Adam Miller: You won't achieve independence by calling no voters 'traitors'

When one team is the subject, it’s held up as proof of my anti-Celtic/pro-Rangers agenda. When the other side is on the end of it, my anti-Rangers/pro-Celtic bias is apparently showing.

Since it’s impossible to be both a Celtic and Rangers fan (no matter what an M. Johnston of Florida might insist), at least one of these allegations is completely false.

This extends to the entirety of Scottish sports media. Every newspaper supposedly has a blatant anti-your-team outlook, when in reality an industry in crisis is full of young digital sports journos just trying to do the best they can under relentless pressure and make it through the day without p**sing anyone off.

There’s nothing wrong with believing certain sources to be guilty of bias, but when that consumes your every moment it’s time to start asking yourself some serious questions.

A similar mix of rage and paranoia exists when it comes to Scottish political journalism. 

Just as in football, Scottish politics stories from outlets that haven’t explicitly stated a preference in the independence debate are routinely held up as proof that the establishment is against their side. 

Comments under an article about an accusation directed towards First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will be full of unionists who believe the outlet has displayed their pro-independence bias by going easy on her in the piece and nationalists who insist the outlet has demonstrated their pro-union attitude by running the story in the first place. 

Nowhere does this routine play out with as much bitterness and regularity as BBC Scotland (or ‘British BIASED Corporation more like!’ as the uncle you shun at family gatherings hilariously calls it). 

Depending on who you ask, our national broadcaster is either a bastion of lefty Sturgeon fans or a hotbed of rabid anti-Sturgeon propaganda. 

READ MORE: The Wire cops have got nothing on Scotland's booze-busting officers

On Tuesday, BBC News Scotland editor James Cook received abuse outside the Conservative hustings in Perth. Footage shows Cook attempting to respond to questions from a Scottish independence campaigner while cries of “scumbag rat” and “you’re a traitor” are directed at him by another. 

Cook deals with the situation calmly and politely, but the footage is as embarrassing as it is infuriating. These are grown adults.

Harassment of journalists is something we’ve seen from Brexiteers and anti-vaxxers. You can’t stoop to the level of those groups and expect to be taken seriously. 

Sturgeon condemned their behaviour, saying: “Hurling abuse at journalists is never acceptable. Their job is vital to our democracy and it is to report and scrutinise, not support any viewpoint.

“James Cook is a journalist of the highest quality and a total pro - the behaviour he was subjected to last night was disgraceful.”

The damage was done, though. Fools like the one who confronted Cook do precisely nothing to further their cause, and play into the hands of unionists who wish to characterise the entire Yes movement as an unhinged, angry mob.

In 2014’s referendum, 44.7% voted for independence. ‘We are the 45%’ became a rallying cry among Yes voters, but an independent Scotland won’t be achieved without some of the 55.3% being convinced.

People who could swing from No to Yes aren’t going to be persuaded by a side calling them ‘nawbags’ or ‘traitors’. 

Angry bampots will drive potential allies away from the Yes movement.

Scotland will vote No again and they’ll blame the dreaded MSM, instead of taking any responsibility for their own part in the campaign’s failure. 

Of course, I would say that, as a fan of (insert football team/politician). 

'Breaking Bad prequel ended on a high note'

Speaking of upsetting footage released on Tuesday, that was the day on which the final episode of Better Call Saul aired.

Over its 61-episode run, the show balanced dark humour with brilliantly intricate plotting and moments of real tension, while maintaining a distinctive tone that set it apart from the cultural phenomenon that was Breaking Bad. 

‘Sticking the landing’ when it comes to long-running TV shows is a tall order. You want your audience to leave the show feeling satisfied, knowing that an unfulfilling ending will leave a sour taste in the mouth and colour their opinion of the entire show.

At the same time, you run the risk of tanking the show’s legacy if you just sacrifice plausible character development and put together a focus-grouped bit of fan service.

Thankfully, the Breaking Bad prequel ended on a high note, wrapping up the story in a way that felt true to the main characters while earning rapturous reviews from fans and critics alike. 

READ MORE: Negative reviews aren't all that bad

Although the show has reached its climax, the debate as to whether Better Call Saul or its predecessor is the better show continues to rage. 

BT Sport pundit and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand put it best back in 2018 when discussing football superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In a sentiment easily applied to the two Netflix dramas, Ferdinand said: “They’re just phenomenal to watch. People try and make comparisons of who’s better etcetera. Just enjoy ‘em man. We’re lucky to be in this time.”