The Immortality Project

The Immortality Project – or – Death and Denial – Guest Post by Humble Pie

Death has a tendency to put everything else into perspective.

My family recently suffered a bereavement. It wasn’t a sudden death but it was still far too quick and far too soon for any of us to get our heads around. As our loved one’s illness progressed, each of us, in our own way, began to prepare for the inevitable. In the end, whilst it was not unexpected, it was nevertheless very traumatic, for everyone concerned.

Grief is a strange and often debilitating set of emotions. Even now, a few months on, when the intense sadness and tears have given way (mostly) to disbelief, we still find it hard to fully comprehend what has happened. We might never completely ‘come to terms’ with that fact, however, we do accept that it DID happen, much as we all wish that it hadn’t.

Many of you will be familiar with the Kubler-Ross model of the five stages of grief; Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Well, I am aware of having experienced each of these stages over the last year, as well as a couple of others which I wasn’t prepared for (a lot of personal reflection, a little guilt and a not insignificant amount of pain).

It seems to me that the Rangers supporters have been purposefully ensnared in an interminable cycle of the first two stages of KR; alternating between the denial of the death of Rangers and anger at what they feel has been done to their beloved club then back again to denial. This, as any first year psychology student will tell you, is a very unhealthy state of mind which, if not addressed, can quickly lead to physiological and behavioural problems.

At its lowest level, for example, people throughout the ages have continued to set places at the dinner table for their long-dead loved ones. They know in their hearts that the person has died but are comforted by the familiarity of doing the same things that they have always done. However, in extreme cases people have even kept and maintained the actual cadavers of the deceased, dressed them, talked to them and watched TV with them, in a state of absolute denial.

In archaeology, accepting and recognising the inevitability of death through conducting ceremonial burial services is considered to be one of the very first signs of a civilised people. You see, grief is a uniquely human and cathartic process i.e. it can produce ‘a feeling of being cleansed emotionally, spiritually, or psychologically as a result of an intense emotional experience’.

In short, grief is ultimately a good thing which leads you through a series of natural psychological steps towards acknowledgement of an unalterable situation, allowing you to take stock, re-evaluate and start to move on with your own life in a positive way.

That is what should have happened with the fans of the old Rangers.

Instead, this ‘never-ending cycle of the undead’ was positively encouraged by those many unscrupulous individuals who saw a way of making a fast buck from maintaining the ‘Then, Now and Forever’ illusion. Worse still, this resurrection fantasy is being facilitated by the very people whom we have entrusted to stop this kind of thing from happening in the first place. If only the SFA or the MSM had told them the truth, they might have had a chance to actually face up to the situation.

Unfortunately, these two bodies were so complicit in Rangers demise, so right up to their necks in the brown smelly stuff, that they were too afraid to face the inevitable anger which would have rightly come their way. So, they made up grim fairy tales to feed to the bereaved souls about non-existent ‘holding companies’, the ethereal ‘club’ which transcends death and by suggesting that it is ‘all a matter of opinion’.

Ernest Becker, in his 1973 Pulitzer Prize winning book ‘The Denial of Death’, posits that “human civilization is no more than an elaborate, symbolic defence mechanism against the knowledge of our own mortality”. This fear of death acts as an emotional and intellectual response to our basic survival instincts.

‘By embarking on what Becker refers to as an ‘immortality project’, in which a person creates or becomes part of something which they feel will last forever, the person feels they too have become part of something eternal; something that will never die, compared to their physical body that will die one day’. When this ‘immortality project’ is threatened it leads inevitably to fear, depression, loss of identity and sense of purpose.

In that case, the initial reaction of the fans to the imminent demise of Rangers was entirely predictable and understandable. “No way, this can’t happen to us, we are the people”. However, as soon as the full realisation of their club’s inexorable slide into liquidation began to sink in, came the expected anger. But towards whom should their righteous wrath be directed?

“Who did this to us, who are these people?” they cried. “Not I”, said Sir Murray of the Mint, “for I was duped”, “Nor I”, said President Ogilvie, “for it was never my role”. “Nor I”, said Mr Smith, “for I never knew nothing or nothing”. “Not us”, squealed the media monkeys in unison, “for that’s what we were told”, “Nor us”, said the SPL “it was nothing to do with us”.

“Who then?, we demand to know who these people are”, howled the horrified hordes. “T’was the Whyte knight”, they all concurred, “he alone caused this calamity”. “And the bampots”, sneered the slimy slug. “And the taxman”, puffed the pundits. “And the unseen hand of Mr Lawwell”, whispered the bilious bears from the safety of their den.

There were even those who tried to warn them, not least Hugh Adam, Phil Mac and RTC but they didn’t want to know. Even when their very own Messrs Green and Traynor spelt out, in no uncertain terms, that liquidation meant the death of their club, still they chose wilful ignorance. The MSM, with access to the same information, encouraged them to keep their heads firmly ensconced, ostrich stylee, on the banks of that ironically blue and white river in Egypt. Which just goes to show ‘you can lead a lamb to knowledge but you can’t make it think’

The point though is that the Rangers fans have heard the truth and once you have heard something you cannot unhear it. Even if you reject it, even if you deny it, it gnaws away at the back of your mind, infecting your subconscious.

Almost a year ago, I posted the following on TSFM. http://theinternetbampot.wordpress.com/2012/09/ in which I postulated that the SFA were too frightened to say anything which might imply that The Rangers were a new club.

Looking back at that post, I am amazed at how little the landscape has changed.

A year on and it has become apparent that the corporate cancer that destroyed Rangers has continued to metastasize in its new host. Charlotte’s revelations may have shown us that the rabbit hole goes much deeper than we first suspected. However, in my humble opinion, the information provided has only succeeded in ‘poisoning the well’ and deflecting attention from the main culprits in this disaster. Layer upon layer of complexity has been added to an already opaque story and the majority of her utterances appear designed to engage the more enquiring minds on this forum and consume their excess mental energy.

