Events of the last few days have been somewhat concerning up here, although it clearly seems to be the work of a few individuals (Alex Salmond puts it best: “Individuals, not communities, are responsible for their actions“). But even today I hear they’re blowing up cars just a short distance down the road from me here in Pollokshields.
But on a lighter note I’m pleased to report that the Glasgow spirit has a new poster boy - it really makes you wonder what the idiots in the car actually knew about Glasgow before they tried their botched attack… Anyway, without further ado, I give you John Smeaton.
The quotes from the Smeat-on Smack-Down video (link) is probably the best, as he described the guy who’d failed to get a large car through narrow doors with toughened glass with insufficent space to build up any speed… (clearly well planned, that one) then started having a go at the nearby policeman who thought he’d had an accident…
You’re no having the policeman mate, theres no chance… We all tried to get a kick in at him. Bit of boot.
Indeed, one (unrelated to John Smeaton) quote I’ve heard is ““Only in Glasgow do suicide bombers need rescued from the locals by the police“.
Marvellous stuff. All makes me rather proud of my adoptive city.
But all the above not withstanding, I still think Glasgow has an unfair and largely inaccurate reputation amongst many of my English friends as being a rough or dangerous place (Indeed, I held that view myself before I actually visited!). So do feel free to come visit us some time, and we’ll be glad to show you a beautiful and friendly city 
July 3rd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
In your last paragraph, the ‘view that you held yourself’. Well that is a Southern view, we in the NE (and Liverpudlians) always loved Glasgow and Glaswegians, in fact we have more in common with them than with the rest of the UK . Just ask any Geordie.
July 8th, 2007 at 9:15 am
[...] But John Smeaton’s actions were enough to make Richard Leyton proud of his adoptive city. [...]