CHAPEL END CHARLIE

What is perfectly obvious is that the word 'Yid' is both irremovably connected to Judaism and intended as a insult. It's a million miles away from us calling Pompey fans Skates etc because of the history associated with anti Semitism.

Yeah it's an observable phenomenon for those on the receiving end of prejudice to occasionally take possession of a racial/ethnic slur (such as black people and the hateful 'N' word for instance) in a effort to diffuse its power somehow. Q - Does that mean it's a good idea that anyone should be peppering their conversion with that type of language? A - Of course it's not.

I'm not quite sure what point you trying to make here - I wonder if you are. Very clearly this situation has only arisen because THFC has (rightly or wrongly) acquired a reputation over the years for being disproportionately popular with the Jewish community. Now some of their fans may be Jewish, many of them won't be of course, but they are all being tarred with the same brush. When the term 'Yid' is directed at the fans of that club - both Jewish and Gentile - that is clearly not intended to be taken in humorous of affectionate way, indeed the crude antisemitic implications are very obvious. You're not stupid, you well know the consequences of antisemitism and the depths it has led Humanity to in the recent past. Now you tell me, is that a experience you feel we could do with repeating?

Again the pejorative use of the term 'Yid' is understandably likely to cause offence to Jewish people whether they be football fans or no. Therefore those not interested in offending Jewish people without good reason (aka decent Human beings) would do well to avoid employing that term.

Well I don't have the stats at hand to prove it, but I strongly suspect that the vast majority of Spurs fans are not actually Jewish. Now I'm going out on a limb here, but this might go a long way towards explaining why so many THFC fans are seemingly so relaxed about this matter.

I'm watching the final installment of 'Thatcher: The Downing Street Years' on BBC 2 as I write this. Landmark television this and required viewing for anyone even remotely interested in the politics of the era. You just have to say what a pig headed egotistical monster she had become by the end of her long reign. Indeed, I'm forceably reminded that those whom the Gods seek to destroy they first make mad. But for all her (many) faults, it seems to me that history shows that her instincts were still more right than wrong when it came to the big questions mind you.

This presenter comes across as perfectly even handed (if rather bland) reporter out of the approved BBC mold if I'm being honest about it. Why anyone should take a perfectly harmless comment re the manner of our goal scoring - a question that has been discussed on here by the way - and then twist that into (paper thin) evidence of bias is something of a mystery to this fan. Tis the season for paranoia it would seem.

This fixture was a bloody terrible match to watch last season and a heavy/unplayable pitch (if the equally terrible weather forecast is to be believed) is hardly likely to guarantee any improvement. So a superbly entertaining 4-3 victory lays in store for us all then

Yes it's a poor show when man can't walk down the street and stereotype/racially abuse a complete stranger anymore without some PC nutjob complaining about it. What is the world coming to

Our Language use is so very dynamic and it can soon become a emotive issue. Words that were once seen as merely descriptive and uncontroversial, such as Yiddish (a old Hebrew language) or Negro (Spanish for black), can over time acquire a derogatory overtone that shifts the meaning and renders their use unacceptable in polite society. Very obviously your typical football crowd is seldom classified among the ranks of polite society. If this revolting story about the hissing is true then anyone engaging in such vile behavior is contemptible as far as I'm concerned. That kind of thing goes far beyond the limits of mere 'banter' does it not? Even at the somewhat less offensive end of the spectrum, those choosing to contract the word Yiddish down to 'Yid' display a similar mindset to the type who habitually choose to describe people of Pakistani origin as 'Pakies' - another term that is no longer considered to be acceptable by most decent people. As for the idea that this business is yet another example of 'political correctness gone mad' and that Jewish people don't really find the term 'Yid' to be offensive ... well I take it on good authority that plenty of them are actually deeply offended by that. So unless you intend to victimize or cause offence to people of Jewish origin (there's another word used to describe that type of person) then it's probably best to avoid using the 'Y word' in future. Having never called anyone a 'Yid' in my life, I for one can't see why that should be so much of a hardship to be frank.

I have a horrible feeling that if England lose tonight, or even if Rickie's 3rd game is less impressive than his first two (and let's face it he does have the odd 'off' day every now and then) then there are plenty in the football press just itching to write him off in the papers tomorrow morning. The only way to silence this type is for SRL to keep playing well of course, but as many a striker has discovered before him, this is no easy task at the International level.

