I was at primary school during the 1979 devolution referendum. It’s fair to say many in the Celtic community were suspicious of the SNP due to the hostile attitudes some of the party leadership had to the Irish diaspora in their midst.
Fresh blood brought change to the SNP in the 1980s, there were even overtures to Irish nationalism. Alex Salmond cemented these changes, broadened the appeal of the party towards new and multi-generation immigrants, and asserted the SNP’s multi-faith credentials. He also became close friends with disgraced Cardinal O’Brien (which is no reflection on Mr Salmond).
At the height of his political powers Salmond appears to have overreached. Something would be done about men shouting at football games. From now on only certain flavours of nationalism would be favoured, acceptable, perhaps even legal. MSP Christine Graham let the Scottish Parliament know, the problem was that Celtic fans were not acting illegally, so the law had to change.
The Axe the Act candidate in today’s Glasgow City Council, Govan, by-election, Thomas Rannachan has brought the consequences of Salmond’s largess to his door. The SNP are defending the seat but one year out from the battle Salmond really needs to win, his shoddy attack on football fans is set to undermine him. As an independent Rannachan may not win, but he has put the First Minister on the back foot.
George Ryan’s funeral will take place at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow, at 10:00 on Monday. All are welcome.
Sean’s book’s here, fill your boots:
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Sandy Jardon
Dave King is a real Rangers man and that is exactly what we need in charge at Ibrox.
pmsl…
Parkheadcumsalford
09:33 on 11 October, 2013
‘I remember at the Last Night of the Proms, when they focused on Belfast during YNWA there was little or no Union Flag waving but when Land of Hope and Glory came on, they were to the last man, woman and child waving their flags with gusto.’
#####
They’d be celebrating the fact that the Pomp and Circumstance March was written by a working class, Catholic, Englishman.
And appropriately – for them- the title, Pomp and Circumstance, is from Othello:
O farewell,
Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, th’ ear-piercing fife;
The royal banner, and all quality,
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!
Philbhoy – Bring it on!!!!
minister of information.AULDHEID.
Ernie – I don’t doubt it – I have experienced it. We don’t disagree on the sectarianism and racism. But it is not an argument against independence. It has happened for years in the Union.
Personally I think both sides should stick to the economics.
Verdantvic – you’re quite entitled to air your views pal. They are not stupid, I just happen to think they are not an argument against Independence. Your thoughts are as valid as mine or anyone elses.
Personally,I’m not so sure that the Labour Party is as guilty as suggested of failing to deal with the Masonic influence in Scotland.
Much less of being in collusion.
Historically,Labour has had a higher-than-representative number of Catholics amongst its office-bearers. Equally,historically they are less likely to have been Masons.
Once in a position of power,the natural thing is to both bolster that,and to undermine opposition. Make sure people naturally disposed towards your views are given rein for advancement.
This,I believe,has to be a steady progression,otherwise “cronyism” will be the cry. Does anyone think our position in society is unchanged in the last 100 years? 50?
Even in my adult life,I’ve seen more integration,less institutionalised sectarianism,less opportunity for those who once would have denied us everything to now deny us anything at all.
We still have a way to go,we still have to change the mindset which would even consider such things acceptable. Minds still have to be won.
But the battle has been won. For Heaven’s sake,don’t allow them a rematch on a battlefield of their own choosing.
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : Week 9 results & standings
Som mes que un club led the way last week (Ventura Mist (@10/1).
Our two leaders stretched further away from the pack – Rockon (Scepticism @4/1) & Bada Bing (Hot Streak @9/2).
+£18.00 Rockon Neil Lennon (4)
+£14.00 Bada Bing (3)
+£ 8.50 What is the Stars (2)
+£ 5.50 16 roads (2)
+£ 3.50 fleagle1888 (2)
+£ 3.00 bonbhoy (2)
+£ 2.00 Som mes que un club (1)
+£ 0.00 valentinesday (2)
-£ 2.00 El Madrigal (1)
-£ 4.50 MHARK67 (1)
-£ 4.80 voguepunter (1)
-£ 5.25 Che (1)
-£ 5.50 BULL67 (1)
-£ 5.50 twists n turns (1)
-£ 6.00 BMCUWP (1)
-£ 6.50 PF Ayr (1)
-£ 7.19 Burgas Hoops (1)
-£ 7.20 Sponsored by Cheetah (1)
-£ 9.00 gordybhoy64
-£ 9.00 green T
-£ 9.00 Kilbowie Kelt
-£ 9.00 leftclicktic
-£ 9.00 Magnificentseven
-£ 9.00 pedrocaravanachio67
-£ 9.00 petec
-£ 9.00 tommytwiststommyturns
-£ 9.00 unionbearBhind
*No selection (wk 7) : gordybhoy64, Magnificentseven
*Non-Runners :
Cheers, fleagle1888
roberttressell
If you are on the receiving end of the sectarianism or racism then you don’t give a monkeys about economics.
