West Ham Till I Die
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The Jimmy Cooney Column

The Cyber "Experiment" on the Human Conditon.

First, I would like to convey my condolences to the Family and Loved ones of Glenn Roeder, a great football man, who, in my, and at least one other good friend’s opinion, received sort of a raw deal at the time of the 2002-03 relegation season, a side that was filled with talent, yet, still went down on an amount of points that now, USUALLY keeps you up. Far from it was it all his fault. I can only pray his loved ones are find as much comfort as possible in this difficult time.

Now, I did want to cover the fact that that West Ham United went to the home the best football club in England, if not the world, last Saturday, and took them to the wire, playing well enough, at some periods of the match, to have possibly taken all 3 points, however, mostly deserved one, and, if they play that well, or “almost” as well for the next 12 fixtures, I have total belief in this team that not only my early notation of the unity within the squad and coaching staff would absolutely make ensure that my September prediction of 6th place, or Silverware, which, we know won’t happen at this point, however, at least as far as the former is concerned, could very well be met, if not surpassed. Regarding the rest of the City match, I will simply quote Hamburg, for I could only put in words similar enough to be borderline plagiarism, I suppose, (unless I wanted to get into the disparity of how the way they “reward” system is set up, ensures dynasties, perhaps another day?) :))

“It is obscene really. Looking at Manchester City’s bench – that’s a team right there still challenging for titles and trophies every year. Man City are actually two top quality PL teams rolled into one.” “Hamburg Hammer”

With all of these topics already having being heavily covered, I feel compelled to comment on the guest post by Guy Nash, which is a very well presented and coherent, column on the breakdown of the different types of personalities who frequent on line forums such as “WHTID” and how they have affected not only modern sports news, but, society itself.

The first topic really reminded me of my “like/hate” relationship I have with social media that has made some things better, however, most things infinitely worse, as far as human relations are concerned. My brother and I agreed around 2009 that when a certain huge social media outlet that I’m not sure if I’m legally allowed to mention), came out/made it “big” roughly around the same time, was going to help destroy a lot of the better aspects of human nature. (Turns out we were correct to a frighteningly higher level than even I thought).

However, as reluctant as I was to join a good 3-4 years after its conception, I was persuaded to join because it was suggested to me by an acquaintance, a BIG fan, and now, addict of said “Book”, using the argument/persuasion point that “It could help you find other new musicians to jam with AND, perhaps you’ll find other West Ham United supporters to enjoy this with, instead of watching and following by yourself, or, having just a few friends, who already had their glory club of choice picked out, to watch or discuss with”. For, as I’ve explained 127,586 times that I can’t pop into the local pub (well, no one can right now, but you know what I mean), or see a front page spread in the local newspaper, on how many km’s Declan Rice ran, just a tiny little 2 square inch box with the scores of the day.

Well, of course, being a bit bored “Dancing With Myself” so to speak, (Written and first recorded with a much better lead guitar track while Billy Idol was still in “Generation X”), I took this person’s advice.

I cannot say that there hasn’t been good things that came of it. As far as the music’s concerned, unfortunately, no one worth, willing or interested anymore, for a various number of reasons, was available to help me get a new band going, however, it did introduce me to almost too many outlets in which I could actually follow and discuss West Ham United. I have it whittled it down to about 3-4 trusted spots, one of which, is indeed “WHTID”, which has lead to an opportunity to rediscover a love for creative writing, which obviously must be a talent, however, also leading to quite few very good connections, OF WHICH I’D LIKE TO SAY I AM GRATEFUL THAT I HAVE MADE ergo, am not ANTI social media.

That being said, it also has caused a lot of unnecessary, and in many cases unwarranted spells of anxiety, sheer anger, and unhappiness. Therefore, I am for social media reform.

In spite of the fact that I had to do my best, (with “said Book”) not being able to “see” or “hear” 90% of those who “friend” requested ME, (until later video features had been implemented), to weed out the Nazis, homophobes, xenophobic, and misogynistic types, I have not always been successful, and was literally bullied off of one similar blog (some time ago now, still, haven’t been back) that is advertised at the bottom of this page, all because I was not born in “E-13”…… so where I can’t really come close to sympathizing with experiencing any of the above atrocious sub human mindsets, I can sure as hell empathize with them, and right now, the internet is “The Wild West” as far as laws, etiquette, and respect for other human beings is concerned, some sites it’s “kill or be killed” in an arguably very esoteric way.

For those who enjoy my columns, I apologize and thank you in advance for any kind words today, however, I’m going to disappoint you with a less “freeform” column, for, everything I wanted to talk about, like, how great a team West Ham is right now, where I think Benrahma should have started instead of Fornals, even though I still think very highly of Fornals, and in spite of going up against the “Mechanized Death Machine”, that Manchester City is, the lads did not end up NOT being vaporized by their 16" Naval Rifles, but fought a brave and solid “rear guard action” and lived to fight another day, and thus far, has deservedly earned their place in the League Table, these topics have already been thoroughly covered.

Of course, is the saddest news, is Glen Roeder, I swear,if this world put HALF the amount of time into finding a cure that it does in figuring larger and more vicious ways to kill each other, a lot of our loved ones would still be with us, Bobby Moore could still be with us, any number of great musicians, artists, actors, and athletes, and poor little Isla Caton would not be suffering as no child should.

However, there is another issue that I know has been covered, one, we actually have the power to control in our everyday lives, and one, that could use some broadening, and since I have made a pact with myself to not post nearly as much anymore, for one, I have a column in which to let loose the verbosity. The other reasons are too long to list.

