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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Neustadt-Braw it was leftclicktic who mentioned he was going to watch Mark knopfler
I just thought it would open the floodgates for Dire straits and “thems” jokes….
HH
Dena
That’s brilliant,
You , like the rest of the bhoys and ghirls in the Celtic family are remarkable, will check back tomorrow, early shift tomorrow kip calls, night and hail hail.
bern
:-))
HH
Attending Clonard 9 day novena at minute. Tomorrow will say a prayer for Jude’s bro in law and Berns brother. Every little helps.
Almore with you on that. Educating kids knowing that the opportunities that may have been there once are no longer available. Soul destroying for young people. Then the fall out in terms of their mental health and general well being. I used to say to the less “academic” ones at least get a trade and it will travel with you. For the last 5years that route was blocked with the recession. Seems to be easing up a bit now. Certainly appears to be an increase in apprenticeships in North at the minute. As I said every little helps no matter what the field.
HH
Jude & bern
Thoughts and prayers guys
HH
Dena 29 …thems are no in Dire Straits thems are deeds………..
smiley thing
braw
Does anyone know if they have got the dates sorted for the Stjarnan game
Gearoid 1998: I earned good money in the U.S. when I was there and was offered some fabulous opportunities by good people there. But my heart wasn’t in it. Garrett Fitzgerald, the Taoiseach at he time, encouraged young people to emigrate. When I thought about it, I felt that he and his government, had failed Ireland. That’s why I came back. To make a life for myself in Ireland and to encourage a self-confidence amongst young people to follow their dream, wherever that may be. I love the confidence that young people in Ireland have today, I just wish that those who would like to build their lives here could do so more easily. Oh, and be Celtic supporters too:-)
Neustadt-Braw
:-))
HH
Almore,
I’ve recruited for 2 jobs in Dublin in the last 2 years and when I sift the CVs, not having a masters doesn’t make the cut. First degrees are all 2.1 or 1st.
It is a strange situation for a man who felt blessed to get his honours degree at all.
All our PAs have honours degrees.
I think several things have happened beyond recessions.
1. Most children want to do 3rd level ed now
2. Too few children want or can get a trade
3. Most new jobs in Ireland are in finance or IT which encourages the above
The consequence is that a degree is now an HND, a masters is an honours degree and a 1st class masters is a 2.1. 2 years work experience on top is a 1st class honours in old money.
It is a crying shame but the supply is massively ahead of demand.
Kids are stressing at 8 about points when they are 18. Mothers looking at private schools.
Not for my kid. Normal school, have fun work hard and have a broad mind on options.
Several suicides at our secondary school in the last year is what is making my wife look private but not for me, pressure would be the same.
I think your kids did right to show off their skills abroad. They will come back experienced and as leaders.
PS we have a Business Analyst role for 11 months which I am in the panel for if that helps your crew or friends. Have to be quick though. Get my mail through Paul or Clogher
Hail hail the new generation
Almore/Wits
Good reading your experiences , I’m in oz 4 years this July.. 1 more year and I’ll be moving home.
Can’t wait but very nervous about work etc.. No trade or degree but good work ethnic so hopefully I will be ok.
Working as much as I can over here and saving to make it as easy a return as possible.
bern Sorry to hear abt ur brother.
Thanks Bhoys. Till the morning!! H H
Proudbhoy
Good to have you back! As I say above, you might avoid the crush if you are not chasing Google, Apple etc. Dublin is on the up, no doubt, and if you come in with no mortgage hangover, you have options. Outside the capital will take a while to recover. Was in Athlone at the weekend and a good few pubs and stores up for sale.
Good luck
Bern
Apols, didn’t realise earlier. Prayers said for your brother also. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
jude2005,
Sad to hear of that happening to George. God Bless.
Whaow
Got straight in there. Cot time now while I’m winning. Hopefully the blog will have sorted itself out by tomorrow. Night all. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Bern, Jude
Hadn’t read back, sorry for your families’ troubles and a prayer will be said
Coneybhoy: I agree with your analysis. I left school in 1982 and given that I went to an all-Irish secondary school, we normally walked straight into a civil service job. Not in 1982 though, nor for many years after. The ’80s were tough and the 90s tougher. When I did my degree very few went on to do a masters, now it’s a minimum requirement for many worthwhile jobs.
Agree with you also re private/public education. Public for me every day of the week, not that all public schools are perfect.
Thank you for kind offer, but just the wrong time at the moment. I met ClogherCelt on Monday and we spoke about meeting up with you in the Bad Ass Cafe for one of the away matches in early August. Hopefully we can meet up re Dublin 2016.
Proudbhoy: I used to have good contacts in Derry, visited the city may times in the ’80s. When you get back let me know and we can can meet up with some other FreeDerry Tims and enjoy a Pangur Bán session if they are still going. I think I understand your current situation and wish you the very best with your plans.
Goodnight WeefratheTim
KTF
HH
Also Bern, God Bless.
Maura O’Connell, with her red, red hair that tells no lie… and her voice… ahh, what a woman
Her mother liked the opera, and her da liked the reb songs which, in my limited experience, is the sign of a fella I could drink with
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2UZReQGNVI&list=PL629AC19458BA2C5D&index=4
Thomsontwin – 17:58
Your comment is fraught with half facts & is clearly provided to you by whatever mainstream news media gives it to you. Greece were enticed to join Euro & the barriers lowered to allow. The only winners are the banks who are sucking them dry like a loan shark who drags out the process as long as possible with exponentially rising interest. Goldman sachs, who co-incidentally have ex-non ex directors in practically all struggling EU member governments, aided by IMF are now seizing every valuable the asset Greece had.
