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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I have to admit that I’m surprised by the number of loyalist Celtic fans who support illegal wars, foreign elected governments and the subsidising of rUK by Scotland.
But then, I live in Ireland and we’ve been laughing at you Brits for years.
setting free the bears for Res. 12 & Oscar Knox but saying no to CQN racists
quonno
Aye, and you’ll be being telt what to say by the Sevco Board? Is that how it works? Or do we debate it like grown-ups instead?
For feck’s sake.
I tried to defend you and now you appear to be accusing me of being a currant bun.
Talk about cannot win.
Paddy Turner ..
None of it is clear and simple ..
European Union Rules are European Union Rules but some European Union countries have ad hoc treaties with other countries…
2 big issues .
Will Scotland want to be part of the European Union .?..
Will a Scottish application be accepted / what will the timescale be ?
Auldheid
surely by that logic we should have the freedom to choose were we wish to play in Europe as we are part of the European Union. I pick Germany right now. in a couple of years I might want to play in Spain or France or Italy though.
Football needs a good kick up the ares on a European level to be provide a fundamntally more competative climate for all nations clubs to operate in. the whole darn thing is broken.
To make football aprt of the Independence debate when we have families provided for by foodbanks is personally sickening to me.
MWD says AYE
MWD says AYE
Geordie
Hahaha
I admire Ernie for copying and pasting out the whole story again when he was telling Paul67 about it
Brilliant
flabinho
16:21 on
9 September, 2014
I have to admit that I’m surprised by the number of loyalist Celtic fans who support illegal wars, foreign elected governments and the subsidising of rUK by Scotland.
But then, I live in Ireland and we’ve been laughing at you Brits for years.
Living in Holy Mother Ireland and mocking the afflicted.
Not very Christian.
Quonno,
I hope you’re not a defence lawyer as a day job :)
Geordie Munro
16:27 on
9 September, 2014
Quonno,
I hope you’re not a defence lawyer as a day job :)
No. But sometimes I am not too bad at stirring the broon stuff.
SFTB
My line in the sand was drawn after it was proven that the leader of a Labour governent took it’s young soldiers to war, maiming and murdering them and thousands of innocents on false pretences to claim oil fields or access for oil pipe lines and prop up the arms industry agaisnt the wishes of those who entrusted them with their votes.
From that the party has only further fallen deeper into hell.
MWD says AYE
Auldheid
Food for thought (not banana)
Still think your priority is wrong on this one though
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
16:19 on
9 September, 2014
T88
thought I was hallucinating….. 8))
============
You still might be ;)
HH
We all need to meditate lads, that’s the trick
Hack your brain’s default mode with meditation.
http://wimp.com/modemeditation/
tonydonnelly67 15:51 on 9 September, 2014
“So independent Scotland want, the Queen,and the Bank of England, we already have that, am I missing something here,?”
Quite a lot I’d say on this particular issue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olg6N7hcvGE
Must be another one of those vile nationalists.
Problem for the haters is, he’s English and lives in London and with an Irish background.
Maybe his genetics aren’t programmed either and he is too wee, poor and stupid too.
quonno
“For feck’s sake.
I tried to defend you and now you appear to be accusing me of being a currant bun.
Talk about cannot win.”
It’s a mutual misunderstanding.
I too was trying to defend your position by excusing you of responsibility for your opinions by agreeing that they were shared by the Sevco Board, Rangers fans and Daily Record readers everywhere.
I was “mirroring” your debating style. Mirroring is a common psychotherapy approach when trying to be empathetic towards someone.
Mind you, it can annoy the arse of wind-up merchants when their technique is turned back on them.
So, sorry about that then :-)
SFTB
if it means abiding by sporting and legal laws then yeah I agree with you. They would get my financial support.
A football club will be formed for the maintenance of a neo liberal billionaires whims
You arguments can and will be used for the re-establishment of the Old Firm. I know you dont but it does not sit right with me.