I saw a rather depressing programme about Detroit and its many problems on the BBC last night. This once prosperous but now bankrupt and crime ridden city is in serious trouble with large sections of its urban and suburban landscape rapidly becoming a semi-desolate wasteland as (for a variety of reasons) everyone who can leave, makes damn sure they do. Such is Motown's depopulation and deindustrialization crisis that driving into the heart of the city during the 'rush hour' has become a eerie experience because the roads are now vitally empty of traffic - all this remember in what was once the home of the mighty US auto industry. Many of our old industrial centres have experienced their share of problems over the years of course, but I can think of no example where such a large city has be allowed to decline so very far in this country without at least some meaningful effort being made to address the issue. The effect of the retreat of Ford and GM from Detroit is kinda like what happened here to many of our old pit villages when their associated colliery closed - except of a vastly greater scale. One despairing resident made the point that while multi $billions have been poured into Manhattan after 3000 people died in the 9-11 terrorist attack, a much greater degree of human suffering on the streets of Detroit has elicited no comparable level of support from the Federal Government. Now I'm happy to admit that I like and admire the USA and what it stands for more than some on here do, but when you see the appalling state that cities like Detroit and New Orleans are now in, a chap has to wonder why such a wealthy nation tolerates this situation.

So I take it that 'greed is good' then in your credo? I on the other hand often wonder if when you reach a certain level of wealth/income whether a bit more added to the veritable cash mountain you have amassed during your career makes much meaningful difference to you anymore. Yes I too have met people in my life (both rich and poor) who so worshiped the idea of chasing money that they would find that attitude to be utterly incomprehensible, but I seriously doubt I'm alone in holding it. I say if you really love the game, then any true footballer should want to place the desire to actually play it - while they are still young/fit enough to do so - above the love of money.

I'd say so. He's got it all to prove of course, but it's not beyond the bounds of possibility he could make a useful contribution. I see he made 19 appearances and scored 6 times back in Japanese football last season.

Some people who make a profound impact on the life's of others are recognized for their achievements and celebrated, while others however - just as deserving perhaps - soon sink back into the historical obscurity they came from. I'd argue that one of those who fall into the latter category is Malcolm Purcell McLean. Now I could explain why I think this one time petrol pump attendant and lorry driver became so very important a figure in the lives of countless millions of Human Beings everywhere, but being a lazy so-and-so I'll let someone more articulate and educated than I am do it for me. Please feel free to make a case for your own 'unsung hero', be they world changing revolutionaries like McLean or just someone who came along to change your personal world for the better.

Sir Rickie played exceptionally well last night I thought against what must be admitted was very modest opposition. You just have to admire how every time he takes a step up in the game and his class is questioned, he soon proves his doubters wrong with goals and performances. I loved how after the game a reporter asked him whether it was his goal or his two assists that he found to be the more satisfying (expecting him to say the latter) only for SRL to immediately reply that scoring for England meant everything to him. We have long loved him here of course, but I suspect he is now one of the most widely popular and respected players in the English game, not perhaps because he is so outstandingly talented a footballer, but rather because he comes across as 'one of us' somehow in a way that few of his privileged and pampered contemporaries can match. That smile that seems so irritating on Joe Hart's face, seems so fitting on his. Another even bigger test on Tuesday for our man, I doubt there will be a Saints - or England - fan anywhere who doesn't wish him well.

I'd be both sadden and surprised if this youngster left game altogether. Okay he's not destined for greatness, but you'd think he would find his level and somebody would give him a chance.

