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Background New measures to tackle the harm caused by hatred and prejudice come into force today (1 April 2024). The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act will provide greater protection for victims and communities. It introduces new offences for threatening or abusive behaviour which is intended to stir up hatred based on prejudice towards characteristics including age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics. These extra provisions will add to the long-standing stirring up racial hatred offences, which have been in place UK-wide since 1986. The new laws were developed following Lord Bracadale’s Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation which concluded that new specific offences relating to stirring up hatred were needed. The legislation, which was passed by a majority of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament in 2021, was also subject to extensive consultation and engagement throughout, including with communities affected by hate crime. For your consideration 1. There is no requirement to show 'intent' in a person’s posts for an offence to have been committed. 2. If a post can be shown to be readable in Scotland it becomes actionable in Scotland. 3. Gersnet could be required, on issuance of a warrant, to provide the authorities with a user’s registration details and history of IP usage. 4. Be aware that various commonly used comments are now likely to be actionable. 5. With this in mind ask yourself if you would be prepared to make such comments in front of a police officer in public. Further reading https://www.gov.scot/news/new-hate-crime-laws-come-into-force/ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2021/14/contents https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-68703684

The Great St Patrick's Day Mystery? It is over a fortnight since the designated day where we get to acknowledge/celebrate the life of a teenage Scot lifted by Irish pirates fifteen hundred years ago. Apparently, he banished snakes from the Emerald Isle and raised 33 folks from the dead. Believed to be the son of a Roman tax collector that travelled the length and breath of Britain, he could probably qualify for three different passports. St Patrick's life is as big a mystery as what occurred in PQ on the 17th March'24. RAB and Tam presented Off the Ball as normal on Saturday the 16th March'24, even told us the next day's guest was Author, Christopher Brookmyer. You may remember the Sunday, Dundee were due to host Rangers in an SPFL Premiership match. The Dark blues Chair, John Nelms had been forking the pitch since five that morning but to no avail, Dens Park was deemed unplayable for the fourth time this season. Off the Ball was scheduled for a three O'Clock start but, was brought forward and aired between two and four O'Clock presented by Ray Bradshaw and Stephen Reside. Where were RAB and Tam? In new, modern Scotland; transparency is most important and the listeners are always told in advance of changes. The ensuing episodes will have numerous references to holidays, illness and, other work commitments. Thirty years of constant hosting has conditioned them on the ongoing importance of securing and promoting their more lucrative side earnings. There has been no explanation as to why both of them performed an Agatha Christie like disappearance. I doubt they were holed up in a Harrogate Spa hotel? Tam has school fees for his daughter thus, if he preferred to take a wedge for hosting/doing the MC for some middle class St Paddy's function, I am sure the listeners will understand. RAB's uber Scots nationalism has a rival, his obsession with Ireland means he does not allow Twinnings Tea in the house. The good friends of the show ie Gerry Braiden, Kevin McKenna, Angela Haggerty, Susie McCabe, ......... etc and, the other ie License Fee payers will understand if RAB wants to cement his place in the new establishment ie a good position at the overflowing trough. Plastic Paddydom demands obedience. Could the mystery have a more simple answer? The following weekend, RAB was flying solo because we were told Tam had man-flu. RAB shared the show with Susie McCabe, Paul English and, Stephen O'Donnell. It is a Sellik State of Mind. This weekend, RAB is off on his Easter break and Tam has sahred presenting with Ray Bradshaw. Lots of man-flu references have been over egging. Could it be that both having been found in breach of standards, the St Patrick's vanishing act is a euphemism for the necessary diversity training? Remember, when the Irish ladies team won at Hampden last year and were caught on film giving it the full IRA karaoke in the national stadium's dressing room? RAB enacted a euphemism, wondering why all the fuss including a full apology from the FAI when he said, "all they did was sing Paddy McGinty's goat". As for the great St Patrick's day mystery, why both were posted missing? Silence is compliance, we should be told.

And so would I but I think that opportunity has passed. Morally wrong of course because Sam was clearly far too good for Rangers.

Depends what the fee is.

Rumour that Hagi is going to Galatasaray. Hope it's an April Fool.

No real standouts but I thought Souttar had another good game. He was about the only defender not to blame for their goal! Tav had a decent game but was partially to blame for the goal (btw check out Goldson's attempt at a tackle in the box for a £38Kpw player) plus another missed penalty means I cant give him it this week. Diomande did well in the middle and Dessers took his goal well but missed another easy chance as well.

Other than one poor miss in the second half, I thought Dessers had a really good game.

Hating More Carefully. There is quite a delicious irony in the reporting of the RAB Cosgrove breach of standards story. If your actions have cast you in a dark light, ensure a mate/fellow traveller takes control of the ensuing story. Today's Herald carries the information and the Journo controlling the narrative is Gabriel McKay. The previous dozen years saw the then, Gabby McKay work for the Peter fanzine known as, 'the Daily Record'. The Anderson Quay blatt had a Chief Reporter, Mark McGivern during this period and he would occasionally scribble some nonsense inbetween his real purpose, leading worship at the altar of ra Sellik. Mark McGivern over egged the rancid pudding, he lead on the front pages demanding Rangers sever connections with a new media partner, Heart and Hand. The reasoning being an investigation into the social media history of two of the contributors found questionable outpourings. Heart and Hand suspended the pair and carried out their own investigation into numerous Daily Record Journos. It took a day to discover discover numerous sectarian social media outbursts. Mark McGivern was quietly paid off, Jane Hamilton disappeared and, Gabby McKay was sent on diversity training. Gabby was the star in the firmament, attending the opening of the 2014 Commonwealth Games at his beloved Sellik Park, he could not remain disciplined. During the late Queen's opening address he Tweeted, "where are the IRA when you really need them"? A decade after and lots of further hate, Gabby was sent on a course to learn to hate more carefully. He was allowed to quietly resign and Herald Towers employed him. A now, more careful Hater directly reporting upon a fellow Hater but, showing the way to contrition is real control. On the next page, Gabriel is relating the catholic church view that the new proposed Assisted Dying bill is a dangerous idea. Strange, when Gabby was urging the IRA to assist in the dying of the Head of State, the church said nothing.

Today, BBC Scotland accepted the Presenter of their BBC Radio Scotland programme, 'Off the Ball' committed a breach of standards. RAB(Rancid Auld Bigot) Cosgrove made an unacceptable claim about former Rangers skipper, Richard Gough. The Swedish born Scots international was not involved in the show when subjected to the Cosgrove assertion, "ah don't think Richard Gough was against apartheid". A listener complaint was upheld by the broadcaster because the comment gave the impression of being a personal attack on someone who did not have the opportunity of responding and, went beyond what would be considered acceptable in a programme of this kind.