Amid all the debate about oil, currency, pensions and a million other items, I’m surprised higher questions have not been asked about our cultural identity. I’ve never said I’m British in my life, I’m Scottish, but the full story is more subtle than that.
Despite being a football fan, a Scot and a Gordon Strachan fan, I watched another channel when Germany-Scotland was on. My sense of personal identity, the anthems I cherish, the emblems I’ve always worn, my ‘national’ community, is the one I share with you.
I know we have a large number of England-supporting, English-Celtic fans here, just as there are Ireland-supporting, Irish, and Scotland-supporting Scots, but some of us feel our strongest affinity among our urban, west of Scotland-based, Celtic community. This community will only ever march behind a green flag. There is nothing wrong or unpatriotic about this, finding your own identity is what multiculturalism is all about.
There are a thousand more national identities than actual nations, but why do many of us feel more like sons of Jock Stein, than Jock Tamson, or (cough) John Bull?
I don’t think there is a single British, or Scottish, cultural institution I feel an attachment to. I was really caught up with the whole Mo Farah/Jessica Ennis-inspired Super Saturday at the Olympics – delighted at the success of British athletes, but later that day, when Ki stepped forward to take the decisive kick for South Korea against GB, I punched the air with joy. The whole Burns Night thing feels like someone else’s party.
In fact, it’s worse than not having an affinity with a British cultural institution, our Celtic community is marginalised by competitors in the south. If Scotland, which is perhaps more bound-up in tribal football culture than anywhere on the planet, had EQUAL access to the UK’s cultural markets, would we feel so excluded?
I know there are many who are happy with the way sentiment is going right now, but if those intent on saving the union want to get busy on some urgent nation-building, they should set about removing the two-tier cultural divide which keeps our club, our community, from the top table. We pay an obligatory BBC tax to subsidise an England and Wales league, our non-tax-based pay TV money goes the same way. This is a distorted market, with Scotland obscured by an England-Wales cartel. As a result we’ve been drained of talent and financial muscle for a century.
Football is not controlled by politicians, but it can be, and is, influenced by them. Westminster is speaking with a more unified voice than I’ve ever known right now. Its voice should be clear: Scotland needs equal access to the UK’s cultural markets, including football.
Our exclusion is intolerable, unfair, has fermented disaffection and must end, irrespective of what happens next week. Why would Westminster politicians be unable to say this?
Let’s hear you.
The fantastic new edition of CQN Magazine is out today. You can read it, for free, here, at it’s dedicated site (don’t try to read on the graphic below).
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whats in the stars
Strangely enough I have been in most countries in mainland Europe, but never had any inclination whatsoever to visit Ireland. Can’t even explain that. It’s maybe, only a guess, that I grew up hearing about the troubles, don’t know. Mrsweefra has been with the ghirls from the club we used to be members of in Linwood and says it was fantastic, but I was not convinced. Am I weird? :-))))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
what is the stars
22:24 on 9 September, 2014
Hamiltontim
You dont want to get on the wrong side of me now do you
Dublin is fantastic
——
And so is Ronny Deila :-)
I love Dublin but if I was suggesting somewhere in Ireland to visit it wouldn’t be top of my list mate.
TET
90 is my best round Dalmuir and had that loads in 35 years trying. Why is 89 so elusive? :))
IGC
22:12 on
9 September, 2014
Sorry Magnificentseven, Ryecatcher was spot on, it was Arthur Albiston.
wow, I was sure it was Brazil, old age catches up I suppose
Weefra
You are weird
Hamilton in fairness has a point
Dublin is very different to many parts of Ireland
You should visit though
You would enjoy,
WeeFra
Yul be in yur element in Dublin, awe they Burds,withoot wings, nae Chookie Hens there ma Bhoy.Looken forward to the w/end.
Awerabest PJ
Question to all ..
If Better together had said we are better together in all respects including football – So if we secure a No vote we will insist that SFA and FA integrate to make a national football Association. Allowing all Scottish teams the opportunity of reaching premier of the BFL ( British Football League)….
Would that have secured your vote?
I’m thinking that’s a trick missed by political strategists…?
============
In order to offer that BT would have had to have started from the premise that not all was as well as they thought and that they would have to have approached the campaign with a slogan of Let’s Make It Even Better Together, giving the possibility of a UK League to demonstrate the advantages to Scottish football (and so Scotland) of direct access to a UK market worth billions.
There would have been as much promise and hope in that underlying attitude as the Yes camp have not only been able harness but also attack BT for not having in a negative campaign. A double whammy.
