For some reason you've continued to pursue the idea that I don't think he did much wrong. I thought I'd made it clear what my view of the kid who did it was.
However I have to be honest and say I find there's a huge amount of hypocrisy on these things. As an example I've seen a handful of comments today on Facebook Blades group pages that have made me smile wryly. I called out one person in particular weeks ago for posting something equally as bad imo, who told me to get a life as it was just banter. That same person doesn't think Derbys ban is enough, and he needs more.
We've got at least one poster on this thread celebrating his punishment who has posted worse in years gone by.
Best part of 10 years ago I got punched in the back of the head on Bramall Lane whilst carrying my 4 year old son by an away fan. I had done nothing and had no interaction or eye contact with the bloke who did it. Plenty saw it and some grabbed him including the Police.
Bizarrely he was 50 with no previous and his excuse was that he'd had too much to drink. He received no ban at all from either his club or Police for what was a cowardly act on two counts. The attitude was that it was one mistake and drink was involved.
This young kid hasn't been given that.
How about a year ban and a public apology?
I don't support vile comments like this and I've called people out during my short time on here for less. I do know however that if a young Blade does similar the number of Blades calling for a lifetime ban or good kicking will dwindle by at least 75%.
It's internet mob rule that takes things to a new level. Nasty vile comments now have have people petitioning for you to lose your job, but far worse gets people finding excuses for you or turning a blind eye because it doesn't suit their political leaning.
HillmortonBlade has made a good point where the internet is concerned. It's a jungle that's untamed, and hence we get mindless dolts using it as if there are no consequences to their behaviour. What Derby have shown is that there is a consequence to this type of behaviour.
As for the other unsavoury points you identified, well there is no law that prevents hypocrisy, nor should there be in my view. That's not to suggest I'm pro-hypocrisy, but if you want freedom of speech, which I do, then this is a consequence unfortunately.
I keep away from social networking. I have no need to know what others do or choose to discuss. All I need is catered for by the internet and my mobile.
Yes, people do get away with saying truly awful things. This forum isn't safe from this, and any poster who happens to be gay will have read the comments of a poster on here who talked of 'bum boys' and being 'someone else's girlfriend'. It has all the depth of a 9-year-old's intellect, yet it happens on here simply because the poster feels safe to act in what I assume they consider to be an overtly masculine manner. To my mind posters like this are little more than scum and spineless to a fault.
As for the person who attacked you, well I'm sorry it happened, and the fact that they got off with little more than a reproach is wrong.
Getting back to what I said originally, you refuted my ideas, as if to say it was a young kid and therefore this alone meant he should not be held responsible for his behaviour. I'm happy to say you're in a minority where this is concerned, and Derby County obviously agree that they do not wish to be associated with supporter's like this, regardless of their age. There has to be a consequence to certain types of behaviour, and the internet shouldn't be seen as a free pass for thugs, idiots, and potentially dangerous individuals or groups. This poster has gotten off lightly. He doesn't have a criminal record, he can follow his team (not sure how you monitor the fact regarding how he is prevented from attending games), and if nothing else, he'll be known by his actions by those who know or recognise him.
I cast doubt over your claim that Blades would act differently if it were a young Blade who behaved like the Derby supporter. I would hope that any Blade who had a shred of decency wouldn't differentiate between being a Blade or whether you supported another club. Wrong is wrong, it's not complicated.
