Racist IRA Chants and John Reid's Inaction

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

The offence caused by certain songs has been a big issue in the media lately. We are constantly left wondering why nobody does anything about this or that song. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that a song aimed at poking fun at one's rivals, which has been doing the rounds for a few months, seems to take precedence over songs supporting willful killers of innocent civilians.

Strangely, IRA songs have been either accepted or ignored for decades in Scotland, whilst sometimes lyrics such as "bouncy" have been scrutinised for sectarian intent. Sometimes the world does seem upside down.

However, I cannot accept that racist, sectarian, anti-British IRA chants can escape scrutiny at a time when lesser songs make headlines. We must ask ourselves which is worse. Is it mocking our rivals or putting up with racially motivated songs of Republican murderers who killed so so many innocent men, women and children?

If we are to take a stand for decency, then we must do so sensibly and with perspective. No chant can cause more offence than those which glorify the murder of innocents. Human decency must be both respected and preserved.

Remember too, that in this time of concern over possible terrorist acts, we have new legislation which outlaws the glorification of terrorism. The greatest irony is that one of the key architects and indeed proponents of that legislation is in an ideal position to make a stand. That man is Celtic Chairman, Dr John Reid.

As a former Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Scotland and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, he is only too aware of the hurt and damage that terrorism can do. He has spoken to members on both sides of the divide in Ireland and knows the dreadful suffering caused. Only last month, we commemorated the tenth anniversary of the tragic Omagh bombing. The victims families still haven't received justice. The glorification of terrorism is an attempt to rub salt into these wounds and others.

Dr Reid has been at Celtic for almost a year. In that time Celtic fans have continued to use sectarian terms such as "huns" and "orange bastards". Police forces, sectarian watchdogs and men in the street will tell you they are sectarian terms. Dr Reid grew up in Scotland and will be familiar with these terms and the history behind them. However, as one of the United Kingdom's most fervent anti-terrorist campaigners in recent years, he has to take responsibility for the club that he chairs, Celtic FC.

Celtic fans at Celtic Park and grounds across Scotland can no longer be allowed to glory in the racist murder of innocents as they did on Saturday at Fir Park in Motherwell. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18iPMbfl6-0) The footage has been recorded and sent to the SPL, BBC and STV. It has also been sent to local radio stations and national newspapers. Furthermore, songs containing prayers about IRA bullets killing Rangers players in their sleep, such as those sung at several recent Old Firm clashes at Celtic Park, can no longer pass the lips of Celtic fans.

It's your jurisdiction Dr Reid, Celtic FC, SPL and Police Forces of Scotland. Major media outlets need to cover this poison at the heart of our game if we are to move on. We cannot accept the disgusting glorification of racist IRA murders perpetrated against the innocent men, women and children. We cannot find another scapegoat and try to sweep the elephant in the living room under the carpet once again.

So Dr Reid, what are you doing to counter the glorification of racist terrorists at Celtic Park and amongst your travelling support? You set a standard to tackle these issues in office. It behooves you to live up to that standard as Chairman of Celtic FC.

[minstral 5,375]

The offence caused by certain songs has been a big issue in the media lately. We are constantly left wondering why nobody does anything about this or that song. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that a song aimed at poking fun at one's rivals, which has been doing the rounds for a few months, seems to take precedence over songs supporting willful killers of innocent civilians.

Strangely, IRA songs have been either accepted or ignored for decades in Scotland, whilst sometimes lyrics such as "bouncy" have been scrutinised for sectarian intent. Sometimes the world does seem upside down.

However, I cannot accept that racist, sectarian, anti-British IRA chants can escape scrutiny at a time when lesser songs make headlines. We must ask ourselves which is worse. Is it mocking our rivals or putting up with racially motivated songs of Republican murderers who killed so so many innocent men, women and children?

If we are to take a stand for decency, then we must do so sensibly and with perspective. No chant can cause more offence than those which glorify the murder of innocents. Human decency must be both respected and preserved.

Remember too, that in this time of concern over possible terrorist acts, we have new legislation which outlaws the glorification of terrorism. The greatest irony is that one of the key architects and indeed proponents of that legislation is in an ideal position to make a stand. That man is Celtic Chairman, Dr John Reid.

As a former Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Scotland and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, he is only too aware of the hurt and damage that terrorism can do. He has spoken to members on both sides of the divide in Ireland and knows the dreadful suffering caused. Only last month, we commemorated the tenth anniversary of the tragic Omagh bombing. The victims families still haven't received justice. The glorification of terrorism is an attempt to rub salt into these wounds and others.

Dr Reid has been at Celtic for almost a year. In that time Celtic fans have continued to use sectarian terms such as "h***" and "orange bastards". Police forces, sectarian watchdogs and men in the street will tell you they are sectarian terms. Dr Reid grew up in Scotland and will be familiar with these terms and the history behind them. However, as one of the United Kingdom's most fervent anti-terrorist campaigners in recent years, he has to take responsibility for the club that he chairs, Celtic FC.

