The Offensive Behaviour at Football & Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill

Because it's not just anti-Irish. As I said before. Just because it's one scummy thing doesn't mean it's not other scummy stuff mate.

 

Great news.

The work that groups like Fans Against Criminalisation and the Celtic Trust have done over the last few years to tackle this scandalous piece of legislation has been incredible.

The SNP/Tartan Tories have long been viewed with suspicion by Scotland's Irish and Catholic population ever since the party's foundation, and right through the leadership of bigots like William Wolfe. I don't think things like the Act to "even things up" do much to quell those suspicions.

 

Not sure I am following you mate but I'm out, before I read any other * posted in here from others.

 

Throwing your toys out the pram because somebody said something against the SNP?

 

It isnt anti Irish. It is just stupid, driven by a need to pander to tabloid-reading simpletons. It would be good to see it axed but it has nothing to do with being 'anti-irish'.

 

To say the bills just 'anti irish' is wrong. I detest those over town however they are having fans put in cells as well, its ludicrous.

when did words become so offensive.

serious question. Are folk really that upset/angered by 'were up to our knees in * blood'?

personally its laughable- people want to be offended by everything these days its mental. I use to love shutting that up with a chorus of HA HA HAHAHAHA

 

Crass and ill thought out legislation which is apparently" helping to deal with sectarianism". It's insulting to even brand it in such a manner.

Picking on a demographic within society and treating them differently to people who attend other events, sporting or otherwise.

It was a shambles to begin with and its a shambles that it still exists as legislation 5 years or so on. That is down to the SNP.

 

Everybody knew right from the off that this Act was flawed and should never have been passed.

So you have to look at the twats who actually try to use it and enforce it.
It always amazed me that nobody challenged the passing of it. Surely people
have the right to face the accuser in a court of law! So who signed the original
complaint.. that is the person that should have to prove their case ..
ie showing an injury/harm/loss that is real and factual NOT imagined

 

There was existing laws to deal with the bile they spew. There wasn't anything they could arrest us for.

Along comes the OBAF bill.

 

Whilst destroying/privatizing virtually everything else like Calmac Ferries, ScotRail (All privatized_) cutting college places and hospitals and voting against living wages for those working for outsourced firms on government contracts. Whilst calling for indy yet wanting to outsource that to the EU and being Pro-NATO.

I'd say to @Swervedancer or @Sween it IS an anti-irish bill because it stops us singing about our Irish History through politically correct legislation.

 

This was exactly my point.

What the SNP manifestly is though is a neoliberal, Capitalist, Pro-NATO, Pro EU party - so outsourced sovereignty and defence policy to Europe yet wanting 'Indy' - odd position - it isn't at all Socialist or even just social democratic because it privatizes Calmac Ferries and ScotRail and it cuts hospitals (see Lothian) and college places and its Chancellor John Sweeney sings the praises of Thatcher and Milton Freidman's budgets.

@Tim-Time 1888 seems a nice fella but I'd just politely suggest to him to consider the above. If you disagree, fair enough - but they knew what they where doing WITH THIS OFBA as they knew it would unfairly hinder football fans and particularly Celtic fans because of the type of stuff we sing about - like Irish heritage and the troubles which in a politically correct world where people get offended so easily they must of known would get people unfairly arrested. Therefore the SNP have basically encouraged Anti-Irish practices.

 

Independence without the barnett formula which will lead to mass cuts and lead by anything other than a Socialist Party will be just as tyrannical and autocratic and chaotic as Westminster. Plus it would still be told what to do by the EU & Nato.

Socialist Republicanism and Nationalist infused Independence are two very different things.

 

It stems from lazy legislation brought about because the SNP wanted to be seen to do something after tabloids went into meltdown over an old firm game. They wanted to tackle "sectarianism" as defined by tabloid rags without any consideration as to what that actually means. Because of it, songs that make reference to the "IRA" fall foul.

But that isnt anti-irish. I dont believe for a second anyone in the SNP thought that they should bring out a law because they hate irish people. Its a dumb law that unfairly targets all football fans. Not just Irishmen.

 

No, that's not what it is. It's defined as 'offensive behaviour to any reasonable minded individual' - not songs that mention the IRA. Big distinction that, it has been enforced in a very anti-Irish manner.

 

Thing is, though, they had a review further down the line and concluded that the act had been a success. My question (a genuine one, not a rhetorical one) is, what exactly were the stated rationale and aims of the act and what exactly where the criteria used to determine that (in their view) it had been a success.

I am like most people and tend to look at the pain and suffering this act has caused and conclude it was a disaster; but for a balanced opinion, we also have to look at the pain and suffering that would have occurred if not for this act. I can only assume that is where the crux of the SNP's argument must lie and I'd really like to hear what they claim to have achieved.

If the next set of legislation drafted is to be vastly improved (which it needs to be), the SNP and its supporters need to be much, much clearer about what they are really trying to achieve. If not, it just looks like it was brought into law in order to... well, read most of the posts above.

 

Have I already commented on this today? Just wondering why I'm getting a specific mention.

I don't agree it's an Anti Irish bill though because fans from other clubs have been arrested and charged after having their doors booted in on Friday mornings too.

It does discriminate against Irish Culture by trying to prohibit traditional rebel songs which are in no way offensive or sectarian. But because it also targets other clubs, lets not forget the huns get pulled up too, I'd say it's Anti Football Fan legislation. The arrests and charges are for behaviours that would be allowed anywhere else in the city. Just because it's in a football ground suddenly it's criminal behaviour to exchange some banter with opposing fans. Didn't a fan get arrested at a Motherwell game for shouting '* up yer Well'? I think he spent two nights in a cell.

Wearing a t shirt with a Palestine flag on it would be perfectly acceptable anywhere else in the city but for some reason it's offensive at a football match?

I've likened it to North Korea before the way the polis constantly have their creepy cameras focused on the fans, trying to see if they are doing anything the polis can claim is offensive. I'm sure out of all the cases brought before the courts, not one has been brought because a citizen has complained to police that he/she found something offensive. The only witnesses and those claiming offense are the polis themselves. Very anti democratic behaviour. The police are supposed to protect and serve the public, not intimidate them and falsely charge them.

I thought they were repealing the act this year but it doesn't look like it so far.

 

By its definition it doesn't even stated any of that. It was agenda driven to censor Irish nationalism and British sectarianism. The SNP are so ignorant that they are under the illusion that freedom of expression should have certain restrictions and that is by its practice is fascism.

 

The SNP could have worded the OBFA any way they wanted. It wouldn't have mattered a jot to me. I will not take seriously their claims that they want to eradicate sectarianism as long as they prioritise tackling songs being sung at football matches over tackling Orange walks. That is not a credible position. Those marches are a breeding ground for bigotry and sectarianism which then finds it's way into football stadiums. It's like cutting down a tree but leaving the root in the ground. It won't work.

 

delted