I think it has dawned on the England end of this dependency rather late in the day that they are responsible for a massive error of judgement of the Scottish mind. We are not lacking courage, right up to the point of rashhness and we thrive on hope.
This massive error notwithstanding there can be little doubt that Scottish football dependent solely on match day attendances as a major source of income will become totally wage uncompetitive with Europe and the standard will fall.
Just as independence is likely in the short term to cost those with earned income more either in higher taxes or unemployment for a promised brighter future so too will it hit the highest earner in Scottish football which is Celtic but with little hope of the same improvement arriving.
As long as we all know what that means. No regular CL qualification and bouncing around the group stages of the EL and a further downsizing of Celtic then fair enough.
But I hope no one comes on to CQN blaming the Board for their own decision for the wider good as they see it that will inevitably reduce Celtic from a club with global aspirations to a grand old community team to play for and support by tightening further the constraints under which Celtic operate.
The points here are
1. Had BT been more aware of where we not better together and addressed that willingly from the off the lead would not have disappeared.
2. Market forces and economies of scale of the type which UK football as currently constituted reflect, are as likely to scupper the aims of independence as bring them about.
It seems independence has become an end in itself as opposed to a risky means to an end and if we can find less risky ways of achieving those ends (presumably a more prosperous Scotland) then the end requires a route that is more likely to get us there in one piece and in peace.
Finally my experience of establishing the shennagins and more crucially the cover up of them for commercial and social unrest reasons makes me very wary of this countries ability to govern without fear or favour.
In that context I give you
1. The LNS Decision and how it was arrived at.
2. The failure of the media to report the truth.
3. The OBB not because it was an attempt to even up the figures but because it was bereft of intellectual input.
All three tell me that no matter who governs us ethics will continue to be noticeable NY their absence.
So suggesting a UK league is far more than a bribe to vote no, it’s questioning if independence is the only route to a more prosperous Scotland once it’s accepted by the UK, as it patently now has been, (even though we have always been interdependent) that dependency is a two way street.
In that respect the Referendum has been very useful in bring reality to everyone’s attention.
Hamilton
Ronny out….
I can understand the point you make about Dublin vis a vis the rest of Ireland
Do what the Yanks do
Spend a day in Dublin,(see Trinity College,The Guiness Brewery and Kilmainham) get a bus to the Rock of Cashel,go to Cork (just to stop for the loo) then straight on to Killarney for a night,then Galway for a night (visit the Cliffs of Moher) take in Yeats County and Donegal,see Derry ,skip across to Belfast,back to Dublin and home to Phildelphia,all in a week
Wee
Who guarantees my pension given that I work for a local authority?
Surely that will be the Scottish government?
If things don’t go to plan – like that never happens right!- if it doesn’t and the country defaults because we don’t get in to the EU in 18 months or oil prices fall or whatever goes wrong – who pays my pension? Serious question – would the rest of the UK? The EU? Who?
As for not voting for Wee Eck – if individuals are so unimportant why do people fling up Thatcher or Blair?
I’m a product of the welfare state created after WW2 by the Labour Party for working class men and women and children in the whole of the UK
Yes Labour has a lot to answer for but like football political allegiance is for life
I would not abandon decent working class folk in England and Wales just to jump in to bed with some tartan Tories – not just Salmond there are plenty more in there!
He maybe toxic now but the biggest advances for public sector workers and services came under Blair
1979 was the first election I could vote in – the SNP high on a wave of delusional self confidence ( ring a bell?) brought down the Labour government just as North Sea oil came on stream
We know where that went to ! Instead of rebuilding British industry it was squandered on welfare payments keeping people unemployed rather than working
Call me old school but socialism- concern for the lesser fortunate should not stop at a border
Seems to me the appeal is to pull up the ladder and look after number one – socialism in one country perhaps?
HH
An Dun
Fair point on the Irish main parties, same ideas, same politics every time. Labour, my guys, will never get a majority
Frank Ryan’s Whiskey
Good points on Scottish oil, exactly why I throw the Irish example in. Oil may not be a saviour. If Eck does a Chavez he would be a modern hero!
What Is The Stars
I agree, Dublin is magic and I came here with my eyes open! My worry is that Scots wages are much lower and may not be able to pay for the same standards unless there is a Tiger to inflate them. We know what happens to Tigers.
We need to watch a game in town at some point, I work in town and always have a cheeky pint on the way home :-)
Weefra,
Went to Dublin for my fiftieth, had a great time, the only downside was the crooked taxi drivers…they would put VP to shame :)
Not sure what Paul67 is saying about cultural identity. Does he think that, with the exception of Celtic supporters, most Scots have a monocultural identity.? People are more the same than they are different.
