That summation sits with me much more comfortably I am not necessarily against that. I am against the notion that anything other than this is unquestionably inequitable. Now it is out there, I feel myself inclined to stand in opposition to that. And I don't want to do that. I want to explore every avenue there is to improve the game.
in April 1904 a cartoon appeared in the Scottish referee paper depicting a man in a sandwich board saying "Patronise the Old Firm" before the cup final.
That's more what I was thinking of, nice one. Seems fair enough to me. I'm almost disappointed that we appear to have reached a form of agreement so soon. We were so much more interesting when we were young.
It isn't because I don't want to argue. I'd love to. There is a saying in boxing that you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.....I understand that. The NFL operate where there is profit sharing amongst the franchises.....they do very nicely out of that. I understand that too. If it sounds arrogant to say that I think Celtic have to be sold on the second one, then it is unintentional but I would view us as the only ones who would veto that. Somebody needs to sell Celtic on that and I don't think we are dynamic enough to present that to everyone else.
Arguing is great, isn't it? One of my very favourite things in the world, just so long as people stay friendly or, at the very least, civil. (I'm a teeny bit gay that way, to be fair.) I've been tearing my way through all manner of books about Ireland and the Irish (about 20 books so far this year) in an attempt to know my new country (I'm Irish now - officially) and also to try to get one up on you in our long-winded argument from last year (something to do with Republicanism at football matches, if you remember). I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to go back to that discussion yet, though (still reeling from the aftershocks of a brutalising depression - we are all, very literally, Neil Lennon), as I can't maintain the necessary focus. <Suicide is painless> I tried to post a picture yesterday of some of the books I've been gawping at - I couldn't be bothered writing out a list - so that you might pass judgment or point me towards something worth reading, but the site was playing up and my attempts were scuppered. Sad but true. Any recommendations, however, would be most welcome. Specifically, something which you feel articulates your own sense of Republicanism. No hurry. (Hurry up.) "The NFL operate where there is profit sharing amongst the franchises.....they do very nicely out of that. I understand that too." You're on your own, I'm afraid, as the concept entirely eludes me. Sorry to be dumb, but what precisely does it mean? And why wouldn't Celtic be keen on such a thing? Or have I misunderstood what you were saying? (Speak slowly, please, I'm temporarily suffering from stupid.)
Its application would have to be very different in the SPL but I cited the NFL for what accompanied the profit sharing which was essentially the even split of TV money. Shifting a key game to a monday night to showcase it (unopposed by any other sport as it was then). The draft system as well......although I don't know how that could work. I do enjoy a debate, as long as it is sensible. I don't mind a spot of name calling either but a debate is better At the risk of being a human cliche machine, the book "Bobby Sands: Nothing but an unfinished song" by Denis O'Hearn is a book that I tells a wonderful story. If you fancy a break and want to try a spot of fiction, try Roddy Doyle's "A Star Called Henry". I know it is fiction, but historically it is so well researched. I was going to suggest a couple of scholarly works on Irish literature that chart the relationship between Britain and Ireland.....except the guy who wrote them called me a "****ing waster".......I hated that dick, but he writes a good book.
I was shocked at how un-Roddy Doyle this was. It is so far removed from any of the Barrytown stuff it is unbelievable. Although it is still urban tales from Dublin.....just very different.
Right, I think that may be slightly clearer in my head, thanks, and if the distribution of TV money is (essentially) even in the NFL it appeals to my (personal) sense of fair play. Put very, very simply: if a system is (financially or otherwise) loaded in favour of big clubs, then big clubs will always be big clubs and the rest must stay comparatively small â and, almost by definition, comparatively uncompetitive. Iâve never understood how this may be seen as being conducive to the idea of progression or healthy sporting chance. There is an ultimate feeling of profound hopelessness and pointlessness to such an arrangement. Why on earth should we bother with such a thing? It doesnât really make sense to me any longer. And one of the complaints that seems to flow from the offices (and terraces) of Celtic and Rangers, of course, is that the Scottish league is uncompetitive which, they reason, impacts/lowers their own standards â if they were to face better teams every week, the argument appears to go, they would be better equipped to perform in Europe which, for reasons that remain slightly unclear to me (save for a naked greed), is now seen as the be all and end all. (I despise what the mis-named Champions League has become, forever tilted in favour of the self-perpetuatingly wealthy â and the prospect of watching AC Milan or Chelsea, say, bores me beyond a reasonable endurance.) By constantly demanding a greater share of money, however, they (Celtic and Rangers) may make it hard for us to believe that what they want is a more competitive league. We might be forgiven for thinking that what they really want is rather more crude and self-serving: more money. But to what end, I wonder? By their own standard and argument, surely, it would be better for their longer term self-interests if they stopped acting with such present term self-interest. Or does that seem wholly mad? Anyway, I can get back to all that, I was just here to say thank you for the book recommendation. Good man. I was planning on heading into civilisation (Cork) on Friday (I think Shamrock Rovers may be in town â boo!), so Iâll get a savoured chance to ransack the bookshops (the only thing I miss about cities) and will hope to strike gold with Bobby Sands. I donât really know anything about him, save for the blindingly obvious, and look forward to stacking my head with new information. As for fiction....I very rarely read it, unless forced to by my wife. Ten books a year, absolute maximum. I know sheâs got a few Roddy Doyleâs, however, so Iâll have a shifty on her shelves. Thanks again. (Ah, gwan gwan gwan.....name and shame the writer guy who called you a "****ing waster". I promise to spit on his books once I've read them. Just for you, like.)