Nazi Germany was economically vibrant in the 1930’s did not do the Jews, Communists and Trade Unionists much good did it?
weeminger
10:39 on 11 October, 2013
Thindimebhoy
10:19 on
11 October, 2013
‘He was found guilty of 41 breaches of income tax law. My point was that these charges may be civil rather than criminal.’
###
The references to 24 months in prison and the Criminal Assets Recovery Fund suggest criminal rather than civil.
Personally I think he’d be a wonderful new owner for the stadium and training ground, and I’m sure he’s be a very understanding landlord. And so much more palatable for ra bears, given that he’s one of their own.
‘The fraud charges against King were not pursued by the State and King accepted liability in respect of 41 lesser counts of contravening Section 75 of the Income Tax Act.
This includes the failure to disclose information and the failure to provide correct information about incomes earned over a number of years.
King appeared before the Palmridge Regional Court on Thursday and entered into a plea and sentencing agreement with the NPA.
King has to pay a fine totalling R3.208m (R80 000 per count) or 24 months imprisonment.
In addition, he was ordered to pay an amount of R8.75m towards the Criminal Asset Recovery Fund.’
http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Dave-King-must-pay-R706m-or-face-prison-20130829
Q- How did the axethebill candidate get on?
Paddy T
Listening to the Shortbread podcast from last night and Srephen McGowan from the Daily Mail is excruciatingly bad in his lamb eating.
He tells us Swally really admires D King ( is there any potential owner Swally does not /did not admire?) because of his prescience in realising the Huns could go bust before the event.
I thought virtually the entire country excluding the hordes and the SMSM were aware if this.
As I say another pathetic Hun love-in
Paddy Turner
He got lifted for whistling ROH while the vote was being counted.
Paddy Turner
10:57 on 11 October, 2013
Q- How did the axethebill candidate get on?
####
From KDS
@tommy_ball: #govanbyelection
Lab 2055
SNP 1224
Flan. 446
Con 215
Ukip 113
GRN 112
Ind 103
LD 73
Xtian 60
FAC 52
Com 35
SOL 28
BNP 19
DA 1
Personally, I find it very worrying that no Scottish Labour MP had the courage to back George Galloway’s motion. Says a lot about each and every one of them, imo.
Ernie
Your point is that the political parties are representative of the people and make up of Scotland.
The converse could just as easily be applied, that the people and make up of Scotland has been permitted to exist, and indeed flourish, as a result of political thinking.
I’m yet to be convinced that as a Celtic supporting, Catholic with Irish ancestry that I’ll be any worse off in an independent Scotland.
Eh?
215 Tories in Govan?
Ffs,that’s shocking. And I mean that. Should be a criminal offence to vote for that lot.
(Shakes head and wanders wearily once more to the bar…)
weeminger 10:39
We may have mixed headlines
Rangers: Mather discusses club future with Dave King
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24434323
Philbhoy – Bring it on!!!!
11:04 on 11 October, 2013
Paddy Turner
He got lifted for whistling ROH while the vote was being counted.
PURE DEAD BRILL.
jimmci…you’ll love this. McGowan was, I think, editor of the Celtic View…
When I think SNP I think Christine Graham and that is not for me.
justmyopinionmind
HAMILTON TIM
“I’m yet to be convinced that as a Celtic supporting Catholic with Irish ancestry,that I’ll be any worse off in an independent Scotland.”
You should not vote for independence if you can’t be convinced you-and yours-will be better off.
Enie Lynch,
But was ole Elgar, pride of the Establishment, not into Empire building?
As for Shakespeare, well, while his auld faither was definitely of the recusant persuasion, my impression was that there was little historical evidence that his son was of a similiar disposition, apart from the many references he makes in his works to the Old Faith.
All of that will have been lost to the (union) flegs-mad coterie in Belfast, of course.
BMCUW
It’s not a Masonic influence that concerns me as much as successive Labour councils allowing sectarianism and the Orange Order to flourish.
