Josef Stalin was adored by his people. He was also a charismatic man with a plan. He had the vision to take the Soviet Union forward to prosperity. But there were famines and genocide. The starving were not exiled to Botany Bay for stealing a handful of corn, hundreds of thousands of them were shot, all while Stalin occupied the Kremlin.
The means of production were breaking down all around. Newly manufactured tractors idled in fields, because simple replacement parts were never produced, causing production targets to be missed, with a whole host of consequential ramifications.
Yet the people remained in awe of their genocidal oppressor. “If only Stalin knew”, they would say, “he would end the suffering and fix all these problems”. It was Beria, or some other apparatchik, who must be responsible.
“If only Stalin knew” has become a phrase to describe a characteristic of human nature. We grow to worship those who inspire us to revolution and reject all evidence when they drive us into the sea. Faults and failings are blamed on others. If only the man (less commonly, woman) at the top was in complete control, this mess would have been avoided.
You will note this morning that “King took a backseat during the recruitment process as Graeme Park, with Stewart Robertson and Andrew Dickson alongside, drove through Caixinha’s move… to Ibrox”.
The sentiment is clear: what is needed is not less influence from King, but more involvement. The plan is great, it just needs to be executed the way King wants it to be.
It’s not like we haven’t warn them.
BRENDAN RODGERS – THE ROAD TO PARADISE is now on sale at www.cqnbookstore.com
On sale now at CQN bookstore.com
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ERNIE LYNCH @ 10:23 PM,
“Virtually no one in England (or abroad) wants to watch Scottish football.
A lot of people in Scotland (and abroad) want to watch English football.
The size of the respective populations is irrelevant.
Well to be fair to myself I think I did cover that in my post. What you say has an element of truth in it for sure but it is a generalisation and as a blanket statement it is wrong.
Let me try to be a little bit clearer on your points.
Firstly Scottish interest in English Football.
Well, this is due to (over) exposure in my opinion, specifically of the EPL.
The MoTD and Football Focus were Football programs that would cover the best Matches and most interesting Football stories, that’s no longer the case its virtuaĺly all EPL and of Course Sky’s always been obsessed and it’s business model lived or died by its promotion of the EPL.
Scots would rather watch their own teams given the chance. In Scotland how many English games can you get a week, how many Scottish games can you get a week?
All Scots in England who are Football Supporters watch their teams, I’ve lived in England for over forty years the Scots all follow their teams, if they were available they’d watch. What we are seeing as far as our Broadcasters offerings is style over substance.
As far as abroad, the TV deals and different and separate, I deliberately left that out but if you buy into the myth that the World’s Football Fans are besotted by the Great English Game you are very wrong.
Do you truly believe that World Football would rather watch Barnsley than Celtic?
My argument, given the choice, people would watch the team they support, they don’t get that chance.
Why does this Status Quo continue?
The SPFL either lack imagination and ability to get the true worth of their TV deal or they are embroiled in the cartel. Either way, not good.
We are now in a different world and Scotland due to it’s incompetence in securing an equitable deal for their Footballing rights season after season – are in a great position to take advantage of new media.
Clubs get so little relatively speaking from the TV deal that they are in a wonderful position to look into the various ways Content can be distributed and monetised with little down side.
I’m sure a service provider would be prepared to underwrite any shortfall in the earnings of Scottish Clubs to get a interactive, internet platform that works.
That wouldn’t necessarily mean we couldn’t have a conventional Broadcasters agreement of sorts. We could look at selling the Matches without the exclusivity contract, one that allowed the Broadcasters the rights to show the “big” matches but does not stop The SPFL or the Clubs selling other content on a different platform.
England could never risk such a thing… no way.
Hail Hail
SIMPLE MINDS,
I think a very young Simple Minds used to play in a pub in Glasgow’s Howards Street ( Just along from St Enochs Square) called The MARS BAR ?
I don’t think it was open too long because of some “Drinking Violence” would often break out allegedly ? I was in it once or twice methinks, but a cousin worked at night and I can remember her talking about it.
Obviously, in Glasgow the term “Mars Bar”…can also mean something else other than a chocolate delight.
HH
Good morning CQN from a clear, cold but dry East Devon.
It’s Ayrshire Hun pumping day.
Hail! Hail!
BIG JIMMY
Yes, I’ve got a few of them!
Great night shift.
Some great posts, music and Celtic links.
Just brilliant!
Thank you.
Oh and naebdy fell oot!
:-)
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/maleys-record-sight-celtic-march/
Consummate Celtic or Abject Aberdeen? Read on and see.
Celtic by numbers Good stuff. However possibly Aberdeen’s ‘abject’ performance was as much to do with Celtics quality on the night. Hh
I believe we will win today but not as easily as most are predicting.
Killie will be buoyed by their consecutive victories and by having a quality manager in post.
It’s interesting the manager pool in Scotland has been greatly boosted by the appointment of Rodgers, Lennon, Coyle and Clark which when added to the experience of MacInnes and Wright gives our game a considerable opportunity to reboot itself from the kick and rush get intae them mentality.
Archibald at Thistle and, I hate saying it, McCann at Dundee have the intent of playing passing but active football.
Hope it produces more players who can develop the skills to put it into practice!
HH
Brendan made a telling comment on Wednesday after the game when he highlighted the progress we have made in his ‘sixteen months’ in charge. I’m looking forward to see how far we have progressed in another 16 months. Hh
Cowiebhoy
Just read back – look forward to meeting you on a record equalling day.
I know we’ve exchanged these before but just in case – 106, AA, seat 21.
It’s Matchday!!
