Sadly, Rothermere, like his chief henchman, the legendarily foul mouthed Paul Dacre, suffers from an inability to take on board that freedom of speech also includes the freedom to dissent from what the Mail titles want to impose on the country. This was shown superbly by today’s Mail on Sunday as it went into pearl-clutching overdrive.
“ANGER AS LIVERPOOL CUP FINAL FANS BOO WILLIAM … MPs condemn ‘shameful’ abuse hurled at Prince when he shook players’ hands” thundered the headline, as readers were told “LIVERPOOL fans sparked widespread outrage yesterday for booing Prince William and the National Anthem at the FA Cup Final”. And there was more.
“Jeers rang out around Wembley Stadium as the Duke of Cambridge, who is president of the Football Association, was introduced to Chelsea and Liverpool players before kick-off. Fans gesticulated and made obscene hand gestures while the solemn Prince stood singing God Save the Queen. The outburst by thousands of fans was last night denounced across the political spectrum”. AY DYAH! High jolly GHASTLY!
The article goes on to note “While in recent years, the people of Merseyside feel they continue to be let down by the state and believe the foodbanks outside Anfield and Goodison is evidence of widening inequalities. The frosty relationship between city and country also translates to the English national team, with many Liverpudlians not supporting England during major tournaments like the Euros or the World Cup”.
Also, there is a fierce sense of community on Merseyside, which goes against the Mail’s - and the Tories’ - selfish individualism. And Liverpool fans are as entitled as anyone else to express their feelings and views freely. The problem for the Mail titles is that free speech is something they only cherish when it allows them to tell the rest of the world what to think.
Which aligns the Mail with those régimes Rothermere’s predecessor, Harold Harmsworth, the first Viscount, was so keen to support in the 1930s. There’s consistency for you.
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I wouldn't have wasted my breath booing Willy Von Windsor or that dirge of a national anthem. Just turn your back to both.
ReplyDeleteRothermere's "family values"?.... Pffftt.... What, like the dysfunctional Von Windsors? Or Seesil Parkinson? Or Matt Handcock? Or Bozo The Clown? To name just a few.
Those headlines should have Gammons, flag waving wannabe Colonel Blimps and Pearly Queens spitting white feathers though. Which was the usual tedious purpose.
I just found the episode hilariously funny
Not supporting England teams is not just restricted to Merseyside, either. Despite not being heavily into sports, I nevertheless remember other black people, friends, neighbours and relatives backing almost any other side than England.
ReplyDeleteIt could be England vs France, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Brazil, or Argentina in the football World Cup or England's cricket team up against the W. Indies, India, Sri Lanka or Pakistan, and it would be the other team they'd root for. Some may well consider this unpatriotic. However, when faced with chants of ''There ain't no black in the Union Jack'' and black England players receiving mountains of racist abuse on the pitch from their own team's fans, it's hardly surprising.
Would they have cheered Harry.....?
ReplyDeleteI'm an Evertonian but nonetheless I would consider that "You'll Never Walk Alone" would make a far superior national anthem than the current lament. So come on Dully Stale! Campaign for this change and you will be able to applaud the patriotism of Liverpudlians every week. Or possibly not.
ReplyDelete19:13. Don't see the point of changing one dirge for another. Even a funeral march would be more enthusing than either of those two.
Delete21:59. Yeah. Siegfried's Funeral March by Wagner sung 'a cappella'.
ReplyDelete