...It's nice to see the forbidden chant yet again accorded its proper place by such esteemed individuals as George Gross, a 40-year-veteran of Canadian sports reporting. The way he describes "argos $uck!" and Oskee-wee-wee as two sides of the same coin is especially legitimating and gratifying to those who enjoy the forbidden chant and the greater Hamilton-Toronto rivalry of which it is part. It further demonstrates how the chant is an entrenched part of Hamilton Tiger-Cat history, and, on a more general level, Canadian social and political history itself.
I also noted that, although an argo fan, Gross laments the direction that the Ticat organization has taken since the halcyon days of the chant:
"That was then and tomorrow is another day. For the past three home games the Ticats have failed to score a touchdown and their once famous growl sounds more like a pusycat's meow. Long gone are the days of Grey Cup triumph...Now it's up to owner and highly successful businessman Bob Young and recently appointed manager Marcel Desjardins to breathe some life into the Tiger-Cats seemingly lifeless body. Either that, or call in the undertakers."Yikes! Calling in undertakers! Clearly this is a job too big for just a couple of already-beleaguered people. I therefore suggest that some well-timed forbidden chants tomorrow, if the opportunity happens to present itself, might well be the thing that turns this season, and the franchise around. Oh the irony if the Bob Young Tiger-Cats were delivered from the clutches of the undertaker by the forbidden chant itself!
After three years of begging to be allowed to re-join our community in grovelling happily at the feet of the one they call the Caretaker, it is clear that the forbidden demographic needs to re-market itself. The conciliatory approach has failed to lift the banishment. The appeal to history and heritage garnered only contempt. The good-faith demonstration of social conscience was considered reprehensible at best.
I therefore submit to you that the wise, topical and appropriate use of the forbidden chant tomorrow can act as a cure-all for the Tiger-Cats. Just think of the major issues that could be resolved: the Box J hecklers would be chanting at the argos instead; a prevalent chant might lead to the turning off of the much hated PA/blaring music; and of course the chant always has a major impact on the field, and a special place in the hearts of many players.
But most of all, it would be the ideal protest, better than paper bags, better than dressing in certain colours, better than heckling the players. If only by virtue of its forbidden-ness, the chant and its adherents are the only Ticat-related entity to remain unsullied by the regrettable debacles of this and other years. Seeing as all other strategems have failed, the forbidden demographic really has no choice except to embrace its pirate nature. Therefore, the forbidden chant is the one thing left that can express your displeasure at the organization, but in a way that will have a positive effect on the field and in the stands.
For two consecutive years, Mr. Young has attributed the Ticat organization's problems to the fact that he's "an idiot," yet he seemingly has never questioned the correctness, appropriateness, ill-timing and dubious wisdom of a "personal campaign" against his own fans. After the 2004 season, the forbidden website's Board of Directors made the following appeal, because they knew that unity (a.k.a. "gelling") in the Ticat community would be of critical importance in the coming years:
For our part, we at [url=http://www.argos-suck.com]www.argos-suck.com[/url] are of the generation when the Tiger-Cats were most definitely not cool, when tickets could not even be given away, but we still supported the Cats unconditionally in the hopes that a “hero? would one day emerge to “save? the franchise. Now that this has occurred, we would like to reiterate that proper marketing strategy dictates bringing the “Argos Suck!? community back into the fold, rather than casting aspersions on our character and intentions. From the first humans to set foot in the region until today, the lesson is that we must stay united, for the sum of our parts in Hamilton is much greater than the hole Toronto. With the events of the past year and their resolution instilling in us a renewed sense of purpose, [url=http://www.argos-suck.com]www.argos-suck.com[/url] feels that the judicious used of the chant during the 2005 season will be a key ingredient in propelling our beloved Tiger-Cats to yet another Grey Cup victory. Bob bless us, everyone.Alas, the forbidden demographic was rebuffed, and what followed we all know only too well. Therefore, as regrettable as this step may be, the Ticat community must come together without Bob Young (although the door's always open).
I predict that, during tomorrow's Labour Day Classic, if the forbidden chant can be made the axis around which the trolls can gather together with the phish, the flamers can unite with the immolated, the hecklers can ally with the bird-flippers, and all other fans can come together as one, we can solve the Ticat's problems and deliver victory, if only for this one day.
Therefore, in order to help achieve these magical goals, and if the situation warrants, watch for the great forbidden button give-away during the Labour Day Classic, coming to a section near you! Will it be the much talked-about Box J? Will it be within earshot of the dreaded toronto argonauts? Will it be in the north stands, site of the original great forbidden button giveaway? Soon, much will be revealed.
