Of course the need for food banks is a disgrace. Of course it’s political. Wheeler’s solution, as described in his blog on the QPR club website, is a more equitable distribution of wealth, which is called socialism, when I last looked a political ideology. Because Lee Hoos is in a photo with him I can now assume that I support an explicitly socialist football club. Brilliant, that’s fine with me, though it might alienate some of our supporters. Alternatively the club has inadvertently and naively given a young man who is fairly articulate and who has strong, well meaning views, a platform to share those views, without distancing itself from personal opinions. What was meant to be ‘QPR supports our local food banks’ full stop, has turned into something different. That fact that we are debating it shows it is divisive. Supporting food banks fine, calling for redistribution of wealth, personal and explicitly political. All it took was a dislcaimer on his blog site. Usual level of competence restored.
I know, but it’s very boring having two weeks without a game, and I am intrigued by Beth’s assertion that it’s not political. I’m down for the Villa game tomorrow and will doubtless have lots of strong and unpopular opinions to share about that too.
The fact that people are 'debating it' is disappointing. 120,000 people have died due to the austerity policies of this government - the fact that someone has the balls to stand up and use his platform to speak out about it should be applauded, not debated.
Way to go to miss the point. Post the link to your employer’s website where you speak out on similar lines.
People are actually dying - the club evidently supports this or it wouldn't be on there - way to go Rangers!
OK let me put this another way, as obviously I’m not being clear enough. This is about the club allowing a player to share his political views on an official club platform, regardless of what those views are. In his non QPR blog Wheeler intimates that several of his team mates do not share his political views. So if in, say, Mackie on Monday, Jamie says ‘I am happy for QPR to be supporting food banks, but for the life of me I don’t see why they are needed in these times of near full employment, plentiful job opportunities, a generous minimum wage and a welfare system designed to support people in work. Perhaps if we had less immigrants there would be less need for food banks’ would you be equally chuffed that someone had the balls to speak his mind? (I should stress that I have no knowledge of, or particular interest in, Jamie Mackie’s political views, this is to make a point only). Just because you happen to agree with Wheelers viewpoint (as do I, broadly) doesn’t mean that the club website is the place for it to be shared. Unless the club specifically and explicitly supports the same thing, in this case more equitable distribution of wealth in society - which is rather different to supporting the local food bank. As far as I can see the QPR in the Community work is an excellent initiative which has the happy side effect of building us equity with the local council, equity which might come in handy when it comes to planning permissions etc. It is not the vanguard of a new society. And yes Ossie I realise this is completely unimportant but there’s **** all else going and I need a distraction from work.
Yes... and my take is that they do - it's implicit by the fact that it's on the official. Refreshing to see any organisation prepared to support their local community and by implication be in opposition to the reasons those inequalities exist. I just don't think the club are unaware of DWs politics or what any public support of him would suggest. I should be working too... but it's Friday and I just can't be arsed.
Okay I know I am very naive which on this topic borders on stupidity....but to me supporting foodbanks is not a political issue it is a social issue. Should I donate food to a family that cannot afford it.... Is that political or social. ....to me it is social Should the wealth in our society be more equally dispersed, each to their needs ... that too to me is social not political. Thank you QPR for agreeing with these basic tenets of life The means in which the country is governed to achieve these aims is political...and as far as I have read, Wheeler has not said (it may be implied) but he has not said how that should be carried out. It is no different to me writing on the website..."I think that QPR should win the league, we should buy a 20 goal striker and I should have my name on my seat". These are things I certainly would like...It is upto the people running the club to sort them out...that is the political bit (BTW, thank you Lee...I like having my name on my seat)
I doubt that the Club are providing their platform "regardless of what those opinions are". Someone is probably oking it all before it is posted. I remember Lee Hoos saying he wanted the Club to have its own Web site so the Club could have complete control of what was on it, which apparently was not the case with the previous shared FL one we had before this season.
Fine if you want to play with "fluffy kittens", but I don't think this is the place to be telling everyone.
