John McLellan

[Frankie 505]

Just to let those interested know that I received a fuller email over the weekend from John McLellan and while I disagree with his interpretation of the word h*n, he does seem genuine in his apology and does regret the cartoon.

More interestingly, on the wider point about the singling out of Rangers supporters in the sectarian debate, he has expressed agreement. He also stresses that 'extremist' elements in parts of the debate have led us to a situation where humour is something that can now only be expressed behind closed doors between consenting adults and that too should be a matter of regret.

I think that is a fair comment but I've gone back to him asking just who is responsible for these negative facets of the debate and that the Scotsman should be leading the way in finding out why millions of pounds of tax-payers money has been wasted in that regard instead of publishing unhelpful cartoons.

In saying that, I think the editor of one of Scotland's most popular newspapers suggesting bias does exist against our club is something worth highlighting.

[minstral 5,375]

Well done Frankie and will be interesting to hear what his next reply to you will be.

[RFC55 104,290]

Thanks Frankie and indeed it is a good thing he believes there is a bias against us when reporting sectarianism

[Gid 46]

Great work Frankie.

That is an amazing admission from him.

[WVB 2,560]

[adam2102 558]

good work. i have to say i do enjoy reading the scotsman, it does usually seem a lot fairer than the rest. but as you say, if he is aware of it, should someone responsible for one of the nations biggest papers not be trying to do something about it?

[bluepeter 5,627]

Cheers for keeping us up-to-date Frankie, that's an interesting admission from him

[Frankie 505]

Cheers for keeping us up-to-date Frankie, that's an interesting admission from him

The thing is, it is very easy for anyone to say one thing and do another.

I'd like to see Mr McLellan show us exactly why the situation he alludes to exists. Perhaps he'll agree some of his own journalists don't help?

[WVB 2,560]

The thing is, it is very easy for anyone to say one thing and do another.

I'd like to see Mr McLellan show us exactly why the situation he alludes to exists. Perhaps he'll agree some of his own journalists don't help?

I doubt he'd say it publicly, but we can hope.

[adam2102 558]

the problem is though, we are suffering in silence here. we as fans need to email the newspapers in force each time a bias article is published. there is no other way of tackling this - its not like the club are going to stand up for us!

[bluepeter 5,627]

The thing is, it is very easy for anyone to say one thing and do another.

I'd like to see Mr McLellan show us exactly why the situation he alludes to exists. Perhaps he'll agree some of his own journalists don't help?

Hopefully - even though it's unlikely he'll publicly agree that his paper is biased in this way - he will take steps to make sure his own paper will not show this bias in future.

A small step, but if we can challenge any future imbalances as successfully as we challenged this one, maybe more editors will be obliged to act in a similar way. Each paper which refuses to act in this way is a small victory in itself. It's not feasible to imagine that this has escaped the attention of other papers and editors, hopefully this will influence future editorial decisions they make

[DarcheVinny 1,003]

[gandhisflip 5]

Good work Frankie - we have to be active in this regard. For far too long we've taken the "ach that's small minded parandoid Tim behaviour" but whilst they continue to attack us on every available front we have to take a stand.

Keep up the good work all.

[royalbluebell 38]

Excellent work Frankie.

[Ace 3,556]

Good to see a balanced response from him, he accepts that the sectairan debate is too often slanted towards Rangers but also states (paraphrasing here) that being offended for offended sake is becoming a coming occurence.

Hopefully, he will push through his opinions to his journalistic team when they next decide to enter the sectairan debate and encourage them to take & consider views from ALL sides of the debate.

Also, hopefully, the general old firm football fan can possibly look at humour in it's context rather than just becoming offended at the mere mention of the word h*n or feni*n.

[RFC55 104,290]

Btw guys in no way is this related to the story from the Scotsamn but todays sun has the match ratings from saturday in it.

Jelavic was given a 5 - says the jury is still out on him.

Most of the rest of the team recieved 5's.

Oh aye and David Goodwillie made the team of the week in said paper

[WVB 2,560]

Also, hopefully, the general old firm football fan can possibly look at humour in it's context rather than just becoming offended at the mere mention of the word h*n or feni*n.

