Uncalled for comments

And yes, it was rude, and I am usually much more measured in my responses. I have read some terrible character assassinations of public figures on GN and deported them.

Deplored

------and reported !

You have reported me again EV? What fot?

Quite the reverse, Furret,it's YOU who usually reports ME !

I've never pressed the report button, but eyes are wide open now.

Please read my post again EV I mistyped DEPLORED.

But this is just how nasty and inaccurate rumours start isn’t it?

I’m still wondering why it’s ok to refer to posters as loony lefties?

Lucca

I’m still wondering why it’s ok to refer to posters as loony lefties?

I think it is something that appeared to acceptable in the past along with other insensitive behaviours but shouldn't be in today's more enlightened age. It may be that you think some left wing ideologies are unworkable but calling anybody a "loony" is totally unacceptable.

Agree. But its got worse since the brexit controversy. Both sides resorted to name calling.

Feeling the sting of a hurtful response, more often than not, invokes a retort. Far better to turn the computer off, put the kettle on and just leave it be.

Politics, religion and relationships are subjects that always have that: "Light blue touch paper, stand well clear," definition about them. Do yourself a favour, let those that insult have their moment, but leave them to it. You can't start a fight in an empty room.

Sensible suggestion Spangler.

Do yourself a favour, let those that insult have their moment, but leave them to it

I think there are many of us who do precisely that. The bullies always rule in the playground and there are times when GN feels just like that.

Calling someone a rude 'name' or describing them with a rude adjective is harmless. But generalising about somebody's character is not harmless, and should be disallowed by the Moderator.

Whenever a thread like this is started someone denies it happens and asks for "examples" but haven't we all read a comment, thought it was unnecessarily rude and then moved on without even registering the name of the person who posted it? The fact is, for me in any event, those people are totally unimportant in my life so their comments are irrelevant, although I do feel for those the comments are directed at.

One comment which does appear often is "if you don't like it don't read it", which basically is an attempt to shut down debate

Yes, I don’t know how you can decide that you ‘don’t like’ something unless you have read it.

Oldwoman70. Totally agree. There’s at least one type of thread which seems to be exclusive to those who”agree”.

I totally agree that to say "if you don't like something don't read it argument is annoying, how can you know if you haven't read it? I have observed and it really gets to me is the "very demanding" type of post " where the tone is so domineering, such as 'can you confirm that" "post a link" "where have you read that" "why do you say that" sometimes with the same poster repeatedly asking. I then wonder what they must be like and how they would conduct themselves in RL, would they be so insistent or be more open to discussion?

There are ways of getting a point across without being bitchy, I find. However, I do resent the persistent, frequent, posts about being 'kind'. Some people really need a reality check, don't they - especially on here?

I don't think we need to trawl through threads to acknowledge that this is true. Sometimes it does indeed sound like playground squabbles.
And rudeness can be hurtful. And I too wonder would people be like that un RL.

But I think it's a risk you take for the benefits gained from GN. There are lots of very pleasant helpful people on the forum who at times can be very witty and entertaining, and very informative.

I don't think the poster was trying to goad anyone.

in RL.

I think the point that the OP is making is that it is perfectly possible to be forthright and engage in interesting debate without annihilating someone else. I see no problem at all with being kind either in real life or on social media.

Being told to 'be kind' just brings out the contrary brat in me!

?

Jane10 How sad

Sort of ‘play nicely with your little sister’ ?