Celtic fans at Celtic Park and grounds across Scotland can no longer be allowed to glory in the racist murder of innocents as they did on Saturday at Fir Park in Motherwell. The footage has been recorded and sent to the SPL, BBC and STV. It has also been sent to local radio stations and national newspapers. Furthermore, songs containing prayers about IRA bullets killing Rangers players in their sleep, such as those sung at several recent Old Firm clashes at Celtic Park, can no longer pass the lips of Celtic fans.

It's your jurisdiction Dr Reid, Celtic FC, SPL and Police Forces of Scotland. Major media outlets need to cover this poison at the heart of our game if we are to move on. We cannot accept the disgusting glorification of racist IRA murders perpetrated against the innocent men, women and children. We cannot find another scapegoat and try to sweep the elephant in the living room under the carpet once again.

So Dr Reid, what are you doing to counter the glorification of racist terrorists at Celtic Park and amongst your travelling support? You set a standard to tackle these issues in office. It behooves you to live up to that standard as Chairman of Celtic FC.

good article oleg, and you will soon hit them where it hurts.

[Sommie 0]

[CottonRunt 978]

Good stuff as always Oleg!

hopefully our voice is heard, and not just kept quiet by the pro celtic media!

[RedWhiteBlue1872 407]

Its a great article Oleg, i would be happy to post this article in any places you can recommend it would attract media attention??

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

Its a great article Oleg, i would be happy to post this article in any places you can recommend it would attract media attention??

We'll primarily release it here, hopefully. We should keep the exclusive for ourselves, before we disseminate it to the media and Celtic.

But by all means spread the question of why a former Home, Scottish and NI Secretary has done nothing to counter, racist anti-British, IRA terrorist chants at his own ground and by his own supporters at other grounds in almost a year in the job as chairman, especially since he was instrumental in introducing laws tackling terror and its glorification.

Hit all those points and contact whoever you can think of- Daily Mail and Express like to knock New Labour figures. So there's another idea.

[abelsoul 7]

So Dr Reid, what are you doing to counter the glorification of racist terrorists at Celtic Park .

Probably still singing in support of them, as gorgeous George tells us:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gG4u4Wy28H0

One minute and seventeen seconds in but all of it is worth a listen.

Don't expect any action against IRA songs from Reid or anyone else in the Labour party for that matter. They are part of the problem, not the solution.

Bear this in mind next election time too........

[Thermopylae 15,287]

It's worth mentioning here that galloway said on his show that reid taught the Scottish labour party the IRA songbook

[damien1 29]

Oleg, I really like the cut of your jib, excellent work

[mondeoman 4]

good read, oleg.

especially as reid may be interested in gordon brown's job should brown go.

[Gaffbear 4,101]

Reid will do nothing.

He is the worst case scenario............a British politician who supports a terror group who targets our country...no chance he'll do anything,we need to go all the way to the top.

[royalbluebell 38]

Good work again Oleg, but I agree with Gaffbear we need to go all the way with this and we need to keep it going.

[trueblue87 0]

Very good article Oleg!

[MosesMcNeil 1,664]

Dr Reid has been at Celtic for almost a year. In that time Celtic fans have continued to use sectarian terms such as "h***" and "orange bastards".

Let's nail another aspect of this problem that gets ignored time after time. Raselik-minded want the famine song placed on record as being racist. At best, this assertion is debatable.

What's not debatable is their repeated and frequent use of the racist epthithet - h**.

It's widely known as a racially disparaging insult directed at Germans. Ask yourself; if Britain had warred with Pakistan, do you think the common racial epithet for people of that country would be bandied about by them as freely as the use of h**?

Not a chance.

Report it's abusive nature - both racial and sectarian - every time you can.

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

Do we have any admin who can publish this?

It would be great to get this on the NewsNow feeds.

The club came out with a strong statement. We should be pointing fingers now.

Yes guys. We must keep complaining at every turn.

[Tam3r0wn 12]

Oleg, you talk sense man.

Unfortunately, i think this will go as unnoticed as a fart in a hurricane.

We can complain all we like, were never goin to silence the eejits.

Defeatist i know, but after the past couple of days, this is how i feel.

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

Oleg, you talk sense man.

Unfortunately, i think this will go as unnoticed as a fart in a hurricane.

We can complain all we like, were never goin to silence the eejits.

Defeatist i know, but after the past couple of days, this is how i feel.

Cheers man, but it's up to us to put up the fight. Get some of the email addresses and contact details and get the complaints about a former Home Secretary allowing, racist, terrorist IRA chants at Parkhead and other grounds Celtic play at.

[Tam3r0wn 12]

I suppose youre right, it is up to us, since were the ones being victimised for singing a song.

Im just sick of the bull that gets fired at us, while our holier than thou rivals get off with much worse.

Lets see what we can do about it then eh?

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

I suppose youre right, it is up to us, since were the ones being victimised for singing a song.

Im just sick of the bull that gets fired at us, while our holier than thou rivals get off with much worse.

