Oh FFS!

kittylester yup

Well said kitty - agree totally.
I wonder if the problem with the "I don't give a f**ing f* about f**** wolves" wasn't so much the words but the vehemence with which the views of another member were rubbished. We are at total liberty not to agree with others and at total liberty to say so. But if I really couldn't care less, then why on earth would I bother to say so in such an aggressive manner?

Yes, it is perfectly possible to disagree (quite strongly) on a thread about a serious subject while still staying reasonable. In fact, if it is a real disagreement about the subject then there is presumably reason behind the post. The explosions of personal abuse usually have no connection with the subject matter, they are just annoyance at the poster, or someone saying how they hate the whole thing and have no interest in it. In which case . . why are they still reading it?

kitty surely it all depends on your point of view!

It would be dull if every time a group of right wing posters put out their opinions (or vice versa) that anyone who disagrees should just keep out of the thread? It is not about 'peaceful' it is about debate!

Challenging views and opinions with robust arguments is a lot of what forum sites are about but it does not promote healthy debate when posters start commenting about personal situations, making references to information from other threads or simply go 'Yah boo sucks..you read the 'World View' paper and you are an astronaut, road sweeper, lion tamer so you are not worthy to comment!

I have been on lighthearted, serious, supportive, informative threads on GN so think there is plenty of room for us all. I find it annoying when, as has been said before, the piano recital is interrupted by a bunch of jugglers or the other way round! It is about being sensitive to the gravitas or otherwise of the OPs intention.

All the personal shite that goes on is a bit infantile and I get cross with myself if I get drawn into it. But hey we are all human..even if we read the wrong papers.. mine were the Morning Star, DM online and the Grauniad. today

nanaej, I wasn't suggesting there should be no robust debate but that the debate should be non-aggressive in tone, non-personal and, maybe, make allowances for those people who are not so confident to have their say without being shot down in flames. We are supposed to be a community after all.

Strange how different people perceive different things.Yes, maybe the so called 'lefties' are quite loud but I feel it's the the predatory, lurking UKIP lot who predominate!
Also, I can't understand why anyone takes this so seriously...if ever I mention Gransnet at home, everyone bursts out laughing

kitty Your analysis that there is a "strident" group of posters "mostly left wingers" isn't, I think, borne out by the facts.

Several people on GN can be strident at times but I would say it's fairly evenly balanced in terms of their perceived political persuasions.

And in any case, that post with all those ffffs has not been deleted.

'The predatory, lurking UKIP lot...' Who on earth are they?

About as nebulous and shape-shifting as the trendy left-wing lot, Ana

Ukippers on GN - surely not? They're all down the pub

I think we agree re style of debatekitty Assertive posting is fine, especially if backed by reasoned comments and not unkind personal remarks!

It is hard on a forum to know exactly who is not 'confident' especially if they have posted quite strong opinions.

I agree grannylin we are really quite insignificant and most of my pals think I am barmy to be on a forum!

Depends on one's perception but, apart from one or two obvious ones, I must have missed the UKIP predators

Also, on a lighter note, why are left wingers always deemed to be trendy?

What on earth could Frank have been banned for? Maybe writing about the same subjects, or telling stories about Andie, or was it that he mention his Dad just one too many times. He is still contactable by PM, so he must still be a member.

Don't think any of those would get someone banned, Faye. If they were, the numbers would plummet rapidly!

If being boring were grounds for banning, all of us would have been banned at one point or another.

I can't imagine Frank insulting anyone, but there did seeem to be a group of GNetters who were becoming irritated by his posts. On the subject of insults anyway, surely what is seen as an insult by one is just water off a duck's back to another?

Elegran You are the voice of reason. And jings stay as sweet as you are. Surely we can all do our own thing, within reason. Just because we're Gransnetters doesn't mean that we're clones. And, for what it's worth, I really do miss Frank.

kitty My guess is that always look "hip"...the unkempt look has many followers of fashion, don't you know.

I miss him too even though he was often very predictable. but he was never unkind as far as I remember.

Bez Very true.

Shh...! You'll get this thread deleted too!

So far this week I have been accused of going down a slippery slope and resurrecting old hurts. Neither were intentional but sometimes being on the receiving end of Gransnet Wrath can be very difficult as I have said before. Maybe I am just plain over-sensitive but perhaps others could try to be a little more sensitive. Why does every discussion have to end in a heated and angry manner?

I also mentioned recently that I don't know what I can or can't say any more: if I disagree am I wrong; if I agree am I wrong? I like a discussion, may even have some valid points to raise and yes, I do swear loudly but not in print. Oh yes and just to set the record straight, I am neither right nor left but very middle of the road. Promised myself I wouldn't join in with any contentious issues for a while; pity I didn't listen.

Thank you to those GN'rs who offered brilliant advice on my family matters I really appreciate your terrific input.

Good post LizG