I know that some people are bored with this ‘debate’ but, to my mind, the single most important step for the redemption of Scottish football is the fan’s acceptance that The Rangers, who currently ply their trade in the SPFL First Division, are a new club. Once they have accepted that then everything else that they perceive has happened to them will begin to make sense. They will see that rather than everyone having a fly kick at them when they were down, most were actually trying to help them. It will also dawn on them that the very people who have been telling them that there is an anti-Rangers conspiracy against them are actually the same ones who are screwing them over.

Rangers were not relegated to div 3, The Rangers applied as a new club and were granted entry into the bottom tier of Scottish football. They are not banned from European competition, merely ineligible as a new club without the requisite financial ‘history’. Any reference to ‘rulings’ from ECA, ASA, the BBC Trust and any internal or so-called ‘independent’ enquiries are completely irrelevant, as none of these bodies are the final arbiter in this case. Scots Law is clear that there is no distinction between club and company after incorporation, when the company dies the club dies with it. That is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of fact.

Sooner or later The Rangers fans are going to realise this fact and when they do, there will be hell to pay. Until they do, their new club can never become truly cleansed. Only then can they move on and only then can they join together with fans of other clubs to root out the real cancer at the heart of Scottish football.  That’s why the MSM and the SFA are still petrified to say anything. In the meantime the real creators of this disaster are sneakily positioning themselves further and further away from the scene of the crime.

I am sure the majority of us would happily accept a new Rangers, cleansed of its financial, emotional and supremacist baggage. A club that all decent Rangers fans could support without feeling any guilt about Rangers downfall or that they were being taken for mugs. The prospect of a new dawn in Scottish football, where sporting integrity took primacy and clubs lived within their means was very real. However, as usual the SFA couldn’t miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

The truth is that Scottish football is in the state it is in, not because Rangers died but because those with the power and mandate to effect the prognosis sat back and did nothing. I am sure that they believe that ‘time heals all wounds’ and that the longer this injustice is allowed to stand the more likely it will be accepted by the man in the street. No doubt the authorities feel it is in the national interest to ‘let sleeping dogs lie’. However I cannot accept this. I believe that it is vital that we are able to face up to reality so we can move on for the benefit of all football supporters.

Scottish football is at a crossroads right now, I think we all feel it. Rampant corruption has become so mainstream that many of our fellow supporters have began to accept this as the norm. However, it just doesn’t sit right with me and I suspect that many regular contributors and readers of this blog feel likewise.

We have quite lost our way and we live in a society which spends vast amounts of money paying people like Jack Irvine to ensure that we stay lost. The mainstream media treat us like little imbeciles and demand that we conform to their assumed ‘professional superiority’. The PR machine plays up to our stereotypes and feeds our fantasies while the poorest people pay to swallow their poisonous propaganda and relentless trivia.

So what can we do ? Clearly, battering out a few blog posts and strongly worded letters to the various authorities involved has been rewarded by the square root of FA.

How can we make this an opportunity for growth rather than contributing to the destruction of Scottish football ? It is not good enough to tear down a system unless we have a better system to replace it. However, I believe that it is not the system itself which is broken. It is that those charged with administering the system are hopelessly corrupted, hugely conflicted and unable to apply their rules without fear or favour.

By their incapacity and inaction (wilful or otherwise) the SFA have facilitated a motley crew of various spivs, chancers and con-artists to glean the last few meagre pickings from the bones of the emaciated loyal supporters of this new club purporting to be the once mighty Rangers. They have permitted these ne’er-do-wells to collectively appropriate many tens of millions of pounds from the Rangers fans, the creditors and the public purse. They have already allowed this corporate malignancy to spread to a new host, ‘The Rangers’, and the absence of ‘moral hazard’ makes it more likely that the disease will continue to spread.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “‘Nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

Someone else once said, “The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it’s just sort of a tired feeling.”

I sense that we are all beginning to get tired of this. It is time to stand together, all football fans, face the facts and direct our anger against the officers of the SFA who have allowed this sham to develop into a catastrophe.

I have no doubt that my humble opinions expressed here will raise the ire of many deluded souls. However, I am comfortable in the knowledge that the only people who get mad at you for speaking the truth are those that are living a lie.

RIP Big Man.

 

3,959 thoughts on “The Immortality Project


  1. 400 complaints for them to hang Jim Spence out to dry, perhaps 4,000 of us should complain about this decision and their lack of transparency in reporting facts. Disgraceful a public body pandering to the vocal minority on something so obviously factually correct and enshrined in the laws of the land, never mind an appalling way to treat any staff member in any employment. The lack of support from bbc management in the face of the vocal minority is disgusting.


  2. Everyone who reads this site and irrespective of what team they support and whether they believe Rangers has died or not should email the BBC to defend the right of free speech and expression of journalists.

    Where will this end if a principled stand isn’t taken?


  3. ‘John’ Spence ‏@JohnMcLean_HS67 35m
    . @HMRCgovuk Given recent phoenixing of a football ‘club/company’ in Scotland. Any chance I can ‘Restart’ debt FREE with the same name etc?

    ‘John’ Spence ‏@JohnMcLean_HS67 3m
    Dear @HMRCgovuk I’m struggling to see how this has actually been implemented? Is it only applicable in England?
    http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/dmbmanual/DMBM522700.htm


  4. Ffs how much power has a DEAD club got?
    Liquidation is what it is. Deid is deid we All know they as a club are a new club. Only in this shit hole of a country we should all feel ashamed that we let our country become what it is to save this fabric of society club. Paranoid I repeat paranoid. We were all not paranoid enough.


