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Why is GN being used as a whipping post for Corbyn?

(112 Posts)

GNHQ have commented on this thread. Read here.

OldMeg Tue 04-Sep-18 07:25:05

Has anyone counted the number of threads currently active which are purely Anti-Jeremy Corbyn?

This is NOT a thread about a thread, but about the principle of being allowed to use this forum in a way which is not, surely, acceptable.

Does anyone else agree that this is heading beyond free speech and political debate and diversity, and has now entered the realms of something else?

Perhaps GNHQ would like to address this query too?

Elegran Tue 04-Sep-18 22:30:30

Yes, POGS those who go on too much, having clearly stated their views, do run the risk of just alienating people. Aanother possible reason for posts decrying Corbyn, or maybe a repetition of my point above

Elegran Tue 04-Sep-18 22:27:20

What do you reckon those reasons are, Trisher ? I would guess that one of them could be as an antidote to the enthusiasm with which he was acclaimed when he first came to prominence. He was an relatively obscure and not exactly young backbencher who had never shown any outstanding qualities throughout his political career, but was propelled into the vacuum of the party leadership, where he apparently blossomed into the potential saviour of the party and the country. Such a miracle makeover and such enthusiasm is bound to raise some scepticism. He can please some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but he can't please all of the people all of the time.

PECS Tue 04-Sep-18 22:20:21

I do not think the OP was about limiting free speech in any way. More that repeating the same information/opinions on several similar threads becomes very repetitive and a tad dull. I try, but do not always succeed, not to repeat my opinion ad infinitum on various threads.
There are things I feel very passionate about which would include contributions on the various political threads but I think if I go on too much, having clearly stated my views, I will just alienate people.

trisher Tue 04-Sep-18 21:31:29

OldMeg one of the features of the politics threads on GN is that they focus totally on personalities and seldom discuss policies. And the personality they most like to destroy is Jeremy Corbyn. I think they probably have their own reasons for doing this. Whatever they are, it results in boring and repetetive threads.

Jalima1108 Tue 04-Sep-18 21:13:09

Why is GN being used as a whipping post for Corbyn?

Well, somebody has to keep up the momentum

(sorry abut the pun)

lemongrove Tue 04-Sep-18 19:16:02

anyone who dishes it out towards May should be able to take it against Corbyn [and vice versa] not try and get HQ involved.
He is Leader Of The Opposition not the tea boy.

Day6 Tue 04-Sep-18 18:59:28

I have explained why I started the threads but I cannot apologise to Corbyn supporters for speaking of what I truly believe

Nor should you have to Annie People have joined in on those discussions too.

We are entitled to our views. I doubt very much that anyone could deny Corbyn is a controversial figure and the backing he has from Momentum has changed the Labour Party in ways which many like me and others who were once Labour supporters cannot entertain.

The number of threads started about him illustrate how often he and the Labour Party make news headlines. How then can there be criticism of threads about him by those interested in politics?

Day6 Tue 04-Sep-18 18:38:49

OldMeg, we post on political forums like this one so we can air our views about politicians. That's stating the obvious.

You started a thread about Theresa May recently, didn't you? There are several running. It's a tad two faced to complain Corbyn is discussed here, especially when he is discussed almost daily 'out there' on news programmes and social networking sites. Why should it be different on Gransnet. You have bashed May and many Conservative politicians. Are you seeking protection for Corbyn? Why should he be off limits if his stance and actions are being discussed in the wider world?

Just because you are partisan does not mean you can dictate as to what and who is discussed here..

Ilovecheese Tue 04-Sep-18 18:32:37

I agree with a lot of Greta8 says in her post at 08.52(?).
Change is frightening especially for people who are doing very well with things as they are.

POGS Tue 04-Sep-18 18:01:24

JuduJudy12

Hmmm

Just took a peep at your link and it looks pretty one sided, leaning toward one side of the political debate . So as they would say on Dragons Den ' I'm out '.

I can't help but think this is a bit bit like the RAC posting on an AA website come over to us.

JudyJudy12 Tue 04-Sep-18 15:56:59

www.politicsforum.co.uk is a good place to have a political debate.

Lazigirl Tue 04-Sep-18 15:02:22

I am very interested in politics but rarely participate in such threads on here and quickly lose interest in following them when well worn personal attacks are made on prominent individuals of whichever party. It is very difficult to have a balanced political discussion on a forum such as this. It just serves to reinforce already entrenched positions.

notanan2 Tue 04-Sep-18 11:53:57

They're not their, sorry

notanan2 Tue 04-Sep-18 11:53:26

In the past whole swathes of people have given labour "get out of gaol free cards" when ever labour did anything dodgy by trotting out the same old tired retort of "well at least their not Tories! Look at them instead! They're worse".

