Finally the West Ham cat kicker goes to court!!

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The 'court of public opinion' has its own lingua franca, and throughout the ages has coined its own words and phrases to describe those it regards with contempt. "Ratbag" for example, was used in Victorian times and still sometimes used today. Some of these epithets resurface as well - like "villain", "yokel". "Scum" and "Scumbag" are a continuation of this tradition.

And if anyone thinks it's only the 'lower orders' - or 'lowlife' - who use this terminology, they're mistaken. "Scumbag" is informal and derogatory and it's used to describe a despicable person. And I've definitely heard well-bred individuals use the terminology when sufficiently incensed.

This 'tradition' is not going to change. I think Rafichagran associates it with the 'mob' mentality. And that does exist and it's ugly - but I don't think any gransnetter would be in favour of joining a baying mob intent on lynching etc.

I think the bias against Zouma is really more to do with him being an over-paid footballer whose position has 'gone to his head', as it seems to do with some of them. Others, like Marcus Rashford, use their fame and fortune for a worthy cause - as did David Beckham, at one time (maybe still does, I don't keep up with the Beckhams' lifestyle).

Like it or not, footballers are seen by some as role models. Zouma has set the most appalling example - there have been copy-cat incidents of people abusing their cats and videoing it for social media. He could've killed the cat with his kick (his drop-kick). I don't want to see him lynched by a mob, nor beaten-up, but I won't hesitate to call him a "scumbag" which the informal dictionary describes as someone who is "a contemptible or objectionable person". That's exactly what he is.

Dickens excellent and eloquent post ??

I love it when I agree with those who want this man and his brother punished but I am scared he will just get a fine. I love dogs and cats and my life is spent saving dogs abandoned and in Shelters in USA where they kill. Cats have similar problems. There is something very wrong with humans who deliberately hurt any animal and while I am here I too wish that Boris Johnson would just go!

Really silly statement Dickens I have no mob mentality, I do what I think is right. I have stood up for people, when people gang up, when I am in minority. I do not waiver when I think I am right.
As for lynch mobs, where did that come from? That is clearly your mindset.

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Here here Dickens

Well said Dickens.

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rafichagran

Really silly statement Dickens I have no mob mentality, I do what I think is right. I have stood up for people, when people gang up, when I am in minority. I do not waiver when I think I am right.
As for lynch mobs, where did that come from? That is clearly your mindset.

I think you completely misunderstood what I meant, and the point I was making.

I did not say you had a 'mob-mentality', but that you possibly associated the name-calling with that mob mentality. A very distinct difference.

... and that kind of mentality does exist. Zouma, as he was entering Court, had to be protected by security guards - who do you think he was being protected from, if not the very people who I am referring to?

There have been instances of court appearances of people who've committed awful crimes against children or others, and it's not at all unusual for a baying mob to be outside the Court, shouting, chanting, even throwing things at the accused, or chasing the car as it drives away with him /her. That's what I'm referring to... and drawing a distinct line between that kind of behaviour and those who 'name-call'.

'Lynch-mobs' is sometimes used to describe this particular kind of behaviour. Nothing to do with my "mindset".

I don't know why I'm explaining this to you. I think most people would understand the point I was making, even if they don't agree with it. But you clearly didn't.

Dickens I have just re read your post while I am waiting on someone. You are right I did not read it properly. For that I apologise.

rafichagran

Dickens I have just re read your post while I am waiting on someone. You are right I did not read it properly. For that I apologise.

I was making an effort to understand where you might be 'coming from'.

Zouma has apparently received death threats. That doesn't surprise me - many high-profile individuals attract this kind of abuse from certain quarters. But I don't condone it towards him, or anyone else, for whatever reason.

I thought you might see this name-calling as being akin to that kind of mentality and just wanted to draw a line between the two.

I'm simply incensed by his deliberate act of cruelty and horrified that others are copying it and posting videos of their own animal abuse.

I will easily call Zouma a 'scumbag' but would never in a thousand years join a baying, screeching mob calling for his blood (so to speak).

Thanks for the response.

He only got fined £250,000 that’s like small change to him.

I too am pleased that this man is being taken to court, but what about all the pigs, sheep, cows, horses and all the animals that are used in animal experiments. The horror these animals have to go through in the slaughter houses and laboratories (some of these are cats and dogs like you have at home) around the world and nobody says anything about the suffering they endure

I know Nan. There is so much cruelty to animals throughout the world.

Nan99

I too am pleased that this man is being taken to court, but what about all the pigs, sheep, cows, horses and all the animals that are used in animal experiments. The horror these animals have to go through in the slaughter houses and laboratories (some of these are cats and dogs like you have at home) around the world and nobody says anything about the suffering they endure

There's a long list of animal welfare groups.

"Animal Aid" is a group specifically dealing with the issue of experimentation.

There's a petition currently before Parliament - I think it still has another month to run. If you haven't signed it yet, there's still time...

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/602607

My eyes were opened when I read the novel "Plague Dogs" by the late Richard Adams (he of "Watership Down" fame). Although it's fiction - every experiment described in the book, is one which has actually been carried out on animals somewhere. I became an activist after reading it.

... and here's a list of animal rights advocates (wiki)...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animal_rights_advocates

The movement doesn't now get a lot of publicity from the media- but it hasn't gone away. People do care.

Thanks Dickens. Petition signed.

I agree, Nan99
The plight of bears in the Far East is horrifying. I watched a programme about Sun Bears and their rescuers not long ago.
Huge cultural changes are needed.

The point about this footballer, though, is that this was a supposedly loved family pet he was kicking around with his boot like a football, in front of his child, then he and his brother boasted about it, thinking it was so funny they'd share it on social media.

He is supposed to be a role model, someone for children to aspire to - what kind of message was he sending out?

One of the charities I support is Four Paws, which works around the world but does a lot of work rescuing these abused bears and running sanctuaries for them. When I wrote my will I don't know what my solicitor must have thought - all the charitable legacies were for animal charities.

Germanshepherdsmum

One of the charities I support is Four Paws, which works around the world but does a lot of work rescuing these abused bears and running sanctuaries for them. When I wrote my will I don't know what my solicitor must have thought - all the charitable legacies were for animal charities.

I support Four paws as well GSM…

Oh, lovely, Shinamae! Good for you!

Germanshepherdsmum

One of the charities I support is Four Paws, which works around the world but does a lot of work rescuing these abused bears and running sanctuaries for them. When I wrote my will I don't know what my solicitor must have thought - all the charitable legacies were for animal charities.

I hope your solicitor appreciated the fact that animals unknowingly rely on humans to protect them from some of the most appalling acts of cruelty and violence.

Same with babies and small children who are exploited and abused.

The defenceless need our charity - they can't organise it themselves! And until the 'world' stops ill-treating, mis-using and taking advantage of them, that's all we can do.

... good for you!

Thanks Dickens. He's a nice bloke. If he thought it unusual, well lots of people leave money to humans. As they say, the more I see of people ...

GrannyGravy13

Rafichagran Zouma’s actions were despicable, I couldn’t give a pink flying pig what nationality he is.

He is the lowest of the low, and if you cannot acknowledge that, then you are complicit and as guilty as he is

I have never kicked a animal in my life, as I repeatedly said I do want to see him punished. I just dont like the name calling let the courts deal with it.
Please do not say I am complicit it's not true.

It seems to me GG you should appologise to me for accusing me of being complicit in that behaviour, especially as it is a lie.