Its about parity, not about getting offended at a word.

[RFC55 104,290]

I don't think that's bias. Sports journalists just really know fuck all about football

Just find it strange that in the record and even yesterday in the mail Mark Guidi () said that Jela and Miller may well hand Rangers the title and he is a Rangers hater. And the Record gave most of our team 7's and 8's which says something.

[Ace 3,556]

Its about parity, not about getting offended at a word.

I agree it's about parity however there can still be humour rather than bitterness when using a word that has sectarian implications and that was my point. Sometimes, being offended at the mere sight of a word in print or visual media does not always equate with the context of its use.

Humour can be used to highlight predjudices withour having the vitriol & hurt behind the use of the word itself.

However, well done to Frankie on pursuing this issue, i just wish other Editors would pick up on this and act accordingly.

[Redmond7 498]

I've nothing against satire and humour, fun being poked at Rangers when its deserved and when the person doing it is actually being funny. After all, I'm more than happy to see fun being poked at others. However when the so called satire becomes a one way street, it actually stops being funny and starts to become offensive. It's not about 'being all offended' as some on here seem to think, its about balance and parity, and having an even playing field.

In the school play ground, or the workplace or the pub or wherever, its ok for everyone to poke fun at each other, calling the guy with glasses speccy and the bald guy baldy, because when people start calling you fatty, those two are in on it, its just harmless banter. However when everone starts picking on the speccy guy and he's not allowed to hit back, that just becomes bullying.

As far as some numpty's ratings of our players go, who really gives a shit what some no-mark journo thinks? It's just opinion, and his is wrong

[Adoniram 1,919]

I agree it's about parity however there can still be humour rather than bitterness when using a word that has sectarian implications and that was my point. Sometimes, being offended at the mere sight of a word in print or visual media does not always equate with the context of its use.

Humour can be used to highlight predjudices withour having the vitriol & hurt behind the use of the word itself.

However, well done to Frankie on pursuing this issue, i just wish other Editors would pick up on this and act accordingly.

No Rangers fan with a modicum of common sense is "offended" in the literal sense by their comments,songs or chants.I couldn't give a flying fcuk what they call me so long as i can give them it back with both barrels.

However they thought they would be smart and get "offended" all of a sudden at songs and chants that have been on the go for decades purely to try and get us in to bother with the authorities.

They pursued the Sectarian agenda through Holyrood and in the Media to such an extent that laws were passed that were ill conceived and poorly thought out.No guidelines or clarification of what is and isn't offensive were ever published leading to a lot of confusion.A confusion that allowed police and officials to deem what THEY thought was offensive rather than what the law said was offensive.

This is nothing more than a political game being played by filth supporters and their media whores because they know Murray couldn't care less what is said and done to our support.

Does Liewell sit back and let his support get slaughtered without saying something back?

That is the difference and the sooner many in our support see the bigger picture and why guys like myself take issue with the pettiest of complaints the better we will be.

You may not have to like it and yes i wish i was doing something far more interesting but these chunts are organised,bitter and powerful.

We simply have to play them at their own game using the same rules they brought in to play to have a go at them.

[covenanter 158]

Btw guys in no way is this related to the story from the Scotsamn but todays sun has the match ratings from saturday in it.

Jelavic was given a 5 - says the jury is still out on him.

Most of the rest of the team recieved 5's.

Oh aye and David Goodwillie made the team of the week in said paper

The Sun match report and after match reaction to Saturday's game has been penned by Robert Grieve.

[RFC55 104,290]

The Sun match report and after match reaction to Saturday's game has been penned by Robert Grieve.

Not at it here mate but i take it he is a taig?

[BLUEDIGNITY 32,878]

Bring me the head of the Scotsman cartoonist, he knew exactly what he was doin !

[RON7736 3]

Yeah i buy the Scotland on Sunday and you do get the impression from time to time that they lean in the wrong direction, which i must admit suprises me greatly but maybe im just gullable.