As I look over the hedge at the Brexit car crash in Britain there is one thing that I draw encouragement from.
Every single statement that Prime Minister Boris Johnson makes is forensically scrutinised by journalists who want to drill down into the detail.
I do not think that this close attention from the Fourth Estate in the Palace of Westminster is to his liking.
He probably thinks that it just isn’t cricket.
I do fear that there is something very profound happening in Britain right now.
However, it won’t be picked up on by the chewing gum brigade standing next to the big screens.
I am reminded of a quote from the German Ideology
“…high-sounding dramas of princes and states…”
Marx certainly wanted to drill down into the details of how society was organised.
Fortunately, there are top-class journalists working the Brexit story who seem themselves in the drilling business and they won’t let go.
For the avoidance of doubt, the low brow sitcom of a football club, especially a seven-year-old one, is as nothing next to the epochal events around Brexit.
However, anywhere there is an abdication of responsibility by journalists then bad stuff usually happens.
That was, in large part, the subtext of the Murray years at Rangers that led to Craig Whyte and then to the grave.
The summer of 2012 should have been a teachable moment for the Fitba Fourth Estate.
Instead, they pretend on a daily basis that Rangers did not die and that everything is financially tickety boo at Ibrox.
Ah well…
I’ve been trying to put together the events around the decision by the Sevco High Command to sign Ryan Kent from Liverpool.
Of course, I shouldn’t have to.
That should have been done days ago by the local media in Glasgow.
However, if they were to go after that story, or indeed anything that displeased the Sevco High Command then life could get difficult for them.
If I were in the mood to help and I thought that they would actually try their hand at journalism here are the questions I would be telling them to pursue:
When did Mr Gerrard know that the Ryan Kent deal was back on?
When did he find out?
How did he find out?
What are the tranches that make up the transfer fee?
How much is the first tranche?
Has the first tranche been paid in full at the moment?
If not, is there a deadline when Liverpool expect the remainder of the first tranche to be with them?
Are the increased ticket prices for the Europa League home matches helping to fund the first tranche of the transfer fee?
Is that kind of thing cool with the guys at UEFA and their FFP regulations?
There, that should be enough to be getting on with.
Now, most, if not all of those questions might go nowhere at all.
However, it is a very good habit for any journalist to get into.
Questions answered and answers questioned.
Always…
I have already made mention in an earlier piece today regarding the gushing celebrations in June 2017 when Mr King announced his “victory” over Mike Ashley.
Of course, the truth has now been brought before the High Court in London in forensic detail.
It was hardly a victory for Sevco over Sports Direct.
However, it just wasn’t the done thing to question any of Mr King’s answers.
Journalism is about finding out things that the public does not currently know that they really SHOULD know.
The relationship between the powerful and the Fourth Estate should always be adversarial and never collusive.
That is as true for the deliberations of the Sevco High Command over Ryan Kent as it is for the machinations of the Rt Hon Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson MP and his Machiavellian advisors this weekend.
Discover more from Phil Mac Giolla Bháin
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
oh..
Why has Petrie been put forward by the SFA to answer the various questions raised by the UEFA action taken against their favourite team?
Where the feck is Maxwell? Why is he being paid a salary he could only dream of during his Thistle tenure, yet is invisible when an SFA response is required from the leader?
He’s a complete waste of space, and money, and why our media isn’t hounding him for his lack of leadership is totally unclear.
A lot off topic here, but I’m wondering whether fellow Tims are for or against the introduction of VAR in Scottish football. Personally, I don’t believe it would make a lot of difference to decisions going against us. My view is that all these officials have necks made out of pure titanium. Do we really believe that 5 additional Orangemen/Masons viewing a monitor, are going to make a blind bit difference to the outcome re controversial decisions/honest mistakes…being an old-fashioned ‘chip on both shoulders’ kinda Tim I’m sure the situation would remain status quo. They are OBLIGED to back their fellow ‘On The Square’ chappies on the field of play.
Then of course, there would be the added expense of introducing VAR. I mean how in the name of the wee man are the SFA going to afford the funding for the addition of one tethered goat, to enhance the proceedings at each VAR gathering? Said goat being compulsory at each Masonic gathering of course. The goat must be tethered for obvious reasons…if the poor bugger knew what was planned for it, he/she would be for the off…and quite right too. Poor goat. So sad. HH
Celtic would benefit more than any other team in Scotland with the introduction of VAR even if we only got 10% of dodgy decisions against us overturned.
