This is about Scottish football but I take a while to get there. And I don’t think you’re going to like it, but something has been bothering me with all this news about Greece, there’s been a little dissonance.
Greece has come through seven years of devastating poverty and economic turmoil, the like of which has not been seen anywhere else in Europe, and within weeks it could get a lot worse.
Many Greeks with economically portable skills emigrated. Those left, the old, the infirm, the unskilled, and those who don’t want to abandon their family or country, have been left to deal with the consequences of a debt which dwarves their earning capacity.
Greece joined the euro and overnight were able to borrow money at cheaper rates than ever before. They borrowed and invested, but poor governments and lax taxation systems left them vulnerable. When the crash came, Greece was hopelessly unable to pay its debts, largely owned to German and French banks.
Back in 2008 the world’s banking system was on the verge of collapse. It is not an exaggeration to say that our economies, jobs, welfare systems, public services and more, were in jeopardy. Governments took steps to keep the banks afloat, but Greece owned money beyond their borders.
If they still had the capacity to issue their own currency, they would have defaulted, offered their creditors 10 lepta to the drachma, and quickly moved on. Prices would have skyrocketed overnight, many people would have been priced out of the basics, but tourists would have flooded in, as would new employers, to take advantage of the newly cheap Greek labour.
But since 2002 Greece has been using the euro. They could not print euros after the crash so had to come to a deal with their creditors, and that meant paying all their debts, in particular to the German banks who loaned them money, at an appropriate interest rate, years earlier.
It was appalling. Greece was not blameless, no European governments – or ultimately their electorates – were, but they were boxed into a corner and forced into a deal. Foreign banks, who were well-placed to weigh-up the commercial risk of their Greek loans, were beneficiaries of the squeeze put on some of Europe’s poorest people.
In January this year Greece elected a radical government. Syriza were voted in on a ticket to renegotiate the terms of what the world calls the ‘bailout’.
The bailout is an affront to the European Union, the IMF and the European Central Bank. The world’s governments needed to protect their banks to prevent complete collapse, but the deal imposed on Greek citizens is pernicious and disproportionate.
A game of brinksmanship is going on between Greece and their lenders, the Troika. Syriza are mandated for one thing and one thing only, renegotiate the current deal. I admire their resolve and hope the Troika accommodate their request for change, but the consequence of a failure to find an agreement is enormous, the like of which we have never seen in a modern economy. Those sitting at the Syriza side of the table know they may be marching their citizens off the edge of a cliff.
What’s this got to do with Scottish football?
For the Troika, read Mike Ashley, he was the lender of last resort, he was also the beneficiary of the loans. In fact, he loaned Newco money he’d already made from them. Those loans came with pernicious conditions. The profits he’ll earn from seven years merchandise rights are spectacular – and they will come from what I could argue is the most impoverished football club in Europe. Mike is the ugly face of capitalism (and there are pretty faces).
The analogy is not perfect. Rangers spectacularly defaulted. Newco’s early years have been more painful than they necessarily could have been, largely as a consequence of an organised group of Real Rangers Men who were determined to grab control of Newco’s assets for as cheap a price as possible. But if you are an unskilled Greek living on handouts, or an easily-led Rangers fan, who just wanted to watch his team, you were not the architect of your own misery.
Alexis Tsipras is no Dave King, he is an engaging leader and is not a criminal, but if he leads Greece into an abyss, he will be guilty of one of the classic failures of leadership – telling people what they want to hear in order to gain power, without any way of delivering on the promises made.
King may be doing the same. He strikes me as a man intent on recreating Jonestown in Govan. Unlike Tsipras, who appears to be making progress with his creditors, King has inspired division and boycott. I can’t picture him now without scenes from Jonestown flashing through my mind.
While I know I’m stretching the analogy between Greece and Rangers, there are many who have lost their livelihood, or football club, through the fault of more powerful men, who were paid to look out for their interests.
Mike Ashley is a figure of fun for us but be sure, he is not our ally. Our enemy’s enemy is not our friend. He’s just another in a long line of naked opportunists we were wise enough to avoid.
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Celticrollercoaster supporting Shay,our bhoy wonder along the way
20:41 on
23 June, 2015
Auldheid
What’s your thoughts on TSFM proposed changes and are your part of the new look or is that still a secret:-) Thought it was a big and bold step.
Good luck to all those involved!
Any news that you can update us with on res12?