Your SNP jibe lacks any real detail or evidence. Guessing you think labour were going to be different from the only other choice.
But of talk on education etc on here
When we are young we are sent to primary school , bif of fun at times but by P5 the pressure is on about studying for your big school.. Wasn’t my thing. Football and Gaelic was all that I was interested in , and having fun with friends .. So primary school exams didn’t go well because none of the questions were football related. I’d been having too much fun in the streets instead of studying in the bedroom.
Onto big school and it’s pretty much straight into it.. Your told what to learn and if you don’t get it right like they want you have little chance.. Your not given the option to learn or study what you wan to do.. Your told where to sit , when to speak , what to wear and if you don’t go along with this you’ll be pretty much on your own at 16yrs old .. Not the kind of set up that suits a young sports mad Craic loving teenager ha ..
That’s the reality, school wasn’t my thing.. Only class I did well in was media studies cause media etc always interested me… But because my maths ,English ..science etc weren’t upto it then that was the end of the road for me.
No confidence to go and do further education after GCSE results , couldn’t get apprenticeship either so straight into dead end jobs.
Whole system is a farce for people like me.. Give kids extra classes in what interests them , higher the age so your not under immense pressure at 14/15yrs old. Any wonder lots go off the rails, Start taking drugs etc
The whole system takes away our individualism , I was pretty young when I realised 2/3hrs a week learning about religion wasn’t going to help or improve my life.. That science classes were as much use to me as a cricket bat and that the history I was getting taught wasn’t the history I wanted to learn. Never have and never will give a sh*t how many wives Henry the Goat had.
That’s my opinion on things anyway.. It has Undoubtably worked for lots of people .. School ,study ,school study for 10/12yrs . But not for me or many others.
Time for work here.. Another 10hrs before knock off.
Coneybhoy
Have good few friends in Dublin and all doing well for themselves , haven’t ruled Dublin out as possible destination as my girlfriend would have a lot of jobs to pick from ..graphic designer/marketing manager is her area.
See what happens, I’ll be on here chasing advice anyway closer to the time.
Derry not many options for that.
Almore
Cheers buddy, they are no longer together but have left great songs behind.
We’ll defo get pint sometime in future , in Dublin quite abit for Derry City games before I left for oz plus I will be in paradise as much as possible ..
The United irishmen csc.. Great name
JQB
If you liked that,
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ORMUqhofLGw
jude2005 & Bern
Prayers for you both and your respective loved ones.
Billy bhoy
I called the ticket office today to check re new season tickets. Was told new system/operator will be used hence they won’t be sent out till July.
HH jamesgang
larsson80
23:16
Goldman sachs, who co-incidentally have ex-non ex directors in practically all struggling EU member governments…
Exactly. The article below is from 2011 and I believe their grip has increased. But few people are aware of this…
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/what-price-the-new-democracy-goldman-sachs-conquers-europe-6264091.html
Proudbhoy
Hello again, a lot of what you said is probably a refection of
my own life and it wasn’t until i started reading my auld
dads Scots/Irish history books that i realised there was more
to us than Shakespeare and Francis Drake etc.
Hope it all works out for you if you go back home.
H.H Mick
Thank you so much for this post from earlier. A great to be able to let a 10 year old to inspire him about the values of hard work and practice!
timaloy29
16:36 on 23 June, 2015
My old man was good friends with a former youth coach at Celtic. He told my old man that the recently departed Andrew Robertson had more of a chance at making it as a pro than the more talented boys who stayed. It was all due to attitude. Robertson was one of the few boys that was always doing extra training on his weaker foot etc.
I don’t think anybody saw him as a Scotland internationalist at the time. I suppose that’s a sign of really hard work and the value of playing competitive fitba over development teams.’
Night Timdom
HH jamesgang
P.S
Prayers for Jude2005 and Bern.
H.H Mick
jamesgang
I called the ticket office today to check re new season tickets. Was told new system/operator will be used hence they won’t be sent out till July.
The first CL qualifier will be fun ………hope its sorted by then
HH
Johnniem,
Isn’t that a peach… Thanks
Almore
Taking my hols early Aug but yes we do need a Dublin meet in the Bad Ass and should be able to in late Aug.
Maybe even a friendly in July. Good discussion tonight. I really want my kid to avoid this points race.
PS I saw a CV today that said ‘Uni of Ulster, Derry’
Caught my eye already (not PC). If he had put ‘free’ in there, he was in!
CQN 5s?
https://twitter.com/fourfourtweet/status/613281621714735104
HH jamesgang
The reason for this lack of awareness is that the MSM are simply advertisers of a particular agenda and perspective. We recognize it clearly when we look at the reporting of Scottish Football, it leaves us open mouthed and scratching our head. We laugh about it, joke about it. Same agenda setting occurs in the wider media, they are advertisers too, just like Keith Jackson. Uncomfortable notion, but true nontheless. Same way we view the SFA. The SFA have policies that advertise a [articular perspective. Their policies/PR/advertising present a specific agenda, same way as elected governments policies are advertising a particular way of viewing the world.
BAnksy sums up advertisers pretty well… Difficult to argue against.
<a href="http://anticapitalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/banksy_nugget.jpg"
I believe that advertisers exist beyond billboards, they exist in news media, government policies and any body supoosed to be ‘democratic’.
jamesgang
23:35 on
23 June, 2015
CQN 5s?
https://twitter.com/fourfourtweet/status/613281621714735104
HH jamesgang
Brilliant
HH
Goodnight Timland
early start in the morning
HH