GNHQ here - please read

Point taken.

I agree with * Oldwoman*

Gosh. A one word post 'irony' has been deleted.

Nannying of Gransnet, who'd have thought.

There are lots of gentle and kind threads for more kind and gentle souls to follow and I agree we must all be more sensitive to those going through tough times, but surely politics threads can be a bit rough, we are all big boys and girls and can handle the cut and thrust.

I for one will not be kind and gentle to posters who are racist, to posters who deliberately pick on gentler souls or those who wish sickness and even death to our political leaders whichever side of the debate.

I always try to be respectful, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to tolerate those who defend the killing fields that this Government preside over
Johnson's comments trying to blame carers for the excess deaths in care homes is quite frankly disgusting. Look at him, standing there, clapping for them...
I'm pretty sure that if I had voted for him, I would, indeed, be questioning his competence, not defending him
People are frightened, we are being led by liars, the far right ERG
It's hardly surprising that threads can get out hand

Threads about the most inane subjects can get out of hand.
It's about time it was kept in check a bit.

Thank you for that. It is very dispiriting to start a thread and then have to sit back and watch unpleasant things said. There is the temptation to feel somehow responsible when you have initiated the thread.

I have seen some posts that I really dislike and feel strongly about but I haven't been especially aware of "personal" attacks. What threads are these supposed to be on?

Everyone seems to want to make vitriolic remarks to one another at a time when we should all be kind to one another. Lockdown is very hard, and some of us may be struggling and a cruel comment may tip someone over the edge. It should bring out the best in everyone not the worst. We're all in this together. X

Not everyone, Flying handbag.
You are correct in that times are difficult and we should be kind to each other. Posters should be able to debate without resorting to vitriol, but unfortunately some posters seem to be unable to do this. ☹️

I haven't noticed you posting much, so I hope you are ok.

Message deleted by Gransnet for troll-hunting.

This isn’t a thread to air political grievances on, simply one to make us aware that GNHQ want posters to rein in personal remarks and stick to whatever subject is on the threads.

Absolutely on-side with your reminder Lara to respect all posters who are making valid points or giving their opinions.
Insults and disrespect spiral downwards into nasty abuse very quickly. Let’s keep chatting, debating, swapping ideas, tips and experiences and keep Gransnet a fine platform to post on. ?

Hardly been in much over the last few days so can’t comment except to say it would be nice to have a reasoned debate.

I’ll just add that I know I can be abrasive born out of frustration but there’s double standards here. There’s a strategy with some of responding to posts that aren’t there, and I’m not just referring to my spat a few days ago. I see it happening to others. It’s as if some just refuse to take on board what’s been said so invent something they can respond to in faux outrage.

I agree about the “please Miss, it’s not us”. GNHQ do seem to arbitrarily remove posts whilst leaving others on which are downright nasty.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but this constant labelling members of racism, sexism etc is lazy and just stifles reasoned debate. Personally, I’m bored with it. The sooner lockdown’s over the better.

I’m not really aware of personal attacks as such.
What does annoy me is when, in what should be reasoned debate, a poster’s words are twisted, assumptions are made about their political allegiances, and accusations are made which are irrelevant and detract from the issue being discussed.

Crossed posts, Tickingbird

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Message deleted by Gransnet because it quotes a post that was deleted.

Oh dear. Isn’t this exactly the sort of escalation that Lara was talking about?

I think it is, Furret ?

I've come late to this thread but I'd be grateful if Lara would clarify something. Is her plea related to all the forums?

I don't usually go far away from the Politics forum and I was under the impression that it was all sweetness and light everywhere else. I'm a bit

Pedants’ corner can get a bit heated!

It’s for all threads am sure MaizieD and I have made the mistake of using the quote facility ( which means...if a post is deleted and then you quote that post, your own post is usually deleted even though the words are those of another poster.)

Wow! Impressive speed GN.

maizie???

I go on the garden threads and so far there hasn’t been any falling out?

It is all a bit silly and a tad embarrassing if you think about it.

All this is, is a load of elderly folk (not old biddies of course) who don’t know each other from Adam arguing the toss about the same old thing, not getting anywhere but getting really heated sometimes. I’m sure my children would be highly amused. Well I’m sure they would.

This plea from GNHQ has been done before -well quite regularly really, and it lasts as long as the next heated debate??

I'm impressed GNHQ. You are certainly being proactive.
Hopefully the message will eventually get through, that the message applies to everyone posting and not just individual posters, as some seem to think.

No-one wants a bland GN, just a civil one, where we may not agree, but can respect another poster's views.