Tuesday 9 July 2013

Andy Murray

So who's he then?


Not Daniel Craig

There he is and no mistake about it.

Andy is a British tennis player, most notably famous for winning on behalf of Great Britain; Olympic gold, the US open and now Wimbledon - he's the first Brit in 77 years to win the latter title. This is a big deal, especially for the folks back in Dunblane - a small village in the north of the British Isles - they were all especially proud of the UK's latest world class sportsperson. With the titles he has under his belt, the European tennis star is now targeting the coveted world number one spot currently held by Serbian Novak Djokovic.

On winning the much sought after All England Wimbledon winner's trophy - citizen of the world, carbon-based biped of the third planet orbiting the G-type star Sol in the minor arm of the Milky Way Galaxy and sentient being of the known universe in what many believe might be a multiverse-based reality - Murray tweeted: 'can't believe what just happened!!!!!!!!!!'

Personally, I don't fully buy into the idea that when Murray wins he's British and when he loses he's Scottish, but the BBC did a rare job after the Wimbledon final in managing not to mention Murray's country of birth. I know there are those saying 'but Britain is his country of birth' which I'd say is true - but you can also use identical hair splitting arguments to say Scotland is his country of birth.


Odd one out, who is not chewing a wasp?
As soon as I saw Salmond with the Saltire I thought - uh-oh, this won't go down well. I initially thought it was a bit crass but then, after listening to the gushing commentary, I thought actually, people might not know Murray was from Scotland. It goes with out saying Alex Salmond has been criticised strongly by the usual suspects for unfurling the flag (especially as it neatly frames a clapping David Cameron.) But when you remember the same David Cameron ran a St Georges Cross up the flag pole at Downing Street in support of England's World cup effort back in 2010.

In any case, flag waving by politicians is not with out precedent:


Boris Johnston, probably right where a lot of folk want him, although not for the same reasons.

David Cameron at the London Olympics.

Now you might say the Union Flag represents all of the UK so transcends all other flags of the British Isles and you could even be right, personally I don't really give a shit what flags are waved. The issue as I see it is - is Great Britain now so insecure that it has to blot out any mention of a sportsperson's place of birth, be it in England, Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland?

If so, it really highlights just how parasitical the Great British State has become. People criticise Salmond for being vain-glorious, for hijacking a sporting event for political ends. Surely though, if by producing a Saltire, an event is politicised - the same is true if you produce a Union Flag?

Or is this yet another example of one rule for GB and another for its component countries? (Answer; yes, it is.)

I'm chuffed to bits for Andy Murray and I'm glad he's taken all of the UK with him on his journey to Wimbledon success, any one - regardless of location in the UK - who supported him deserves to enjoy his victory.

There are those who say Salmond/SNP/Nationalists/etc would seek to take that away from the rest of the UK. I'd say there are those with a vested interest in the UK who seek to keep these things to themselves.

The BBC news website reported the following:


Mr Cameron also hinted that the first British men's player to win Wimbledon since 1936 would be honoured.
Asked about the possibility of Murray becoming Sir Andy, Mr Cameron said: "Honours are decided independently but, frankly, I can't think of anyone who deserves one more."
He added: "It was a fantastic day for Andy Murray, for British tennis and for Britain."

While Alex Salmond said when asked... 

...whether Murray's achievement had been a triumph for Britain, he replied: "Absolutely, and for tennis fans everywhere. Let everyone enjoy the triumph. But you will allow us just the little sneaky thing of the first Scot since 1896. Let us wave our Saltires."

My emphasis of course, but who's really being more fair and open?

Plus, there was a Saltire flying over 10 Downing Street during the final. While that might cancel out the St Georges flag flying during the 2010 World Cup for England; it also cancels out the political nature of Salmond unfurling a Saltire given Cameron was flying one back at his crib on Downing Street.

Which ever way you cook it though:


You did it, bloody well done son.
And to the kind souls featured in Rev Stu Campbell's article over at wings who's support for Murray was somewhat lacking allow me to say: A young chap I know had a rather unique way of dealing with any insults aimed at his person, he'd simply reply with the words:


'So's your mum.'






4 comments:

  1. I can't believe the fuss about The First Minister of Scotland being proud enough of a Scot who had won a major world tournament that he waved the Saltire at him, from the First Ministerial vantage point of the royal box.

    As you point out Cameron flew a Scottish Flag over Downing Street; he also unfurled a UK flag at the Olympics, as did Princess Anne at the paralympics.

    I truly see nothing wrong with what any of them have done.

    I didn't watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics, nor any other part of it, but I read and heard that the Queen had been induced to participate in it.

    I have to say, for some strange reason, I found that tacky in the extreme!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The knighthood nonsense will bother me more and no doubt the better together mob when Murray comes out as a no voter as I suspect he surely will. Sportspeople who are forced to represent GB are folk who benefit a great deal from the union so tend to think in those terms. Saying that most of the Scottish football team are English but they won't have a vote, pity.

    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  3. I had/have no thoughts on the olympic opening ceremony, the entire thing gave me the boak. I'm not a fan of it anyway, not the idea of it (which is good,) just athletics in general - I don't get it.

    I think what this does is highlight yet more media & unionist double standard. The notion that everything now must be filtered through the prism of Scottish Nationalism but never British Nationalism.

    As for gongs and awards from the royal theme park, I used to e ambivalent, not now though. If the royal family comported themselves in a more limited, less aristocratically anachronistic fashion (yes, I really just said that...) Then fair enough, as it is, its just a throw back to an incredibly outdated system of grace and favour that needs to be made gone.

    The idea that you can still profit from such an award is completely wrong for example.

    The only letters after a name that should have the ability to increase your income or standing are those gained honestly and with real effort from a place of education or work.

    ReplyDelete
  4. (I reckon Andy Murray will end up keeping his voting intentions to himself, Doesn't matter which way he falls, he'll get stick.

    Personally, I think he'll be a yes - I'll have a word the next time we're knocking some tennis balls around... We spar you know... Ivan Lendl's role is a front... Honest... ;-)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for comment as always and I apologise if you have to jump through any hoops to do so. Its just that, I'm still being spammed by organisations who are certain I can't get it up or when it is up its not big enough or that I don't have anyone to get it up for.

Who knew blogging could be so bad for ones self-confidence?