Response to Morning Star article regarding Armed Forces Day

[Blue72 1,237]

Hi all,

Not a huge poster but wanted to share the response I submitted to Douglas Beattie at the Morning Star following his article criticising Rangers for the Armed Forces Day. It certainly wasn't the worst reporting of the day but I wanted to clarify several points in his article. My response follows.

Dear Sir,

Having read Douglas Beattie's short analysis of the Ranger's Armed Forces Day, held at the game against Stenhousemuir I would like to clarify a few points.

The reason Rangers hold such events is because the majority of Scottish institutions over the last 20 years have suffered an identity crisis - support for any British institutions (the Westminster Government, the British Army, the Royal family etc.) has been viewed by some of the public, particularly the more vocal nationalists, as support for British Nationalism. In the run up to the independence referendum any organisation seen to be providing support or encouragement for the United Kingdom in any shape or form is attacked online by 'cybernats,' the SNP's online mass following who spout vile and personal attacks on the internet. In addition many organisations and companies are fearful of agitating the Scottish Government, with the SNP issuing a subtle letter to big business leaders that they expect any comments made about independence to be 'fair and balanced' (the Independent, 30th September 2013.) Ibrox is one of the few places in the country where British Nationalism can be celebrated.

Rangers have often been the focus of attack from the predominantly left-wing scottish media, including BBC Scotland and the Daily Record. Almost monthly there are stories run about sectarian singing at Rangers matches despite numerous other clubs' supporters singing either the same songs or songs from the other side of the divide. Heart of Midlothian fans frequently sing the banned chant 'the Billy Boys' with the 'Billy' changed to 'Gorgie' to reflect the area of Edinburgh the club is based in. I have witnessed this on Sky Sports several times, and have Hearts supporting friends who confirm this is sung regularly when they play Celtic and Hibs. Not once has the Scottish media run a story about this despite the fact that the song uses the line 'We're up to our knees in fenian blood' which, sung in public, now constitutes a racially aggravated breach of the peace offence under the SNP's recent anti-football legislation. Celtic Football Club's fans also frequently sing 'ooh ah up the RA" in reference to the IRA as well as numerous other historical ballads about the IRA and the struggle against the British Army and yet left-wing media outlets do not often report it because they are broadly sympathetic to the leftist values of the original republican army. It would seem to me that this constitutes completely one sided reporting.

The songs sung at the Armed Forces Day were 'The Bouncy,' 'Derry's Walls,' 'Rule Brittania' and 'We Were Coming.' To class these as sectarian is over-reaching the definition for the following reasons:

- The Bouncy has hardly any lyrics and involves jumping up and down. It is used as a celebration when Rangers have scored, won a title etc.

- Derry's Walls is a historical song about the siege of Londonderry - it celebrates the history of protestant ulster and the defence of protestants, not attacks on catholic citizens.

- Rule Brittania is self explanatory

- We Were Coming mentions the UVF but the song refers to Lord Carson sending the original Ulster Volunteer Force to fight at the Somme - this is a celebration of our armed forces making the ultimate sacrifice for our country in the First World War, a war in which many Irish Catholics lost their lives fighting for the United Kingdom.

The Rangers support will continue to sing these songs and the more that media outlets demonise the celebration of Protestant identity, the more likely it becomes that extreme elements in the support will develop. If you oppress a community's culture and prevent them from expressing their identity collectively they feel demonised in their own country - this can not be justified in a democratic society.

*edited to change font size

[Smile 26,624]

Who's even heard of him he's just a celtic supporter writing a piece on Rangers its not going to be good.

[Blue72 1,237]

Who's even heard of him he's just a celtic supporter writing a piece on Rangers its not going to be good.

I just got sick of one-sided reporting going unchallenged - very much doubt if they publish my response in their letters section, there's even less chance of any of me reading it, not generally a big Morning Star man!

[binsy08 362]

Hi all,

Not a huge poster but wanted to share the response I submitted to Douglas Beattie at the Morning Star following his article criticising Rangers for the Armed Forces Day. It certainly wasn't the worst reporting of the day but I wanted to clarify several points in his article. My response follows.

Dear Sir,

Having read Douglas Beattie's short analysis of the Ranger's Armed Forces Day, held at the game against Stenhousemuir I would like to clarify a few points.

The reason Rangers hold such events is because the majority of Scottish institutions over the last 20 years have suffered an identity crisis - support for any British institutions (the Westminster Government, the British Army, the Royal family etc.) has been viewed by some of the public, particularly the more vocal nationalists, as support for British Nationalism. In the run up to the independence referendum any organisation seen to be providing support or encouragement for the United Kingdom in any shape or form is attacked online by 'cybernats,' the SNP's online mass following who spout vile and personal attacks on the internet. In addition many organisations and companies are fearful of agitating the Scottish Government, with the SNP issuing a subtle letter to big business leaders that they expect any comments made about independence to be 'fair and balanced' (the Independent, 30th September 2013.) Ibrox is one of the few places in the country where British Nationalism can be celebrated.

