Boab 73 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 The issue of sectarianism and its effects on the general populace are never far from bubbling away at the surface in the main thoroughfare of everyday Scottish life. Politics, law, religion and football remain four strands of the country's unique culture and history that divide opinion and provoke debate like nothing else out there. In some people's minds, they remain inextricably intertwined.These are certainly topics best avoided at your average dinner party in Scotland's Central Belt, especially when the drinks are flowing. When the drink is in, the wit is out. Over the past few days, the wit has been out during sobriety. In deepest Lanarkshire, these appear to be sobering times for all those who run in the name of the Scottish National Party.The curious case of Lyall Duff, not Duffer, has been something akin to sticking the ball in your own net during a game of political football. For those unaware of this tale of woe, Duff is a prospective SNP council candidate for the wonderfully titled Murdostoun ward of North Lanarkshire council. He has nothing to do with Duff and Phelps, the frazzled administrators frantically trying to find a buyer for Rangers FC and their unpaid debt mountain of millions. The bold Duff has rightly provoked some local outrage after describing two Catholic midwives who objected to helping with abortions on the NHS as "money-grabbing old witches".As far as we know it, Duff was not slurping Buckfast tonic wine when he made his feelings known. Duff was suspended by the SNP for his outburst pending further disciplinary measures within the party. These comments are especially untimely coming at moments when Scotland's First Minister and party leader Alex Salmond is trying to shove through the idea of an independent Scotland, a prosperous place free from the religious prejudice of yesteryear. At such times, it is easy to despair.Somewhat astonishingly, Duff was not immediately disowned or expelled by the SNP for his views. Without condemnation from Salmond, there remains suspicion that the SNP view such figures as fit for political life, perhaps even wishing to endorse such bigots. It is fairly obvious, but can you imagine the outcry there would justifiably be if the midwifes were Jewish or Muslim? For some reason, such rabid attacks on Catholicism remain fair game in Scotland.Against such a backdrop, Salmond may be wiser to avoid getting involved in football - that other sticking point of Scottish life - with Rangers apparently owing anywhere between £50-£90 million to HM Revenue and Customs. There are surely enough intelligent folk involved to get the club back on its feet despite the unpaid tax.For every Rangers fan fretting over how their club can rise from the abyss of administration, there are others out there who want natural justice to be done in relation to money owed to the public purse.The Glasgow club could be found guilty of tax evasion, bringing the game of football into disrepute and signing players on illegal contracts to win trophies amid a few of the other lovelies that have come to the fore since the Scottish champions sunk into administration in February.The situation at Rangers is a rotten burgh, shaky ground that could yet turn into sinking sand for the sitting PM of a country simply because it is so visible.The SNP should be commended for trying to tackle head on the issue of sectarian behaviour in football and the hate crimes that out themselves all too often in Scotland, but Duff's continued attachment to the SNP tends to undermine such a policy.Trying to help out Rangers by asking HMRC to go easy on them because of their vast support within Scotland would undermine the law of the land and the natural order of life to pay tax. How could Salmond justify an independent Scotland complete with its own tax-raising powers if there is going to be one rule for one, and one rule for another? Do celebrity tax dodgers escape Scot-free under Salmond's version of home rule?Salmond has already stuck his foot into choppy waters when he came up with his ill-conceived "Celtic can't prosper unless Rangers are there" line in an interview with David Frost back in February. It was a comment that attracted derision from Celtic, who accused him of exploiting the subject for political reasons.Salmond apparently spoke to HMRC about the issue of Rangers in January and what was needed to secure a settlement for the club. It has been claimed that the Scottish Government's stance on the matter would be at odds with those of the British Government. The whole mess shrouding Rangers is giving off a stench that could yet strike at the heart of Holyrood. The First Minister has a duty to remain whiter than white.It is is difficult to recall Alex Salmond being spotted among the various constituencies when Motherwell, Dundee, Livingston and/or Gretna were in administration and threatening to unravel at a less rapid rate than Rangers.There are obviously political points to be garnered by showing a sympathetic ear to the plight of Rangers, but Salmond risks alienating voters, many of them tax-paying, non-football supporters, who assisted in handing his party a majority in the Scottish Parliament.The Catholic Church in Scotland feels the SNP risk a backlash at the ballot box in North Lanarkshire for the bold Duff's opinion of a couple of midwives. There are dangers that Salmond will sample a similar effect at an independence referendum if his footprints are found in and around the rather murky goings on at Rangers.http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/desmond-kane/salmond-risks-political-own-goal-rangers-intervention-171009369.htmlRemember he quit twitter after http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/desmond-kane/salmond-risks-political-own-goal-rangers-intervention-171009369.html. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBoyDave 123 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Calling people money grabbing old witches is not a comment about catholicism but that should not get get in the way of the always persecuted agenda. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
54andcounting 627 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 More shit from that Tim prick! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ritchieshearercaldow 22,123 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Why is calling a couple of midwives who refuse to do the job their paid for "money grabbing witches" sectarian or anti catholic? if you're a midwife it's part of the job and relgious beliefs should have nothing to do with it, if they can't stand the heat they shouldn't be in the kitchen.And why is a sports channel making political points? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 I couldn't give a toss about SNP. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitre_mouldmaster 21,509 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 I would have called those old witches worse than that!They should be struck off! Religious views should be left at home, no place for them in a place of science!And since when are Rangers getting tried for Tax Evasion?What a terrible article! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 I couldn't give a toss about SNP.Aye, you think they're all anti-english. What a loss to any debate you are. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunslinger 270 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Desmond Kane Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