Do you seriously believe that Josh Meekins’ handball in the Scottish Cup semi-final would not have been spotted by VAR? Red card and penalty would have been awarded.
They just could not claim that they didn’t see it any more.
Croppy Bhoy, I remember that incident well. I still say that having VAR then would have made no difference whatever. The officials are so blatantly biased, and the press so blatantly compliant, that said handball would have been called as ‘ball to arm’ by VAR officials, and forgotten about.
Until those in charge at CP grow a pair, and take legal action against the SFA, NOTHING WILL CHANGE. Given the ‘uncle Tom’ nature of the PLC board, there is more chance of the Huns winning the treble this season. As long as those swines are coining it in, they simply do not care. HH.
With all the focus on Brexit, who is actually running the country and making the hard decisions?
What about HS2, already billions over budget and forecast to overrun by billions more?
Someone’s feet should be held to the fire on this but Brexit is all consuming and the HS2 decision makers are still running the show.
If we didn’t already know it then Ms Rudd has made it quite clear that there are no serious negotiations going on with the EU for the UK to exit with a deal despite contrary claims from the worst former foreign secretary in history, soon to be the shortest term serving PM.
Like Kamikaze pilots and suicide bombers Boris and his acolytes know it’s not going to end well but such is their conviction they just don’t give a jot.
Why would the EU go into talks with the UK.
If the UK pass this law.on.monday were a no deal is illegal. The EU won’t give any extension as there is a deal on the table they are happy with.
We are going to be.left with May’s deal that was voted down 3 times by parliament because parliament are bringing this new law in on Monday
Paul, we are going to be left with May’s deal because the majority of people in this country i.e. Scotland, voted against independence in 2014. We would not be having to go through this, if those pro-Brit bastards had not betrayed their own country. They should hang their heads in shame. I reserve most of my contempt for those Labour party MPs who did not back independence. On the contrary, these champagne socialists willingly backed their fellow Unionists, and sold the people of Scotland down the river. That bastard Brown should never, repeat never be forgiven for his actions at that time. Him being proudly photographed alongside that cold-hearted murdering f****r Thatcher was bad enough…but THAT. Duplicitious p***k. HH
Sadly, but predictably, trouble once again broke out yesterday In town between Republican and Loyalists. The rationale of the Loyalists, if you can call it that, is to drive Republicans off the streets, leaving the way clear for the Loyal Orders to march ‘Everywhere, Anywhere’. Perhaps THAT’S what the latest Rainjurz campaign is all about.
Republicans are not blameless here by any means. Back in the day, if you turned up at a parade even smelling of drink, or wearing a Celtic scarf, then you were not allowed on the march, end of. The younger element at Republican parades these days are merely hooligans, copying their Loyalist counterparts. WE used to march behind the bands, in formation, in a disciplined fashion. WE-the older generation-certainly did NOT march alongside the bands, belting out the rebs and tanning our carry-oots. Remind yez of another group? Cut it out FFS and behave. Bandsmen and stewards must self-police these dolts. HH
What about this one from yesterday’s Express….Rangers have failed to win the league title since 2011, in part due to their ‘ financial troubles’ that caused a move to the 3rd division of Scottish football.
Those pesky financial troubles and despite apparent freedom of football movement why a move to the lowest division in Scotland rather than the EPL?
The Scottish Sun has today outdid any of its previous attempts to smear Celtic.
Instead of a headline of ‘Men living in the Parkhead area of Glasgow have the lowest life expectancy of men in the UK’ the headline reads ‘Men living near Celtic Park……..blah, blah, blah.
Do they have someone on the payroll being paid to specifically come up with headlines in the wake of a Rangers defeat at home to Celtic to smear our club?
Does Kent have the shoulders to carry his new team to the mystical 55?
Make no mistake the pressure will be on him big time and the reported transfer fee will demand an immediate return.
Stevie G is one domestic bad result away from bringing the wrath of the support down on his head.
A website poll shows that 97% of the fan base are of the opinion that this season has to be the one, no excuses, no gallant runner up sob stories, cue another managerial change to prevent 10 IAR.
