to think that perhaps we should be more tolerant of fellow posters?

To be honest, I feel that a "hard" but well-conducted debate can be very beneficial at this time of great stress for many people.

I would never claim to have always been "an angel" on this forum but I feel that I have never responded with personal abuse though that has often been thrown at me just for being a man on this forum.

The above is, I believe, the key to a good debate. By example, many may not appreciate what I state in regards to the way that the women's equality campaign has been conducted over the years. In that, I welcome strong challenges to my thoughts and beliefs, but many in challenging those thoughts become very personal in their responses, and that I will not accept and at times I will respond by requesting that the post be deleted in extreme circumstances.

Further to the above I very much dislike the "all men are slobs, liars, dirty, groupers threads that often pop up on this forum, and I have often posted strongly in those threads to the women posting such, stating my thoughts, as they are obviously women who are always perfect in every aspect of their lives.

As one of the few males on the forum I wish to see far greater diversity on the site, and towards that end have been considering starting what could be a very controversial thread which I would hope could draw more men into the forum should they see it.

It would also be good to see if a debate on such a controversial subject could be held in a reasonable and respectful manner.

However, I am still thinking about that, ??

If I do I will promise it will be nothing in regards to women's equality, politics or Covid-19, but a matter that I have held very strong views on for a considerable number of years and I believe that other hold strong views also

So who is up for really hurling a subject about, with great respect for each other's views of course. ?

At least it may make us forget all else that is going on in the world for a time if nothing else. ??

Rufus if you so much as type Marydoll's name on this or any thread I will report you. Have you no empathy?

It is blowing a gale here but at least my washing is drying.

I usually preview it then forget to click post!

Rufus I know how blunt Australians can be, so I will be blunt too.

I don't know what is going on but it is obvious that there are simmering tensions and I can see you have really upset someone who is going through a tough time.

I enjoy your daily posts from Down Under and wouldn't like to see you banned so, as they say in Queensland, Pull Your Head In, mate.

Me too! I type in a long and worthy post and then think, oh b****r it, I cant be bothered!

Marydoll, you've got so much support and friendship here xx

I like a good debate Grandad. I even prepared to do what I was taught to do and that’s argue a side that is actually opposed to my own personal view.

Gosh I enjoyed those debates?

Marydoll. Don’t you dare eat another Easter egg!! You have already been tellt ya sneaky besom??‍♀️?

Kalu, unfortunately I only have creme eggs now. They will just have to do! They are planked somewhere safe!

to think that perhaps we should be more tolerant of fellow posters?

Obviously not.

Chewy I do this too, I mix wit, sarcasm and logic, to make a pithy reply however, I’m so afraid that one day instead of just moving off of the page , I’ll press Post Message.

I’ll have to stop.

I have Easter eggs upstairs and I’m determined not to eat any of them, they are for DDs, but every time I pass the door.........

DD left the one I ate on the doorstep on Mother's Day, so it was ok to eat! ?

Marydoll of course you had to eat it. All food has a "use by " date. Okay, you were probably a tad early but it would just have taken up space in your fridge. (I like any chocolate cold!)
One cannot be too careful with a "use by" date like yours.

Think of eating that Easter egg as an act for the greater good. You eating that one, means that there is one less out there for me to eat!

Does anyone know how to make chocolate out of out-of-date cocoa?

Oh, you need cocoa butter.
Never mind, I'm on my last but one piece of chocolate

Eaten all the ones we bought for the children etc?

Well, it would be a shame to waste them.
What will you eat on Easter Day though?

There are various ways of being nasty, The downright, straight out with it nasty and then the stab to the heart wrapped up in a bow with a little smiley face.

what's with the 'mythical irishman', why irish, could the point have been made without throwing in the casual racism.

I wasn't doing casual racism, I was quoting an old saying - that was why I said "mythical".

Irishmen have always had a reputation for enjoying a fight. What's more it was deserved. Why were police vans known colloquially as paddy waggons? Because they were often full of Irish navvies being taken from a fracas to the police station.

These days, I am sure the Irish are no more likely to be in a pub punch-up than any other nationality (not race) so the myth is like other myths, pure fiction - like unicorns or the tooth fairy, or Robin Hood.

Well that's put the kibosh on any "English men, Irish men and Welsh men" in a pub jokes welbeck!

Agree Chew and as one who has an Irish mother, Welsh father and was born in England, I love the English/Irish and Welsh man jokes ! Some people just love throwing in the racism card whenever they can

the first statement is declared not to be casual racism.
it is then followed by a paragraph that is highly contentious and tendentious, to say the least.
others might call it offensive, if not racist.

Welbeck, having been in Elegran's, company, on a number of occasions, I have never met anyone less racist.
Her posts are usually, interesting, calm, concise, and non-confrontational.
In fact, she is often the voice of reason, when posts become heated.

When I was a child growing up in Glasgow, I often heard a police van called a paddy wagon. It was commonly used with no intended racism.
My four grandparents were Irish and I'm certainly not offended.