D'Artagnan

Because the admin dont set the tone on RM they allow the poster to do that so long as they adhere to the general rules re abuse. Rather than give you a long winded reply - I think reapers highlight above says it all. Who said a picture doesn't paint a thousand words ?

I dont know who owns it now Frankie - Bluepeter appears to be the voice of authority on admin related matters and site policy. Its perhaps to their credit that if such ownership has changed hands it has made no difference whatsoever to the ethos and general running of the site.

Rangersmedia do not take their lead from the site owner - and I think that comment is disrespectful to the admin guys on there - they allow a variety of opinions to flourish without censure, providing posters do not resort to personal abuse. Furthermore the articles they publish as site articles reflect both sides of the debate when there are a diversity of views.

I will have to respectfully disagree amms. And the following comment is totally erroneous.

I know you didnt SB - I would re-iterate that my mention of Rangers Unite & The RST was not meant to be a criticism of either, just an observation and example as to how unity with a bit of compromise, would allow us to progress.

ShoredBear I really didnt want this to turn into a thread about the RST - positive or negative. I appreciate you have only been there 2 years. The problems I allude to go back way before that time to Alan Harris' letter and statement of resignation. I think much of the criticism elsewhere stems from that time. While many people focus on the monetary aspects surrounding that resignation and the allegations made I have other concerns. The fact that so many people within the trust allowed this situation to fester for so long is concerning. That Alan Harris was prevented from speaking out on this issue concerns me. It reeks of cronyism or a weakness to stand up to an individual who was fundamentally in the wrong. Alan Harris made some damning allegations in his statement of resignation and a decision was made within the Trust to make the response to them low key. Some wished for a far more robust response but they were were outvoted by the low key supporters. The fact that the individual who was the catalyst to this problem has gone on to rise in prominence within the RST has done nothing to dispel those fears and concerns. Allow me to make something clear - this is not about personal animosity. Its attempt to objectively look at the reasons why there is so much animosity towards the trust.

Dont worry BM - after the first 2 paragraphs a very thick red mist descended and I almost missed the satirical element. I had to do a double take before I got it. And we were not the only ones I can assure you.

Well firstly ShoredBear I didnt mention the RST in a negative light, or I certainly didnt intend to, I held up them and Rangers Unite to show how a failure to compromise can actually weaken rather than strengthen. Secondly - I dont agree with the abuse of the RST - but I have no problems with criticism of the RST - in the same way as by blogging I leave myself open to criticism, much like you are doing now. I think the RST comes in for particular criticism and abuse because a lot of people feel let down by it - I know I certainly do. I was there in Partick at the Burgh Halls, I grasped the dream, I was excited and ecstatic about it. I still remember that day so vividly and the feelings of optimism it generated. That dream has been extinguished for me and many others and I cant see it ever being re-ignited.

Whilst I very much appreciate the support I do not want this to be a "knock ff" thread. Those who know me know that Im about unity not division. Shored Bear please note my comments in the last paragraph I included posters on forums as carrying the responsibility the same as everyone else.

It's the principle behind it Frankie - far more than the cut itself. Yourselves & RM and VB allow discussion and debate no matter how much you may personally disagree with the topics raised.

