SCVO’s messy rant about Boruc, “our” Weiss and Catholic schools

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My attention was drawn to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) blog yesterday, also covered by Joe O’Rourke on the Association site.  SCVO Director of Pubic Affairs, John Downie, writes about the “proposed bill on sectarianism” but seems to get muddled in his role as a director of SCVO and using SCVO resources to speak as a Rangers fan; in this instance blaming Catholic schools for sectarianism.  How ironic.

Downie writes:

“We’ve previously seen Rangers fans outraged by Celtic goalie Artur Boric crossing himself during games but less bothered – obviously – by about our own players (like Vladimir Weiss last season) doing the same thing.”

“Our own players”!  Is SCVO some closed shop where they talk about Artur Boruc as a “Celtic goalie” and Vladimi Weiss as one of our “own”?

So far, so disturbing, but Downie then uses the article to ride to the rescue with:

“The solution:

Personally, as someone who grew up in the East End of Glasgow and lives in the west of Scotland, I agree with some of what Conservative MSP John Lamont says.  In my opinion one key causes of sectarianism is Scotland continuing to have separate denominational and non-denominational schools.”

So, if only we didn’t have Catholic schools, players like Artur Boruc and “our” Vladimir Weiss would be able to cross themselves free of harassment.  Bizarrely, Downie’s article is subtitled “treating the symptoms not the causes”.  I don’t think he was trying to suggest it’s best to treat the symptoms.

The cause of intolerance is not differences in ethnic, religious or sexuality, it is ignorant bigots.  It is ludicrous to suggest tackling intolerance by assimilating people into some mono-culture.  It’s downright dangerous to blame a minority for intolerance of, and by, them, a sentiment that will only fan the flames of hatred.

The European Examiner reports that various politicians have called for Mr Downie’s removal but SCVO chief exec, Martin Sime, apparently sees nothing wrong in SCVO running a blog discussing one of “our” Rangers players and the “Celtic goalie”, while simultaneously blaming educationally successful faith schools for sectarianism.  SCVO has offered a metaphorical No Surrender to resignation calls.

A brief comment for those who don’t live in Scotland….  Attitudes like this once prevailed but are harder to find these days.  We are a modern, progressive, society, for the most part.

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1,752 Comments

  1. Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo says:

     

    11 February, 2012 at 13:13

     

    Olgach1690,

     

     

     

    Yeah luck of the irish i stood right on top of it! :-)

  2. What is the Stars on

    I think we might have exaggerated Rangers problems

     

    They are cruising 2-1 away to the mighty Dunfermilne and have just welcomed European Player of The Year Kirk Broadfott back into their team

     

     

    Be afraid Celtic,Be very afraid

  3. Giggs –

     

     

    Unfortunately the Telly has somehow righted itself despite the absence of Tam. Not sure if they are able to show The Hoops on Al Jazeera or whatever as The Anvil has at times. Suppose all I can do is sit here drinking until 3pm to find out..!

  4. The Legend Johnny Doyle on

    Ghuys

     

     

    Is that Celik Mervin guy wearing green boots? wonder how long that will last?

     

     

    JD

  5. I had to talk blunder referee Brian Winter out of quitting after red card error, reveals Hugh Dallas

  6. Gary neville on sky rambling on about the EPL being the best league in the world again,Gary only if the BHOYS were in your EPL would it then be classed as the best league in the world.

     

    HH

  7. Good to see NeilR back again and posting his educated opinions on RTC. I am not qualified to agree or disagree with anything he writes on the subject but the way I read him then thing may not be so bad for the huns going to the grave as I thought.

     

     

    Hopefully soon he will be able to find the time to post on here and explain his opinions in laymans terms so I can understand the extent, or limitations, of the retribution awaiting Rangers.

  8. Today’s result will be seen as a turning-point for Fat Sally’s team. A goal down, they showed great mental strength to come back and win so convincingly.

     

     

    It’ll be difficult, and there’s a lot of football to be played, but I think they’ve shown that they’re up to the task of staying in the top 6.

  9. Glad Man Utd are winning. Feck Suarez. And I never thought I’d even ever think this but feck Kenny too.

  10. From official FB. Celtic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle team news: Forster; Matthews, Majstorovic, K. Wilson, Mulgrew; Forrest, Brown, Wanyama, Ledley; Samaras, Hooper

     

    Subs: Zaluska, Cha, Ki, Commons, Stokes, Brozek, McCourt

     

     

    -A ‘keeper, a full-back, three midfielders and two strikers on the bench (I suppose Vic can switch to CB if needed.)

     

    -Rogne dropped/injured?

     

    -No sign of Ibrahim

     

    -No Stokes, even at Paradise

  11. saltires en sevilla on

    reilly1926 says:

     

    11 February, 2012 at 13:47

     

     

    Thinking same…look like pt amateurs

     

     

    They took points from us

     

     

    No wonder our league gets pelters

     

     

    Focus 3 points today Celts

     

     

    HH

     

     

    M

  12. saltires en sevilla on

    Can anyone confirm game showing at white boar kennington?

     

    Or other zone 1 or 2 pub?

     

     

    HH

     

     

    M