It must be reassuring for Gerrard to read the likes of Warburton claiming that Rangers will be top dog this year, before last week’s game of course.
The team selection and tactical set up of the team by Gerrard and McAllister didn’t stand any kind of scrutiny and it was clear that the Celtic manager had their measure.
Long may it continue.
These be the same “top-class journalists” that not one of them in the UK reported on the fact that Roger Waters, yes THAT Roger Waters, the founding member of Pink Floyd, played his iconic song Wish You Were Here outside the Home Office in London last week on Monday 3rd September, also supported by John Pilger, the legendary journalist who has covered events from the Vietnam War to the slaughter of millions in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge regime and the astonishing and disgusting level of State oppression and stripping of land and rights from the Aboriginal peoples of Australia. Not to mention his constant exposure of corruption and lies in the so called democracies we live in. All in solidarity with Julian Assange, the JOURNALIST who is being held in Belmarsh prison in solitary confinement, refused access to his legal defence, phone calls, fraternising, and just about every other breach of human rights you can think of….his crime…..Exposing what our Governments are really up to, War Crimes, Tyranny, Financial skullduggery, Surveillance etc etc etc. ehh, I think you call that Journalism!!
That be the same “top-class journalists” Phil aye?? What a fuckin joke!!
I notice you haven’t covered any of that topic either. Are you also a “top-class journalist”?
Let me remind you that anyone who calls themselves a journalist is potentially going to be given the same treatment that Julian has been subjected to should they go against the establishment narrative and report the truth. This is an attempted precedent.
I would also remind you that all of your so called “gallant allies” in Europe are just as guilty in Assange’s detention and torture being NATO allies with the UK and USA. They were all also quick to jump to the defence and support of the US government assertions that Juan Guaido is the rightful President of Venezuela. Despite the fact that they are performing silent wars through economic sanctions to usurp and replace the democratically elected President and install their puppet Guaido. The same MO the greatest threat to world peace and stability, not to mention state sponsored TERRORISM, that is the US of A. No wonder Iran calls them ‘The Great Satan’. Venezuela has the largest known oil reserves in the world!
You call yourself a journalist, why don’t you do some real journalism and report on what is the greatest threat to any journalism!
You are so quick to call out the bullshit that we see hear in Scotland over Sevco and SFA and all the rest of it. Or is it just wee safe stories you like to report on so that you get your clicks to your website??
Sorry bboru23
There’s an old saying that states if you are not a socialist in your twenties you have no heart and if you are still one in your forties, no brain. I would replace “socialist” with “believer in rock stars” although the rest of your statement does show a righteous anger, much needed in today’s unstable world. I remember a time the playing of Bob Dylan’s “Times they are a Changing” changed the world, I was just unaware it was only mine.
Awful presumptious of you Charlie. Who said anything about Socialist? I take it you are trying to paint me as one? Believer in rock stars?? where did I say anything about that either. I was merely pointing out the fact that ‘A’ globallly known and recognised figure, Roger Waters, was speaking up against injustice and that no mainstream media outlet in the UK, who Phil was referring to as ‘Top-class journalists’ covered it.
Do you always presume to have read a book by looking at it’s cover. You show your ignorance well. You obviously revel in the postage stamp consensus and like your labels and pidgeon holing of people, does that comfort you?
Bob Dylan sold his soul many years ago as he is want to admit himself on occasion so what is your point? other than trying to dismiss and say you have given up?? You might have, let me tell you, millions of others haven’t!
Thanks for your point, I will file it with the rest under irrelevant!
Hi, there is so much wrong with your reply it is difficult to know where to start, however I will have a go.
Firstly, I was paraphrasing a well known saying about socialists and not referencing “socialism” per se. Secondly, I believe Waters was mentioned in relation to the fact he sung a song with no mention of him speaking out which you conveniently inform us in your reply. Thirdly, you seem to use your anger as a blunderbuss and from a distance they are pretty useless. Lastly, you have judged me to “have given up” and while that is a book cover judgement, it is a pretty accurate assumption, so you see it can have its advantages, although it is with politicians and movements in which I have lost faith and not life itself.
