Finally the West Ham cat kicker goes to court!!

Callistemon21

^It’s a shame on a serious thread where the whole OP has been diluted^

I agree with that and we did try to discuss it.

I agree with that and we did try to discuss it.

Yes, I agree, too.

There have been other acts of cruelty to animals which have made the headlines, but I think this one stands out mainly because it was recorded on video and then put on social media (Snapchat, originally) by his brother (presumably with his approval, for 'entertainment'. In one of the videos, apparently, the images include a caption with a series of laughing emojis. Zouma brought the cat from another room into the kitchen, and drop-kicked it across the floor. And of course, his children were witness to this.

That's why I find his apology - his assurance that the cats are "loved and cherished" by the entire family - rather hollow and false.

If he'd been caught on camera accidentally by someone, lashing out in a fit of temper, that might have made me feel differently. But it was a pre-meditated attack, with no remorse after the event (quite the contrary) - until the public reacted.

I wonder if others feel the same. Acts of cruelty to animals are always distressing, but this one stands out (for me) because of the above.

So let's say we are, with possibly one exception, united in our condemnation of the actions of Zouma and his brother, they are guilty as we have seen from the video and have pleaded such. We await the decision of the court as regards their sentences but realise they will be unlikely to have much effect on Zouma, his finances and his career; possibly a greater effect on the brother whose club took a more acceptable (to most of us) line when the offences came to light. Is there anything to argue about there?

It’s a shame on a serious thread where the whole OP has been diluted

I agree with that and we did try to discuss it.

Jaxjacky

Six of one, half a dozen of the other like bickering children.
It’s a shame on a serious thread where the whole OP has been diluted.

I don't like to disagree with you, Jaxjacky but none of this would have occurred had a poster not been insulted at the beginning of the thread, been called a nasty name and her role as grandmother put into question by another poster.
I don't think it's Six of one, half a dozen of the other - it is one person totally out of line.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other like bickering children.
It’s a shame on a serious thread where the whole OP has been diluted.

I am afraid that looking at the thread, it strikes me that the most Goady person on here is not GSM or the people defending her. It seems to be another case of pots and kettles from rafichagran.

rafichagran

Dickens You chose to ignore the fact I have been accused of colluding with Zouma I have never colluded with him, never kicked a cat, and I said I wanted him punished. Why are you choosing to ignore that.
You keep on about calling low life. Where did I directly say the poster was? You yourself in a post pointed out I did not directly.
I came back to defend myself about the collusion with Zouma, but I am now leaving the thread, but if I see anymore lies I will be reporting this.
Dickens I know this is a open forum, but the same person keeps coming back at me. All I am asking for is a apology for the accusation I am colluding with Zouma a man I do not know.
I believe I am right in what I stated but none of us will change our minds.

Again, no one is suggesting that you colluded with Zouma by abusing an animal yourself. That was not the accusation.

It's a bit more subtle. You've told us to "leave it to the Court" on the assumption - presumably - that they will hand down a suitable sentence, and that will be the end of it? It might - technically - well be the end of it, but for those of us (and they are many) who regard acts of deliberate cruelty to a sentient that cannot defend itself - be it animal, baby or small child - as an act of brutality, it will not easily be erased from the mind when the case is closed.

Colluding with an offense, or being complicit in it, doesn't mean that you would commit a similar crime yourself - it implies a certain level of tolerance. That's what people mean by 'colluding' - you, yourself, have said that he should be allowed to play football again, unhampered.

What would be a suitable punishment, in your eyes? A fine (which is probably what he will get)? a suspended sentence? Community service?

What do you think might make him reflect on what he's done? Personally, I think he needs to be made to examine his own behaviour - there's definitely a flaw in his character if, in a fit of temper, he can so easily resort to barbaric cruelty - in front of his children... and then allow the video to be posted on social media. That really is not stable behaviour, and he should not be allowed to just carry on as normal just because the Court has, technically, done its duty.

His talent has given him a privileged position - and he's abused it. And please don't bring race into this, his behaviour has nothing to do with his race, vicious bullies come from all quarters. And that's what he is, a vicious bully, like all the others of his kind.

Finally, the 'cut-and-thrust' on social media means that if you say 'snarky' things about someone, they might well retaliate. Before you demand an apology from others, I think maybe you should retract your "low-life" comment. That really was provocative, and it has made people examine your comments more closely than they would probably otherwise have done.

rafichagran I stand by my post.

Well said, Dickens

For goodness sake, rafichagran, can you not leave it?
You insulted another Gransnetter in a nasty fashion, many others defended her, quite rightly, you did not have the grace to apologise and move on - but expect an apology yourself.

I’d quite like an apology for being told I’m no better than Zouma and for your disgraceful insult yesterday. But I’d much prefer it if this time you kept your oft-repeated promise and left the thread.