HH
CRC
———————–
Funnily enough I sort of answered both questions on SFM earlier at
http://www.sfm.scot/why-we-need-to-change/comment-page-3/#comment-58001
but here it is again:
tayred says:
Member: (136 comments)
June 23, 2015 at 12:51 pm
mcfc says:
Member: (1412 comments)
June 23, 2015 at 12:28 pm
There has to be some reason for journalists simply refusing to report on the governance issues arising from RFC’s demise and SFA/SPL handling of it although it might not necessarily be the same reason for all media outlets.
Regular readers will remember a TSFM exercise from last year where 13 journalists were sent copies of the documents kept from Harper MacLeod when they were investigating the use of ebts and side letters before setting up the LNS Commission but none went to press and only one or two acknowledged the issue.
Those journalists were all in Scotland and I’m thinking of repeating the exercise but on a much wider geographical basis (anyone in Sweden or will Danish Pastry have to do :) ) based around the same LNS withholding of evidence, but with the addition of what is happening on Res 12 because it seems there is a link in terms of what was not provided to SFA in 2011 and SPL in 2012 along with a persuasive narrative that we could simply ask journalist to refute.
This is by the way of a heads up because it needs to wait for a bit of legal led activity on Res12 (and you know what lawyers that don’t read SFM are like ) plus another effort to engage msm not in Scotland.
Res12, which asked Celtic to request the UEFA CFCB to investigate the process under which the UEFA 2011 licence was granted and then monitored, has almost been rendered redundant by an internal RFC document that says what was shown on the RFC submission to UEFA but the questions it raises i.e why did the SFA not question the submission, takes us into what was always the underlying objective of Res12 which was transparency and accountability of the SFA. That fat lady has still to clear her throat.
On the theme of the main SFM blog I fall back on the “how do you eat an elephant?” question. “A bit at a time” being the answer and the Res12/LNS issues are part of that greater elephant that the main blog wishes to address i.e restoring some sense of balance between commercialism in football/sport and sporting integrity.
Current football governance constructs do not provide that balance and until they do there is work to be done to get that message across.
I’ve compared the construct graphically as a Mobius Strip (which Res12 and LNS keep marching around and end back at the beginning). That construct needs ripping up and something with checks and balances put in its place.
That is the idea I think we have to stand for and then sell by all means possible.
The Piper who played before Moses
Ricky van Wolfswinkel
Canman
You still watching Max ?
He has been good the past few weeks, even I can understand how the banksters are getting away with things.
HH
ly Bhoy
21:19 on
23 June, 2015
Dena,
sorry, i was unable to get in to google chrome – not CQN itself. OK now though.
Anyone, is it a new Teamcard for this season?
Thanks
the club I travel with say yes its new cards for this season but havent received them yet
HH
bournesouprecipe
_______________
:)
WITS: I understand where you are coming from. I emigrated myself in the ’80s but came back determined to make a future for myself here. After lots of obstacles I succeeded and am glad I returned sooner than I had planned. However, the world is different now and qualifications become obsolete after a couple of years if you don’t work in the relevant fields.
I’m grateful that Australia and London are giving my Bhoys opportunities that Ireland didn’t, I just wish that they didn’t have to go and I look forward to their return at the earliest opportunity. Going abroad and working in their field is better than staying here and hoping that our government and business class will work to improve the lives of ordinary people. Remember the ’80s? It took a very long time to get out of that recession.
TET,
Things are coming to a head, few bubbles ready to burst again, banks will need bailing out again, poor banks eh.
Been buying gold and getting rid of mortgage as fast as I can. Yep been watching closely
_________exit
praecepta
21:18 on
23 June, 2015
dena29
Why worry? – So far away (+ various other titles)!
:-)
I have no doubt there will be various others before the night is over :-))
HH
THE EXILED TIM
I see “john james” posted again today :))))
Looks like our very own LennyBhoy is on the nose again.
You’re the Mhan:-)
Prove the doubters wrong again:-)
Wee Jamesie – captured inside GMS’s new shorts
Auldheid
Did you see the post from Lionroars at around 10.30 this morning
A link with report on what has taken place with Parma
Might want to try and engage with that reporter :-))
Hail Hail
Got 1.3895 Euro to the Pound with TravelFX.Bought and free delivery too.Thanks to all.
Auldheid-cheers and good luck
HH
CRC
BSR
As Mae West once said……………..
“A hard man is good to find!”
Canman
Aye, it’s no very often he is wrong, time has proven him right time after time.
