Bigotry in corduroys ?

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

Scotland it would appear has a new form of immunity allowing persons to express an opinion with apparent impunity. All that is required is to precede whatever you have to say with the phrase "Some would say". The phrases' creator - BBC Scotland's Jim Spence - has overlooked one small detail however - his previous comments on the subject.

A quick search through the BBC archives reveal that Jim Spence has previously alluded to Rangers having died or being no more. Therefore not only is he erroneous in with his use of this "get out clause" - he is also disingenuous. Perhaps the BBC Scotland investigation into this furore will consider this fact in it's conclusions. If it fails to, then their investigation will be deemed little more that a whitewash.

In some ways it should come as no surprise to us that there is a movement to pronounce life extinct over Ibrox way. I say that, having recently re-visited American Psychologist Gordon Allport's Scale of Prejudice, where the conduct of these proponents that Rangers are dead display all the characteristics required of the prejudiced bigot. Allport's scale determines the following 5 stages :-

1. 
   Anti-locution – this would include jokes, negative stereotypes as well as hate speech
   
2. 
   Avoidance – the target is treated in such a way as to be effectively isolated
   
   
3. 
   Discrimination – Denial of opportunity, restriction of rights etc.
   
   
4. 
   Physical Attack – self explanatory.
   
   
5. 
   Extermination – the majority group seek extermination or removal of the minority group.
   

Whilst often applied in situations which involves genocide, Allport's Scale is also used in modern day Britain as an industry standard in determining prejudice within the workplace. In such a setting the extermination stage manifests itself with the victim either leaving or being forced to leave the work place.

For a Rangers support often referred to as “h***”, likened to a “bunch of bigoted troglodytes, almost to a man”, and whose club were denied the fundamental principal of innocence until proven guilty, along with numerous other instances of unfair and unjust treatment, it should come as no surprise to us as we tick through the various stages that we would eventually end up at extermination.

Of course that hatred and prejudice manifests itself daily on social media networks where Rangers supporters are no longer “h***” or “Orange Bastards” instead they are “Zombies” or “Sevconians”.

However this appears to be little more than a “wish-list” mentality, which requires “believers” to ignore considerable evidence, rulings and judgements to the contrary.

I wont recount Lord Nimmo Smith's commentary regarding Rangers continuing as a footballing entity - it has been cited in many a previous discourse on this subject - suffice to say one of the most respected legal brains has passed his judgement on the matter. So too of course have the SFA, The European Clubs Association, UEFA and, perhaps as an indication of how desperate some are to confirm the death of Rangers, even the Advertising Standards Authority.

Those proponents of “Zombies” and “Sevconians” appear more than happy to ignore the evidence in order that their wishes can be realised, in fact they give new meaning to the term “Ignorance is bliss”. Who said blind hatred was a bad thing ?

But what of the Jim Spence's and Graham Spiers of this world, who, whilst not using the terms “zombies” or “sevconians”, continually repeat the mantra, that Rangers have died ? What separates them from the knuckle dragging element motivated by hatred bigotry and prejudice, who scream about “zombies” and “sevconians” ?

The answer is – very little.

For in arriving at such a conclusion they too have exercised the necessary exclusion of facts and chosen to ignore the authority and expertise of those previously cited. What is particularly interesting with both Spiers and Spence is that in making such assertions they refuse continually to mention or comment on Lord Nimmo Smith's ruling, the SFA Transfer of licence or the European Club's Association determination on Rangers.

The real question for me is why they are doing this. Why are allegedly objective and impartial journalists choosing to ignore the considerable body of evidence available and arrive at conclusions which are at odds with that evidence ? Or do our journalists now have a right to deliberately mislead and misinform the public ?

It is perhaps ironic that last week, Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News, who has a colourful history with the Rangers support released the following tweet :-

“it's a pointless debate - you cannot "kill" an FC like Rangers. Isn't this obvious? And an FC is more than a PLC end of.”

So over to you Messrs Spiers and Spence, the floor as they say is yours – explain to this Rangers support why you have arrived at the conclusion that Rangers are dead. It shouldn't be that hard for you – you have after all repeated it often enough. Tell us why Lord Nimmo Smith is wrong in his legal conclusions, why the SFA were misguided to transfer the licence and why the ECA have determined the situation incorrectly.

Because at the moment their appears to be little to separate you from those whose motivations are based on prejudice, blind hatred and bigotry.

[North Rd 2,860]

Quite obvious, One hates us, and one is still in the huff from his treatment from Murray.

[fuckthespl 2,511]

I was worried as you had been quiet for awhile. Glad to see you still do what you do best

[IronMonger1872 589]

Jim Spence is a miserable mhanky bastard fae Sumdee says it all really

[Arfuf Phuxache 190]

Great work D'Art.

I have this 'discussion' daily with the obsessed on twitter.

