Wednesday, November 23, 2011

23rd of November 2011 - Off Pitch

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/

23rd of November 2011

Dear Sir/Madam,

OFF PITCH

The Scottish Government's attempts to legislate against "offensive behaviour" at football matches demonstrates the total lack of understanding of what is essentially a working class sport by middle class lawyers and self styled intellectuals.

Intrinsic to Soccer is a tribalism which often spills over into ritualised verbal and physical violence off the pitch. For a significant proportion of match goers, it provides a weekly safety valve for the pent up aggression which they are, quite rightly, unable to vent in daily life. The Saturday scrap between opposing supporters is part of the genuine working class football experience and is well understood by the real football fans who inhabit the terraces rather than watching on TV.

It is sad to see MSPs buying into the commercialisation of the sport which requires a squeaky clean family image in order to attract major advertisers. They should stick to the violence of Rugby with its off pitch politesse and stop trying to impose their standards on a milieu of which they are totally ignorant.

John Eoin Douglas

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

22nd of November 2011 - Keeping Warm

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/

22nd of November 2011


Dear Sir/Madam,

KEEPING WARM

Today's story in the Scottish Sun about cops seizing a Celtic fan's Pope scarf has given me an idea for a new business.

Surely Rangers and Hearts fans would be interested in scarves depicting the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The Kirk might appreciate the publicity and, unlike the Papal version, fans would have to buy a new one every year.

John Eoin Douglas

Monday, November 7, 2011

7th of November 2011 - Bleeding Obvious

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/

7th of November 2011

Dear Sir/Madam,

BLEEDING OBVIOUS

I am alarmed to learn that men who have sex with men are to be allowed to contribute to the UK's national blood supply.

As the testing regime of the Blood Transfusion Service is more than adequate, I have never been one of those bigotted individuals who fear transmission of diseases such as HIV or Hepatitis though this route. What concerns me is the way in which homosexuality is once again being normalised in our society without regard for the consequencies.

What if transfusion of "gay blood" spreads homosexuality? This could account for the increasing prevalence of same-sex attraction in an age where blood transfusions are a common occurence. I would hate to see people understandably refusing a life-saving transfusion for fear of contracting sexual perversion. Perhaps more research is called for?

John Eoin Douglas

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

1st of November 2011 - Camping Intents

7 Spey Terrace
Edinburgh
EH7 4PX
Telephone: 0131-550 0895
E-mail: JohnEDouglas@gmail.com
Blog: http://johneoindouglas.blogspot.com/
1st of November 2011

Dear Sir/Madam,

CAMPING INTENTS

The exposed solum in Princes Street is a welcome sign that Edinburgh's tram project has resumed with a vengeance.

But should the Council really be permitting its navvies to set up an encampment in St Andrew Square? The whole area now looks rather tawdry and, as we have seen from the recent  problems at Dale Farm, once established, these sort of unauthorised developments can be somewhat difficult and expensive to remove. But perhaps these costs have already been fully budgeted for now that the project is finally being properly managed and we are promised no more financial overuns?

John Eoin Douglas