  5. Jim Spence, Stewart Cosgrove , Tam Cowan and Turnbull Hutton have all enhanced their reputations during the last 2 years. Their view, as I interpret it, is that Rangers have damaged Scottish Football, and have damaged the integrity of the competions . They also understand Rangers have damaged/ destroyed themselves and that isn’t the fault of the supporter, in fact there is a measure of sympathy for the ordinary supporter.

    There are others such as Tom English,and to a lesser extent Graeme Spiers who have been criticical, after initially being non forensic about such as Whyte and Green.

    New converts to the Rangers are a joke viewpoint, such as Keith Jackson, seem more concerned with the damage Rangers do to themselves than the harm done to Scottish Football as a whole. They certainly steer well clear of the damage done during the cheating, tax evasion and deception of the David Murray years

    The BBC hasn’t traditionally lacked courage. They , like everyone make errors of judgement. Employing Traynor and allowing him to use a high profile BBC programme as a platform to promote Rangers , and attack anyone with a counter view, was such an error.

    I doubt the BBC lack the fortitude to stand up to Rangers, especially to the bully boy tactics employed by Traynor and Media House. If they are not being supportive of Jim Spence, then i hope its nothing more than another error of judgement.

    If you work for the BBC , then you must be aware that the public NEED an independent BBC . We can’t trust politicians for large measure, commercial media are more influenced by audience and advertisers than is healthy at Editorial and Ownership level.

    Without Fear or Favour . Thats what we need from the BBC now, and thats why they hold a unique and cherished place in World Broadcasting. Their reputation is much more important than the sensitivities of a Rangers blogger or a PR organisation

    On other matters.

    Remember Rafat Rizvi

    Rizvi is so famous he even has his own page on Interpol

    http://www.interpol.int/Wanted-Persons/(wanted_id)/2009-17465

    Now Remember Orlit . The guys who issued a winding up order, and who were paid by Charles Green. The payment not subject to any written contract.

    As an aside how much of the Aim flotation has been spent with business’ who held no written contract with Rangers

    Anyway as disclosed previously and as written about by Paul McConville on his excellent blog, Orlit had as a director one Chan Fook Meng, who was also Chairman of Nova Enterprises prior to Charles Green

    The link below connects Mr Chan to Rizvi

    http://offshoreleaks.icij.org/nodes/172905

    As a further aside , if the excellent contributors on here aren’t aware of the offshore leaks site, then i imagine its fill your boots time

    What we also know is Brian Stockbridge had a previous business connection with Mr Chan , who is the protector of Mr Rizvi’s trust in the Cook Islands.

    Is it too much to speculate that Rafat Rizvi is the real controller at Ibrox ? Doing so through a serious of place men and managed on his behalf by legal intermediaries

    Thats a thought . Rangers controlled in some measure by an International criminal featured of Interpols most wanted list.

    Surely not !


  6. So let me get this straight, and with apologies to Richard Gordon who is a thoroughly decent bloke, but the only show now worth listening to which is football related on BBC Scotland, is Off the Ball? The show which is supposed to be a bit of a joke and not at all serious? The only show where truth still exists in any meaningful form?

    Now that’s funny!


  7. The time has now come for the SFA to come out with the truth as to why they are staying quiet about the goings on at Newco.
    Lives have been threatened, (Eric Drysdale Raith director) they theatened to burn down Starks Park,and now a mans job is at risk. Come on SFA,come clean and sort this mess out.


  8. JLeeHooker says:
    September 10, 2013 at 3:23 pm
    =======
    great letter from you J Lee, and a terrible response from the BBC Trust, who are putting the mob before truth and justice. Utter disgrace. Same goes for BBC Scotland. Corrupt propaganda all around (I can’t believe it is just rank stupidity). It makes me sick.

    Kudos to Jim Spence for having the dignity to walk when treated like this. If only certain brassnecks at the SFA and SPFL had even a shred of such dignity, they would have been long gone by now.


  9. The BBC should be ashamed of itself. To refuse to support a journalist who has done nothing more than speak the truth,something which, one would assume,is the Corporation’s raison det’re is inexcusable.
    Ever since this whole debacle began,truth has been distorted,stifled and ultimately proscribed.It is indeed a sad day for democracy.


  10. andypandimonium says:
    September 10, 2013 at 4:03 pm

    … the only show now worth listening to which is football related on BBC Scotland, is Off the Ball? The show which is supposed to be a bit of a joke and not at all serious? The only show where truth still exists in any meaningful form?

    Now that’s NOT funny!

    =====================

    fixed that for you 👿


  11. Barcabhoy says:
    September 10, 2013 at 3:56 pm
    ” Their reputation is much more important than the sensitivities of a Rangers blogger or a PR organisation.”
    —-
    With Chris Patten being more or less called a liar by the seven or so BBC high heid yins all desperately trying to avoid the blame for the unauthorised big bucks paid ( and lied about to the PAC!) to senior staff, one might feel entitled to ask ‘What reputation?’.

    The days of BBC ‘impartiality’ are long gone, and one has the impression now that their senior execs are of the same kind of stamp as the CGs and CWs of the world, except that their glib utterances are spoken with better class accents.

    Here in Scotland, on BBC radio,Peter Thomson was allowed to get away with his well known anti-Catholic attitude.

    There is very little new under the sun!


  12. Just wrote formal complaint to BBC and stated that Jim Spence will soon be joined by thousands of others in seeking “voluntary redundancy” from the BBC.

    Scotland needs a television platform it can trust.


  13. We all saw Mark Daly as a fearless BBC investigative journalist. He researched and created an expose (in the mainstream media) that was both brave and accurate. He brought to the people of Scotland an example of just how those ‘well respected’ businessmen of Scotland are prepared to cheat the Treasury, and ultimately the people of the whole of Britain, to feather their own nest – or in this case, try to recoup monies lost by their own greed, incompetence and egotism.

