Video: “We’ll set about ye”

posted at 11:50 pm on July 3, 2007 by Allahpundit

The speaker is Scottish but the sentiment is (almost) universal. Happy Independence Day.

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Try me lucky charms. They’re magically delicious.

thedecider on July 3, 2007 at 11:51 PM

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Move over Robert Gates.

Spirit of 1776 on July 3, 2007 at 11:52 PM

I love that guy.

Radish on July 3, 2007 at 11:59 PM

HUH?

Wha?

conservnut on July 4, 2007 at 12:01 AM

Happy 4th.

Shout out to the 4th BCT, 1st Cav in Mosul. After the non-alcoholic alcoholic selections are done with, go get some.

TheEJS on July 4, 2007 at 12:02 AM

Arggg tickuuuuuuu layte

df4jc on July 4, 2007 at 12:02 AM

Is it possible that his accent got worse in the last few days? I understood him a lot better in the last video.

Perhaps he has had a few pints!

conservnut on July 4, 2007 at 12:03 AM

Who stole his lucky charms?

lorien1973 on July 4, 2007 at 12:10 AM

conservnut on July 4, 2007 at 12:03 AM

I was thinking those free pints were paying off. This guy is great. BTW Happy and Safe Independence Day everyone

PowWow on July 4, 2007 at 12:10 AM

conservnut on July 4, 2007 at 12:03 AM

I agree he was harder to understand. However, he was in solidarity with the British people and said Glasgow doesn’t accept terrorism; “that’s just Glasgow”. Given it’s Scotland, we can safely assume his opinion is mainstream. Too bad the unfortunate Mayor Livingstone of London would probably blame Britain’s foriegn policies.

thedecider on July 4, 2007 at 12:10 AM

Love that! “We set about ya” = “We’ll kick yer everlovin’ arse”

Pilgrim on July 4, 2007 at 12:15 AM

Grounds keeper Willy and David Hume would be proud. Even if the English wankers will fold like cheap, Kwik-e-Mart maps you can count on the Scots to resist, even at some personal risk. Go Scots!

Thomas the Wraith on July 4, 2007 at 12:16 AM

Bolton/Smeaton 2008… Do we dare?

RightWinged on July 4, 2007 at 12:18 AM

Yep, I definitely want this cat in my corner. Even with the language barrier.

conservnut on July 4, 2007 at 12:20 AM

Try me lucky charms. They’re magically delicious.

thedecider on July 3, 2007 at 11:51 PM

That’s an Irish thing. The man’s a Scot, so let’s give him his due. Celt’s all, but there is a difference.

kevcad on July 4, 2007 at 12:22 AM

He’ll kick the haggis out of the jihadists, no question about it.

Two quarks for muster Mark!

profitsbeard on July 4, 2007 at 12:26 AM

Somewhere in the cosmos, William Wallace is smiling.

cat on July 4, 2007 at 12:27 AM

Smeaton reminds me of the Cockney barrow boy spivs remark about the IPE traders back in 2005 beating the crap out of some Greenpeacers. Which reminded me of funny vid that got linked up to it and made the rounds then.

Dusty on July 4, 2007 at 12:31 AM

We need Europe, especially Scotland, to start breeding again. They’re simply not having enough new babies as it is. (Read Mark Steyn’s America Alone if you don’t believe me.)

It would be a travesty for the world to eventually lose the bravery of the Scots.

Hawkins1701 on July 4, 2007 at 12:33 AM

Subtitles please. I speak English, but barely caught a word.

Mallard T. Drake on July 4, 2007 at 12:34 AM

Toorn ep tha bay citay rowllas!

Editor on July 4, 2007 at 12:36 AM

Dusty on July 4, 2007 at 12:31 AM
Protesters conceded that mounting the operation after lunch may not have been the best plan. “The violence was instant,” Jon Beresford, 39, an electrical engineer from Nottingham, said.
“They grabbed us and started kicking and punching. Then when we were on the floor they tried to push huge filing cabinets on top of us to crush us.”

I probably shouldn’t be laughing as hard as I am, but this is just funny stuff.

thedecider on July 4, 2007 at 12:37 AM

..Thank God for the Scots!…Happy 4th to everyone!..

Ben Here on July 4, 2007 at 12:37 AM

Happy Independence Day indeed.

And yes I still get misty-eyed at the fireworks display, well the grand finale anyway. It reminds of the A10s that saved my ass back in they day…

reaganaut on July 4, 2007 at 12:42 AM

They have a webpage for him now

http://www.johnsmeaton.com

SillyRyno on July 4, 2007 at 12:44 AM

He really has a good message. For anyone who can’t understand him, here’s a translation:

It’s your luck and luckily my luck was in yesterday I mean it could have gone totally another way and I wouldn’t be here standing talking to you. You know it’s just one of those things.