baxfanalex 113 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Dear DesmondOnce again we see journos expressing opinions which masquerade as facts. The very notion of Catholic midwives and would-be councillors being linked to the Rangers situation is the stuff of fantasy, strung together to muddy the waters. The description of Salmond as a PM shows a complete ignorance of the First Minister's status. The other toxic comments about the involvement of Salmond with the Tax Authorities implies a form of intervention which a politician of his calibre would not undertake. As for the "murky goings on at Rangers" may I point out that our club is being publicly crucified, with every detail disected and commented upon as soon as a statement is made. The washing's out on the line and the facts emerge, albeit at the speed of a dripping tap. We'll have the bigger picture over the summer, and over the summer we'll rebuild our club, rebuild our side and grab back our titles.We are Rangers, Super-Rangers................ Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Aye, you think they're all anti-english. What a loss to any debate you are.It's not about that this time, more to do with Celtic fans or whoever making Salmond's HMRC visit political. People's views either way shouldn't be effected by such a non-story. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimatcaledonia 32 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Dear DesmondOnce again we see journos expressing opinions which masquerade as facts. The very notion of Catholic midwives and would-be councillors being linked to the Rangers situation is the stuff of fantasy, strung together to muddy the waters. The description of Salmond as a PM shows a complete ignorance of the First Minister's status. The other toxic comments about the involvement of Salmond with the Tax Authorities implies a form of intervention which a politician of his calibre would not undertake. As for the "murky goings on at Rangers" may I point out that our club is being publicly crucified, with every detail disected and commented upon as soon as a statement is made. The washing's out on the line and the facts emerge, albeit at the speed of a dripping tap. We'll have the bigger picture over the summer, and over the summer we'll rebuild our club, rebuild our side and grab back our titles.We are Rangers, Super-Rangers................“The issue of sectarianism and its effects on the general populace are never far from bubbling away at the surface in the main thoroughfare of everyday Scottish life”.We know who causes it, stirs it up and cannot survive without it.So Desmond Kane, fuck off and take your opinion with you.We are not a sectarian country and have no chip on our shoulders! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CottonRunt 978 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Aye, you think they're all anti-english. What a loss to any debate you are.Boab, you're awful defensive whenever anyone criticises the SNP. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergio 1,199 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Well Desmond, If you do not like Living in Scotland, why don't you go home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
westendblue 3 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 This tool seems to forget the abuse muslim medical staff took when refusing to wash their hands using the alcohol based cleanser to avoid MRSM. Total cunt of a man, eurosport is about the level these idiots can function politically and socially though and as an added paedo bonus they sometimes show youth sports! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carsons Dog 9,878 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 How on earth can that Bheast enjoy that platform to air his bigotry? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack1690 793 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Kane is another Rangers/Protestant hating papish scumbag.He may have a small platform to spout his bigotted views but all in all, his opinions are like him, totally irrelevent. If he thinks he can influence the ballot boxes by pandering to a 17% minority then he is in cuckoo land. Fuck him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemesis 277 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 They are getting desperate now!!Must be something in this deal with HMRC after all.Wee Eck should just remember we are the majority and always will be. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetland 76 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Surely people assuming that it's because they're Catholic are more sectarian than the guy that said it? It could just be they were a couple of bitches Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jockney69 48 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 I used to think devolution was the way until i left Scotland and moved to England.Then quickly realised the hatred seems mainly one way. The English dont mind us and being a scot down south has always done me favours, made me English friends and enjoy the banter.I dont see the need for it but thats just my opinion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxiblue 18 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 you could not make this shit up!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlegKuznetsov 10,816 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 The only thing sectarian abut the article is the author and his mindset. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef 436 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 I'll be voting snp Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guardian 4,281 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Why is it wrong for the government to get involved in football but not the catholic church.This twats own argument shoots itself in the foot.The catholic church is doing itself no favours by backing anything that is against Rangers.That bigoted stance destroys their credibility. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 Boab, you're awful defensive whenever anyone criticises the SNP.I don't recall that, to be honest. Just often there's inaccuracies on here, I dare say. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
southcoastbear 1,639 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 A more biased, bigoted, ill informed, misleading and plain badly written piece of bilge I have not seen for some time and shows the depths that they will sink to to try and ensure rangers are mortally wounded. Any individual or group that offers rangers support no matter how minor or even just verbal comes under attack form scumbags such as this.How their editors allow this to be printed in a paper who's success their job and therefore the welfare of their family depends is totally beyond me.Your wasting your time Rangers will always prevail in the end and return to it's rightful place in scottish football, champions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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