    We were all gutted when he decided to lay down the sword, just as the spivery became more obvious with greater stories to be told. No reason was given, but many suspected a fear of repercussions from the worst of a bad bunch of Neanderthals. It would appear, from the cowardly reaction of the BBC to the ludicrous witch hunt by childish, but known to be dangerous, ‘Rangers supporters’ against Jim Spence, that it was those higher up the food chain who chickened out and decided not to do what they are in place to do.

    For many years my belief in the BBC’s integrity and dedication to finding and reporting on the truth has waned. It is now irredeemably gone. The terrorising of people seen as ‘enemies’ of Rangers has worked. Was it all part of the plan?


  14. smartie1947 says:
    September 10, 2013 at 4:45 pm
    ‘…Jim Spence will soon be joined by thousands of others in seeking “voluntary redundancy” from the BBC.’
    —-
    Wish i had said that! 😀


  15. Re: Jim Spence.
    =============
    OK, we don’t know all the details, but it would seem reasonable to assume that it is more than just a coincidence that Jim Spence has reportedly asked for voluntary redundancy at this time. He could have had other reasons too, and perhaps the TRFC reaction was the final straw ?

    Regardless, the perception is that he is looking to leave the BBC – not because of the vitriol and complaints to the BBC – but because the BBC appears to have failed to support their journalist for stating the truth.

    This doesn’t look good for the BBC – and their staff should be concerned.
    Will a BBC journalist choose to shy away from a story in future because they doubt whether they will get support from the BBC if it is a controversial – but true story ?
    If the BBC fails to support a journalist over ‘just’ a football related story, then why should a BBC journalist expect support for a real, controversial public interest investigation ?

    At the very least the BBC should issue some clarification if Spence does in fact leave.


  16. This week, a certain BBC “Human Resources” person was openly called a liar while up in front of a parliamentary committee. Apparently the BBC newsroom all stood up and applauded enthusiastically at this. Given my own experiences of HR Depts I can understand that.
    Humanity is the last thing on their minds and their resourcefulness is measured mostly in terms of cost savings.
    Mr Spence can forget about any organisational support.
    On the other hand, there are two things that can make change happen. One is the support of his colleagues and the other is the support of us. The customer.
    Any Ideas?


  17. What chance that Jim Spence walking is a cool calculated decision.

    As previously mentioned he takes the BBC to an Employment Tribunal on a Constructive Dismissal case due to him being unable to continue as he was being villified for speaking the truth.

    All the dirty washing gets aired to establish the facts and we then see the tribunal coming to the decision that he was successful in his claim meaning that what he said was the truth.

    Could this be his vehicle to have the truth exposed?


  18. I was about to make a complaint to the BBC regarding Spencegate when I realised I was short of details re the programme on which his ‘offending’ words were uttered. To ensure I, and perhaps others, can give accurate details of the programme, can someone post the following:
    Name of programme: Sportsound?
    Date and time of programme?
    No point in not getting these details accurate as it will give their excuse makers an excuse for their excuse, if you know what I mean!


  19. spartacusthethird says:

    September 10, 2013 at 5:07 pm

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    What chance that Jim Spence walking is a cool calculated decision.

    As previously mentioned he takes the BBC to an Employment Tribunal on a Constructive Dismissal case due to him being unable to continue as he was being villified for speaking the truth.

    All the dirty washing gets aired to establish the facts and we then see the tribunal coming to the decision that he was successful in his claim meaning that what he said was the truth.

    Could this be his vehicle to have the truth exposed?

    £££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

    Nice try Spartacus, but if we can’t get Court of Session judges, MSPs and FTTT panellists to see the obvious, I hold out little hope for an Employment Tribunal.


  20. spartacusthethird says:
    September 10, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    What chance that Jim Spence walking is a cool calculated decision.

    As previously mentioned he takes the BBC to an Employment Tribunal on a Constructive Dismissal case due to him being unable to continue as he was being villified for speaking the truth.

    All the dirty washing gets aired to establish the facts and we then see the tribunal coming to the decision that he was successful in his claim meaning that what he said was the truth.

    Could this be his vehicle to have the truth exposed?
    =========================================
    If I was Jim Spence, it would be a cool, calculated decision on my part which guaranteed a decent redundancy payoff – with a bit extra negotiated for a gagging clause from the BBC.

    IMO, I wouldn’t think it would get anywhere near a Tribunal – and why would Spence want even more grief from the TRFC fans ?

    His departure alone would say everything about the BBC – and TRFC.


  21. Well, Ive done my bit and submitted the following to the BBC complaints department::

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    I’m writing to complain about the lack of support for the sports journalist Jim Spence by the corporation. Jim commited the apparently heinous crime of calling Rangers FC a new club, resulting in a number of complaints and threats (some legal, some not) from Rangers and their fans, and has been pretty much abandoned by the BBC to his fate because of this. Just to give some context – what Jim said is factually accurate according to Scots corporate law and even the SFA charter – there can be no dispute over this. Since Rangers were an incorporated entity, the club and company were the same thing. They were never ‘de-corporated’ (for want of a better phrase), therefore when the company was put into liquidation, the club suffered the same fate. Please note that this isn’t some form of emotional statement with nebulus parameters – it’s there in black and white, enshrined within the law.

    Because this doesn’t suit a number of vested interests, they have descended upon Jim, and rather than the BBC coming out and supporting a journalist for stating what is factually accurate and truthful, they’ve metaphorically hung him out to dry. I wonder how this sits with the corporations commitment to integrity and accuracy? They’ve allowed themselves to be bullied into repeating a lie as truth. This is an utter disgrace.
    ————————————————————————————————————————————–

    I doubt anything will come of it, and unfortunately I can’t see Jim’s expected departure as being seen as saying anything about the BBC and TRFC – beyond it being required due to his ‘lying’.