They can stay and come to Britain and stay and disrupt it anyway they want but the British people have endured a lot more things than this and we always stand proud, and if you come to Glasgow, Glasgow doesn’t accept this, do you know what I mean? That’s just Glasgow. You know, so we set about you, you know? That’s that.

thedecider on July 4, 2007 at 12:49 AM

[thedecider on July 4, 2007 at 12:37 AM]

I loved the “Sod off, Swampy” goodbye the trader yelled.

Dusty on July 4, 2007 at 12:50 AM

Dusty on July 4, 2007 at 12:50 AM

ROTFLMAO…me too!

thedecider on July 4, 2007 at 12:55 AM

s it possible that his accent got worse in the last few days? I understood him a lot better in the last video.

Perhaps he has had a few pints!

conservnut on July 4, 2007 at 12:03 AM

Well, you see they have decided that they want to donate 1,000 pints of beer to him for his actions….

Tim Burton on July 4, 2007 at 12:58 AM

I’m with Radish.

Anwyn on July 4, 2007 at 1:08 AM

Thanx for not calling it “4th of July’ AP…Happy Independence Day back atcha

lsutiger on July 4, 2007 at 1:33 AM

Darn, Allah, yesterday you couldn’t understand him, today your a linguist. I’m impressed.

Helloyawl on July 4, 2007 at 1:33 AM

Happy 4th ya’al. Thats just Glasco.

mjkazee on July 4, 2007 at 1:38 AM

“Salt of the earth”:
English idiom: People who are salt of the earth are decent, dependable and unpretentious.

Couldn’t have said it any better myself.

ReubenJCogburn on July 4, 2007 at 1:39 AM

Somewhere in the cosmos, William Wallace is smiling.

cat on July 4, 2007 at 12:27 AM

Indeed. Aussies, Scots, Irishmen, are as quick to ‘join the fray’ as anyone, when something or someone of theirs is at stake. Until those British sailors let themselves be taken by Iranians, I’d have included them, but they’re starting to get a cheesy aroma, more’s the pity.

Freelancer on July 4, 2007 at 2:02 AM

Love this friekin’ dude. Carry on, brother.

If y’all get the time, stop by and celebrate with the Jawas, why dontcha!

Good Lt on July 4, 2007 at 2:04 AM

Bolton/Smeaton 2008… Do we dare?

LOL

Good Lt on July 4, 2007 at 2:04 AM

Not long after I enlisted in the USAF back in 1981, I had my first opportunity to meet persons from the US Virgin Islands. Their version of English–spoken to each other, but not to other Americans–was one which I couldn’t begin to understand.

Listening to this fine young man gave me a flashback to that time.

baldilocks on July 4, 2007 at 2:10 AM

I think Mark Levin put it best, “I love the Brits…hate their politicians, but love the British people.”

Jim-Rose on July 4, 2007 at 2:32 AM

If left to themselves, Scots tend to drift leftward. It’s some tribal/communal gene as far as I can tell. But if you threaten them, well…Scots Wha Hae! an set aboot ye!

TBinSTL on July 4, 2007 at 2:47 AM

…and wasn’t it boys from a Scottish Regiment that executed the first bayonet charge of the new millenium down around Basra?

TBinSTL on July 4, 2007 at 2:54 AM

Subtitles please. I speak English, but barely caught a word.

Mallard T. Drake on July 4, 2007 at 12:34 AM

Seconded.

soundingboard on July 4, 2007 at 5:13 AM

We’re so fortunate the jihadis picked Glasgow for a target. How else could we have heard so many incomprehensible Scottish brogues on TV?

flipflop on July 4, 2007 at 6:43 AM

Three cheers for the Scots!

Zorro on July 4, 2007 at 7:16 AM

William Wallace Redux 2007:

“Thay kin tehk ahr lahnd…
Thay kin tehk ahr wymmin…
But thay kin nevehr tehk…ahr Baggage Hahndlehrrs!
AAARGH!!”

(Commence climactic ‘Settin’ About’ scene)

Captain Scarlet on July 4, 2007 at 7:33 AM

I listened to it four times and still couldn’t discern “We’ll set about ye.” Or anything much, for that matter.

He could have been saying “Haggis is my favorite breakfast.”

Attila (Pillage Idiot) on July 4, 2007 at 8:40 AM

Queen Elizabeth should knight Smeaton He has more sense and bravery than the British elected officials. I am glad at least the Scots aren’t falling all over themselves to be pc, they won’t stand for it.

kathleen on July 4, 2007 at 8:55 AM

John Smeaton should get his own chapter in the second edition of “The Dangerous Book for Boys”! And while the muslims are bringing up a generation of fanatics, we’ll bring up a new generation of men.

Happy Independence Day, All!

RushBaby on July 4, 2007 at 8:58 AM

Great stuff. Happy Independence Day!

Insomniac on July 4, 2007 at 9:14 AM

Pardon me, but Lucky Charms are the gift of an IRISH leprochaun. Irish…Scottish. Not the same. Go to Cicily and call a Cicilian an Itialian and see what happens.

