Comments on: Questions for Steven Cohen

By: Melvin H.

Melvin H. — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:08:16 +0000

First off, I have none of the dogs in this fight–did not lose anyone at Hillsborough; not an Everton fan or a Liverpool fan; yes I did read about Hillsborough in the intervening years here in America–including the Taylor Report–thanks to the Internet; and not a Cohen fan–that Cohen’s remarks of 1989 started.

HOWEVER………

1. Comparing Hillsborough to the Holocaust (“Holocaust Denier”, “Were the Jews responsible for the Holocaust?”, etc.) is absurd, stupid, and not even deserving of a reply. Shame on all who made this comparison–maybe you should be apologizing to the survivors of the Holocaust.

2. I know the libel laws are different in the UK compared to the USA, but here we do have something called the First Amendment which has a tendency to limit what can be called slander and/or libelous; also, unless I guess wrong, the only party that even COULD file such a suit might be Liverpool Football Club (as I understand it, no specific supporters were named in Cohen’s remarks, only “Liverpool supporters”).

3. If you want to be hacked at someone, blame UEFA–one of whose spokespersons said that Liverpool fans were to blame (I’m paraphrasing here) in more than their fair share of the crowd problems over the years at European (not just English) stadiums. This was after the Champions’ League Final in Athens in 2007.

4. Madeleine is, I assume, Cohen’s daughter? If so, re-read point #1 above.
DISGRACEFUL!! Same for those who are e-mailing/calling/twittering/etc. death threats–you do your cause little or no good; in fact, to THIS neutral, you are no better than you believe Cohen or former editor of The Sun paper is. Keep his family out of this.

5. “Bigoted opinions”, Revo? PLEASE. “Wrong” or “off-base”, I’ll buy, but not “bigoted”.
Also, show me a link where this “1000 pounds” was “promised to the HJC”–print, podcast, radio, TV interview, please.
Kev Bradley–Your “FACT” listed as the fourth one in your post? NOT–it is your OPINION. Remember that, please.

Last: Yes, I am an American, and I may not “understand” the hurt that Liverpool supporters feel about Hillsborough. I was and still am horrified watching the videos (including that done on the 20th commeration–not “anniversary”, which is supposed to be a happy time). I have seen the YouTube replay of the debate on British television with the Sun editor years later, and he does baffle and disgust me. (Does anyone know if he still holds to what he put out in 1989, today?) And so on….
It is still baffling that as I understand, all inquests have been cut off at 3:14 or 3:15 regarding who died when and how in 1989; I’d still like to know what happened, even if it takes a South Africa-style Truth and Reconciliation commission to do it. All legal avenues seem to be exhausted now; and that–along with the Sun editor’s apparent intransigence–is the most frustrating part of this. I fear that the families of the 96 may never know everything…..

By: Kev Bradley

Kev Bradley — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:59:09 +0000

FACT Liverpool fans did more at Hillsborough trying to save lives than the Police.
FACT The police tried to cover up the disaster by blaming Liverpool fans.
FACT Liverpool fans complained 1988 about overcrowding in the same end of the stadium they had in 1989.
FACT You are the scum of the earth an need to research the truth behind the Hillsborough Disaster.
FACT You need to personally apologize to the victims families for the hurt an distress you have caused in your inaccurate comments.
FACT This issue will not go away until you issue a statement apologizing for your comments and apologize for upset caused by them and make a donation to the Hillsborough Family Support Group.
FACT 96 fans went to watch a football match and never came home. They have had there names dragged through the mud by The Sun newspaper in England and by yourself and why they can’t fight we’ll do it for them.
AS THE SUN SETS WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM JUSTICE FOR 1 JUSTICE FOR ALL JUSTICE FOR THE 96!!!

By: Chris B

Chris B — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:50:31 +0000

I am actually pissed that Kartik backed off him too much. You did not ask him about Euro-snobs or the fact-less opinions about MLS on his show. I like WSD but the lack of respect for MLS from so called “US” soccer fans who know nothing about the league but know a lot about their “snicker-snicker” ManU is hard to take.

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:42:09 +0000

Hey people Cohen apologized even though some of us wish he hadn’t backed off his right to free speech after many of his comments were taken out of context. Several of his comments were either about Heysel or the recent disaster in the Ivory Coast which obviously most of you do not care about.

By: aaron stjohn crowley

aaron stjohn crowley — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:40:23 +0000

Dear Mr Cohen

Please apologies for the remarks you have made. They have been very hurtful the pain you have caused is clear to see from the above comments above.

Aaron

By: Will

Will — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:04:01 +0000

First of all as a Liverpool fan I would like to say that I am sorry to hear you have been subject to a number of threats from so called Liverpool fans. These people do not speak for everyone involved with the club and no person should have to put up with this regardless what his views are.

Secondly after reading your comments about the disaster it is quite clear you have either been ill advised or you make statements that have no substance. As a fact the Taylor report cleared the Liverpool fans from any blame and laid the blame on the sheffield police. If you need reminding (which i’m sure you don’t) this year marked the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster and after 20 years the family’s of the 96 who died still seek justice for what happened on that day.

All I ask is if you are bold enough to make statements on an American radio station ( and to be honest the American people know little or nothing about the disaster) then why don’t you present “your facts” to why we the Liverpool fans should take the blame for what happened.

We only ask you to reflect on your comments and maybe you will realise that your comments were not just untruthfull but very hurtful to the family’s and disrecpectful to the people who died.

Will

By: emma

emma — Sat, 09 May 2009 10:35:04 +0000

I would like to ask Steve Cohen. If when he talking about Hillsborough could he please either refer to the facts or allow someone in the studio so that the American audience can have at least some truth about the disaster. I too won’t ask you for an apology.
Also I wonder wether you will discuss on your show the fact that your beloved Chelsea fans have been making death threats to the referee who refereed the CL semi-finals, because they lost. Or the fact John Terry the Chelsea Captain was in trouble in because he openly mocked the twin towers disaster to American tourists. Just thought that your so intent on spreading lies about our club you might need a reminder about your club so I thought I’ld just give you these two as I’ld be here forever if I was going to drag everything up about the club that is owned by a russian criminal.

By: Warren Lane

Warren Lane — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:03:11 +0000

Mr Cohen,your arrogance, and blatant lying,knows no bounds.well it puts you on a par with a former newspaper editor, if the truth be told.
Ands thats a very, very sad reflection on your character, to be mentioned in the same breath as him.Why do you tell such lies,and attempt to stain the memory of those men, women and children, who lost their lives at Hillsborough? but your hatred has twisted the facts,to suit you. Shame on you.
it would be too much for me, to ask a spineless, and cold hearted individual,like yourself,to make an apology… so i wont. Warren.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:29:40 +0000

Can you ask SC if he believes that little Madeleine should accept responsibilty for her abduction?
If this seems distasteful to you, now you realise how hurt and offended relatives of the 96 innocent victims of Hillsborough and all Liverpool Fans around the world are by SC’s ill informed vomit.
If you are unaffected, then shame on you!
On these matters – as always my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the 96 and the McCanns.
YNWA.

Consider this the only involvement i will have with anything to do with SC.

By: Err

Err — Sun, 03 May 2009 00:10:58 +0000

Get the stick out of your asses. Its an opinion talk radio show. He’s free to speak his mind, you are free to call in and argue why he’s wrong. Death threats from some of you? You’re pathetic…

If you cant take the heat, get your ass out the kitchen.