For every ah but he said they try and use as a stick to beat us with, I always show them the extract from LNS's findings....... Brings no end of joy watching them frantically coming up with excuse after 4 names style excuse.

As alluded to in your piece by the Rangers haters from C4, I also ask them to explain how a non corporate entity can go into liquidation, and perhaps they don't grasp the corporate part of incorporated.

I've asked the corduroy cock on many occasions too.......... Funny, he never seems to want to answer.

Keep up the fight.

[elephants stoned 2,994]

Great piece D'Art exposing the bigots who tweed jackets and phoney middle class accents apart are just the same as your typical celtic loving jakey who has nothing better to do than troll Rangers fans.

[Ger_onimo 20,488]

They can't explain why the club is dead because they know it isn't. Instead, they suggest that "some people say the club is dead" as if it is a matter of opinion. Which it absolutely is not.

Great article BTW.

[cerberusandorthus 184]

Another fine piece D'Art.

I think however that you are being rather insulting to "real" members of the journalistic trade when you describe those in your article as such.

I am old enough to remember when the media worked with integrity and the Scottish journalists were held in high esteem.

[Buggleskelly 3,772]

If we're a new club , why did we have a transfer embargo?

[scarkev 3,540]

Great read as usual D'art....I think it's quite simple in that both are appealing to their audience. They don't care about the factual information because that would give them little to write/talk about. Look at the publicity spence and speirs have garnered from their claims/quips against rangers.....they are appealing to the lowest common denominator but it seems nowadays that's the way of journalism in general....no room for facts, substance or balance what the bottom feeders want is rumours, assumptions and character assassinations.....

[Ger_onimo 20,488]

Great read as usual D'art....I think it's quite simple in that both are appealing to their audience. They don't care about the factual information because that would give them little to write/talk about. Look at the publicity spence and speirs have garnered from their claims/quips against rangers.....they are appealing to the lowest common denominator but it seems nowadays that's the way of journalism in general....no room for facts, substance or balance what the bottom feeders want is rumours, assumptions and character assassinations.....

The big give away with Spence was that his comment was totally irrelevant to what they were talking about. In other words, can't get attention by being knowledgeable or interesting, so say something controversial instead.

[Non_Sucumbi 876]

Another fine piece D'Art.

I think however that you are being rather insulting to "real" members of the journalistic trade when you describe those in your article as such.

I am old enough to remember when the media worked with integrity and the Scottish journalists were held in high esteem.

If you remember that, you must be as old as ED.

Last knowledgeable journalist with any integrity was probably Bob Crampsey. But the poor man didn't have a lot of luck first BJK liked to visit Bob's wife when Bob was away at work and then he had to play second fiddle to a police horse.

[Buggleskelly 3,772]

If you remember that, you must be as old as ED.

Last knowledgeable journalist with any integrity was probably Bob Crampsey. But the poor man didn't have a lot of luck first BJK liked to visit Bob's wife when Bob was away at work and then he had to play second fiddle to a police horse.

Was the police horse incident not Alex Cameron?

[cushynumber 25,178]

Good piece - but they will never answer your question D'art because they cant - prejudice by definition is irrational, so they cant rationalise their thoughts with regards to us and present it in a reasonable manner. The only recourse they have is to deflect, or say they were miss quoted or that it "came out wrong". I think Spence has actually done all of these things.

[D'Artagnan 13,319]

Was the police horse incident not Alex Cameron?

It was indeed !

[cerberusandorthus 184]

Was the police horse incident not Alex Cameron?

That was my recollection - and yes, I am older than ED

[harlands plater 17,065]

Great piece D'Art exposing the bigots who tweed jackets and phoney middle class accents apart are just the same as your typical celtic loving jakey who has nothing better to do than troll Rangers fans.

Read the comments after any Rangers article in the Herald and you'll find out what their middle-class educated professional readership thinks about Rangers.

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

Another excellent piece, D'Art. I've long shared this perception that the anti-sectarian crusader was indeed sectarian- as are many of his fellow travellers. It's another truth that goes unspoken in Scotland.

[woodvale1690 43]

yet again nail on head d'art, they really are bottom feeders, but it is so funny some times when their obsession of all things rangers, the most successfull football club in the world gets a grip of them, they just cant hide the imigrant within

[Buggleskelly 3,772]

That was my recollection - and yes, I am older than ED

[Non_Sucumbi 876]

Was the police horse incident not Alex Cameron?

Yep u are correct

[CrackFox 245]

Great piece as usual D'art.

Sadly no matter how much evidence is produced to the contrary, some will continue to spout their shite and refuse to accept facts.

The little voice in their head wont accept that Rangers are still the same club and never died.

All we can hope is now the Trust has been challenged these guys will have their balls severely booted and slung out into the gutter where they belong.

[LythamGer 7]

There's one argument I don't think I've ever heard being put across to silence these idiots, and that is:

If the corporate entity that entered liquidation in 2012 signalled the "death" of Rangers then surely that implies that Rangers were "born" in 1899, when the initial company was first incorporated?