  22. Bangordub says:
    September 10, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    Mr Spence can forget about any organisational support.
    On the other hand, there are two things that can make change happen. One is the support of his colleagues and the other is the support of us. The customer.
    Any Ideas?

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Maybe we can ask him to write the next blog entry, or take part in one of the soon-to-be regular podcasts?


  23. Allyjambo says:
    September 10, 2013 at 5:24 pm

    I just skipped those details in mine, as my complaint was over the lack of support for Jim since the programme, rather than the programme itself.


  24. 54. scottc says:
    September 10, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    I’d imagine it would be used as an extra stick to beat him with if he did.

    My hope is that if he does resign, then he does it with a flourish, explaining exactly why he went and that the BBC have allowed censorship of opinion. However, what also concerns me is how would he actually get that statement out? I doubt the BBC would allow him a guest spot on Sportsound to air those views.

    Normally you could rely on the Sun to give print space to anyone having a go at the BBC, but then, if it’s the sticky subject of Rangers that’s the catalyst, and it’s not a good news story for them, you can bet your life it wouldn’t see the light of day there.

    Sadly, I think the best bet these days would be in Spiers column in the Herald, and even then you can bet it would be watered down to be almost unrecognisable from it’s original form.


  25. Shooperb says:

    September 10, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    Thought about doing that but wanted to avoid any easy excuses for the excuse makers. It looks to me that the ‘complaint’ goes to a general BBC complaints department (though I’ve not got all that far yet), and if it does, they probably won’t have a clue about the content of the programme so I thought it best to put in everything they ask for. That said, it’s probably best we all go about it in a different way to avoid looking like it’s a concerted effort. I hope many people make the effort to complain.


  26. We need to do something about Jim Spence – whatever his personal decision re leaving etc should we not publicly support him through this? Sends a message to civil society that truth will out and lies and oppression of truth will be robustly challenged.

    Disgusted that the public broadcaster is as spineless as this…we’re putting Pravda to shame with collusion with the suppression of truth. The Stalinist School of Falsification Mk II

    Anyone feel the same? What are we going to do?

    Fechin’ beelin’ ….. 😡


  27. A lot of talk on Twitter just now that BBC have made a U turn and will now back Jim Spence.


  28. While, from his record, I have no reason to believe Phil Mac isn’t speaking the truth and we know that Jim Spence tweeted about doing a Norma Tebbit, unless I have missed something it would be good to hear from the man himself about what his position is and what reasons he may have for leaving the BBC. Otherwise we may find that the accusation of ‘mock outrage’ could be aimed at us.

    Just being cautious as usual. 🙂


  29. Sir Lady Haggerty ‏@AngelaHaggerty 7m
    Big u-turn from BBC Scotland after meeting this avo – BBC will back Jim Spence and fight the BBC Trust http://po.st/ZUn24H Great news!
    =====


  30. I put a ‘Comment’ rather than a complaint to the BBC, as we don’t fully know the situation. However, good to see the tweet reported above: hope it’s true!


  31. borussiabeefburg says:

    September 10, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    Will hold back my complaint/comment as it was going to be about their handling of the situation rather than the programme itself. Like everyone else, I will watch with interest 🙂


  32. @wottpi Your faith in me is not misplaced and the redundancy convo was,indeed, had this morning between the man himself and a senior member of the BBC.


  33. wottpi says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    it would be good to hear from the man himself about what his position is and what reasons he may have for leaving the BBC. Otherwise we may find that the accusation of ‘mock outrage’ could be aimed at us.
    ——————————————————————————————————————–
    You are totally correct in being cautious but so too is Spence who cannot voice any opinion of his employer in a public forum whether he was facing this current problem or not and especially not at this time.

    In that sense he isn’t allowed ‘free speech’ because of his employment contract and if he brings his employer into disrepute then he will hand them a ‘gift’ of being able to sack him for misconduct and get rid of a little ‘problem’ they have.


  34. Allyjambo says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:17 pm
    borussiabeefburg says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    Will hold back my complaint/comment as it was going to be about their handling of the situation rather than the programme itself. Like everyone else, I will watch with interest
    ==============================================================
    I made a complaint on the grounds that they have had enough time to publicly support both their employee and the right to free speech and expression. This isn’t a time to do nothing or just comment. A guy’s job is on the line and so is free speech.

    If this isn’t stopped what will their next target be – individual posters? We all have to be Spartacus here or we’ll be picked off one by one. It really is that simple.


  35. I’ve just had a read at the comments section in the Herald under the Rangers ‘apology’ article. Apart from two clearly differing views, it is the rationale behind both views which intrigued me. Many contributors to the ‘new club’ write from a perspective where they have knowledge of Scots law and insolvency practices and make a compelling argument. The ‘same club’ view on the other hand appears to be nothing other than a enraged rabble shouting from the pavement with no real knowledge of the law or insolvency practices.


  36. I too felt it important to politely let BBC know that their lack of support was not appropriate in this situation, where the principle of free speech is being ‘shouted down’.


  37. Heartened by the tweet above re possible about turn by BBC Scotland on Jim Spence situation. Given such a turn of events, I for one would hope, nay expect, that they make a comprehensive and irreversible job of it.
    Incontrovertible explanation of the death of the original CLUB AND COMPANY with the liquidation event and a simple rider that a new CLUB AND COMPANIES was accepted for associate membership of Division 3 of the SFL as was.( All spokespersons /pundits/ officials to be briefed accordingly that this is the BBC red line on this matter with a threat of dismissal for any who choose to disagree).
    Such a statement to be released on all websites and press released to all other media outlets in the country at the earliest opportunity.


