El cormaco draws an interesting comparison between a wealthy secretive organisation built around money and secrecy and the church of Scientology.
A “Fair Game” Policy? I’m going to ask you to bear with me a for aw while here, there may be a point at the end of it. That is not a promise btw!
I carry various obsessions around, one of which is Scientology. Essentially they believe that we are all alien spirits with the power to control Mass Energy Space and Time but have forgotten how we used to do this. Also, our body is covered in billions of other little alien spirits that are responsible for all our illnesses and unhappiness, which we have to remove through “auditing” (expensive counselling sessions) before we can return to be the super beings of before.
Although most Scientologists don’t know that is what their own religion believes, as its kept secret until they have paid enough money to get up this far on “the bridge to total freedom”, where the top level secrets are revealed and you’ve spent too much time and money to go, “say what now?” and walk out the door.
To enemies of the church, basically anyone who criticises them in any way, there is a policy called “Fair Game”. With the full consent of the Church, critics “can be punished and harassed using any and all means possible”.
Any and all means possible means just that, including illegal means. People’s opinions can be derided, they can be framed for crimes, ridiculed as insane etc etc. All for the greater good of course of expanding and protecting the Church. According to the founder of this religion, when faced with any critic, Scientologists should “always find or manufacture enough threat against them to cause them to sue for peace.
Don’t ever defend. Always attack.”
He urged the use of “black propaganda” to “destroy reputation or public belief in persons, companies or nations.”
I m talking about this as I’ m struck by the irony that the football governing body in Scotland, the SFA, and the Press in Scotland, who should be ensuring we have a fair game, seem to be acting more in line with the Scientology policy of Fair Game.
Customers, for that is what we are, are having our intelligence insulted, are being accused of being paranoid, or buying into non existent conspiracy theories when we deride the ability and impartiality of the games’ governing bodies in Scotland and the members of the press who are supposed to shine a light on these institutions. conspiracy theorist. (one and the same to many in power no doubt.
The truth is, I d really rather not believe in conspiracies. It’s really tiring for a start. Think of how much easier life would be if you could take what those in power told you at face value.
Rather than hear “We’re all in it together” and think “yeah right, how much tax are you offsetting offshore? How many of your pals are getting juicy contracts in return for campaign funding?”
Wouldn’t it be marvelous to be able to just believe that?
Growing up in rural Norn Iron as a Catholic, I had heard about how the state there was working to the benefit of one community against the other. And honestly, I never felt it. I cannot say my life has been hindered in any way – my education was good, job opportunities were good.
When Hillsborough happened I initially believed the police’s version of events (to my shame to this day). Why would they be making it up? I thought it was a bit strange as the pictures on TV showed fans helping out, and not acting as a drunken mob, but why would they be making anything up. They’re the police right?
The anti Celtic conspiracy? Again, I m genuinely reluctant to believe in it. Its hard work. Celtic have won so much it doesn’t seem possible.
Then little things emerge like the Jorge Cadete saga, or the Hugh Dallas e mail and you start to wonder a little.
The Offshore game report is damning, An independent body with an unimpeachable reputation have expressed their opinion that former Rangers director and SFA President Campbell Ogilvie was massively conflicted in the period up to and following the liquidation of Rangers FC, that the SFA granted a licence to play in Europe to Rangers whilst being aware it would seem they were contravening the rules, that they withheld key information from a review commission into the payment schemes to players of a member club, and in so doing (wilfully it would seem) misinformed the man they had employed to carry out this review. Yes, basically all the things they were accused of by the paranoid, obsessed conspiracy theorists.
Surely this would bring the walls down? And ……..nothing. Not. A. Word.
The Press? AWOL. SFA communications? MIA.
They are following the Scientology practice of fair game: “Don’t ever defend. Always attack”
They are not coming out to defend their position, as to do so would bring more questions and more scrutiny. Informally they are letting the press, when they do engage, attack the message and the messenger.
“You are paranoid.”
“its too complicated for you to understand”
“Why are you getting worked up over something so irrelevant?”