Lets see what we can do about it then eh?

You're not wrong, but we have to get some sound bites into the media.

We have to fight back. They've been doing this for years.

We cannot let it continue unopposed.

[Tam3r0wn 12]

I suppose youre right, it is up to us, since were the ones being victimised for singing a song.

Im just sick of the bull that gets fired at us, while our holier than thou rivals get off with much worse.

Lets see what we can do about it then eh?

You're not wrong, but we have to get some sound bites into the media.

We have to fight back. They've been doing this for years.

We cannot let it continue unopposed.

Being that septic fans are rather easily offended and quite sensitive, also our 'reputation' for sectarianism in the media, i think fight is the right word.

[Jimenez 1]

Good article but no matter where Reid's politics have taken him throughout his career remember that's all it was. A job.

Deep down he's an IRA sympathizer. He sang songs glorifying the deaths of men, women and children in the slop houses on the Gallowgate.

He's a rat who deep down agrees with every vile lyric sang by Steak Pie F.C.

[californiadreamin52 339]

Reid will do nothing.

He is the worst case scenario............a British politician who supports a terror group who targets our country...no chance he'll do anything,we need to go all the way to the top.

Reid will have to act if the outcry is big enough

[OlegKuznetsov 10,816]

Good article but no matter where Reid's politics have taken him throughout his career remember that's all it was. A job.

Deep down he's an IRA sympathizer. He sang songs glorifying the deaths of men, women and children in the slop houses on the Gallowgate.

He's a rat who deep down agrees with every vile lyric sang by Steak Pie F.C.

Reid will do nothing.

He is the worst case scenario............a British politician who supports a terror group who targets our country...no chance he'll do anything,we need to go all the way to the top.

Reid will have to act if the outcry is big enough

Exactly! Expose him!

Former Home Sec allowing IRA chants about innocent people??? After his "hardline"?

He's a liability and a big target.

[MarkyMitch 4]

The offence caused by certain songs has been a big issue in the media lately. We are constantly left wondering why nobody does anything about this or that song. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that a song aimed at poking fun at one's rivals, which has been doing the rounds for a few months, seems to take precedence over songs supporting willful killers of innocent civilians.

Strangely, IRA songs have been either accepted or ignored for decades in Scotland, whilst sometimes lyrics such as "bouncy" have been scrutinised for sectarian intent. Sometimes the world does seem upside down.

However, I cannot accept that racist, sectarian, anti-British IRA chants can escape scrutiny at a time when lesser songs make headlines. We must ask ourselves which is worse. Is it mocking our rivals or putting up with racially motivated songs of Republican murderers who killed so so many innocent men, women and children?

If we are to take a stand for decency, then we must do so sensibly and with perspective. No chant can cause more offence than those which glorify the murder of innocents. Human decency must be both respected and preserved.

Remember too, that in this time of concern over possible terrorist acts, we have new legislation which outlaws the glorification of terrorism. The greatest irony is that one of the key architects and indeed proponents of that legislation is in an ideal position to make a stand. That man is Celtic Chairman, Dr John Reid.

As a former Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Scotland and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, he is only too aware of the hurt and damage that terrorism can do. He has spoken to members on both sides of the divide in Ireland and knows the dreadful suffering caused. Only last month, we commemorated the tenth anniversary of the tragic Omagh bombing. The victims families still haven't received justice. The glorification of terrorism is an attempt to rub salt into these wounds and others.

Dr Reid has been at Celtic for almost a year. In that time Celtic fans have continued to use sectarian terms such as "h***" and "orange bastards". Police forces, sectarian watchdogs and men in the street will tell you they are sectarian terms. Dr Reid grew up in Scotland and will be familiar with these terms and the history behind them. However, as one of the United Kingdom's most fervent anti-terrorist campaigners in recent years, he has to take responsibility for the club that he chairs, Celtic FC.

Celtic fans at Celtic Park and grounds across Scotland can no longer be allowed to glory in the racist murder of innocents as they did on Saturday at Fir Park in Motherwell. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18iPMbfl6-0) The footage has been recorded and sent to the SPL, BBC and STV. It has also been sent to local radio stations and national newspapers. Furthermore, songs containing prayers about IRA bullets killing Rangers players in their sleep, such as those sung at several recent Old Firm clashes at Celtic Park, can no longer pass the lips of Celtic fans.

It's your jurisdiction Dr Reid, Celtic FC, SPL and Police Forces of Scotland. Major media outlets need to cover this poison at the heart of our game if we are to move on. We cannot accept the disgusting glorification of racist IRA murders perpetrated against the innocent men, women and children. We cannot find another scapegoat and try to sweep the elephant in the living room under the carpet once again.

So Dr Reid, what are you doing to counter the glorification of racist terrorists at Celtic Park and amongst your travelling support? You set a standard to tackle these issues in office. It behooves you to live up to that standard as Chairman of Celtic FC.

Excellent article.

[MayboleLoyal_atb 3,765]

Some of the stuff you have been writeing recently Oleg is different class.