  38. borussiabeefburg says:

    September 10, 2013 at 6:12 pm
    =====================
    You asked a question yesterday,”who said that”.
    would you mind telling us the bloody answer.


  39. JLeeHooker says:
    September 10, 2013 at 3:53 pm
    10 0 Rate This

    Another place to go if you wish to register your dissatisfaction:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/complain-online
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

    Thanks JLeeHooker

    I’ve submitted my complaint to the BBC Online service…

    Dear BBC Complaints
    Jim Spence stated on air that some would consider Rangers to be a new Football Club. This stance has been attacked by people who support the view that Rangers remain the same club and that Spence has no right to say what he said. The BBC has, subsequently, apologised for any offence that Spence’s words may have caused.

    I consider this to be a shabby, disingenuous response, from the BBC, which fails to support and uphold Spence’s right to say what he said (irrespective of whether he is right or wrong).
    I consider the BBC position to be inconsistent with the values of fair, decent and impartial reporting that it purports to stand for and is, supposedly, enshrined in it’s Charter.

    The lack of public support for Jim Spence, from the BBC, is sickening and defers to the mob mentality that attacks any utterance that is perceived to be anti-Rangers. British society demands a BBC with the integrity and fortitude to stand up for the rights of their reporters and to face-down the baying bullies.

    Kind regards etc


  40. Jim Spence @ bbcjimspence 12m
    The media and blog and zine movement. Your support has been hugely appreciated.


  41. Tic 6709 says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:44 pm
    borussiabeefburg says:

    =====================
    You asked a question yesterday,”who said that”.
    would you mind telling us the bloody answer.
    +++++

    Sorry, nowoldandgrumpy answered at 9:00 pm, by asking:

    That would be the same person who said this:

    “Without Rangers, there is social unrest and a big problem for Scottish society,”

    ::::::::::::
    It was that poor guy Stewart Regan, who sadly lost all his communicative abilities shortly afterwards. Our thoughts are still with him.


  42. Tic 6709 says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:09 pm
    17 0 Rate This

    Sir Lady Haggerty ‏@AngelaHaggerty 7m
    Big u-turn from BBC Scotland after meeting this avo – BBC will back Jim Spence and fight the BBC Trust http://po.st/ZUn24H Great news!

    ———————————————-

    Excellent. Here’s to free speech and an unshackled media! And I think the first two comments in support of Jim Spence after the Drum article linked to above deserve some thumbs up in support as they are currently being voted down..not that thumbs up are everything of course.


  43. Blimey! Must have been my complaint that tipped the balance! 😀

    And by that, I mean that they must have thought ‘ Well, if someone who clearly battles with his punctuation and spelling as much as that can make the effort, then it must be worth pursuing!’


  44. borussiabeefburg says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:58 pm
    Tic 6709 says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:44 pm
    borussiabeefburg says:

    =====================
    You asked a question yesterday,”who said that”.
    would you mind telling us the bloody answer.
    +++++

    Sorry, nowoldandgrumpy answered at 9:00 pm, by asking:

    That would be the same person who said this:

    “Without Rangers, there is social unrest and a big problem for Scottish society,”

    ::::::::::::
    It was that poor guy Stewart Regan, who sadly lost all his communicative abilities shortly afterwards. Our thoughts are still with him.
    ===================
    Cheeers mate, do you think we could find him with Google Earth,or do we need a map of the Galaxy.


  45. Just put on BT sport for the game. Glad BBC are off the glue, I can change back over now. McCoist and McCleish, on panel, god knows who’s on commentary. Same ole same ole.


  46. nowoldandgrumpy says:

    September 10, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    0

    0

    Rate This

    Quantcast

    Tic 6709 says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:44 pm

    It was taken from this:

    http://tiny.cc/53i72w
    ——————————————
    I’d forgotten the detail of his view at that time. It is so wide of the mark given what happened in the subsequent season that he surely can’t be taken seriously as someone who understands his business. I know we don’t, but why is no one else – SMSM or SFA or clubs – throwing that statement in his face EVERY DAY and asking him to justify it?!?!?!


  47. ecobhoy says:

    September 10, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    My comment was made in light of the Angela Haggerty news that the BBC were now backing Jim Spence and, if so, then the grounds for my complaint have been superseded. My watching with interest will be to see what, if any, announcement is made by BBC Scotland, and if it doesn’t materialise, or is too weak, I will write making more appropriate comments. I did expect that the NUJ would get involved at some point, and, sadly, it is probably more their intervention than the discovery of scruples that has created this apparent u-turn. The public response by both parties, the Beeb and Jim Spence, will go a long way to telling us how deep felt the fear factor, physical and professional, is at the BBC, which, despite everything, is probably the most ‘fearless’ of all sections of the MSM.


  48. I have to say that we should still contact the BBC and say we are fed-up with the attempts to stifle free speech and we trust that they will continue to defend it – The Beeb got away with murder when they withdrew an invitation to Paul Mac to appear because Loofa Graham objected because he knew he would get taken apart in a calm, intelligent and non-emotional way.

    We should have done more then but we have to be extra alert in future and nip all their nonsense in the bud because it is the hard-core that is behind these moves and it’s nothing to do actually with football it’s about hobbling the BBC.


  49. The big story here isn’t the support of Jim Spence (although I’m very happy about that) – but the fact that the BBC will fight the trust ruling.

    Old club, New club, it doesn’t matter – they never learn. They adopted the same stance with Lloyds when they weren’t doing as they were compelled to. How did that one turn out again?


  50. Tic 6709 says:
    September 10, 2013 at 7:07 pm
    ===================
    Cheeers mate, do you think we could find him with Google Earth,or do we need a map of the Galaxy.
    +++++++
    The Galaxy, I’d say. There should be a bounty put on him, for when it came to the crunch he tried to fudge his decision making.