Anyone trying to get answers from the SFA about the recent Offshore Game Report will be ignored or discredited. Anyone asking why the press doesn’t want to go near what is a huge story about how fit for purpose the SFA are is patted on the head and told, “honestly its not even important enough for us to give any time over to”, if this doesn’t placate them they are “obsessive”, a paranoid Celtic fan or a conspiracy theorist. (one and the same to many in power no doubt.)
They are so adept at switching defence into attack you find yourself almost agreeing with them. “Right enough, what’s the big deal, a guy had a foot in both camps, Rangers got to play in Europe when they maybe shouldn’t have had a license, the LNS didn’t include some info about DoS for some players, in the bigger picture its not so important.”
But it is; it goes to the very heart of a fair game, transparent and equal for all, and the more they “Fair Game” us the more I reluctantly have to conclude there is more to this conspiracy theory than being a paranoid Celtic fan.
Why won’t the press touch it?
Only last week they were trying to create a slur on Celtic by misleading relatives of Hillsborough survivors around safe standing. Yet an actual real thing falls into their lap and….nothing
Not long ago the SFA were baying for blood when Blatter was hanging on to his job by a thread. And now? Fans / customers / whatever are the lifeblood of the game; administrators and journalists only exist because people want to go and watch games and read about what happened afterwards.
If customers of every club bar one are mugged off then why continue to keep them in their jobs by taking part in their version of Fair Game?
I’ve got the same sofa! and yes we’ve always been ‘Fair game’
Thanks man, a good honest piece of writing. Conspiracy? Maybe we give too much credit to old Rangers, the media, the MIBs and so on. But… there is a default in Scotland, to those who have power and influence and for many decades that didn’t include Catholics of Irish descent in Scotland. That default still exists and sometimes it protects people from scrutiny. Our job as fans is to be highly suspicious of just about everything. The Jorge Cadete ‘incident’ and the Hugh Dallas email plus numerous recent ‘honest mistakes’ (lost us the treble last year) mean that we can still hide behind the sofa: not paranoia but suspicion and scepticism. Liverpool fans know what we’ve always known.
The Scientology stuff was fascinating. Didn’t know anything about them.
IS that yoo behind the sofa Devoy or is it your grand wean?
Scientology, a rich persons charity.
That scientology religion ( as all religions in ma opinion ) rubbish gies charities a bad name.
No way am comparing the injustice of the 96 to resolution 12 however the fact remains that it takes strong brave people to ‘out the truth’
HH.
Fair points made with a fair and balanced mind.
Good stuff that deserves an answer of course but please don’t go holding your breath bud.
“If customers or every club bar one are mugged” ….the irony is that the supreme mugging has been the customers of that one ex club. If there had been a scrutinising press, if they had been challenged, then just perhaps they may have survived.
The lack of scrutiny is at the heart of what caused them to fail. It’s an astonishing indictment of MSM that they think they can best serve the team they support by continuing to turn a blind eye, when it led to its downfall, and is likely to lead to similar with its successor.
That’s always been my thought and often cheers me up when the blatant nonsense is published about deidco
The “many in power ” know fine well we’re NOT paranoid , or conspiracy theorists ; they know we’re bang on with our accusations ,are “onto them” if you like.
When PL is finished with his Sun interviews , I assume his next “chat” is going to be with the SFA regarding the Offshore guys report , a copy of which I hope he will have on his person when he visits Hampden for said “chat”.
https://youtu.be/ITy47L15xbs
Good read! As a self-confessed obsessed, paranoid, internet bampot, conspiracy theorist, who believes that Peter Lawwell is an alien from The Sun who forgot how to use the energy of Jock Einstein’s Special Theory of Relatively at , erm, Mass on, erm, Sunday, I totally understand how easy it is for the average Celtic fan to be fooled by the Black Propaganda of those who want us to forget about truth and justice and move on.
However, if there’s anybody out there who doubts the credentials of The Offshore Game or the accuracy of their report, they might want to note that the likes of Andrew Jennings – the bampot and “obsessed” investigative journalist (& subject of a recent Panorama special) who’s dogged 15 year pursuit of FIFA corruption helped bring down Blatter – takes their work seriously.