Well that veil has slipped.
Leftists are as capable of evil as right wingers.

notanan2 Tue 04-Sep-18 11:46:57

He is leader of the opposition Meg!

He is not some random civilian who GN are picking on by scrutinizing for no reason.

M0nica Tue 04-Sep-18 11:27:55

I think it is a refreshing change from the usual run of Labour = paradise, Conservative = hell, threads, which are generally ineffably boring.

I find the current threads are quite amusing as they have broken up the previous unbroken alliance of Labour supporters into two camps.

kittylester Tue 04-Sep-18 11:17:47

Annie, please don't let one person stop you posting whatever you want. People either will or won't respond.

POGS Tue 04-Sep-18 11:11:46

Old Meg

I asked a similar question re 7 Brexit threads on Active in the space of just one hour. My point was not that Brexit should not be discussed but the flow of the thread was lost and and posters had to repeat themselves on 7 threads because the topic was the same.

GN provided the answer they were different subjects and not threads about a thread.

So I will hold my hand up to possibly being called a hypocrite by taking you to task.

Currently on the News and Politics Forum there are the following threads related to Theresa May/Conservative Party, do you believe your point re the number of threads applies to them. ? -

Teresa May ...dancing queen or chief clown?

Theresa May is a liar

Boris Johnson's Latest 'Gaff

Islamaphobia and the Tory Party

The Conservative Party and Islamaphobia

Jacob Rees-Mogg

Although there are other posts you have made on various threads over time where you raised the issue in your OP I was reminded of just 1 current thread where you have posted to Anniebach :-

" Are you moonlighting as a Daily Mail journalist perhaps? "

" Annie you are using GN as a platform to advertise your hatred for Jeremy Corbyn. As one thread peters out then another gets started. "

" I’m certainly not accusing you of being a sort of internet Quisling Annie but your strong views could easily attract the support of others with an agenda of that nature."

Old Meg possibly the best piece of advice you give on that particular thread is when you say:-

" I think we should, in general be very wary when reading posts that constantly attack individuals ".

I like the saying ' You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. '

Elegran Tue 04-Sep-18 10:42:05

I wasn't going to mention that May gets as much stick as Corbyn, on just as many posts, as that would instantly label me as a "Mayist"in some blinkered posters' eyes. However, it is true. As much derogatory stuff is or has been written about her on Gransnet at various times as about Corbyn. Any comments on that fact get the kind of reply from Corbyn's supporters,"Well, of course, she really is a (fill in whatever criticisms you like here) " It is all down to confrontational two-party politics - instead of adopting the best policies from a wide spread of viewpoints, the system at Westminster encourages polarised groups at loggerheads with each other and polarised voters slagging off leading figures of the other side. It works in both directions, so JC doesn't need to feel specially selected.

Anniebach Tue 04-Sep-18 10:41:33

I will not post on this thread again. I have explained why I started the threads but I cannot apologise to Corbyn supporters for speaking of what I truly believe.

Jalima1108 Tue 04-Sep-18 10:40:24

The aim of this thread seems to be to gag a poster, either by stopping them posting what they wish by appealing to GN or by driving them from GN altogether.

I hope GNHQ take this thread down asap.

Anniebach Tue 04-Sep-18 10:37:24

Thank you GrannyGravy. This thread is distressing , I understand OldMeg is free to start a thread criticising me but to do so to complain about my posts criticising a politician ?

humptydumpty Tue 04-Sep-18 10:35:02

I think by now a lot of us know Annie's views on JC so a new post with a different angle is not a surprise; if it feels like overkill, ignore it.

Jalima1108 Tue 04-Sep-18 10:31:07

This is probably a thread about threads, so perhaps GNHQ will take it down, particularly as it seems aimed at one particular poster.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 04-Sep-18 10:29:16

Anniebach, I am not with you politically, but I do agree with the right for any gransnetter to start a thread on whatever they like, as long as it is not in breach of gn guidelines, which yours are not (I believe)

We still have free speech in this country, and we should continue to use it.

If anyone doesn't like a thread they are free to ignore it.

I for one am totally fed up with the doom and gloom predictions about Brexit, so I keep my silence (mostly) and avoid the Brexit threads.

I thought GN would be full of Grans/Grandads supporting each other which it generally is. The only posts that I perceive could be 'bullying' have been on the political threads.