    Mind you, he used to work for the Yorkies, but that was no picnic.

    Sorry to go off topic.


  51. upthehoops says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:33 pm
    11 0 Rate This

    I’ve just had a read at the comments section in the Herald under the Rangers ‘apology’ article. Apart from two clearly differing views, it is the rationale behind both views which intrigued me. Many contributors to the ‘new club’ write from a perspective where they have knowledge of Scots law and insolvency practices and make a compelling argument. The ‘same club’ view on the other hand appears to be nothing other than a enraged rabble shouting from the pavement with no real knowledge of the law or insolvency practices.

    —————————————–

    How true. The same club argument has more holes in it than a collander. . This is why if the question ever comes before a court of law and the point is fully debated and ruled upon the same club issue should be blown apart. I say “should” instead of “will” as a result of previous input from some of the legal profession in this saga. So in the hope that we haven’t truly descended into a banana republic and judges can be relied upon to uphold the law, the BBC should (as others have already commented) now be saying “bring it on” to the Ibrox PR machine. Something certainly needs to be done to allow the deluded hordes to start coming to terms with reality (and decide for themselves the ethos of the Neo-Rangers brand going forward) and for the rest of us to get on with our lives (which will hopefully include the occasional Scottish football match) away from our PCs!


  52. Allyjambo says:
    September 10, 2013 at 7:16 pm
    ecobhoy says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    My comment was made in light of the Angela Haggerty news that the BBC were now backing Jim Spence and, if so, then the grounds for my complaint have been superseded. My watching with interest will be to see what, if any, announcement is made by BBC Scotland, and if it doesn’t materialise, or is too weak, I will write making more appropriate comments. I did expect that the NUJ would get involved at some point, and, sadly, it is probably more their intervention than the discovery of scruples that has created this apparent u-turn. The public response by both parties, the Beeb and Jim Spence, will go a long way to telling us how deep felt the fear factor, physical and professional, is at the BBC, which, despite everything, is probably the most ‘fearless’ of all sections of the MSM.
    ===========================================================
    I agree with you and I hadn’t seen Angela’s post as I always start at the end and work back 😯

    Because the Beeb really is about the best we have in Scotland that’s why it’s become a target and football or any other old excuse is good enough to attack it by those who want to dismantle it to make their own agenda easier to achieve.

    However the people I talk of have long missed the boat and lost influence as Scotland moves on – too slowly for my liking but it has gone far enough not to be drawn back despite the little blip caused through Green’s greed.


  53. arabest1 says:
    September 10, 2013 at 11:29 pm
    20 1 Rate This

    JLeeHooker says:
    September 10, 2013 at 3:53 pm
    3 0 Rate This

    Another place to go if you wish to register your dissatisfaction:

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/complain-online

    —————————————————————————————————-

    worth repeating JLH! Perhaps a sticky at the latest post TSFM?
    ———–

    Thank you. Complaint sent.


  54. Hopefully the BBC will take a stand against the rabid horde . Having just read the ‘offending’ quote I can’t understand how any rational person could get worked up about it.

    Good luck Jim.


  55. If the BBC is indeed supporting Jim Spence, then that is a good decision.

    But to avoid a repeat of his treatment on others, perhaps the BBC could now ask the SFA for a public statement on the status of TRFC – in order to protect those whose job is to report on Scottish football ?

    A reasonable request, shirley…? 🙄


  56. My complaint, for what it’s worth –

    The BBC apologised to those offended by comments made by its sports reporter, Jim Spence, on Radio Scotland’s Sportsound show on 7th September. Jim’s comments were entirely accurate, referring to a common, and legally sound, belief that Rangers FC, as was, “died”. He didn’t even go so far as to state this was his opinion. That the BBC feels it should apologise for a broadcaster telling the truth is a sad state of affairs and has changed my, perhaps naive, perception that the truth was important to the BBC. As this was an unscripted comment on a live programme, I am left wondering what truth is being suppressed on scripted BBC shows. Sad indeed.


  57. theoldshed says:
    September 10, 2013 at 7:29 pm

    upthehoops says:
    September 10, 2013 at 6:33 pm

    To be fair there is a simple reason for that (actually two if you include the orchestrated cheerleading by the sameco camp). The newco guys are predominantly referring to the legal entity, with an arguement backed by legal fact (note Chris that’s proper fact, not in-your-opinion-and-therefore-FACT).

    To be clear though the sameco guys arguement is equally backed by fact, its just their subject matter is the cloudy thing which for want of a better word I’ll refer to as the brand. There is no question the brand isn’t dead. Jim, nor anyone else ever said it was (OK maybe you slim 😀 ).

    Jim Spence was clearly discussing the legal entity. Brands (nor any cloudy, ethereal thingies) don’t have board members, period.

    The SFA could and should have put this to bed long ago. Instead they hoped the problem would go away. Instead I sense the opposite is happening and resolves are steeling somewhat.

    On another point, it appears Spencey was taking a principled stand. I say this for CO’s benefit, just so he recognises it.


  58. apropos of nothing and OT as well..

    less than 5km away from me right now, Spain playing a friendly v Chile in Geneva.
    5 years ago I would have been all over that.
    Now all I see is $$$ for someone (Geneva Stadium, Spanish FA, Chilean FA) and I think “aye that will be right”.
    Money kept in the pocket for a beer or a few at Friday’s Ice Hockey game.
    Corruption-free and entertaining, what more does a boy need?


  59. It’s all about the hardcore element lording it over everybody else. Without the ‘World Record’ they can’t maintain the fiction of their superiority – despite £100million extra, the brothers in the blazers and the black (or even the purple – eh, Hugh?) without the craven media apologists, the fire-raising intimidation, the switcheroo, the political lobbying, the offshore spivery…all designed to placate the bigots and their betters in positions of shadowy power.