People like Jennings, and Phil Scraton of the #JFT96 campaign prove that – if you’re determined enough to ignore the “Black Propaganda” and all the pressures to “move on”, the “obsessed” can play a major role in ensuring that truth and justice prevail in the end.
Keep The Faith!
Well said Jungledbhoy. I personally think that the Celtic board are now mostly Freemasons therefor follow the path. Rid the b- starts out. Hh
I am defo a paranoid Celtic supporter,when anything bad happens against my club,i look to put the blame on the ruling bodies.Which is not the way i was born or brought up,i am an optimist by nature,so why do i feel this way?
Well over the years so many bad examples of downright cheating honest mistakes or as has been proven,calculated cheating,has formed my opinions.This has been formed in the minds of others as well as my own,which also adds to that mind set.
Scientology no, but perhaps assisted by Masonic cabals,who cares,there is one possible solution,we all form a Celtic Branch and learn to shake hands in a funny way.
Good idea Mike but all the tims I know shake hands with a welcome. How would I learn to bend my fingers like a Hun at my age. Can hardly move them as its. HH
Phaco, join the rheumatoid arthritic club,with the emphises on the tic bit, all i meant Phaco (guid name btw) was that we all must stand shoulder to shoulder,to fight the Hun hordes.
United together,strength in numbers,we would be far to smart for them.H.H.
WE WEREN’T PARANOID ENOUGH!
On the subject of paranoia – a wee blast from the past (circa 2001) on that theme which might raise the odd manic grin … 🙂
https://carljunglebhoy.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/almost-hail-a-psychiatric-case-study-15732011/
Good post, good comments.
As I read the post I just kept thinking, replace Scientology with Freemasonry and it works. I watched the excellent BBC programme on Hillsborough (on iplayer) last night. Watching that I just kept thinking “How can they get away with this?” And the answer kept coming back to me “Freemasonry”. I am just another ordinary man who wasn’t “Paranoid enough”.
We owe it to ourselves and our children and grandchildren to keep at this until the whole stinking lot is outed and then ousted. Without fear or favour.
PS The ordinary coppers on the programme came across as very decent human beings. I’m not known for my praise of the Police or ‘Judiciary’, but credit where it’s due, and it’s due here.
HH
Vinnie, in all walks of life there is good and bad,i watched the programme when it was first shown on bbc2 i think.The ex policemen were regretful and did what they could,the skill, dedication of the narrator was marvellouse.But the bravery,dedication and the courage shown by the families was inspiring,most you could see were rightly still very, very angry.The Daily Mail ran an article highlighting the part that masonic policemen within the South Yorkshire Police force played in that tragedy and the cicumstances that caused that awful event.The way that they tried to put the blame on a non masonic member of the force and deflect there own blame was terrible.Will they ever learn? no they will not.H.H.
Aye, it’s a real pity that when all you want is a level playing field, you’re asking too much.
Anyway, Mike, hope all’s well in Bonnie Dundee and we see a decent performance tonight.
HH
I have never posted here before, but do read
Everyday
The theory I have to resolve all the hidden
Agendas from the “Scottish media” the SFA
Is a fairly simple one , my feelings are as
Someone famous once said , money is the root
Of all evil.
So stop giving it and something will be done.
STOP buying tickets , all fans
STOP buying merchandise , all fans
STOP Going to matches
STOP Contacting the SFA and media
Banging your head against a brick wall
What will this achieve , people with cash and power
The CEOs , sponsors, shareholders, owners
Will all have to do something , they will have to
Investigate and bring to light everything we all
Know is going on .
How many completely empty Celtic parks would it
Take for DD and PL to get there heads from the clouds
And listen to the the people who make Celtic
What they are , the fans
STOP STOP STOP see what happens
Cheers all
Mike, that is a younger me behind the sofa! My children and grandchildren aren’t the type to hide from anything. If I hide behind the sofa and peer through two fingers, I often fall asleep there, with a half empty cup of tea and a tea cake, dreaming of 10 in a row. Last night’s result was the reason why! What are we like?
I will also be the first to say it: Roy Keane would be a complete disaster for our club. I’ve said before that Tommy Wright, with our players and budget, could be a big success for us. He knows his tactics.