HH
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
16:29 on
9 September, 2014
SFTB
My line in the sand was drawn after it was proven that the leader of a Labour governent took it’s young soldiers to war, maiming and murdering them and thousands of innocents on false pretences to claim oil fields or access for oil pipe lines and prop up the arms industry agaisnt the wishes of those who entrusted them with their votes.
From that the party has only further fallen deeper into hell.
MWD says AYE
And never, never let us forget, that DD shamed Celtic by allowing one of Blairs main cheerleaders to be appointed Chairman.
And have no illusionjs that particular act shamed Celtic..
ernie lynch 15:09 on 9 September, 2014
“Any prospect of Celtic playing in any English league will be gone forever if it’s a yes vote.
“I think that’s very clear.”
No change from the current situation then.
The Scottish independence referendum has absolutely nothing to do with what league Celtic aspire to play in.
I’m surprised you trivialise it to such a degree.
MWD
I never focus on what others earn.
1. It’s what they have earned.
2. There is nothing I can do about.
3. It’s their problem, not mine.
As I said I pass no judgement.
That saves me forgiving them for being human.
Can it be true ………. the one and only Philvisreturns ………. has returned?????
Yeehah!
A rather large YES banner has appeared today high up on The Campsies. Obviously to annoy the great and the good when they fly in tomorrow to sort us out.
The Red Telephone
16:39 on
9 September, 2014
Really, which bit? I’ll look out for it on the way home.
In a Socialist society the football playing field would be levelled. Only the craziness and contradictions of the so called free market capitalist system allows people to earn ridiculous wages for doing such materially unproductive work. Financiers and footballers alike would not be earning thousands of times what the guys who build the houses they live in, grow the food they eat, or fix the cars they drive get paid.
You can’t keep politics out of football. More accurately perhaps, you can’t keep economics outcomes football.
Moving to EPL, transatlantic leagues or anywhere else is not the solution.
Awe Naw
“You arguments can and will be used for the re-establishment of the Old Firm. I know you dont but it does not sit right with me. ”
Almost right.
My arguments can be twisted and mis-used for that end. If I spot anyone doing so, I will pull them up about it.
Meanwhile, I will be answerable for the words I do use and the meanings I do convey.
I’m off oot to enjoy some sunshine and the prospect that I might get to see the Celtic this weekend.
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
14:30 on 9 September, 2014
Kitalba
put that into context with this stupipd mans opinion
http://www.yesscotland.net/news/top-energy-and-defence-figure-why-ive-switched-no-yes
As that is all they are. Opinions!
MWD says AYE
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
A top article by a well qualified individual in the fields that are important to the debate. Some hoary myths swept aside as they deserve to be. The Westminster cabal has spent at least the last 40 years stealing and squandering Scotland’s natural resources and that is the reason that their “leaders” are scurrying north tomorrow. They want to keep on doping at Scotland’s expense. Let’s deny them in perpetuity by voting Yeeeesssssssss!
HH
Scotland will get in to the EU if it wants in.
I think they’d be mad to want it though.
From one form of remote, corporate lobby ridden domination to another more remote one. Crazy
MWD
“My line in the sand was drawn after it was proven that the leader of a Labour governent took it’s young soldiers to war, maiming and murdering them and thousands of innocents on false pretences to claim oil fields or access for oil pipe lines and prop up the arms industry agaisnt the wishes of those who entrusted them with their votes.
From that the party has only further fallen deeper into hell.”
So if I read you right moonbeams, you have become disillusioned with New Labour for the reasons you outline. Can’t blame you for that.
However, if a YES vote gets passed then what will be your voting strategy then? Will you vote SNP at the next Election, as they have ostensibly delivered the Independence you crave? Do you trust them to take the country forward in the right direction?
Or will you look to vote for another more Socialist option to lay out the foundations of the new socially responsible and caring Scotland that I hear being bandied about?
Surely if you revert back to voting Labour, you will just end up voting for the same labour candidates that the electorate were not impressed with during the last Holyrood Elections? If not them then who?
