Already the demonstrations have cost millions to the economy and fights between people in HK have broken out.  So I think it is time to pull back.

Frankly I am disappointed in the silence from the UK.  Having negotiated the agreement with China to return HK to control of China, the UK can and should voice its displeasure over China going back on its word of letting HK govern itself.  I understand that since the UK was HK's colonial master, it is hard to complain about another country denying political freedom for HK.  But having negotiated the treaty on behalf of HK, the UK certainly can complain about China's deviation from the freedom that it promised to give HK for 50 years.

Bad week for Detroit sports.   The Tigers got swept by the Orioles even though they should have won 2 out 3 games.  The incompetent Lions lose to the terrible Bills at home after a 14-0 lead.  How do you explain sports.  The Angels, with the best record, got swept by KC.  Clayton Kershaw losing a 6-1 lead!  I guess sports is thrilling and heartbreaking.  I learned a long time ago not to get to involved since at the end only the fans of one team is totally happy!  That is a lesson I only learned as I got old.  It comes in handy especially after this weekend!

Scotland voted to stay in the U.K.  That was not too surprising even though the polls were very close.  I don't think there is much animosity between England and Scotland for the separation to occur.  It is not as if the Scots were suffering under the British flag.  Having won concession for more self rule from Cameron, I think it was best not to split up.

The problem now for Cameron is to back up his promises.  There will be people in his own party who do not support the concessions.  But if he goes back on his words, then there will again be calls for separation.  But if the concessions are given, are we going see demands from Wales, Northern Ireland and even England to have more self rule from the U.K.?  I would think that Northern Ireland has less attachment to the U.K. than Scotland.  So having avoided one crisis, Cameron and future prime ministers may face more in the future.

Canada, Spain, China and Turkey all root for Scotland to vote against independence.  Quebec has had 2 referendums for breaking away and the last one lost by 2 % points.  So if Scotland had voted yes, the Quebec separatist movement would have pushed hard for a future vote again.  In Spain, if the vote is allowed, Catalonia will probably vote to leave Spain.  With the Scotland vote, the Catalonia momentum is stalled a bit.  But I think in the near future, Spain will have to allow the vote.  By not allowing the vote, the anger will grow.  Of course, China does not care about anger in Xinjiang and Tibet and no vote will be allowed.  Nor will Turkey allow a vote for Kurdistan independence, although if ISIS continues to grow, perhaps Turkey would like to have Kurdistan as a buffer zone between its border with Iraq and Syria.  So stay tune for more demands for independence in different areas of the world.