The baton carriers

[D'Artagnan 173]

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

 

(Sun Tzu – The Art of War)

 

Those who have followed both the reporting and coverage of the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding Rangers use of EBT’s could probably hazard a fairly good guess guess as to who the enemy is. It would be inaccurate to say, “they broke cover” as many entering the fray would be filed under the category of “the usual suspects”. Perhaps my favourite observation at the time came from not within our support, but from the Head of Sport at the Herald, Stuart Weir who reflected via Twitter

 

“Still folk out there who've only watched Kavanagh QC (while evidently downing bottles of QC sherry) arguing with real QC's

 

Pass the popcorn”

 

Stewart would probably have required an extra-large bag if the dogged stance of Tom English was anything to go by. The latter’s debate with QC and Tax Specialist Joylon Maugham was the twitter equivalent of “death by a thousand tweets” as the assertions of English were ceremoniously and clinically lanced as if the BBC reporter’s line of reasoning was little more than a septic boil.

 

Of course, that didn’t stop BBC Scotland running with the erroneous and inaccurate “unlawful” accusation in their news bulletins. And its at this point I would respectfully suggest our enemy recognition becomes somewhat clouded. Who approved the inclusion and creation of the word “unlawful” and who, with editorial responsibility deemed it appropriate and accurate?

 

It is refreshing that this inaccuracy will not go without challenge, and Club 1872 have already intimated that this will be subject of a complaint. I suspect those of us who have previously trodden this path could predict the pattern – rejection and escalation, rinse and repeat until it is eventually deferred to Ofcom for a ruling. (From 3 April 2017, Ofcom replaced the BBC Trust as first regulator) When it does arrive on their doorstep I hope Ofcom reflect that it is not the first complaint from Rangers supporters regarding the accuracy of the organisation’s output north of the border.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22951447

 

It didn’t require tax experts and QC’s however to punch fairly large holes in BBC Scotland’s adopted stance. Frankie from Gersnet skewered BBC Scotland’s Chris McGlaughin to the point the latter was unable to form a reply to some probing questions. However, as with Tom English , Frankie makes a critical observation in response to Joylon Maugham.

 

“What you may not realise Jo, is that BBC Scotland's default position on Rangers has to be maximum negative. Tom merely carrying that baton.”

 

Might I respectfully suggest that there is a very large ball about to land in the court of Ofcom. Merely adjudicating on the matter is not sufficient, not given the previous failings of the organisation as alluded to earlier. The role of the unnamed, unseen baton carriers needs to be examined thoroughly, including systems and processes which allowed inaccurate and erroneous broadcasting to once again pass as acceptable, accurate and impartial.

 

Sometimes adjudication like a medical diagnosis is not sufficient, merely identifying a septic boil is not enough – it requires to be lanced and cleansed.

[Frankie 8,663]

A fine analysis as always mate...

[26th of foot 6,119]

It's the arrogance of the Pacific Quay gang hut.

 

Rangers supporters are license fee payers, do they provide a service?

 

Over 30 regular contributors to their Sportsound programmes, and one, Derek Ferguson can be considered a Bear. Last night, it was Pat Bonner, Scott McDonald, and Tom English for ra Sellik's CL qualifier. Tonight, it is Richard Gordon, Liam McLeod, Paul Hartley, and Wullie Miller for Aberdeen in Cyprus. Their new strap line is, "where there is Scottish football, there's Sportsound". Unless, it's a Rangers match at Ibrox. Deliberately, they refuse to provide a service to license fee paying Bears in all airts and pairts of the country, deprived,disabled and elderly Bears unable to travel, Bears abroad on the world service, ...... etc.

 

We have one MSP, Murdo Fraser out of 129 prepared to admit to supporting Rangers. We have no political leverage. The club must nurture a raft of cross party politicians at all levels. They can legitimately raise concerns of Rangers supporting constituents who receive no service from BBC Scotland, when Rangers are playing at Ibrox.

 

Finally, what has happened to Beeb Scotland's token, Richard Wilson? You know the guy, regularly embarrassed Tom English and Chris McLaughlin on Rangers related discussions? Cosgrove, Spence, and Spiers recognised the 'threat' posed by Wilson; they never missed an oportunity to ridicule him, for being the only Beeb journo that Rangers supporters listened to.

[Darthter 542]

It's the arrogance of the Pacific Quay gang hut.

 

Rangers supporters are license fee payers, do they provide a service?