I’d be hypocritical not to at least broach the subject, being against any sort of prejudice, discrimination due to anything except ones character and deeds (as I’ve mentioned 17,234,987 times, including today) and the fact that I respect someone like David Moyes as much as I can someone I don’t know, has obviously upset someone who I know by first name and avatar only, however has been nothing but supportive and kind to me, and would consider a good friend, has cited examples and evidence of misogyny, from our own, David Moyes, and, I’d be a liar if this didn’t bother me.

With guys in particular, it’s the whole “it’s just his age, era, the jokes we came up with”, defense, that I’ve seen used liberally, if not too excessively which I cannot dismiss any longer.

HOWEVER, I’d also be a liar if I had said that I had not at least a chortle as a younger man at a “dumb blonde” joke, called someone a “less than flattering” word for a LGBTG person in my younger days in the build up before, or during a fist fight, and, yes, I’d also be lying if not had used some very harsh words referring to an African American after having a gun held to my head in the one out of the few times I’ve had a gun on me, I was young, legitimately being robbed, and not later down the road, in a situation where I knew there was a chance of it happening.

That may be pretty heavy news to some, I’m sure, however, I can honestly say, mostly because of the way my folks raised me, my own ability to evolve to see and learn the “incorrectness” of it all, (of the 3 times the pipe was actually “bore sight” with me, all sorts of different folk were on the trigger), which even if had I not already evolved, and said “my bad”, it definitely would have had me reconsidering some truths and lies.) However, though, to be honest? It really never made sense to me, ever, to completely judge a whole race, religion. I never used a homophobic term after the age of 14, I had no real knowledge, or fully developed concept of how our brains all decide that for us, or let alone hatred for homosexuals or “lesbians” as they were referred to politely at the time. It just sounded “bad ass”. And, as far as women, I always picked them for my teams, and I’ve found that women are much nicer, in a genuine way, as well as respond better romantically, when they are treated with respect, they are listened to, and their feelings are being considered. One thing I’ve NEVER done, however, was hit a woman. NEVER!!!!.

This is no excuse, at best it’s an explanation, or a catharsis, however, it has to be proof that we’ve reached an age where “I was just kidding around”, or “there’s a difference between…..” etc, etc, just doesn’t fly anymore, as I told one person “it’s not 1981 anymore, all the good stuff about ’81 ended in ’82, and all the garbage social thinking remains”. thinking and, as someone who has been able to have began this evolution oddly sometime around the same age I was old enough to appreciate punk, 14 (obviously a really big year for me!) But dig this, I’m not too much younger than David Moyes! He only has 10 years on me!

However a conscious effort really has to start being made to stop the dismissal of “jokes”, or “it’s just the way I was raised”, because, if you’ve learned to like and respect someone you once may have considered a certain term, or stigmatized? You can sure as hell learn to listen to them, and find out what bothers them, and what is “o.k.” as banter, if that even needs to be broached.

This here’s a bloody fact, o.k.? in 1867, the Ku Klux Klan started with a group of a few (5-7) Confederate vets sitting around a card table, drinking whiskey, and telling f¥©kin’ jokes in Pulaski, Tennessee.

O.k., some may say “Jimmy’s gone really far off the rails here, comparing a few debatable comments by a man who meant no harm, to the birth of a terrorist organization”. First, let me just say that overall, I believe David Moyes to be an all around decent human being, who, unfortunately, due to his religious leanings, or his generation, may have to reconsider some of his thought processes when it comes to women. Like I said, if he can not call Antonio all the words that would have Antonio lose his sense of humor about things, he can learn to talk to, and treat women with a modicum of respect. I know he can….he’s “The Moysiah” for cryin’ out loud!

“Where’s the connection?” One may ask, well, if the KKK example was too subtle, dated, or regional to grasp, I complete the circle by siting the Guy Nash column as a good starting point for a discussion on not how only the written and spoken word has a power to be believed, even if it’s a load of ball locks….. (it always has) but, now, it can be spread worldwide, at near the speed of light, and no matter how ridiculous it may sound, I.e. the way “Q” sounds when he says the “Deep State” is involved in a human trafficking ring to harvest baby adrenaline to get high off of, however, this lunacy (in concert with thousands of other bigoted lies), helped the Insurrection on the Capitol in the U.S. on 6/1/2021, to happen…..all starting with a bunch of knuckleheads, JOKING AROUND about overthrowing the “ZOG Machine”, along with the rest of the “Reactionary Right”, but since their I.Q’s are so low, or in most cases, had it passed down to them by their elders. Or aren’t intelligent enough to evolve, which if that’s the case and what they WANT to believe? Those are the really dangerous ones.

And, that’s part of the point…..the written word, and/or those in the spotlight, like it or not, have an obligation or responsibility to chose their words more wisely, and one large reason is because social media has become, what it has become, words are now, literally weapons.

I hated to bring politics into it, but it was the most current way to make the point (I learn that the hard way at least 30% of the time I make a comment, EVEN THOUGH I MEANT ABSOLUTELY NO HARM IN IT!!!!) as I’m sure David didn’t thinks he didn’t. Still, the point is, all of those who choose to be in a public light, have a certain responsibility to make sure what they say, if controversial, has at least some truth to it and arguable points to IMPROVE things in general.

Well, I suppose this is long enough for my friends and foes to make their according jokes, there will be no pictures, I’m still all about this club achieving as high a position in the table as possible, I’m proud as hell to be a Hammer right now, ready to kick the shit out of Leeds next, (in the proverbial sense, see? On the pitch and by goal score, not in a literal sense! Thank you dc!) as someone who can only empathize with a lot of things, one thing I always do, we are in the fetal stage of the “information age”, and, just to survive, some changes are needed, and human rights and social media reform, are two things I am in favor of.

Fire away……… :)

COYI

Jimmy.

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