Remember the greatest weapon the “powers that be have” is “divide and conquer”, so keep your anger and focus for and on them respectively.
YAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWNNNNNN
when I need a third rate opinion on what I should do, I’ll ask my dug. He talks more sense than you.
You’re obviously one of these people who thinks they have a grasp of things. You clearly don’t. Your argument makes no sense and you have not answered the question or indeed made any salient point other than what an ignorant troll would say, so if that’s your point then good on ye, well done, give yourself a pat on the back if it makes you feel better, nor have you adequately explained your choice of certain wording. Here’s a tip…..say what you mean and mean what you say.
Not only do you miss the point but your entire response is in error. Ignorance is bliss eh.
Anger?? no anger here……….centre of Zen calm me. I just call out hypocrisy when I see, hear or read it.
Maybe you should go and have some Horlicks and go back to sleep, find yourself a nice comfy chair and turn the heating up, there there…. as this is clearly too challenging for you.
Have a nice life.
I certainly wouldn’t paint you as a socialist bboru23. You strike me more as an intolerant Tommy Sheridan type, and that w****r was certainly no socialist. It’s your way or the highway…is that the craic? Julian Assange…are you f*****g well kidding us? HH
I have nothing…no need to disturb your dog.
bboru23, sorry for the earlier post. I should have realised that this is strictly business and I made it personal. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. HH
That the same States who rolled out Neoliberalism as the answer to all our problems?
The destruction of the Unions,the sell off of Nationalised Industry,the Conglomerates and Banks controlling every thing and every one?
Neoliberal Economics caused the last Financial meltdown and it will be the cause of the next.
Meanwhile those who stand to make more from it continue to avoid paying their way or clearing the mess they made.
No that’s for us simpletons to do.
Away and chase yersel.
Rose tinted view of British Media (News & Politics) that won’t be shared by large number of people the other side of the Irish Sea.
From Question Time’s serial invites to “independents” who are nothing of the sort to BBC Politics that has as deep a blue hue as the Scottish Sports dept; when Johnson failed to answer a single question during PMQ their take was on Corbyn not answering a question (the lue in the title, Prime Minister not Leader of the Opposition).
There’s also the endless smear campaigns against Corbyn and the Labour Party. When these are shown to be lies there’s never an apology and balancing article, its straight onto the next smear, which intensify the more success they have (sound familiar?).
Clealry its not as omnipresent as the Scottish Sports Media with plenty of dissenting/critical voices but its still a failure to me and a significant number of people.
Spot on.
Story I’d heard last night with regards to Kent’s transfer is that Stvie G had coughed up the 2 million from his own pocket. Dont know if it’s TRUE but Dave King is always spending someone else’s pound notes.
MSM are a joke!! BORIS is getting off light!
Not sure if I can share your admiration for the political journos on the national press \ media. I have yet to see \ hear any of them challenge Boris on his recent lies.
Think back to the referendum promises:
Was Boris (and his ERG cronies) blatantly and deliberately lying? Or was he a complete ignoramus who really didn’t know what he was talking about? (They would get a deal. Getting a deal would be simple.)
Think back to his kipper (red herring) story. Again, was he deliberately lying to push his anti EU narrative? Or, was he just completely clueless on this issue who just spouted his ignorance knowing it would not be challenged.
They may be an improvement on the Scottish sports journos but that is equivalent to saying that Kent will improve the sevvies a wee bit more than Wee Jimmy Krankie would.
I think we all have to just admit to ourselves that ‘our’ SMSM collectively is simply stupid:
hardwired to repeat its errors – whilst gleefully ignoring the many learning opportunities, being waved right in front if its coupon!
And that photo above of Kent ????
I’m embarrassed for him.
If the maxim on the wall had said; “We Were The People”
then I couldn’t really pick fault.
But, the existence of that wall writing proves a couple of things;
– there are stupid people working at Ibrox
– Kent is not the brightest.
Hubris survived liquidation, that’s for sure…
Don’t blame Kent – He thought that the cation read ” WEE are the people ” and therefore he qualified !