 

Over 30 regular contributors to their Sportsound programmes, and one, Derek Ferguson can be considered a Bear. Last night, it was Pat Bonner, Scott McDonald, and Tom English for ra Sellik's CL qualifier. Tonight, it is Richard Gordon, Liam McLeod, Paul Hartley, and Wullie Miller for Aberdeen in Cyprus. Their new strap line is, "where there is Scottish football, there's Sportsound". Unless, it's a Rangers match at Ibrox. Deliberately, they refuse to provide a service to license fee paying Bears in all airts and pairts of the country, deprived,disabled and elderly Bears unable to travel, Bears abroad on the world service, ...... etc.

 

We have one MSP, Murdo Fraser out of 129 prepared to admit to supporting Rangers. We have no political leverage. The club must nurture a raft of cross party politicians at all levels. They can legitimately raise concerns of Rangers supporting constituents who receive no service from BBC Scotland, when Rangers are playing at Ibrox.

 

Finally, what has happened to Beeb Scotland's token, Richard Wilson? You know the guy, regularly embarrassed Tom English and Chris McLaughlin on Rangers related discussions? Cosgrove, Spence, and Spiers recognised the 'threat' posed by Wilson; they never missed an oportunity to ridicule him, for being the only Beeb journo that Rangers supporters listened to.

 

Are the BBC still banned from Ibrox & RFC press confs???

 

If they are you can't complain that they don't cover the club..

[26th of foot 6,119]

Are the BBC still banned from Ibrox & RFC press confs???

 

If they are you can't complain that they don't cover the club..

 

Chris McLaughlin has had his press privileges withdrawn. He can still attend by paying at the gate/securing a ticket.

 

I am on record as not believing in banning journos, I would prefer they are taken on directly by the club.

 

McLaughlin's withdrawal of press privleges occurred after Rangers opener against Hibs in the Petrofac Cup two seasons past. He attended Easter Road and began his immediate post match report with, "Four Rangers supporters have been arrested and are alleged to have indulged in sectarian chanting ....." We were over a minute into the Match Report before we found out Rangers had defeated Hibs 2-6. Rangers supporters engaged McLaughlin on social media, specifically Twitter and Facebook. He stated he had checked with the Match Commander, as was his regular practice, and it was germane to include these facts in his match report. Several weeks later, Chris's own team, ra Sellik were at Pittodrie, and usual IRA karaoke occurred. Again, Chris was engaged because he failed to mention any arrests in his match report. Remember, Chris's usual practice is to check with the Match Commander? McGlaughlin replied he had checked and there was nothing to report, no arrests. Imagine everyones' surprise when Monday's Press and Journal reported six arrests for alleged sectarian chanting? Who was lying, McLaughlin or the Match Commander? We were not told; however, McLaughlin withdrew from both Twitter and Facebook.

 

Precedent is a big factor in these matters. When Dundee banned Spence fore two years, he was banned, not allowed in the Dens or training ground. BBC Scotland continued to report live from Dens, Scot Davie and Brian McLaughlin mostly covered the games. When the Yahoos withdrew Hugh Keevins press privleges for two seasons, there was no NUJ solidarity from Chris McLaughlin, or from Beeb Scotland.

[Uilleam 5,960]

“If you know the enemy and know yourself' date=' you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

 

(Sun Tzu – The Art of War)

 

Those who have followed both the reporting and coverage of the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding Rangers use of EBT’s could probably hazard a fairly good guess guess as to who the enemy is. It would be inaccurate to say, “they broke cover” as many entering the fray would be filed under the category of “the usual suspects”. Perhaps my favourite observation at the time came from not within our support, but from the Head of Sport at the Herald, Stuart Weir who reflected via Twitter

 

“Still folk out there who've only watched Kavanagh QC (while evidently downing bottles of QC sherry) arguing with real QC's

 

Pass the popcorn”

 

Stewart would probably have required an extra-large bag if the dogged stance of Tom English was anything to go by. The latter’s debate with QC and Tax Specialist Joylon Maugham was the twitter equivalent of “death by a thousand tweets” as the assertions of English were ceremoniously and clinically lanced as if the BBC reporter’s line of reasoning was little more than a septic boil.

 

Of course, that didn’t stop BBC Scotland running with the erroneous and inaccurate “unlawful” accusation in their news bulletins. And its at this point I would respectfully suggest our enemy recognition becomes somewhat clouded. Who approved the inclusion and creation of the word “unlawful” and who, with editorial responsibility deemed it appropriate and accurate?