Is he prepared to endure the democratic deficit if the SPFL gets a bigger cut of the BBC/SkY/BT package?
Is trident mk2 a price worth paying for a place in the EPL?
Think back to Brother Walfrid and the founders of our club, they should be our inspiration to end inequality, feed the poor, welcome the dispossessed. UK football is corrupt and bloated. Scotland should do it differently, not just of necessity but out of principle.
Vote YES because you believe in better.
Weefra
Did you live in Linwood?
bob. o baldy
Don’t get me going on that one. WM stated that the status quo should remain as the only suitable port to house their WMD would be Portsmouth, and as that has a population of 250,000, it was not a risk worth taking in the event of an attack or accident. So it’s ok for Glasgow and the west of Scotland to get wiped out. ARGGGGGHHHHHH. No wonder I am desperate to be shot of that mob. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Coneybhoy
What part of town do you work
HT
Who’s sausage did you think I would bring
I am often heard shouting ” bite my banger ” but never ever ever in the BT mansion ;)
what is the stars
22:30 on 9 September, 2014
Thanks, that’s next year’s summer holiday sorted :-)
Ps go easy on Ronny, he’s been given an opportunity that few ever get. It’s been an extremely rocky start but he needs our support.
DD
Aye, tis hard to break the duck, but once you do, it will be harder to score over 90 strangly enough.
Keep at it, tis a magic feeling when you do it, just ask Jobo >}
HH
DD
Yip from 1971 till 1984. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Delaneys,
if you are shooting 90 round Dalmuir I will be looking for 10 of a start
Sips
VP knows no Shame .. Couldn’t redden his neck with a blowtorch
Hi WITS
I’m a big fan of Dublin, wee gran was from Donnycarney .. In a house that’s ceased to be etc..
Not been for a few years and I’m missing it now , was gutted and surprised that the Dubs got beat in semi last week (luckily there’s Donegal blood in the family too)
Will deffo be over very soon hopefully take my old Da and get to races at Fairyhouse or Punchestown while I’m there.
Up the Dubs
Paul67
Ok, a big leader. Well done for making a stand.
Can’t say I’m with you all the way on this one. I’ve no appetite for English football.
For future reference, have a look at foments. Would that fit your attitude better?
TBJ
You’re missing a link bhoyo :-)
To clarify
The post above the ==== was from Cultsboy to which I was making a general response.
Hamilton
I am all for supporting the manager but…
Ok at the match get behind him and the team,etc no booing or abuse etc
But I should be entitled to make my reservations about him known here amongst friends
I honestly dont think he is good enough,I think it was a cheap option by Lawwell as part of his constant downsizing
Ironically up until Ronnys appointment I was a pro board loyalist
Weefra
Did you know my uncle Jimmy Delaney?
Paul 67
A very poorly thought-out opinion piece. YOUR opinion. Don’t try to use your influence to sway such an important vote if you ever want to be taken seriously. Sad day on CQN
delaneys dunky
22:04 on 9 September, 2014
Weefra
I imagine you as Eric Cantona in the Kronenburg ad.
French lady- “Excuse me, are you a farmer?”
Weefra- “Mais oui, madame.” :)))
–////—-
That’s beyond funny!!!
Weefra. Get over to Ireland. North and south. Amazing.
Delaney’s D
No one lives in linwood. Survival is the most you can hope for.
Coming back from Munich tomorrow. All Lufthansa flights out of Munich are aff cos of a pilots’ strike. But at the risk of reinforcing national stereotypes, I’m ok cos my flight’s at 9.05 and the strike starts at 10am. On the dot!
Let’s hope the bassa doesn’t down tools…..joysticks…..whatever half way to Manchester!
Night Timdom
HH jamesgang
bankiebhoy1 – Philvis……Happy Many Returns…….
I see what you did there. :) Thank you!
BTW, are you still a hun?
I was worried I might have caught Rangeritis. Thankfully it turned out to be merely ebola. (thumbsup)
tallybhoy – thank you il mio amico in Celtic. (thumbsup)
sandman – dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun… PHILVIS! Ah-ahhh! He’ll save every one of us! (thumbsup)
awe_naw_no_annoni_oan_anaw_noo – Thanks! I have been reading the articles every day but very rarely having time to scan the comments. There seem to be a lot more of them these days.
Paul67 is still doing a great job IMO but he can’t make up the “news” part of CelticQuickNews. And the news lately has been pretty uninspiring… lots of loan signings, good players being sold on, Ronny Deila struggling to get to grips with the job, and, on the lighter side, Ungrateful Dead FC are still dead.
