VAR

I thought I would weigh in with my assessment of VAR. I have been a football follower all my life, nothing unique about that. I am a West Ham supporter, it’s my own fault but there it is. VAR won’t save them this season.

In the first full season of VAR in place, there is bound to be controversy and mistakes and we, as football fans, are finding it difficult to get used to, after so many years of referees being the sole judge.

I understand the desire to correct obvious errors made by the on pitch ref. Goal line technology has 100%, stopped any doubt, as to whether the ball crossed the line and has been welcomed by everyone. 

To me it seems that VAR, in many decisions, has taken the on field errors and just transferred them to an off pitch error. No matter how good the technology it is still open to human interpretation. There is no arguing that thus far the decision making has been inconsistent. Obvious mistakes have been corrected and many of the decisions VAR has been used for have been the right one. Just as many have been wrong or from a fans point of view unjust. 
A “line” both figuratively and literally, has to drawn and if that line is crossed, however minutely, you have broken the rules. Offside is the obvious example. 
There has to be, what is offside and what is not but some of the decisions, thus far, have been so borderline, that not only could no real advantage have been gained but surely it destroys the spirit of the game?

When Cricket first introduced the third umpire, I’m sure many decisions baffled both players and fans alike. As time has gone on and the systems have improved, it is no longer considered to be controversial and has become an integral part of the sport. It has added a new element to the game and because it is transparent to the fans, increases their enjoyment.
Cricket is a more static game than football and has less incidents to judge but you get the point?

The football authorities should have learnt their lesson and realised right from the start that leaving both fans and players alike in the dark, while the process goes on, is not the way to endear VAR to them. In Rugby the referees conversation with those checking decisions is heard loud and clear, everyone knows what is happening! 
Which brings up another point the football referees should use the pitch side monitors far more. Perhaps next season they will but I am sure that if they do, it will help fans, managers and players to accept the off field decisions?

Let us hope that as the seasons go on, VAR will develop into a part of the game that is integral,  accepted and that the experience of this season, will lead to a better decision making process on those marginal judgements, such as handball and offside. 

VAR has certainly given players, managers, commentators, pundits and fans something to talk about this season. I would not normally write about football but VAR has compelled me to comment. 

Freedom of Movement our loss!

So finally the sordid bedrock of immigration has poked its ugly nose above the governments parapet. It makes me sick that our supposedly cosmopolitan country should come to this. It is enough that we have fallen on our own sword of stupidity to be “free” of the EU but now we are restricting the very people who do all the things we won’t, can’t or just don’t want to.
For those of us, who fought to remain in the EU, with all it’s shortcomings and faults, the biggest loss of all was the right to move freely. It is ridiculous, in 2020 to have border restrictions, on a continent, who have fought with and against each other but have lived largely in peace since 1945, 75 years ago. Instead of progressing, we have fallen into xenophobia and fear. Instead of embracing Europe, we are jamming the doors with points and earnings expectations.
History will reflect this moment as one of shame. We should all be ashamed.

I don’t believe, even half those who mutter darkly about too many “foreigners” being let in, really mean it or have any understanding of what they spout. I am not dismissing those with hardened prejudice and entrenched views, they will regrettably always exist but the fear, whether real or imagined is badly informed and just plain wrong. Too many, in recent years, have listened, to those, who cry falsehoods, telling us what we should be afraid of. They sow doubt and fear under the flag of patriotism and lost empire. Sadly their voices screamed the loudest.
Popularism and right wing thinking, has extended its claws and has a firm grip on too many people and those who represent them. If liberal, inclusive views do not stand up and push back, our hard fought freedoms will be eroded, they will disappear, like smoke in the wind and we will wake up one day under the rule of power driven dictators whose policies restrict our cherished freedom and ruin us all!
It is not all doom and gloom, I still believe that open mindedness and liberty will prevail and this is only a temporary step back in our progression towards a more inclusive  world. I only hope the damage is not irreparable and it will be too late!

A reinterpretation of Betjeman

Jumbled

Do you reveal to much of yourself in these pages? Is it therapeutic or hubris to splash your thoughts  in public? Now as my words form on the page, I amuse myself knowing it’s deliberate. Is it to provoke or just to read words placed in a sentence, to see how they look or sound? Words for words sake! I have a predilection to amuse and yet wonder if I’m funny? I can make people laugh but often miss the mark. I speak out loud what should remain in my head. I am a critic of a world that analysis too much, whilst being guilty of doing just that.
Conundrum is a lovely word and should used more often. Prestidigitation is another word for magic. Your thinking this very random what is he writing? The words just popped in my head and spilled onto this page. Everyone’s mind is this jumbled, when they describe someone as having an ordered mind, it’s can’t be a literal description, no mind is ordered.
Perhaps more kindly nonsense, in a nonsensical world, is a good thing?
Language, words, sentences, paragraphs, pages, essays, thesis, books, thousands upon thousands of letters strung together to put our thoughts in writing, wonderful!
I shall never stop until I have to!

Sexual Orientation

I’m constantly surprised by the fuss that is made over people who’s sexual orientation is different from the accepted heterosexual “norm” . Rather like racial prejudice, it seems we hang on to the past like an uncomfortable coat, unable to hang it up in a cupboard to be put away forever but always there to remind us of our past stupidity!
I understand the conflict, that many struggle with, when they are confused about their sexuality. The mental anguish and reluctance to hurt those close to them, must be a burden that is unbearable.
Society is still not sufficiently comfortable with gay and transgender. There are many reasons for intolerance and prejudice. Many feel threatened, or believe it’s unnatural, or worse, against God’s wishes. As a Humanist, I am strongly in favour of any persons right to be themselves. Sexual orientation is not a condition,
 it is who you are.
It is time we got over these outmoded ideas. Times will always change and progress is slow, I’m sure long after I’m dead all the fuss will disappear and the need to promote the differences will subside, I hope so anyway!