I suppose if I am to continue to use the term "diddy teams" (even in jocular fashion) when talking about anyone outside of Celtic and Rangers, I can't really complain when people talk of the "Old Firm", not that it really bothers me that much anyway. As one who is not interested in the "politics" of the OF, I can sometimes step outside it all and cast a critical eye. Seldom have I liked what i've seen. To be sure, the relationship with (or rather the hatred of) the opposition is deep and not always pleasant, but I do supect that it's a genuine minority who indulge in the poisonous bigotry, and it is irksome to be classed as some rampant IRA supporter just because I happen to have grown up supporting Celtic. Likewise, i'm guessing Gers fans are sick to the back teeth being painted as "square men" one and all. I suppose it's a cross we "OF" fans have to bear.
You are a terrorist in all but name, Dev, to be perfectly fair. You are also very clearly a Catholic and a bigot, as all Celtic fans must be. Plus, as a Catholic, you'll more than likely interfere with children in an inappropriate manner. Take your medicine. But yes, I would be exasperated as a Rangers or Celtic fan to be painted in such a one-dimensional fashion. Diddy fans are just as capable as their "Old Firm" counterparts of being indifferent - to the point of stupidity - to facts or reason. It can be funny, though, let's face it. Too true about the bigotry stuff, though - it destroys me with its repetitive inaneness. (I'm slightly poisoned, however, by the years I spent living in Glasgow.) British and Irish? No problem. Dribbling bigotry? Problem. Hatred of the opposition, however - whilst I've never understood such a life-sapping waste of time and energy - is not necessarily (or by default) a bad thing, according to the inside of my head. Generally speaking, though, and I'm sure you'll be the same, I'd really quite like just to concentrate on football - I use it as an escape from all the bullshit, of which there is more than enough to be getting along with in other spheres of life. Have an erotically-charged day, Mr D.
Why not? In the meantime.... please log in to view this image Bingo. I found it in a second-hand bookshop in Macroom today. You owe me ten Euros. (I'm not sure it's fair for you to expect other people to pay for your book recommendations, to be honest.) I've four other books to read first - I need to read things in order or the world will end - but I'll get back to you once I'm done.
I used to hold this erroneous , even "magical" belief, though I have since discovered that by washing my hands perfectly seven times a day and keeping all my pencils properly aligned with the edge of my desk ( with due account taken of size, colour and relative sharpness of said pencils ) I have managed to keep the end of the world at bay ; so feel free to take a self-liberating chance with the order of your books, Ive got the end of the world thing firmly under control
I am sure you'll enjoy it. I really hope you do. I haven't spoken to anyone who hasn't found it really good...... I should clarify that I don't just converse with Republicans! I don't hold grudges because, on reflection, he was probably right. I objected to his rationale. It was a long time ago and I hadn't thought about him in years. I bought a couple of his books after he said that to me, so I suppose I didn't stress over it then. I'll stick ten euro in a charity box if you don't like it. I'll give 10 euro to a Republican charity if you do I had a great book about the flying columns in Cork. Macroom features heavily in it ( I lost the book on a bus) Kilmichael, alongside Macroom was one of the most famous ambushes of the tan war. It is celebrated (if that is the right word) in Tom Barry's book Guerilla Days in Ireland and in a famous song. The reality is that it was bloody murder of men who had surrendered. That was/is I suppose amongst the results of conducting a guerilla war. [video=youtube;pK1jo4HuWWY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK1jo4HuWWY[/video]
C'mon now that's not quite correct.....there would be at least one middle-aged dude in a Stone Island jumper telling that auld **** and the sheep about the days when the ASC rampaged across Europe
Hate when that happens. But oh dear, I’ve only just realised why the The Wolfe Tones are called “The Wolfe Tones”. What an utter galoot. And here was me always thinking “what a lovely, unusual name for a band, I wonder how they came to choose it?” I hang my head in shame. That’s the first song of theirs I’ve ever knowingly heard, however. It’s funny hearing Macroom and Dunmanway mentioned in the song, it may bring them to life in a way that my rather mundane visit to both places yesterday failed to do. I don’t know much about Macroom yet – although I made an offer on a house there a couple of years ago (in the hills behind Macroom, in any event), but the seller got greedy* at the very last minute (after everything appeared done and dusted) and I don’t like avaricious cheating bastards (‘mon the Tans) – but even I’d heard of the incident mentioned in the song. It’s a tricky one, yes? Guerilla warfare lends itself to such moral ambiguities. I generally tend to hold back from a knee-jerk moral denouncement, however, because I can never be certain I wouldn’t have done something similar if faced with an alien presence giving it large in my own neighbourhood with the odds stacked so firmly against me. (Anyone who feels it would be improper for an armed intruder/burglar to enter his home, say – and I think we would all feel this, yes? - should probably stop and reflect before mouthing-off about the native treatment meted out to bitterly unwelcome guests. Our accumulated rage and sense of injustice may lead us to places we never imagined we were capable of going. And this, I feel, is probably always worth bearing in mind.) I’m conflicted, because I’m sure I’ll love the book - oh, you’re a crafty one, for definite – and yet I’m not sure I want you giving my money (and it is my money, Rebel) to terrorists. Jeezo. What a pickle. *He added ten thousand Euros to the asking price right at the very death. No, thank you. Eventually, he came back with the original offer. Still – no, thank you. I finally (after many weeks of a dulling to and fro) forced him to reduce the price by ten thousand Euros – and then told him to get straight to ****. If he’ll waste my time, I’ll waste his. This, I feel, is how a lasting revenge is exacted - and his house was still on the market last time I looked and I’m v. happy in my (crumbling) new home. Those brave Tans didn’t die in vain. No surrender.