Can Kilmarnock raise enough energy mentally and physically to play away twice in a few days? Suspect Celtic will freshen the lineup.
I’ve got a spare for today btw. DM me on twitter is the best bet.
PHILBHOY
Ah,but we have a perfect storm brewing. An international break and poppyfest.
BMCUWP
Aye. forgot about them!
You travelling up today or are you “home” already?
Morning , all . Kev J was in Peter m class at school , he was ten times the player bomber brown was and twenty times more handsome .ah! The John fallon supporters bus brings back some great memories, hope all is good with yourself. Good luck to the bhoys today 4-0 dembele 1st goal
Right, I have 4 hours to help my Bhoy move from his flat into his first house. keep the place tidy and maybe bump into some of you at The Corner. I’ll be the one looking drained ;-)
PHILBHOY
On the first leg,bus from Swindon to London.
Takes nearly as long to get from Swindon to Euston as it does from Euston to Glasgow!
JOBOBALDIE
Wish him well!!!
BMCUWP
Safe journey!
Hopefully see you in a couple of weeks!
CHAIRBHOY 6.23: Reading you synopsis re people abroad ‘watching’ their team abroad I can fully concur with it.
When I was Spain I watched virtually ALL English supporters leave the pub when ‘their’ game ended,never looked a any other screen,and were un-interested in anything else but their team.
I had to watch Celtic on the smallest screen in the pub whilst Aston Villa were playing Southampton or something.Still beat driving 10 km each way to Paddy’s Point!
Good luck with the house move Jobo…..hope it’s not like my wee boys first home………3 flights upstairs, numerous corners, and very limited parking due to city centre location.
Just about to hit the road. If someone could invent a teleport machine, or at least a Dundee bypass, it would make life a lot simpler.
Destination Paradise, and another sparkling Celtic performance hopefully.
HH
Train in just over 30 mins to GLesga via Edinburgh for a day of football and drinking with my cousin from Kerry . Should be in the pub for just after 11 , smashing :0)
Celtic by Numbers, great insight – thank you. HH
Michael Johnstone is likely to start today , going by Bada Bing’s post last night.
If he does start, it will be a reward for his performances against Bayen and Athletic Bilbao over the last two weeks.
Our developement team beat Bilbao 2 1 last week in the EPL developement cup game played at Woking’s ground.
Lou Macari reminiscing with George Galloway on Sputnik RTV
Celtic by Numbers, another very enjoyable read. Thank you .
Gooooood Morning CQN
A 100 year record to be equalled today – I hope, so a big day for the Bhoys :-)
Tell you my wee unborn grandkid will have been to some momentous games, including the one whereby we have been officially recognised as the best in the world
So my wee Ghirl is getting there today, and Tues, then the intèrnational break will do her the World of good as she is due her baby in 3-4 weeks
That’s what it means to be Celtic :-)))))))))
Celtic by Numbers – very good analysis again, showing how Celtic picked Aberdeen off
But
I could have summed that up by saying Celtic were just Brilliant :-)))
Right Hector to walk then get ready to shout for the Bhoys
Hail Hail
I never held Lou Macari in high esteem over the years. However, I now hold him in very high esteem with the work he has done, providing help and shelter for homeless people in Stoke.
Dallas my info was Mikey Johnston and Kris Ajer to feature today
Bada Bing, thanks . Its always good to see some of our young guns going for it (i’ll get my jacket).
Michael Johnstone was very impressive on his debut last season, particularly his run then hold up play in the build up to one of our goals in that game.
Dallas- i think Hayes might get a start today,KT might get a wee rest
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league
They come from bonnie Scotland, they come from county Cork,
They come from dear old Donegal and even from New York,
From every street in Glasgow they proudly make their way,
To a place called dear old paradise and this is what they say.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.
There’s Fallon, Young and Gemmell who proudly wear the green,
There’s Clark, McNeill and Kennedy the best there;s ever been,
Jim Johnstone, Murdoch, Chalmers, John Divers and John Hughes,
And sixty thousand Celtic fans who proudly shout the news.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the Scottish football league.
Repeat to Fade CSC
Bada bing, I was hoping either Jonny Hayes or Calvin Miller might start at left back or left wing back today if we play 3 centre backs .
Kieran does need a break. I’m always concerned about his health as he is diabetic. I know he is well looked after by our medical staff but it still worries me
I told my girlfriend about Ashley`s cuddly Timmy but asked her to guess the name.
” Hunny Bear? ” she suggested.
Will Timmy be having a Christmas Pal?
JJ
CELTIC BY NUMBERS on 28TH OCTOBER 2017 7:28 AM
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/maleys-record-sight-celtic-march/
Consummate Celtic or Abject Aberdeen? Read on and see.
====================
CBN, an excellent read as always.
There was a bit of discussion on here after the game about Armstrong’s performance. Your stats align with my opinion.
Also notable that Boyata pass success rate is extremely high even though I consider he is not always content with playing the easy pass – something I commend him for – which is reflected in his pack passes rating.
If Bada`s information is accurate then selection could be even more interesting today .
Lustig Ajer Boyata Millar
Roberts Brown Armstrong Hayes/Sinclair
Rogic
Johnston.
Probably still good enough but such a selection would be a great surprise to me.
JJ
CHAIRBHOY on 28TH OCTOBER 2017 6:23 AM
There’s a huge demand for the TV rights for the EPL worldwide.
That’s why they are getting £3.2billion from foreign broadcaster for 2016-19.
That’s why the EPL gets twice as much from TV rights as the Bundeslega.
The preferences of expat Scots in England , or English holidaymakers in Benidorm is pretty much irrelevant in the scheme of things.