Scandal in Politics and Football

Because of other commitments, I haven’t been able to write a post to this blog for the past couple of weeks. I’ve kept an eye on the news during that time though, and it’s no surprise that politics, or rather, sleaze in politics, has been the main issue being covered in newspapers, and on TV and radio. As always, commentators and journalists invent a main name for the current scandal, in this case “smear”, then add the inevitable “gate” to it, thus giving us the highly original name, “Smeargate”. Do those guys not realise that the original case in 1972/73, involving President Nixon, was named “Watergate” because it was the actual name of a place, the Watergate Hotel and Office complex. It obviously follows that it simply doesn’t make sense to keep adding “gate” to the name they concoct for any new sleaze story that emerges.

 

Of course, about two weeks ago, we had the infamous “Boozegate” here in Scotland, when two Scotland international football players were deemed to be out of order for still gargling with alcoholic beverages at Sunday lunchtime, after being in the bar from around 4.30am. They might have cleared their throats, but obviously not their minds, as their behaviour at the Scotland-Iceland match on the following Wednesday night showed. As far as I’m concerned, they should not have been named as substitutes for the game, but seeing they were, they should have sat there, looking contrite, and supporting their team mates. They chose instead to flash ‘V’ signs at the photographers, which could also be construed as being offensive gestures to every Scottish fan. Obviously, this was not done on the spur of the moment by two individuals – that would be too much of a coincidence, and as I don’t think either of them has the intellect necessary to think of carrying out those actions, I keep wondering if someone involved with the media masterminded the whole thing. In any case, the whole episode proved beyond doubt that we have a bunch of bungling idiots running the Scottish Football Association, who don’t need to be in a bar for 7 hours in order to come to some crazy decisions.

 

I’ve referred to Jade Goody before now in this blog, and after her death last month, I hoped that the media hype concerning her would have stopped by now – that she would be remembered best for the awareness of cervical cancer that her illness prompted. Not so, I’m afraid. Jack Tweed, who got married to her a few weeks before she died, has been jailed again, this time for assaulting a taxi driver. Only last Friday, he was pictured leaving a giant Cadbury’s crème egg at her graveside. It might have been her favourite treat, but she’s gone Jack. Before becoming a resident at one of the Queen’s residences, it’s reported that he also visited Madame Tussaud’s, for talks about immortalising her as a waxwork. It seems that Jade had said that she’d love to have a statue made of her, especially as it would help her sons to remember her. I don’t think they’ll bother to amble into Madame Tussaud’s every day, but I’m sure that a photo in the wallet would serve the purpose, and I somehow don’t think it would cost as much either.        

Well-Heeled and Two-Faced Politicians

 

 

I sympathise with the Tory Party leader, David Cameron, and his wife Samantha, on the death of their 6 year old son, Ivan, which was announced a couple of hours ago. He had been suffering from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and had been in and out of hospital for most of his short life. After Mr Cameron made his presence felt in the British political arena, newspapers carried a couple of news items about Ivan, but there was never very much, as the Camerons wished their private life to remain just that – private. Compare that with the hype over the past couple of weeks concerning the impending death from cancer of Jade Goody, so-called celebrity. Newspapers have had the story plastered across their front pages, making me wonder if some editors are unaware of Britain’s economic plight. I feel sorry for Jade as well, and applaud her for trying to make some money for her 5 and 4 year old boys. How much they actually get is another matter, after the newspapers, magazines, and her publicist Max Clifford have pocketed their share. Her case has certainly also raised awareness of cervical cancer, and has led to an increased number of women going for tests. However, there are thousands in the country who are dying of cancer, and who do not have that option of making piles of money to leave to their loved ones.

 

I mentioned the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith a few days ago, in connection with her refusal to acknowledge that there’s any problem with her £116,000 “second home” expenses. Whenever we hear a news bulletin, or read a paper, we have the same kind of stories. We find that British Members of the European Parliament can easily make £1 million in allowances over a single term in Brussels, Prince Andrew taking a helicopter to reopen a bridge – just a drop in the ocean, that one, at £4,000, Tory veteran Michael Ancram (personal fortune of tens of millions) claiming £50,000 towards the upkeep of his country retreat, and £170,000 being lavished on modern art to decorate the walls of Jack Straw’s department for Justice. This is the same John Whitaker Straw who was Foreign Secretary in 2001, and was a member of the Cabinet that decided to send our troops to Iraq. Now, as Secretary of State for Justice, he has used his power to veto the publication of minutes of key cabinet meeting held in the run-up to the Iraq war, after the Information Tribunal ruled last month that they should be published. What’s in those minutes that are so potentially damaging to him and to others? His arrogance is there for all to see, and I reckon that his cowardice calls for the saying, “Straw by name, straw by nature.”

It has come as no surprise to me that the police are predicting a “summer of rage” in Britain, as folk seek to get even with those who have been ripping them off, and duping them, for ages.