So what about the Rangers that existed between 1872 & 1899? I don't recall anyone (journalist or knuckle dragging, moronic fan of another club) ever stating that that was a different Rangers?

Their "logic" doesn't stand up to any kind of scrutiny at all. (Not that we should be surprised with that!)

[mountaineer 452]

Scotland it would appear has a new form of immunity allowing persons to express an opinion with apparent impunity. All that is required is to precede whatever you have to say with the phrase "Some would say". The phrases' creator - BBC Scotland's Jim Spence - has overlooked one small detail however - his previous comments on the subject.

A quick search through the BBC archives reveal that Jim Spence has previously alluded to Rangers having died or being no more. Therefore not only is he erroneous in with his use of this "get out clause" - he is also disingenuous. Perhaps the BBC Scotland investigation into this furore will consider this fact in it's conclusions. If it fails to, then their investigation will be deemed little more that a whitewash.

In some ways it should come as no surprise to us that there is a movement to pronounce life extinct over Ibrox way. I say that, having recently re-visited American Psychologist Gordon Allport's Scale of Prejudice, where the conduct of these proponents that Rangers are dead display all the characteristics required of the prejudiced bigot. Allport's scale determines the following 5 stages :-

1. 
   Anti-locution – this would include jokes, negative stereotypes as well as hate speech
   
   
2. 
   Avoidance – the target is treated in such a way as to be effectively isolated
   
   
3. 
   Discrimination – Denial of opportunity, restriction of rights etc.
   
   
4. 
   Physical Attack – self explanatory.
   
   
5. 
   Extermination – the majority group seek extermination or removal of the minority group.
   

Whilst often applied in situations which involves genocide, Allport's Scale is also used in modern day Britain as an industry standard in determining prejudice within the workplace. In such a setting the extermination stage manifests itself with the victim either leaving or being forced to leave the work place.

For a Rangers support often referred to as “h***”, likened to a “bunch of bigoted troglodytes, almost to a man”, and whose club were denied the fundamental principal of innocence until proven guilty, along with numerous other instances of unfair and unjust treatment, it should come as no surprise to us as we tick through the various stages that we would eventually end up at extermination.

Of course that hatred and prejudice manifests itself daily on social media networks where Rangers supporters are no longer “h***” or “Orange Bastards” instead they are “Zombies” or “Sevconians”.

However this appears to be little more than a “wish-list” mentality, which requires “believers” to ignore considerable evidence, rulings and judgements to the contrary.

I wont recount Lord Nimmo Smith's commentary regarding Rangers continuing as a footballing entity - it has been cited in many a previous discourse on this subject - suffice to say one of the most respected legal brains has passed his judgement on the matter. So too of course have the SFA, The European Clubs Association, UEFA and, perhaps as an indication of how desperate some are to confirm the death of Rangers, even the Advertising Standards Authority.

Those proponents of “Zombies” and “Sevconians” appear more than happy to ignore the evidence in order that their wishes can be realised, in fact they give new meaning to the term “Ignorance is bliss”. Who said blind hatred was a bad thing ?

But what of the Jim Spence's and Graham Spiers of this world, who, whilst not using the terms “zombies” or “sevconians”, continually repeat the mantra, that Rangers have died ? What separates them from the knuckle dragging element motivated by hatred bigotry and prejudice, who scream about “zombies” and “sevconians” ?

The answer is – very little.

For in arriving at such a conclusion they too have exercised the necessary exclusion of facts and chosen to ignore the authority and expertise of those previously cited. What is particularly interesting with both Spiers and Spence is that in making such assertions they refuse continually to mention or comment on Lord Nimmo Smith's ruling, the SFA Transfer of licence or the European Club's Association determination on Rangers.

The real question for me is why they are doing this. Why are allegedly objective and impartial journalists choosing to ignore the considerable body of evidence available and arrive at conclusions which are at odds with that evidence ? Or do our journalists now have a right to deliberately mislead and misinform the public ?

It is perhaps ironic that last week, Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News, who has a colourful history with the Rangers support released the following tweet :-

“it's a pointless debate - you cannot "kill" an FC like Rangers. Isn't this obvious? And an FC is more than a PLC end of.”

So over to you Messrs Spiers and Spence, the floor as they say is yours – explain to this Rangers support why you have arrived at the conclusion that Rangers are dead. It shouldn't be that hard for you – you have after all repeated it often enough. Tell us why Lord Nimmo Smith is wrong in his legal conclusions, why the SFA were misguided to transfer the licence and why the ECA have determined the situation incorrectly.

Because at the moment their appears to be little to separate you from those whose motivations are based on prejudice, blind hatred and bigotry.

d'art, once again sir , a brilliant testament , we all know the bigots, it still seems to be that the bigots don't know themselves of which we speak

[wmm39 10]

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