This is one of those novels that mixes fiction with actual historical figures to produce a kind of amalgam - and a very successful one too. The beginning and end of this long book deal with the fictional story of Joshua, a 15 year old Colorado boy destined for a disastrous 'coming of age' as he falls under the influence of Bob Ford the (very real) killer of Jesse James. Alienated and dangerously headstrong, Joshua soon earns a little money working for Ford and spends the lot on the second hand revolver of his adolescent dreams. When his drunken father learns of it he tries to wrestle the loaded gun away from his son, the result of this action proving to be disastrous for them both. The middle section (fairly accurately I believe) tells the story of Jesse James from his roots in rural Clay County Missouri, to his death at the hands of Ford in St Joseph many years later. The Jesse James depicted here is not the iconic outlaw-hero of Hollywood myth, but rather a brutal psychotic killer who will stop at nothing to get his way. With the US Civil War raging the teenage Jesse flees the persecution of the Union army to join up with his brother Frank and ride under the command of the notorious Confederate guerrilla leader 'Bloody' Bill Anderson. I must warn you now the violence depicted in this part of the book is both extreme and very graphic in nature. When Anderson's band raid the Union held town of Centralia they capture a train full of unarmed Union soldiers going home on leave - whom they promptly forced to strip naked before mercilessly executing the lot. War and crime have become one and the same it seems, with precious little room left for the outdated 'chivalry' of the old south. The Confederacy might have surrendered in 1865, but Jesse's bloody career was far form over. He goes on to form the so called 'James-Younger Gang' who conduct a series of violent train and bank robberies in the post war south before the infamous raid on Northfield Minnesota proves to be a step too far. Escaping with his life and not much else, the increasing paranoid Jesse is forced to recruit new gang members which (by a roundabout route) is how he comes into contact with Robert Ford. The rest as they say is history. I loved both sections of this wonderful (debut) novel, but as fascinating as the story of Jesse James is I found Joshua's tale to be even more compelling if anything. With the boy now on trail for his life, such was the tension this reader was experiencing that when I got to the page when the jury foreman stands to deliver the verdict I could feel my pulse racing with the sheer stress of it - a rare experience indeed when merely reading a book. So if you only read one tale of the wild west in your lifetime then this one would be a pretty good choice I reckon. .

Back on topic, the signing of one player at the back, one in the middle, and one up front shows we've strengthened right down the spine of the team - and with real quality too. Add Luke Shaw's decision to sign his first pro contract here and only a fool would claim the club has not done very well this summer. My thanks to our Chairman and especially Marcus Liebherr (may he RIP) for making it all possible.

I don't know how many times I've read on here, but apparently last season was a kind of prolonged 'settling-in' period for this player and this season he will come into bloom and prove all his doubters wrong. From what I've seen so far this season I must say we still appear to be patently waiting for the 'real' Gaston to turn up. My advice to him would be that 'sooner would be better than later' young man.

I've seen on MOTD another pretty shocking failure to give an obvious pen in the Cardiff v Everton game. Refs are reluctant to make these calls because they are game changing decisions and giving a pen (that is subsequently shown to be wrong on TV) must be every refs worst nightmare. Now I can understand that, but surely both good judgement and a degree of moral courage is required to do this job. If too many officials are found to be lacking in moral fibre then before very long the game is going to have a serious problem on its hands.

Didn't see yesterdays game so can't comment on it. But from I have seen of him so far VW looks to be a bloody good footballer and worth every penny if you ask me. But time will tell of course.

If I wanted to 'frighten' Princess Diana into become a somewhat less high profile embarrassment to the ranks of the British establishment, then I can think of about a million less dangerous and complicated ways of doing that than this! For a start choosing not to conduct this 'operation' in a foreign country might have simplified the plot somewhat. And as that great hero of the French resistance movement Rene Artois once said: "simple plots are always the best"

Hard as many may find it to believe, it has been known on occasion for some (otherwise perfectly normal) Human Beings not to develop a taste for alcohol! Yeah I know, it's a funny old world isn't it ...

As gloriously improbable a scenario as it appears to be, I can conceive of ways a road traffic 'accident' might be arranged should some sophisticated agency be minded to do so. How you would ever ensure that this manufactured crash would prove to be a fatal one for rear seat passengers traveling in a car quite as solidly constructed as a Mercedes S Class is quite another matter - indeed this is the heart of the matter. The record shows that a bodyguard (Trevor Reese-Jones) traveling in the front passenger seat did survive, and had all those in the Mercedes taken the elementary precaution of waring their seat belts then there seems little reason to doubt that there might well have been more survivors. I seem to remember there was a degree of controversy surrounding the question of whether the driver was intoxicated or not, the blood test results acquired during his Postmortem being open to differing interpretations. However video evidence of him drinking in the hotel bar immediately prior to the crash would seem to be pretty conclusive. As is in the nature of conspiracy theories, evidence such as this that does not fit in with a preconceived version of the truth will be dismissed as fakery of course. Even had Henri-Paul been as sober as a judge, even had the car's seat belts and breaking system been sabotaged somehow, I see no dispute at all that HP drove the Mercedes at a inappropriately high speed that night - what happened next is surely a mere matter of kinetics.