For those wondering there is no event of significance related to the opening title. I just felt it was a period of time which allowed for a review of events and responses concerning our football club i.e. what has happened and how have we as a club and support responded and adapted to such events. Furthermore, have actually learned from such events? Its perhaps worth mentioning that in this writer's eyes knowledge is useless if you cannot make the necessary changes to respond to that knowledge and the challenges it may present. In the midst of our crisis our support demonstrated a unity rarely seen in recent times. We focussed on a single goal - the survival of our club with all other distractions cast aside. But with the danger averted have we fallen back into our old fragmented ways ? I sometimes wonder if our "No Surrender" mentality is sometimes more of a hindrance than a help. I admire the no compromise default position of our Vanguard Bears towards the enemies of our club, but perhaps in the wider Rangers community, and towards our own whose opinion perhaps differs, perhaps seeking some kind of compromise would do our club no harm. A case in point would be our 2 fan ownership models - The RST and Rangers Unite - both trying to sell the alien concept of fan ownership to a Rangers support who for generations have been conditioned by a sugar daddy model of ownership. Can't they at least find common enough ground to amalgamate into one body and increase the likelihood of success rather than fail to find compromise and be forever destined to wander in a wilderness as far away as ever from achieving their dream? The relationship, or often lack thereof, between our various Rangers online forums would be worthy of a book in itself. (It is matter of considerable regret that this blog will not be posted on the Follow Follow forum. However I discovered recently the extent some will go to suppress opinion which does not fit in with their own and I cannot, sole in conscience, contribute to a website which stifles debate and discussion amongst Rangers supporters because it expresses a view some disagree with. Apologies to the many fine Bears on that forum) Furthermore the latest bout of boardroom musical chairs at our club with factions within the Rangers support choosing sides, and as the recriminations continue. Rangers forums are awash with the latest tales from our varying factions or "The blogger wars". Now I donâ??t know who is right or wrong in all of this but there is one thing I do know with absolute certainty - every minute they spend hurling accusations against each other is a minute the enemies of our club are granted a reprieve and allowed to slip away quietly under the radar. The Scottish Press appears still, to be very unfavourable towards our club. You could be forgiven for thinking they had missed the three legal rulings which found in favour of our club. The fact that the evidence has been stolen in the tax case they have drooled and salivated over for some time, has barely raised a whisper. The individuals at our football authorities who have lied, usurped the most basic fundamental of our society, demonstrated considerable negligence and who were accused of being â??corruptâ? - remain in position, We have failed to make an impact on how our club is perceived in the press. The consequences of the fragmented nature of our support was confirmed to me when visiting one Rangers online forum to discover that in complete isolation they had organised a boycott of a certain newspaper. How much more impact would that boycott have had if it had been shared and honoured by the wider Rangers community ? We seem also to have made little impact in the political arena, with the Rangers support still being deprived of answers due to Government authorities hiding behind poor and inadequate excuses and politicians failing to hold them accountable. But we have to take some of that blame ourselves. We have failed to develop our ability to lobby politicians to organise effectively and in unison against the forces of the press and media. Its fine letting off steam on a Rangers forum but you are very much preaching to the converted. Martin Luther King didn't change America and the wider world by convincing those who agreed with him â?? he did it by convincing those who didn't agree with him. But its not all doom and gloom. The Rangers Standard project celebrated its first anniversary recently â?? I hope its the first of many. In it's time it has drawn criticism, and I would be the first to admit I have not agreed with every article which has been published on their site. But I really get what these guys are doing. When I was in the Marines I served in various theatres of war. In Norway I donned Arctic camouflage, in Northern Ireland I wore urban camouflage â?? in short I tailored my appearance for the battle environment. That's exactly what these guys have done. They need to be seen to be beyond reproach and not be sidetracked by issues, nor leave themselves open to the malicious kind of lies we have seen the enemies of this club are more than capable of. They are out there challenging unfair and negative media representation levelled against our club and one only has to see via social media how they engage and at times leave certain individuals within the press, struggling to justify what they have written. But this is not just a review â?? its a challenge. Because there are people out there in Rangers organisations, admin on forums, posters on forums, bloggers etc. who could help improve the situation by keeping the no surrender mentality for our enemies whilst adopting a more conciliatory attitude towards those, for whom like themselves â?? Rangers is their passion.

Its an utter nonsense when expressed by the likes of Lawell. That however does make the idea or concept of sporting honesty, fairness and integrity extinct.

Cue... "See those masons at ASA"...

I have no doubt some are motivated by spite - in fact it is obvious. But in my opinion you are polarising the issue by suggesting its about financial benefit or exercising our grudge and telling them to stuff it. Its not. There is another factor - Sporting Integrity. There is no sporting basis or sporting merit whatsoever for us to receive such an invite.

Keep plugging that line GS... Im sure someone will eventually bite

What do you mean by "motions" ?

How can we be "cleared" of injustices wrought upon us ?

Are you kidding ? So you are quite happy they usurped our right to a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise ? That without any proper process, without trial they declared us "guilty" ? That they drew up a document of sanctions based on their pre-determination of guilt ? That the sanctions contained therein were far in excess of punishments handed out to clubs involved in match fixing ? That they imposed an unlawful transfer embargo on our club ? That by extortion they made that unlawful embargo stand as well as witholding prize money we were due ? That is "whats wrong with that"

I dont know what relevance the Police investigations will have NVA with regard to our treatment from the SFA/SPL - unless you are suggesting their has been a failing on due dilligence on the SFA part re Whyte.

It was a problem of their own making though. If they want to pre-determine guilt, allocate a guilty verdict without trial or hearing , then draw up punitive measures of punishment and refuse us entry to the SPL - then its up to them to sort out their own mess.

Not our problem - its theirs.

Particularly when the implied several months ago they would be taking action. "Gentlemen be very careful...."

I dont see in terms of sporting integrity, that there can be any other way.

I would agree with that. But its not about spite as I alluded to in my opening post.

Whilst many have ridiculed Bill's blog on the subject as "hysteria", particularly with regard to some people having being "primed to sell this to the Rangers support, I find it concerning that his thread was pulled from FF website. despite having over 250 responses - the vast majority of which expressed a desire to reject any such invitation.