That this has often been under the watch of such a high number of Catholic councillors is even more shameful.
Hamiltontim is praying for Oscar
11:09 on 11 October, 2013
‘I’m yet to be convinced that as a Celtic supporting, Catholic with Irish ancestry that I’ll be any worse off in an independent Scotland.’
####
Before the last Holyrood election did you have any idea that the SNP would conjure up the
Offensive Behaviour at Football (Scotland) Bill and make its passage a top priority?
Parkheadcumsalford
11:07 on 11 October, 2013
‘Personally, I find it very worrying that no Scottish Labour MP had the courage to back George Galloway’s motion. Says a lot about each and every one of them, imo.’
###
Says more about the nature of Scottish society.
‘To see oursels as ithers see us’
This is the reply I received from my MSP’s office with an assurance that the MSP will reply in due course.
“In relation to the events at Ibrox recently, I am aware Police Scotland is investigating the conduct of a number of people attending the game. The MoD have also stated that Police Scotland are investigating and they will therefore not comment further, though they made clear that any personnel involved in misconduct would face disciplinary measures and possible police action. It is most appropriate for the police to investigate this matter.”
Ernie
No and that is one of my greatest for voting yes.
As I said I’m as yet undecided.
Parkheadcumsalford
11:14 on 11 October, 2013
‘Enie Lynch,
But was ole Elgar, pride of the Establishment, not into Empire building?’
#######
No he wasn’t.
And he was never part of the establishment. He was an outsider.
HAMILTON TIM
While I agree with your point,change can only be made in steps. If their power-base is too fragile to tackle that problem head-on,then don’t. Build the power-base until it is.
The Protestant Supremacy was so heavily-ingrained to the Lowland Scot psyche-“I hate that wee nyaff Neil Lennon” was common even amongst Morningside matrons,remember-that to cut them off at the knees would be electoral suicide.
How would immediately being voted out help sort the problem over time?
ernie lynch,
I stand corrected. Always thought the opposite.
BMCUW
You should go and visit Elgar’s grave. He lies about 20 yards from my mammy’s shop in Worcester :-)
Sorry mate but are you referring to the SNP in your last paragraph?
Maybe I am hallucinating,but did I not read earlier this week that Regan stated King could not go back onto the Ibrox board,as he had been there when liquidation occurred?.
Is this a not a stock market rule,or is it a legal edict?.
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
11:15 on 11 October, 2013
BMCUWIt’s not a Masonic influence that concerns me as much as successive Labour councils allowing sectarianism and the Orange Order to flourish.
That this has often been under the watch of such a high number of Catholic councillors is even more shameful.
That’s always been a failing, we get there in any job and sit tight and don’t rock the boat, just so as they can say aye he’s ok…. for one of them…!
Ayrshire is Green and White
HH
KK Independence- Yes
The words of Land of Hope and Glory were not written by Elgar.
Mark E. Smith has made his views on football absolutely clear :
Kicker, Kicker Conspiracy. Kicker, Kicker Conspiracy.
J. Hill’s satanic reign.
Ass-lickers King O’Team.
Kicker, Kicker Conspiracy x 2.
In the marble halls of the charm school.
How flair is punished.
Under Marble Millichip, the FA. broods.
On how flair can be punished.
They’re guest is a Euro-State magnate.
How flair is punished.
K.K.C. X4.
In the booze club, George Best does rule.
How flair is punished.
His downfall was a blonde girl, but that’s none of your business!
K. K. C. X 4
Former fan at the bus stop.
Treads on the ball at his feet, in the christmas rush.
And in his hands, two lager cans.
Talks to himself. At the back. At the top.
What are the implications of the club unit?
Plastic, Slime, Partitions, Cocktail, Zig-Zag, Tudor Bar.
Pat McGatt. Pat McGatt, the very famous sports reporter is
talking……there.
FANS! ! ! “Remember, you are abroad!
Remember the police are rough!
Remember the unemployed!
Remember my expense account!
HOT DOGS AND SEAT FOR MR. HOGG !!
HOT DOGS AND SEAT FOR MR. HOGG!!!
AAAAAANNNNDDD HIS GROTTYSPAWN! ! ! !
Lurid brochures for ground unit.
Our style is punished.
K. K. C. X 5
Remember! don’t collect with the rough.
K. K. C. X 1
Kicker, lets swell the facilities.
Kicker Conspiracy times eight.
79
Elgar composed it the lyrics were the work of Benson.
Hamiltontim
Correct. That was the point I wanted to make.