"bead-rattling"

[Nakedmanoncrack]

Sunday Herald sports writer sacked after using the term "bead-rattling" in an article about Celtic fans & Gordon Strachan.

Probably the fullest most grovelling apology I can recall seeing in the press.


http://www.sundayherald.com/sport/shfootball/display.var.2210592.0.0.php

[julz]

what exactly does it mean?

[CropleyWasGod]

what exactly does it mean?

Refers to the rosary beads that are a part of the RC faith.

[Hibs Class]

Either this was a genuinely horrific gaffe, in which case the sports editor should himself resign, or it wasn't in which case it is politically correct tokenism of the worst kind. I cannot tell which it is, which suggests it is the latter.

[JimBHibees]

Very offensive term IMO and as someone says it is amazing no-one else was reprimanded for this also. Ridiculous to use that term at all.

[Brando7]

I would think every article written by anyone would need to be read & passed by the cheif editor prior to printing so fair enough the guy that wrote the story took the blame but the editor should be held responsible to allowing it to be published IMO

[steakbake]

I would think every article written by anyone would need to be read & passed by the cheif editor prior to printing so fair enough the guy that wrote the story took the blame but the editor should be held responsible to allowing it to be published IMO

they were just reaching out to their core target audience - a typical west coast football supporter who on the one hand, would publically condemn sectarianism yet behind closed doors, probably finds all that stuff funny.

[Tomsk]

I note Stephen Penman has instigated an investigation into the matter. Well, that's a relief! I know some of you might wonder if as Sport Editor any investigation should surely start and finish moments later at his office door with a letter of resignation signed Yours in Sport, S Penman. But you are missing the point if you adopt that cynical standing. Read his apology. We can all rest easy in our beds knowing that the combined efforts of the Sunday Herald, Rangers and Celtic are ceaseless in their efforts to stamp out sectarianism.

Some of you might think this is like inviting the foxes to clean up the chicken coup but just look at what those ceaseless efforts consist of. In the case of the Sunday Herald, in confronting an issue which has blighted Scottish society for as long as any living person can remember, the paper has written dozens of articles. Yes, you heard right -- 'dozens' of articles. By God, it makes you proud!

OK, they have also wilfully ignored the countless thousands and thousands of instances of sectarianism spewed out wherever Celtic and Rangers supporters gather in any numbers, remained pin-drop silent on both of those clubs' associations with the darker sides of politics and terrorism in Northern Ireland, turned a blind eye to the quite appalling corporate manifestations of sectarianism that the clubs still indulge in, and regurgitated every piece of PR emanating from Ibrox and Parkhead on the matter. But they have written dozens of articles too. Jeez, do you think they've got an agenda or something!

And what of the Herald's partners in crime -- sorry, I mean partners in the campaign -- Rangers and Celtic, who too have been ceaseless in their efforts to eradicate sectarianism? Look at what they have done! They have ... um, er, hold on … I'll get back to you on that one. Oh yes, I remember! They have issued, oh dozens of press releases, that the Herald has ceaselessly regurgitated in the campaign to deflect attention away ... sorry, I mean ... confront the ugly face of sectarianism in its lair.

Did I hear someone say that only reason Rangers and Celtic are name checked in the article is because the 'Sports Editor' knows only too well which side his bread is buttered and the last thing he or any other Glasgow-based paper will do is aggravate its target audience? Of come on! Just remember. Dozens!

[Expecting Rain]

I note Stephen Penman has instigated an investigation into the matter. Well, that's a relief! I know some of you might wonder if as Sport Editor any investigation should surely start and finish moments later at his office door with a letter of resignation signed Yours in Sport, S Penman. But you are missing the point if you adopt that cynical standing. Read his apology. We can all rest easy in our beds knowing that the combined efforts of the Sunday Herald, Rangers and Celtic are ceaseless in their efforts to stamp out sectarianism.

Some of you might think this is like inviting the foxes to clean up the chicken coup but just look at what those ceaseless efforts consist of. In the case of the Sunday Herald, in confronting an issue which has blighted Scottish society for as long as any living person can remember, the paper has written dozens of articles. Yes, you heard right -- 'dozens' of articles. By God, it makes you proud!

OK, they have also wilfully ignored the countless thousands and thousands of instances of sectarianism spewed out wherever Celtic and Rangers supporters gather in any numbers, remained pin-drop silent on both of those clubs' associations with the darker sides of politics and terrorism in Northern Ireland, turned a blind eye to the quite appalling corporate manifestations of sectarianism that the clubs still indulge in, and regurgitated every piece of PR emanating from Ibrox and Parkhead on the matter. But they have written dozens of articles too. Jeez, do you think they've got an agenda or something!

And what of the Herald's partners in crime -- sorry, I mean partners in the campaign -- Rangers and Celtic, who too have been ceaseless in their efforts to eradicate sectarianism? Look at what they have done! They have ... um, er, hold on … I'll get back to you on that one. Oh yes, I remember! They have issued, oh dozens of press releases, that the Herald has ceaselessly regurgitated in the campaign to deflect attention away ... sorry, I mean ... confront the ugly face of sectarianism in its lair.

