‘Socialist elite’ Here I am at Eton singing the boat song
And here’s my stately home
I think we have, in Ian, a classic example of the foreman class. Resentful of anyone who appears to advance themselves in life. In thrall to those who are born to rule.
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Part of me thinks we should ignore the kerfuffle around the royal family. Not dignify it with comment. Except for one thing. The monarchy is the cornerstone of the class system and British society. Everything else that follows is a consequence of this system
The idea of 'commoners' is insane. The notion that the aristocracy have a 'duty' to those 'below' them is a myth they spread. The Queen believes she is carrying out duties. What are they? Being born. Being superior. Being regal. Visiting, waving, pretending to look interested
If there was a real duty, it would be to make the lives of their 'subjects' better. There is nothing of that in this monarchy. Supporting the odd charity or two is not enough. The reality is the Queen is a rallying point for nationalism and a symbol of the Empire
With trouble on the streets, think it’s worth talking about the number of people who are going on social media in support of the police and who are angry at their treatment
I can understand their viewpoint. They have probably never had serious interaction with the police, certainly not in confrontational situations. If you’re white, middle-class and live in a ‘good’ neighbourhood, the police are a positive force
Officers see you as ‘good people.’ You are generally no trouble to them. But not everyone has your advantages
May 30. The anniversary of the 1984 European Cup final. A momentous night that would have massive consequences. Against Roma in Rome. It will probably amaze people today but there were only just over 8,000 Liverpool there
Most of us who were in the Stadio Olimpico and the Eternal City wince at the memory of the violence directed at us before and after the game. Roma stabbed, slashed and beat us. Google 'puncicate' to get a sense of it
The toxic ramifications would had a horrible legacy. The anger and suspicion from in Rome had an impact on behaviour in Brussels a year on. There was a sense of 'no Italian will never treat me like that again.' The reasons for Heysel are many and complex but this played a part
One thing - among many - that the Coronavirus crisis has illustrated clearly is football's status in the UK. Yeah, you know, that nation that's supposed to be the game's home
Early on in the lockdown players became a cipher for excess and avarice. Matt Hancock did not demand that pop stars, actors or even City bigwigs (the greed is good crowd) needed to take pay cuts but footballers. A nation nodded its head. An easy goal for Tories
Multinational business pay next to no taxes but it's easier to target the people who play a 'kid's game.' You know why it's easy? Because even football fans are receptive to this sort of bullshit. The undercurrent of resentment towards players is palpable
All the applause for them bowing to public pressure drowns out the questions: why would a club that uses socialism, Shankly and the ideas of togetherness make such a decision? The answer to this would mean more than the backslaps for FSG
Had a couple of great emails today. Sample insults: 'vainglorious dick', 'pig-ignorant ****head', 'lying ****'. My responses were, er, robust. Reminds me of the happy days when too many people thought Suarez was using terms of endearment.
Like I say, at times of crisis people show their true colours. I expected better of FSG. John Henry is not a stupid man. And if you're happy that it's explained away by communication problems between Boston, London and Liverpool then you need help
Alright. Think the 'period of refection' is just about finished for me. Go in the name of God and let the rebuilding start for a proper opposition. At a time of dreadful politicians, Corbyn has nothing that appeals to the majority of the public. A really crap leader
But there's more than just a useless leader. The widespread cowardice of the Labour Party had brought us here. The time to be strong was in the run-up to the 2016 referendum before English nationalism ran out of control
Labour should have campaigned strongly to remain - not on the basis that the EU was great but because the Leave campaign played to populist nationalism