Dickens You chose to ignore the fact I have been accused of colluding with Zouma I have never colluded with him, never kicked a cat, and I said I wanted him punished. Why are you choosing to ignore that.
You keep on about calling low life. Where did I directly say the poster was? You yourself in a post pointed out I did not directly.
I came back to defend myself about the collusion with Zouma, but I am now leaving the thread, but if I see anymore lies I will be reporting this.
Dickens I know this is a open forum, but the same person keeps coming back at me. All I am asking for is a apology for the accusation I am colluding with Zouma a man I do not know.
I believe I am right in what I stated but none of us will change our minds.

Thank you Dickens. Very eloquently expressed, as usual.

rafichagran

Germanshepherdsmum

I’m entitled to post when I wish. You are not entitled to assume control of the thread, nor to use that sort of insulting language. It may be used on MN but it’s not acceptable on GN.

I never actually swore, I was careful to use abbreviations and not write the swear words. Are you now having a go at me instead of Zouma? You need to lay off now as it seems to be eating you up.
I have been lied about and accused wrongly of colluding with someone. I took it up with the poster concerned, I have the right to reply as you would know since you tell us all the time you are solicitor.
I need a apology for saying I colluded with Zouma, I dont personally know him. I would never kick a animal.
You gave insulted me and called me a bully, but you need to look at yourself. As for what is acceptable, read the rules on Gransnet, swearing can be written, I chose not to write the words in full. Anyway the odd swear word does not bother me.
You really need to stop harassing me now, as the post you are going on about had nothing to do with you.

No-one is harassing you rafichagran - they are disagreeing with your opinion.

A few days ago, you said you were "bored" with all this and were going to leave us to it, but you continually return to the topic and therefore you're inserting yourself back into the fray.

You're quite entitled to your opinion about "name-calling", but shot yourself in the foot when you used the term "low-life" - because that is also part of the lexicon of name-calling.

You then introduced racism into the issue - because your partner feels it's "gone on too long" and he thinks it's because Zouma is black. Ignoring the fact that he (Zouma) is back in the public eye again because of his court appearance - hence the original topic.

Basically, you are accusing gransnetters and two posters in particular, of being "low-life" and racist. And yet you can't see why we might be upset / annoyed by this?

GermanShepherdsmum and I hold different opinions on various political topics - yet we manage to interact without personally insulting each other. I respect the fact that she has, and is entitled to, a different viewpoint to mine.

"Low-life" is in fact no different from "scumbag" or "scum" they are both equally derogatory. And you are the 'pot' calling the 'kettle' black. I can respect your different opinion, but not the way you've expressed it. And I'm not surprised that both MissAdventure and GSM have defended themselves in the way they have.

BTW, there is no rule on GN that says when one poster is replying to another, that a third cannot post a comment on it. This is a social platform, there are no private conversations unless you choose to PM someone.

Your post to me had everything to do with me and it matters not that you used an abbreviation, what you called me was utterly disgusting. As I said, low life and the language of the gutter, something you are clearly happy to indulge in but I’m not. You have harassed me, not the other way round. Look at your posts. Nobody here is supporting you so perhaps it’s time for you to move on rather than perpetuating this nastiness.

Germanshepherdsmum

I’m entitled to post when I wish. You are not entitled to assume control of the thread, nor to use that sort of insulting language. It may be used on MN but it’s not acceptable on GN.

I never actually swore, I was careful to use abbreviations and not write the swear words. Are you now having a go at me instead of Zouma? You need to lay off now as it seems to be eating you up.
I have been lied about and accused wrongly of colluding with someone. I took it up with the poster concerned, I have the right to reply as you would know since you tell us all the time you are solicitor.
I need a apology for saying I colluded with Zouma, I dont personally know him. I would never kick a animal.
You gave insulted me and called me a bully, but you need to look at yourself. As for what is acceptable, read the rules on Gransnet, swearing can be written, I chose not to write the words in full. Anyway the odd swear word does not bother me.
You really need to stop harassing me now, as the post you are going on about had nothing to do with you.

TheKevin20

Truly loathsome specimen of ?humanity. No chance he will go to prison, unfortunately.

I wish. The utter scumbag.

I’m entitled to post when I wish. You are not entitled to assume control of the thread, nor to use that sort of insulting language. It may be used on MN but it’s not acceptable on GN.

Germanshepherdsmum

Someone kindly enlightened me as to what GF means. Low life language and name calling. How ironic.

I have just been informed by a friend who is following this thread you posted again. I did not swear or use low life language just the initials.
My post was to GG, I have never been complicit with Zouma, never kicked a cat, that statement is totally wrong, but still you come. You are being goady and as pointed out by a previous poster you are trying to needle me. Just stop, you have your opinions and I have mine.

The better person eh? Not when you use language like that. The language of the gutter.

Someone kindly enlightened me as to what GF means. Low life language and name calling. How ironic.

Truly loathsome specimen of ?humanity. No chance he will go to prison, unfortunately.

Self praise is no recommendation…

Anyway being the better person I will wish you all Goodnight. I Grandchildren round, a G&T waiting and and a football match to watch. The rest will keep until tommorow if I can be bothered. Have a pleasant evening everyone.

Callistemon21

Don't ask, Germanshepherdsmum
It's an insult.

I reported it.

Thankyou. I have done a report myself.

Don't ask, Germanshepherdsmum
It's an insult.

I reported it.