Serious question by the way.
HH
Celtic.
Celtic
Celtic
Good evening ladies
SFTB
‘In the 30s many were driven into the arms of the fascists and the communists from becoming disillusioned social democrats, frustrated by the progress of parliaments and the resistance of established power.’
I think that is a valid concern
So is the actions of Boris Johnston recently ordering in Water Cannon to pre-emp any potential civil unrest.
Organised or sporadic unrest, there is a reason people should be concerned, accepting the status-quo and hoping for Westminster Labour to reform itself is another gamble.
SFTB
That will be an interesting debate. An incongruous mind or a better qualified post ???
Lets both hope that debate never needs to take place. As I stated already maybe that is why we have Paul67 lead article today.
Enjoy the weekend and enjoy TBBs company.
HH
Honestly, just don’t know where to start with that article Paul67.
It’s never going to happen, we are a Scottish club which plays football in Scotland.
RobertTressell
16:48 on
9 September, 2014
Scotland will get in to the EU if it wants in.
I think they’d be mad to want it though.
From one form of remote, corporate lobby ridden domination to another more remote one. Crazy
===========================
Five to six years was being quoted by the ‘Euro specialists’ yesterday for a negotiated re-entry, under different terms of course.
You really are insular eh?
Ray Singh car – If you stay in the union you have the same issue only with absolutely zero chance of any Westminster govt moving to the left. There is a probability of an energised left emerging in Scottish labour post independence, smaller leftist parties and independents getting seats in Holyrood where such small groups can make a difference as opposed to a solitary Green and George Galloway in Westminster.
So choose between some chance and none it seems to me
Ernie, please except my apologies for not getting back regarding when I started posting on here? I don’t see any relevance. If you had posted ‘Why have you ripped my points on numerous occasions?’ I could understand that. Let’s be clear here; I find you an odious individual who bullies people on here on a regular basis. You are a Catholic bigot. You may recall you said I was fixated on something. You were fixated on Bhilly 05 and you’re fixated on the why is there not a Catholic in the Scottish Goverment? To quote one of your Brethern it is tiresome. Tony Blair a Roman Catholic invaded Iraq. John Provo Reid was the Defence Minister at the time is a Roman Catholic . IDS has inflected premeditated misery on the poor, disabled and dispossessed. Surprisingly he is a Roman Catholic . I am a Roman Catholic I gave up on the Church but not on my Faith, there is a difference.
The Yes vote fills you with abject fear, you have lived off the dripping roast of the poor, disabled and dispossessed for far too long. You should keep a low voice when you have been imbibing , boasting you’re Ernie on CQN makes you a figure of fun amongst your friends. Calling posters on this site Thick is impolite and degrading. A Socialist defending the unelected House of Lords is embarrassing. But I can understand that Ernie, your secret is NOT safe with me. You are a dull, craven individual in real life; you’re also living a lie. I have other things to do in life than post on here 24/7. So please forgive me if I do not respond at the time you post. Be true to yourself Ernie. P.S. Told you about the scandal regarding Scottish Labour, didn’t I?
RobertTressell
16:56 on 9 September, 2014
I think it’s more likely that we’d be like the Republic with two parties, divided over the national question, neither socialist.
RobertTressell,
I suppose so. But if there is to be a new breed of socialist politician coming through then there may be risks to be taken due to both their levels of inexperience, and in terms of getting broad agreements on where to target resources.
Too many cooks spoiling the broth etc..
Not saying it couldn’t be done but there are risks involved.
On the other hand, waiting for Westminster to lurch in the right direction seems an increasingly forlorn expectation.
Bawsman – insular? Moi?
Seriously, the EU is not some sort of panacea. It is currently engaged in selling away what remains of our right to put the halters on unaccountable corporations robbing public possessions.
There are many prosperous countries outside of the EU.
auld bertie
16:59 on 9 September, 2014
Am I right in thinking that you only started posting here after the date of the referendum was announced?