Still, at least CQN wasn’t around when Lou Macari was manager, or we might have all jumped into the Clyde. (thumbsup)
roberttressell – Imagine going to those lengths…… bloody drama queen.
That’s nothing. I’m still boycotting Whizzer and Chips because the promised free stickers in one of their 1987 issues turned out not to be inside.
Longest flounce in CQN history.
An Old Aloysian would never flounce, but if we did… :) (thumbsup)
macanbheatha oscar abú – Philvis how’s Shergar keeping?
He’s a wee bit hoarse but hopefully not furlong. (thumbsup)
living_in_the_love_of_the_commons_people – Great name and song BTW!
Looking forward to an Ernie Lynch and Philvis Better Together love in.
I’ll be the Lionel Richie to his Diana Ross any day.
Despite superficial ideological differences, their style of debate is curiously similar.
This is just proof that Ernie is a genius. Like what me is.
Welcome back M’lud.
Thanks! (thumbsup)
steinreignedsupreme – I thought you still had another three years to do.
Never misunderestimate the power of the simple sword of truth and the trusty shield of British fair play!
Actually, wouldn’t it be a great story if Craig Whyte turned out to be Philvis all along? And on liquidation day, he lit a Marlboro Lite, hopped into a car, and disappeared like Keyser Soze? Hmmm… (thumbsup)
lennybhoy – Thank you! I can’t wait till he’s old enough to take him to see Celtic. (thumbsup)
west wales celt – Are you Darling’s shock troops?
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7xolpQLbO1r2fq2r.gif
Welcome back, where the hell you been????
Thank you! I’ve been all over the place but mainly busy with mini-Philvis. And mini-Philvis related activities. The wee fella took over my life long before he was even born. (thumbsup)
ginger – Thank you my crimson compadre :) (thumbsup)
vmhan – Thanks. Great to see you again too! (thumbsup)
the comfortable collective – Ha! I fear my podium days may be over. (thumbsup)
marspapa – Thank you.
Btw , huv yoo goat “ra deeds “
I’m pretty sure Zheng Zhi has them. (thumbsup)
fred c. dobbs – Thanks, and I, too, am happy the Green Brigade are back! It was a terrible mistake to exclude them in the first place. (thumbsup)
phyllis dietrichson -Thanks :) (thumbsup)
setting free the bears – he’s gingerer than Neil Lennon tanning a glass bottle of Irn Bru. The great thing about ginger weans is that the hair colour is nature’s way of warning you they’re up to mischief. (thumbsup)
what is the stars – thank you mo charaid. (thumbsup)
hamiltontim – Paul67 might remember I told him I was taking some time off to deal with my impending Daddyhood, but that Philvis would return. (I won’t hold it against him if he doesn’t though, that was a while back and he’s a busy man.)
Presumably IP addresses are logged so if somebody’s been up to shenanigans it won’t be hard to tell that from the server records. (thumbsup)
dallas dallas where the heck is dallas – thanks! (thumbsup)
what is the stars
22:37 on 9 September, 2014
I’d agree with pretty much all of that. I have real reservations and I do think he was a cheap option. However, I think he deserves to be given some time to try to assemble and build his own Celtic team.
The bit I don’t agree with is your last sentence :-)
sipsini
22:32 on
9 September, 2014
Weefra,
Went to Dublin for my fiftieth, had a great time, the only downside was the crooked taxi drivers…they would put VP to shame :)
———————–
sips ya bass…..don’t be saying that I will get a bad rep :O(
innocenttillprovenguilty c.s.c
Keeping The Faith
Donnycarney, I know it well,thats real Dublin GAA area,
Fairyhouse and Punchestown are good but Leopardstown at Christmas is good too
HT
He’s missing more than a link. :-)))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
No13
Are you for real?
Don’t threaten people your not very scary!
If you don’t like opinion then pass on by – no- one is making you come on here or are they?
HH
Weefretim
The relocation of trident is obviously one of the prices of unity.
The cost would be substantial but if it exceeds the cost of loss of unity might suddenly become affordable.
Where to put it will always be a problem but if it is a necessary evil that must be kept there is a lot of sparsely populated coastline to start considering.
D D
Saw ur uncle Jimmy play at St Marys park Whifflett in the 50’s
auldheid
22:29 on 9 September, 2014
“Had BT been more aware of where we not better together and addressed that……”
But they are addressing it now. What we have always needed is the saltire flying in downing street. They have given us this now, so we should shut it and back off.
No offence intended but the fitba argument really is offensive. This is about more important things whether you are a YES, a NO or a NOT DECIDED. You can try to dress it up as much as you like, but today’s editorial from paul67 was ill-conceived.