Is it just me that thinks the bold Boris looks a wee bit like Ken Dodd in that photo, though not half a funny. Where’s your Diddy Stick ya fecker? HH
Having left old Blighty 15 years ago and with little desire to return I can watch the Brexit soap opera without blinkers or emotional attachment to skew my opinion. “They lied to us” well hello ,what age are you? These are politicians they tell more lies in their sleep than Dave King does while conscious, they always lie. “The vote was only advisory” , Hmmm don’t recall anyone from either side claiming that before the vote occurred . ” We want a peoples vote” that one always makes me smile , who da fukk do you think voted in the last poll ? 34m sparrows!! ” We didn’t vote to leave without a deal” well you weren’t voting for a deal , or to leave without a deal or voting to stay , the choice was binary , leave or remain.
When your politicians voted to trigger article 50 they were agreeing to leave on the 31st March “with or without a deal” The deal proposed by May was rejected by your elected leaders 3 times.So the people voted to leave and your politicians voted to leave without a deal 6 months ago.
In my opinion the EU is every bit as bad as it’s Westminster counterparts. It’s Hotel California , you can check out but never leave . It is not a bastion of good fighting for peoples freedom and democracy . Did they ever speak up for Catalonian politicians or against the brutality of Macrons’ stormtroopers or care about the impoverishment of the Greeks or rule against the Cypriot bankers who were stealing money directly out of the peoples bank accounts. What if the EU lurches to the far right and imposes fascist law on all the peoples of Europe? Can little Scotland do much to resist? The EU has gone from a trading pact to a control system that is consolidating 27 Sovereign states into one easy to manage package.
If Scotland ever does free itself from the shackles of London then to hand over its Independence to Bruxelles is the ultimate definition of Stockholm syndrome. What are the alternatives? Look at our Northern neighbours of Norway and Iceland , look at Switzerland . You can be Independent,you can be part of Europe , you can thrive . Until the Scottish people stand up and take responsibility for themselves they are destined to stay living in their parents basement . Of course there’s always Hotel California.
Think I much prefer the Californian option myself, being a big fan of The Eagles.
Here’s a scary thought. What if the Labour Unionist and Tory Unionist duopoly get pig-sick of the whole process and hand over all political power at Westminster to the DUP. I’m sure wee Arlene aka the Fermanagh Stunner, would be sympathetic and supportive of our community’s plight in Alba re Orange Parades. Then again, I can just see her marching doon the High St towards the Green, with a big smile on her face. Perhaps she spent the previous night in the company of Fermanagh intellectual, the bold Kyle Lafferty…lucky dog. HH
Absolutely spot on TimTim.
I voted leave purely based on a flat rejection of Neoliberal Economics and the EU’s binding contract with those who push it Worldwide.
The new Commissioner is Thatcher MK2 yet another Centre Right Neoliberal flunky drafted in to push the Ideology further up the road to a European Superstate run and controlled by Central Bank and the 1% who hide behind them.
The next step is to reject Conservatism in the UK and destroy the Thatcherism that is still controlling much of what we do here.
Anyone who votes Conservative in the next General Election after the debacle we have watched unfold from Cameron forward seriously wants Sectioning under the Mental Health Act.
Time folk woke up to what is happening around Europe and the wider World.
This started with the ‘Hooray Henrys’ (and maybe, perhaps likely, Uncle Sam) sensing a smash & grab on finances, Rights, contracts and who can blame them after the bank robbery of all time ? What is the point of having a monarchical Head of State without any semblance of political power ? Why am I a subject and not a citizen ? What was the actual reason given for the suspension of parliamentary democracy ?
Although Brexit was started by some of the ‘Hooray Henries’ it was mostly the working class English and Welsh who voted for it.
They were taken in by the ‘fear the foreigner’ and ‘take back control’ lies, among others.
Just another reason why Scotland should be independent.
Don’t know if this will be allowed Phil but it has to be…
https://youtu.be/GEstgTAXyec
Phil, if parliament passes the new law where there can’t be a no deal Brexit. The opposition are thinking that Boris will have to ask Europe for an extension. Which he says he won’t do. So does that mean we leave on the 31/10/19 with May’s deal, which parliament voted against.
Secondly why would the EU agree to an extension? British law would forbid the UK from having a no deal Brexit and the EU have a deal already on the table that they are happy with ,May’s deal.
So the way I see it parliament are passing a law that is going to force them into a deal that they voted against.
UK politics has just going bonkers