Rangers have often been the focus of attack from the predominantly left-wing scottish media, including BBC Scotland and the Daily Record. Almost monthly there are stories run about sectarian singing at Rangers matches despite numerous other clubs' supporters singing either the same songs or songs from the other side of the divide. Heart of Midlothian fans frequently sing the banned chant 'the Billy Boys' with the 'Billy' changed to 'Gorgie' to reflect the area of Edinburgh the club is based in. I have witnessed this on Sky Sports several times, and have Hearts supporting friends who confirm this is sung regularly when they play Celtic and Hibs. Not once has the Scottish media run a story about this despite the fact that the song uses the line 'We're up to our knees in fenian blood' which, sung in public, now constitutes a racially aggravated breach of the peace offence under the SNP's recent anti-football legislation. Celtic Football Club's fans also frequently sing 'ooh ah up the RA" in reference to the IRA as well as numerous other historical ballads about the IRA and the struggle against the British Army and yet left-wing media outlets do not often report it because they are broadly sympathetic to the leftist values of the original republican army. It would seem to me that this constitutes completely one sided reporting.

The songs sung at the Armed Forces Day were 'The Bouncy,' 'Derry's Walls,' 'Rule Brittania' and 'We Were Coming.' To class these as sectarian is over-reaching the definition for the following reasons:

- The Bouncy has hardly any lyrics and involves jumping up and down. It is used as a celebration when Rangers have scored, won a title etc.

- Derry's Walls is a historical song about the siege of Londonderry - it celebrates the history of protestant ulster and the defence of protestants, not attacks on catholic citizens.

- Rule Brittania is self explanatory

- We Were Coming mentions the UVF but the song refers to Lord Carson sending the original Ulster Volunteer Force to fight at the Somme - this is a celebration of our armed forces making the ultimate sacrifice for our country in the First World War, a war in which many Irish Catholics lost their lives fighting for the United Kingdom.

The Rangers support will continue to sing these songs and the more that media outlets demonise the celebration of Protestant identity, the more likely it becomes that extreme elements in the support will develop. If you oppress a community's culture and prevent them from expressing their identity collectively they feel demonised in their own country - this can not be justified in a democratic society.

*edited to change font size

A well balanced and thought out response, Blue 72.

[pensionerbear 99]

I just logged on to News Now and saw the headline which had has name on it. I had seen it before, but never read anything by him. Same today, but my thoughts were who is this person, because you just need to read the headline and you know he is anti Rangers. He may be an non-entity, but still people believe him. I admire you for making your thoughts known to him, and I am sure all bears feel the same. As to a reply from him, I think you will wait a long time.

[gmcf 35,487]

Well written.

Don't see them publishing that tho - they're hardly a bastion of free speech.

[Blue72 1,237]

It depends on which editor the letter goes to - the Morning Star is divided internally between career-focused journalists and Communist Party bampots.

I should mention the letter went to the editor not to Douglas Beattie. I agree there's not much chance they publish it but worth a shot anyway. If anything it served to allow me to let out my anger at the continuos one sided reporting from the media - if that's the only positive gained then so be it.

[The Educator 1,572]

A well thought out piece by the OP. Tbh, I thought that the MS had disappeared years ago. I doubt if it can have much of a readership unless they're giving it away free to anybody who joins a union.

[Guest]

Well written, this is the type of action that is required, let these bastards know we won't take this lying down. There is no legitimate reason to be offended by the Armed Forces other than bigotry, this is just taig propaganda trying to paint the British Army as murderers when we all know which club takes the side of child killers and drug dealers.

[16BlueSherbert90 19,695]

I found that very well written. Even if it isn't printed, at least we all got to read it Thank you for sharing

[Blue72 1,237]

A well thought out piece by the OP. Tbh, I thought that the MS had disappeared years ago. I doubt if it can have much of a readership unless they're giving it away free to anybody who joins a union.

Many years ago when I was involved in a union they used to try and sell it to members, most of whom read the Daily Mail and were about as left wing as Nick Griffin. They're just hangers on who keep themselves on an even keel by the Communist Party of Great Britain doing a yearly fundraising initiative amongst its now elderly (many affluent) members - it'll be dead in the next five years I reckon.

[woodvale1690 43]

good letter and response, very true, but we will never surrender, not here and not in NI, the nats/sf must be voted out and for good

[BLUEDIGNITY 34,210]

Christ if it's no the rhepublicans having a go at us it's the commies, where do the Salvation Army stand on this ?

[Jimmyblue9 24]

Get fucked right into the bheggars

[Getstiffed 8,863]

Morning star.

An alias for Satan.

Poetic.

[Carsons Dog 9,878]

Great OP

I thought it was just Special Branch who read the Morning Star

[Carsons Army 4,146]

Mr Beattie blocked me on twitter for asking him to substantiate his claim about sectarian songs, He called me a bigot and blocked me.

@alpha_beatt

This cock socket also wrote a book, feel free to review it on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co...howViewpoints=1

[Blue72 1,237]

Mr Beattie blocked me on twitter for asking him to substantiate his claim about sectarian songs, He called me a bigot and blocked me.

@alpha_beatt

This cock socket also wrote a book, feel free to review it on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co...howViewpoints=1

Communists aren't exactly known for conducting open debate - I'm pretty sure most people that contribute to the morning star are washed up apologists for Stalin.

[gogzy 31,195]

Good letter blue.

[Johnny Hubbard 280]

you need to send your reply to the editor

I think they'll print it........

[allgers 735]

Blue72 yer a star.

[worcesterloyal 114]

Good letter........I didnt know the morning star was still published,havent seen it for years

[jintybear 8,750]

I found that very well written. Even if it isn't printed, at least we all got to read it Thank you for sharing

This.

[OneDavidCooper 2,505]

Fucking hell, the Morning Star. Is that commie shit still going.

[East End Bear 9]

Niceone mate.