    Their time is up. Bring on their social unrest – and let them show themselves for what they are – in the words of Archer – “a permanent embarrassment and an occasional disgrace. This country would be a better place if Rangers did not exist.”


  60. I wouldn’t underestimate the impact that the complaints and social media comments had on the BBC today. Well done to all who made their points to Pacific Quay. Its a wee reminder that the professional Board members of the SFA would do well to take heed of, for bad people to triumph, it is only necessary for good people to say nothing.

    The ball is now firmly in your court, Mr Lawwell, Mr Ogilvie, Mr MacRae, Mr Jackson, Mr Petrie and, of course, Mr Regan.

    (Though perhaps I should be asking how we put some iron into this collection of boneless wonders…..)


  61. I really hope it’s true that the BBC are taking a stance against these bullies and cowards, particularly when what Jim Spence said was not even that controversial. Even if it was he is entitled to freedom of expression.

    They genuinely think they can bully, threaten and intimidate people in an attempt to get their own way and stop people either expressing an opinion or doing their job. The Scottish football authorities have been complicit in this, allowing Charles Green, Ally McCoist et al say whatever they wanted, call people whatever they wanted and make any accusations they wanted.

    McCoists “name names” campaign really was a crucial moment in all of this and it should have been dealt with at the time. However they did nothing and allowed it to happen, they allowed his call to arms and the clear request for the support to intimidate people so that they would be afraid to do anything against Rangers or even say anything perceived to be against Rangers. Nothing was to be allowed without the support being up in arms. We saw it at the time and discussed it. The SFA did nothing, tacitly validating the position.

    The lot of them should be ashamed of themselves. It has come to the stage where people cannot work, or express an opinion for fear of repercussions from troglodytes. Enough as they say is enough, and this has gone way beyond that. A decent man cannot do his job, or express his opinion without being attacked and threatened, a shameful shameful position to be in. That is modern Scotland.

    Rangers and the Scottish football authorities have an awful lot to answer for.


  62. The definition of fascism is the merger of state and corporate powers
    When we look at our state broadcasters ,our legal institutions, our national associations for sport and charities ,the main stream media and our poltical representatives and their collusion with Rfc* (the fabric of our corporate society)
    There can only be one conclusion, we are living within a fascist state.
    In a democratic capitalist society there should be no such reality as too big to fail
    RBS and Rfc* are telling us that the democratic capitalist society we claim to be is a sham
    As Jim Spence recently discovered ,”in times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act”
    vive la revolution


  63. The whole of Scotland can be proud of their team tonight ❗


  64. timtim says:
    September 10, 2013 at 9:11 pm
    There can only be one conclusion, we are living within a fascist state.
    ============================================
    And there can only be one response – I don’t think you know what it is to live in a fascist state or its communist equivalent.

    making overblown statements like that destroys the argument IMO.


  65. For the literary element on our blog….

    Should we ask Philip Kerr to relocate his Bernie Gunther novels to Glasgow with Jim Spence in the lead role?

    Kerr will surely recognise a similar environment.

    Scottish football needs more guys like Jim Spence.


  66. Ecobhoy, every river starts as a stream that eventually runs into the ocean
    When you can recognise water and you know where its going you dont have to
    wait for the tide to realise that the source is relevant.
    We may not be marching down Sauchiehall St in jackboots , well not since the
    12th anyway but peel away the layers of our society and fascism is alive and well
    and ready to goosestep into the breech when required


  67. Tif Finn says:
    September 10, 2013 at 8:51 pm
    They genuinely think they can bully, threaten and intimidate people in an attempt to get their own way and stop people either expressing an opinion or doing their job. The Scottish football authorities have been complicit in this, allowing Charles Green, Ally McCoist et al say whatever they wanted, call people whatever they wanted and make any accusations they wanted.
    ————————————————-
    TF , totally agree, i would add MSM because without these muppets just putting it in print and not questioning anything these guys say, it just adds fuel to the fire.

    MSM ,Ventriloquists dummy for establishment, shame on them, try and reedem yourselfs some time soon ! lets start by printing your public support for one of your fellow proffesionals, come on Jackson, Keevins and the like………..
    borussiabeefburg/Tic 6709
    I’ll send star fleet command to track down Regan 😉


  68. On the “Jim Spence” situation

    1st of all, I am delighted to hear he is FINALLY getting the backing he deserves from his employer. it is a shame it took so long. Given that an apology was issued and printed in the Herald, then it shows they had time to think about things and initially hung their man out to dry. (Was that apology ever published on any BBC format? Could it, in fact, have been a Jack Irvine construct and we’ve all been had?)

    Now, what will that support consist of? Counselling to cope with the threats/intimidation? protection at his home/place of work? a wee chat with HR to tell him how valued an employee he is – or will the Beeb actually make any kind of statement?

    Will they pursue the SFA/UEFA/FIFA for a definitive statement – will they be aware of the newco/sameco arguments and do an article in support/debunking either argument, will they seek the opinion of insolvency experts and relate the Rangers/Sevco situation to clubs that have been liquidated in the past – Gretna, Third Lanark, Airdrionions

    More importantly, will they pursue Charles Green, D&P, Jim Traynor and Walter Smith over their earlier remarks about the deadedness of the rangers?

    I don’t expect the BBC to take Sevco to court to prove Jim was right one way or another – but I expect them to make a statement supporting their employee and backing up his statement with facts.

    Let TRFC take Jim and the Beeb to court over it then


  69. ecobhoy says:
    September 10, 2013 at 9:27 pm
    ———————————
    Facism: Extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice.

    I don’t think we can deny that the intolerant and authoritarian view and practice is in place in the SMSM.
    I am fed up being unheard!

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