Just What Is Going On In Scotland Mr. Matheson?

Sometimes I figure that sitting in central Canada taints my view a little bit when it comes to understanding the decisions made by the powers that be regarding things that are sectarian in nature.

For example, I am one that subscribes to the notion that the IRA chants that supporters of Celtic blast out during their matches around the SPL as disgusting. I also feel that the inaction on the part of policy makers to stamp out such incomprehensible terrorist supporting rubbish is a slap in the face of human dignity.

But, it gets better.

First they came for the Billy Boys. Rangers fans gave in and let it go. Then they came for the Famine Song. Again, we submitted to the whims of those who believe they know what is right and what is wrong.

Why did we bother? It is now apparent that Scotland is suffering from a legitimate case of neglect in terms of common sense. The people who are leading this effort seem to be such a strong underground force that no one with a mind of justice can stand in their way. Consider the following example as my proof.

In recent days, it has come to light that MSP Michael Matheson has led a successful charge in banning the Hokey Cokey (Hokey Pokey for my North American friends) in the most recent football bigotry motion.

He states, “It’s important the police and football clubs are aware of the sinister background to this song, and take the appropriate action against individuals who use it to taunt Catholics.”

So, here we are in 2008 and for the first time ever, the Hokey Cokey is under attack as a sinister plot against Catholics. The world just turned their back on Scotland. What a waste of time, effort, newsprint, and tax dollars.

It gets better again.

Not only has Scotland allowed itself to overstep the bounds of rational thought, but the story was published on the front page of The Scottish Sun. In a time when most of the world is concerned about a bleak economic picture and newspapers are covering efforts on how to right the ship, the main story in Scotland is children’s music.

But, I suppose that I could be somewhat unable to grasp the intellectual might of Mr. Matheson and be missing the entire severity of this issue. After all, he could be a very politically educated man with a high understanding of such social issues.

Let’s look.

It seems Mr. Matheson’s background of a bachelor of science in occupational therapy now makes him the leading expert on bigotry. I suppose he could be backed up by a bachelor of arts in applied social sciences? The least he could have done was have gone the academic social sciences route, surely?

Biographical information on this member here:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/memb...heson/index.htm

It would seem the graduate of St. John Bosco Secondary School is a little weak in terms of his educational background on the issue of social policy.

I find it deeply concerning that an individual with such little expertise is allowed to make up and defend such policies. I have my own thoughts on the subject but to be fair, we better look at my background.

With honours degrees in political science, history, and education, I would think that my understanding of situations like this could have a little more concrete substance behind them than the MSP in question. Mix this in with my professional activities and it would be obvious to the reader that I have a background in such debates and decisions.

The situation Scotland is facing with regards to the Hokey Cokey is laughable in many respects. Forget the rest, let us focus on free speech.

There is absolutely no way in the world that the true nature of the children’s tune can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Catholic priests have spoken out to its origin but at the end of the day they are not infallible. And I don’t need to point to specifics to prove that.

How then, without viable proof, can individuals residing in a free democratic country be muzzled and those in government and the justice system accept it?

At the end of the day, the failures in Scotland with regards to this debate lie firmly in the hands of legislators. The current legislation must not be up to the task if loving songs about the IRA can be sung with pride despite the organization murdering and maiming human beings, while the Hokey Cokey is banned without any proof of its origins.

Scottish Parliament, on this front, is an absolute failure.

One can only hope that the country will one day vote and make decisions on non-religious lines. At the rate things are going though, the government would be truly happy to close the doors on Rangers and force those that support Rangers and maybe even Protestantism, south.

At least in England the government respects free speech and due process, not to mention the Queen.