AIBU to live in hope that even controversial threads can avoid personal abuse?

Well, far be it from me to be a snitch, but Liz likes her silk headscarf for riding as it hides the iPod headphones ( she always rides to music btw) The Ride Of The Valkyries for a good old gallop, and anything by Kanye West for a canter.
Jalima good old Ponds Cream at bedtime for the complexion and no HRT but a daily dose of scotch.
Please keep this to yourselves.?

I think if as poster on GN resorts to pathetic personal abuse, eg replying to someone who supports Remaining in the EU by posting "What sort of weak-kneed appeaser are you?" , then they diminish themselves, any argument they might ever have put forward, and relegate themselves to the ranks of those idiots who are just always ignored.

Granny23 admitting she is Camilla Parker Bowles in this thread

lemongrove can you ask your best mate what is her secret - is she on HRT still?

Oh lemon, really? Can I express admiration, rather than criticism, that she still rides out regularly on one of her favourite ponies and she doesn't wear a hat. I know, who does the risk assessment but all I can say is, I wish I was still riding out (even with a hat) at almost 70 never mind into my 90s.

*lemongrove. Thanks for making me chortle.

Is this a good moment to say that the Queen and I are best mates?

PS if Toby Young’s mum is on here, or CC’s wife I still think they both behave unacceptably in many ways but I expect you love them dearly.

Also this would mean we couldn’t ever criticise anyone ever for fear that someone might know them . That’s silly .

I don’t mind being criticised at all infact I’m rather used to it here on GN .

G23 I really don’t think that if we are criticising someone in the public eye we should worry about some GNers knowing, being related to or friends with them. That’s just tough. There’s perks as well - with some well known people I know that there are and I enjoy them and I know if they were the subject of a thread they could be criticised. I’ll suck it up

Well it didn’t......really ... but hey ho .

Hope that made sense ( I’m typing on a phone )

It could indeed Iam but I’m talking about the publicity that requires an agent or a press secretary to “keep them up there “ how can someone ( I would have used an example but changed my mind ) arrange to be photographed doing something positive in order to keep them in the public eye then complain when they are talked about in a negative way if they are found to be found out doing something not so positive?

That could well apply to all of us gillybob - we're posting on an open forum. We are also aware that it's possible to identify us if anyone truly wanted to.

Back to the RF, they have little ability to avoid publicity. Celebs and so on are 'fair game' I suppose. I don't see that anyone benefits from what sometimes feels like a society in which being rude to others is seen as acceptable.

Personally I think those that court publicity shouldn’t be surprised when they get it .

Negative as well as positive .

As far as the Royals, celebrities and Politicians are concerned, I think the old 'Play the ball and not the man/woman' rule should apply.

By all means criticise, policies, protocols, etc. Certainly, feel free to point out the absurdities of our 'Democracy' but keep in mind that some of us Grans, actually know, are friends with, or are related to some of the people subjected to personal attacks.

I am another who grues at the 'lack of education' jibes. Surely, by our age, what we learned at school, Uni, college half a century ago, is only a small part of our total knowledge and understanding?

The other threads where things get personal are to do with relationships with adult children, especially where there has been disagreement and/or estrangement. People get highly emotional and often react on the basis of their own particular scenario rather than attending to what the OP has said. Woe betide the poster who tries to give an alternative point of view. There was one such thread only the other day.

Oh yes and let's add in any threads about the Royal Family!

I do enjoy perusing Gransnet but am careful about posting. There are definitely some people who are like bulls at the gate! The art of disagreeing politely certainly is an 'art'!!

Thanks Waterloosunset for your post - always good to know that you aren't the only one who feels like this!

Oh dear sazzl, I suspect base control may object to the use of the word t****l

I think trolls invade all threads at random. Some people enjoy upsetting others and watching the fallout even on gransnet.

I think they are too - after all we have to hold them to account.

I try not to be nasty about other GNetters, even the very irritating ones, but I think politicians are fair game. Of course, I'm not talking about death threats and other really awful stuff that many politicians, especially women, have to put up with, but I think it is OK to call them out for such misdemeaners as hyppocracy and being economical with the truth.

Yes DanniRae I agree! Never understood the need for it?

Some people seem to set out to be nasty though.

Iam64 ??
Perhaps we should all have a Me Too badge.