 

It is refreshing that this inaccuracy will not go without challenge, and Club 1872 have already intimated that this will be subject of a complaint. I suspect those of us who have previously trodden this path could predict the pattern – rejection and escalation, rinse and repeat until it is eventually deferred to Ofcom for a ruling. (From 3 April 2017, Ofcom replaced the BBC Trust as first regulator) When it does arrive on their doorstep I hope Ofcom reflect that it is not the first complaint from Rangers supporters regarding the accuracy of the organisation’s output north of the border.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22951447

 

It didn’t require tax experts and QC’s however to punch fairly large holes in BBC Scotland’s adopted stance. Frankie from Gersnet skewered BBC Scotland’s Chris McGlaughin to the point the latter was unable to form a reply to some probing questions. However, as with Tom English , Frankie makes a critical observation in response to Joylon Maugham.

 

“What you may not realise Jo, is that BBC Scotland's default position on Rangers has to be maximum negative. Tom merely carrying that baton.”

 

Might I respectfully suggest that there is a very large ball about to land in the court of Ofcom. Merely adjudicating on the matter is not sufficient, not given the previous failings of the organisation as alluded to earlier. The role of the unnamed, unseen baton carriers needs to be examined thoroughly, including systems and processes which allowed inaccurate and erroneous broadcasting to once again pass as acceptable, accurate and impartial.

 

Sometimes adjudication like a medical diagnosis is not sufficient, merely identifying a septic boil is not enough – it requires to be lanced and cleansed.[/quote']

 

i thought, as I read, that you intended to propose a Judicial Review of BBC Scotland's " systems and processes". Such actions are all the rage, don't you know.

[pete 2,499]

Taken from ff spot the difference in reporting. These were from 2009 so it is not a new problem by any means.

 

This behaviour is hardly new or unsurprising. I spent several years in correspondence regarding their bias, without getting a great deal of joy.

See below a copy of a police report of an incident in 2009. Then the BBC Scotland report of the same incident.

They could not see a problem with this.

Both links are apparently still active, if anyone wishes to check for themselves

 

http://www.centralscotland.police.uk...p?news_id=2134

News

Police appeal as ambulance targeted

Tuesday, 11th August 2009

Send to a friend | Printable version

Police are appealing for information after an ambulance had a window smashed as it was being driven in Banknock.

The incident occurred around 3.25pm on Sunday August 9.

Chief Inspector Bob Beaton said: “This was a despicable crime and we are keen to speak to anyone with information.

“The incident occurred as the ambulance travelled along Hollandbush Crescent near to the junction with Ballinkeir Avenue.

“It was forced to stop as a man, who was bare chested, crossed the road in front of them. When they stopped, a window in the rear of the ambulance was smashed.

“A group of men were seen near to the junction and we are keen to trace them.”

Police are keen to trace four men seen in the area at the time.

The man who crossed the road and force the ambulance to stop is described as 5’7 – 5’8, late 20s-early 30s.

A second man was described as wearing a light blue jumper, balding with dark hair at the side, wearing a Celtic top beneath a jersey, jeans and believed to be in his early 30s.

A third man had blond hair and was wearing a Celtic top with jeans.

The fourth man was described as 5’8”, brown hair, a tattoo on the back of his neck, and was wearing a green coloured jumper and jeans.

Anyone with information can contact Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000 or information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

 

 

 

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/...al/8192502.stm

Gang hurls bottle into ambulance

The bottle was thrown as the crew treated an elderly woman

A gang of youths hurled a bottle of alcoholic drink through an ambulance window while medics were treating an elderly woman.

Glass and the remains of the drink, Buckfast, hit the two crew and their 70-year-old patient in the incident near Banknock in Stirlingshire.

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service branded the attack an "absolute disgrace".

The woman was taken to Stirling Royal Infirmary in another ambulance.

The attack happened at about 1525 BST

The ambulance service spokesman said: "This incident is an absolute disgrace and could have resulted in serious injury to both the ambulance crew and the elderly patient in their care.

"Unfortunately this sort of drink-fuelled behaviour is becoming more prevalent and we will continue to take every available measure to protect our staff and patients."

The ambulance had been requested by a doctor, and it was not a 999 call.

Central Scotland Police said officers responded quickly but, by the time they arrived, the gang had scattered.

[Frankie 8,663]

Are the BBC still banned from Ibrox & RFC press confs???

 

If they are you can't complain that they don't cover the club..

 

The BBC banned themselves after McLaughlin had his press privileges removed.

 

It was their decision.

[aweebluesoandso 290]

Good read again D'art, we need more of this, you have been too quiet lately.

[StuGers 477]

The BBC banned themselves after McLaughlin had his press privileges removed.

 

It was their decision.

 

It is a remarkably valid point made above - why have the BBC banned themselves when they didn't carry out the same action against Dundee? We all know the answer but this is a publicly funded and supposedly transparent and impartial national service and it definitely should have any form of bias at all.