Did I hear someone say that only reason Rangers and Celtic are name checked in the article is because the 'Sports Editor' knows only too well which side his bread is buttered and the last thing he or any other Glasgow-based paper will do is aggravate its target audience? Of come on! Just remember. Dozens!

Aw c`mon T, you could tell by the way that the players were hugging and kissing each other after their latest meeting that every effort is being made to promote peace and love amongst them all.

[Tomsk]

Aw c`mon T, you could tell by the way that the players were hugging and kissing each other after their latest meeting that every effort is being made to promote peace and love amongst them all.

You right, I read all about it in the Herald. :wink:

[jamesg]

Maybe its just me but someone loosing their job cause they used the term bead rattling seems pretty ****ing extreme and sound like trying to appease the septic support.

[Nakedmanoncrack]

To be fair The Sunday Herald has been by far the most outspoken of the Scottish press in regard to sectarianism. Indeed, politically it is undoubtedly the most liberal minded of mainstream papers printed in Scotland. That no doubt says much about the narrow spectrum of opinion that is allowed to be published but still makes it the least offensive read available, hence the reason it's the only paper I ever buy.

[Nakedmanoncrack]

Maybe its just me but someone loosing their job cause they used the term bead rattling seems pretty ****ing extreme and sound like trying to appease the septic support.

They were certainly put under a huge amount of pressure by the Celtic minded types, the sorts who jump up and down all indignant at this, pause for breath before singing the praises of murderers...

[Tomsk]

To be fair The Sunday Herald has been by far the most outspoken of the Scottish press in regard to sectarianism. Indeed, politically it is undoubtedly the most liberal minded of mainstream papers printed in Scotland. That no doubt says much about the narrow spectrum of opinion that is allowed to be published but still makes it the least offensive read available, hence the reason it's the only paper I ever buy.

I am sorry, I'm not convinced.

I think the Sunday Herald joins that fairly extensive list of Scottish institutions that would rather sectarianism didn't exist but don't really do anything practical to stop it. I suspect they probably regard it as too much of a business risk to take it head on.

The paper features the occasional piece, publishes the odd letter and regurgitates press releases from the likes of Nil by Mouth, Celtic and Rangers. But it doesn't add up to much other than to say sectarianism is bad, please dont do it.

Maybe I am being totally idealist. But where are the campaigns? Where are the name and shame pieces? Where is the zero tolerance to organisations who perpetuate the situation? And in the name of vuck how can the paper seriously present Celtic and Rangers as the solution to the problem?

[CropleyWasGod]

Maybe its just me but someone loosing their job cause they used the term bead rattling seems pretty ****ing extreme and sound like trying to appease the septic support.

Offence is all about the recipient. Some Catholics would have been appalled by the term, some not bothered, and some would have been in the middle.

However, can you imagine the reaction had the term "turban wearing" been used?

[JimBHibees]

To be fair The Sunday Herald has been by far the most outspoken of the Scottish press in regard to sectarianism. Indeed, politically it is undoubtedly the most liberal minded of mainstream papers printed in Scotland. That no doubt says much about the narrow spectrum of opinion that is allowed to be published but still makes it the least offensive read available, hence the reason it's the only paper I ever buy.

Would agree with that, best paper in this country by a mile.

[Brizo]

Maybe its just me but someone loosing their job cause they used the term bead rattling seems pretty ****ing extreme and sound like trying to appease the septic support.

Theres appeasing either side of the Gruesome Twosome and then theres a quality paper allowing an unacceptable sectarian comment to be printed.As CWG says a "turban wearing" comment about Sikhs or similar comments about items central to the Hindu or Muslim faiths would tbh have probably provoked demonstrations outside the papers HQ. Call me cynical but the papers know that and theres no way a similar comment about one of those religions would ever have made it through the editorial process.

Heralds done well to take the action its taken but editorial staff should never have let it make the final copy.

[Dashing Bob S]

I am sorry, I'm not convinced.

I think the Sunday Herald joins that fairly extensive list of Scottish institutions that would rather sectarianism didn't exist but don't really do anything practical to stop it. I suspect they probably regard it as too much of a business risk to take it head on.

The paper features the occasional piece, publishes the odd letter and regurgitates press releases from the likes of Nil by Mouth, Celtic and Rangers. But it doesn't add up to much other than to say sectarianism is bad, please dont do it.

Maybe I am being totally idealist. But where are the campaigns? Where are the name and shame pieces? Where is the zero tolerance to organisations who perpetuate the situation? And in the name of vuck how can the paper seriously present Celtic and Rangers as the solution to the problem?

Best post I've read on this subject. But that's the mentality of institutions like the Herald: Rangers and Celtic are just nice football clubs who've done nothing wrong and have been adopted by some twisted people who they are trying their level best to ditch.

Absolute b*ll*cks.