They’ll “set about ye.”

thejackal on July 4, 2007 at 9:19 AM

Another lovable Scot – Craig Ferguson.

mikeyboss on July 4, 2007 at 9:33 AM

I see I will have to be about learning English as a second language should I ever be fortunate enough to travel over the pond and visit Scotland. :)

Bob's Kid on July 4, 2007 at 9:34 AM

The Scottish people are paying for their government’s open door policy. When are we ever going to learn?

driller on July 4, 2007 at 9:44 AM

Rudy/this guy..’08

LtE126 on July 4, 2007 at 9:56 AM

Had the pleasure of socializing and drinking with some Scots when I was working a static display at an Airshow at Prestwick in the early 80s. Could barely understand a word and they put away more ale then I could even attempt to keep up with. Very friendly people, but don’t get their blood.

KC-135A on July 4, 2007 at 10:00 AM

This is Glasgow. We’ll set abou’ ye.”

American translation–”I’d love to spit some beechnut in that dude’s eyes. . .”

http://youtube.com/watch?v=I4s0nzsU1Wg

Happy 4th! Here’s to another 231 years.

smellthecoffee on July 4, 2007 at 10:16 AM

A quote from American President Woodrow Wilson, “Every line of strength in American history is a line colored with Scottish blood.”

Plus more interesting Scot trivia:

http://www.electricscotland.com/scottish_trivia.htm

Speakup on July 4, 2007 at 10:32 AM

KC-135A on July 4, 2007 at 10:00 AM

Heh. I was on a mission once in Oman with some British mercenary pilots. There were some Scots and Irish there and we were drinking one night. Because their accents were new to me, I kept confusing the Scots with the Irish. Boy! Did they get pissed! I never heard any of them say “that’s enough for me”. These boys drank until they passed out, usually throwing a sluggish punch or two as they went down. Hilarious!

Guardian on July 4, 2007 at 10:37 AM

I think the “Celts” have about as much to do with Lucky Charms cereal as… well, as jihad has to do with the Hippocratic Oath.

Lee on July 4, 2007 at 10:59 AM

When the story of their patriot first broke, I was unable to understand that Jon was actually assisting the police. I misunderstood that he jumped in to help subdue this terrorist. I said he sounded like a good Joe..just a little diappointed he didn’t help out..Well a lot of well paid professional journalist make quick statements to only revise and update it latter..and after playing yesterdays video a few more times I realized my mistake. He did say at the very beginning he assisted the police. The problem I had was it took me apox. half the interveiw to start to lock into what the heck he was saying. Just put our Flag outside the house for the 4th and had to apologize to a real modern day patriot..

Legions on July 4, 2007 at 11:24 AM

this whole thing has given me hope for Europe and hope for the world. Maybe we aren’t all as wimpified as I feared. Our politicians are but the good ‘salt of the earth’ people are not, apparently.
It could have gone the other way, we could be mourning the death and injuries of hundreds and hundreds of people if all the bombs had gone off, but instead we’re hailing heroes and laughing at jihadis being kicked in the balls. Truly something to be thankful for this Independence Day – the salt of the earth that will ‘set aboot ye’ for freedom.

Keli on July 4, 2007 at 11:41 AM

The world never learns not to screw with Celts. There’s a great deal of my heritage tied up in the UK, and oddly enough, Denmark.

Awesome. We Celts get to save civilization once again.

Krydor on July 4, 2007 at 12:38 PM

I am proud to be a Scot, even prouder to be an American.

the witch on July 4, 2007 at 1:58 PM

gotta love the language … in the US it would be “We’ll kick their as* … in Scotland it’s “We’ll set about ye” …

Paul

pbary on July 4, 2007 at 6:20 PM

And to think I’m moving to the UK in six months.

I better start tuning my ear to understand them.

Black Adam on July 4, 2007 at 8:10 PM

And to think I’m moving to the UK in six months.

I better start tuning my ear to understand them.

Black Adam on July 4, 2007 at 8:10 PM

Black Adam, enjoy! I’ve been trying to get up the gumption to move to Edinburgh (temporarily) for two years now. Both UK and Scotland are gorgeous. And accents like Smeaton’s are music to my ears.

Happy Independence Day, Everyone, from a proud decendent of Arthur Middleton – signer of the Declaration of Independence! :)

tickleddragon on July 4, 2007 at 10:16 PM

Black Adam – Lived in Suffolk for four years. . . it will come to you, trust me.

MCPO Airdale on July 5, 2007 at 1:06 AM

I kept confusing the Scots with the Irish. Boy! Did they get pissed!

Guardian on July 4, 2007 at 10:37 AM

One thing they both have in common is that the phrase you employed there has a totally different meaning than it does to us. Funny too, since you’re talking about them drinking so much. Anywhere in the UK or Oz, when a bloke talks about getting ‘pissed’, he means drunk, not angry.

Freelancer on July 5, 2007 at 2:22 AM