I don’t have a mortgage, thankfully, and have been buying semi precious gems as opposed to gold, started off with ones costing a few $, graduating to ones costing a few $ more, doing Ok with them, making a few bob, have a shop online, nothing spectacular, but puddlin away.
Maybes if the rest had followed Icelands lead, the world wouldn’t be beholding to the crooks, but hey ho.
HH
Lefty
Aye, I look forward to his posts, he really disny like Gash :-)
FF the past few days have been taking down any posts that are mentioning him in any way, magic, keep them in the dark.
HH
I have legalised robbery
Called it a belief
I have run with the money
And hid like a theif
I have re-written history
With my armies and my crooks
Invented memories
I did burn all the books
And I can still hear his laughter
And I can still hear his song
The man’s too big
The man’s too strong
……..
braw
I asked a question last night if there was any bhoys from Lossiemouth on, would you guys mind if I ask the same tonight?
Almore
I remember the 80s very well
I started a business in 85 thats still going today
The 80s were a doddle compared to the last few years
Maybe we expected less in the 80s,I didnt go to college/university or whatever and neither did any of my close pals…we just worked,dead end jobs mainly but as old micawber would say…something will turn up
prae
Ha – The funny thing is Wee Jamesie is 5’9″ on ole wiki.
He get’s smaller the faster and faster he runs.
Can I ask you Bhoys for a wee prayer for my brother in law George who has M N D and is in the new Southern General hospital thanks.
WITS: Fair play. One thing I’ve learnt is that if you have the will to survive things will always get better. I’m glad my bhoys have gone abroad, I’d rather they have a work ethic than just hanging around waiting on things to improve or bitching about their plight. Going abroad was the best thing I did in the’80s. I couldn’t get work for love nor money. Once I returned I got work easily and have never looked back. I teach secondary students. During times of recession it breaks my heart to prepare young people for a life abroad when they have so much to offer here.
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/
21:59 on
23 June, 2015
Can I ask you Bhoys for a wee prayer for my brother in law George who has M N D and is in the new Southern General hospital thanks.
will do jude……… a horrible disease
may you find the strength to help him through tough times
HH
Jude 2005
Will do, as I pray for my own brother
Very good article Paul67!
I see you more as a statesman than a politician!!
Celtic statesman
jude
Prayers will be said for your brother. KTF buddy.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
bern …..skyisalandfill comes from that area I think …..
thoughts with you and Jude…
braw
Bern 2146
I think Skyislandfill in Elgin is the nearest to Lossiemouth. He is on the blog quite often. Used to live there myself a few years ago.
HH
Jude-Bern
Thoughts with you both.
Hope everything works out for you.
HH
KTF
Good night all
Auldheid
keep on keeping on.
Jude and Bern
Thoughts and prayers for your good folks.
HH
Neustadt-braw
Thanks, will keep checking until he posts
thank you to Dena29 …..Braw is now on a Dire Straits compendium ….and it is awfy braw
Sailing to Philadelphia……in ma wee heid…
braw
Hello again all you young rebels.
Well time for my auld bones to get a rest, the wee mhan
and family are all up in Queensland for a holiday so i
should be able to keep up with the blog now.
A great day was had at our usual club bash last Sunday,
our committee commissioned a new banner to be made
and it took pride of place on the wall in between the
Jimmy Johnstone plaque and the one from our very own
Bobby Geddes’s family.
Some new young Celts showed up on the day Scots/Irish
lads and us auld dudes sat back and watched them
putting the various flags etc. up on the walls, it’s very
comforting to know these bhoys will keep the Celtic family
ethos alive when were gone.
Sadly Bobby wasn’t well enough to attend but the club
obtained a photo of him from his family and one of our members
who is a keen artist has started a painting of him in his hoops
top, can’t wait to be at that unveiling, better take a load of tissues.
When the club night was at an end the young team all head down
to the beach bars and clubs followed by their army of lovely Sheilas
the hoops top is a big magnet, like bees to honey, oh to be young
again lol.
Said to my wee princess,
” think i’ll head down for an hour with the young ones, just to keep an
eye on them ”
she said
” aye, in yir dreams, drink that Guinness yir gon up the road ”
” right my precious ”
Lotharionomore.
H.H Mick
Friesdorfer
Cheers for that, Elgin was the hospital my brother was first taken to, before he was transferred over to Aberdeen
Thanks also exiled tim
Bern 2146
I’ve left a message for skysalandfill on cqn facebook ..he’s not logged on at the minute but when he does I’ll tell him your looking info and see if he can help
HH