A new blogger on this link http://fspeirs.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/punishment-and-redress/ I reckon he quite clearly sums up the nonsense that some people are coming away with. Punishment and Redress Today has seen another flurry of misguided indignation about “punishment” for Rangers FC, or its supposed successor club. I say misguided, but part of the fun is determining who is really misguided and who is doing the wilful misguiding. Either way, let’s imagine a little scenario. You have a beautiful new iPad (I am jealous). At a train station, you momentarily lay it down on the seat beside you, and before you know it, an opportunistic thief has pinched it. You barely catch a glimpse of him sprinting away, your prized possession tucked under his arm as he vanishes into the crowds. Fortunately, Strathclyde’s finest are on the case. CCTV is analysed, witnesses are interviewed, and within a couple of weeks, a suspect is identified and arrested. Let’s call him “Big Dave”. There, in his living room, is your beloved iPad. So what happens next? Do the police simply return your iPad and that’s the end of it? What sort of message does that send out; that the only consequence of theft is having to return the stolen item if caught? Clearly, redress is not enough. Punishment must follow. But lets imagine the police tell you Big Dave will be punished for his crime, but he can keep your iPad. You are incredulous. The thief keeps the item he broke the law to obtain, and you, the acknowledged victim of a crime, have to let him keep and enjoy your rightful property. This scenario is ludicrous. Punishment alone is not sufficient either; there must be both punishment and redress. Now picture the scene in court: “It’s no fair tae take that iPad away fae oor faim’ly,” pleads Big Dave’s wife, Sally. “Big Dave telt me he goat it legit. Oor boy, Wee Billy, loves that iPad. He disnae know it was stolen. It would break Wee Billy’s heart if ye took that iPad aff him. He might even throw a maddie and hurt someb’dy, but that’s no a threat, right?” Convinced you should let the thief keep your property? Is the judge? Didn’t think so. Seeing he’s on to a loser, Big Dave tries to cut a deal. “Ok, Your Honour. Here’s how it is. I’ll accept a £100 fine and a wee bit of community service if you let me keep the iPad? For Wee Billy’s sake?” Deal or no deal? Step outside the fundamentally corrupt prism of Scottish football and the just outcome of my little scenario is glaringly obvious. Your rightful property is returned to you – no matter how much it upsets Wee Billy – and Big Dave is punished for his crime, which naturally sees his family suffer too. Whose fault is it that Sally and Wee Billy suffer for Big Dave’s crimes? Big Dave, of course. Not the police. Not the judge. And certainly not you, the innocent victim of his crime. Can you find me anyone who credibly denies that Rangers won a string of trophies while breaking the rules of football by fielding players deemed ineligible by the non-disclosure of their full contractual payments? When their guilt is finally officially declared, there must be redress. The official record must be changed. Medals and flags must be reclaimed and distributed to the clubs and players cheated by a side which could only beat them with an artificially strong and illegally registered playing squad. This is justice. This is redress. It is not a punishment, any more than Big Dave being required to return your iPad - shock horror - is a punishment. The punishment must be determined separately. But giving back what you stole is no punishment. One final scenario: Big Dave’s extravagant lifestyle and dodgy behaviour catches up with him, and by the time the case reaches court, Big Dave has sadly passed away and can only be contacted from the other side by a pair of highly skilled mediums called Malcolm and James. Even though a curious character called Charlie from Yorkshire has rolled up calling himself “The Dave”, laying claim to Big Dave’s estate and apparently in there with Sally (if not Wee Billy), the indisputable legal fact is that Big Dave is no more. Can you punish a dead man? Of course not. Does redress for his crimes die with him? Absolutely not. Big Dave may be dead, but his family can’t keep the iPad he stole from you. That’s the bottom line.
I should've mentioned that the blogger hasn't taken into account the fact that all of Big Dave's neighbours are dependent on his continued presence. His family is particularly large and the housing benefit that they bring is spent within the tower block (on heroin mainly tbf). Without Big Dave, the tower would die a slow painful death.
Cossy, is this YOUR blog? 15 comments in a couple of hours after the first post seems awfy convenient. Tell me the comments aren't from your good self using aliases?
Nah, got it from Twitter. Anyway, I've been on this board for a couple of years and after reading that, anyone would be able to tell you that wasn't my work
It has now been explained in a way that even the dimmest of Sevco's plodders should clearly understand. Clearly its non league for them for three years. I fthey have their 3 year accounts by then SFL3 can consider their application.
It's total bollocks. There is no ****ing way on this planet that the polis would catch someone for that. Useless ill-educated ****s.
Has anyone seen the Hibs Supporter's Club statement? <bangon> The RST are beeling about this. http://hibsclub.co.uk/2012/07/08/statement-on-rangers-scottish-football/
"The proposals that are currently being discussed destroy the prospect of a strong Scottish game and are aimed solely at rebuilding a strong Rangers" Utter crap. The proposals are aimed solely at saving the collective arses of a number of other clubs. This constant baying for blood is like a pack of savages who have killed a large beast, skinned it, eaten its flesh, and used its bones to make tools and weapons. But something makes them go back every day almost hoping it shows some sign of life so they can go through the whole process agiain. Then the celebrations can go on again and again. It really is short-sighted at best and utterly pathetic.
That's what all newco fans would have us think, yes, but it's not. That Hibs statement is spot on. I'm disappointed Celtic haven't come out and said something similar.
