Open letter to all Gners

Well, on the whole, I think it was a rubbish title to give a thread, given the current climate in the world today. But perhaps I have begun to overthink it.

Back to the

Kitty, I was replying to jbf at 11.58.

Don't believe it. It was an arresting title and I did do a double take. I then read on and before the denouement I had taken on board it was a joke. Anyone reading thst title would of course have read on but someone decided for some self-righteous reason to report the thread fotr its title. Good on G&T/Pompa for his levity but 12 pages on this is ridiculous frankly. And as we don't know the identity of the Gnetter why worry about how h/she might be feeling.

This thread is getting absolutely ridiculous as was the complaint about the thread that prompted it.

For goodness sake, anyone skimming GN who gets the wrong impression from that thread title deserves to miss out on our words of wisdom because they are being far too judgmental by half. As are lots of posters on here at the moment. I'm getting really p****d off with all the back biting on here these days. There is hardly a thread without someone having a dig at someone else (with the honourable exception of *Soop's Kitchen*)

There are real things happening in the world. Nebulous sleights on a flipping forum are just plain stupid so people should get over themselves. Whatever happened to kindness, benefit of the doubt etc!

I can't remember that!!!

Similar to your 'burkha' thread some while ago, eh, jingl?

I'm not sure people always notice which forum a post is on.

I'm not posting a great deal these days jenty. And I know I really shouldn't be prolonging this thread. It's just that it's dawning on me that the 'reporting' GNr has had a raw deal. I don't like that.

...on the "Gardening" thread?

Actually, thinking about it, the GNr who contacted HQ had a very good point. Anyone skimming the boards and seeing a thread with the title "Bloody immigrants" could well get the wrong impression of Gransnet. Perhaps the OP could have just 'sucked it up' quietly? Even taken the message on board.

Sorry. Just thinking aloud really.

And now I am off to B&Q (by bus and then tram, it will take me at least 3/4 of an hour each way) to get a 2-way splitter connection for my outside tap, so that I can spray the garden without disconnecting my greenhouse watering system to swap over the hoses and getting a free shower as a bonus. OK in a heat wave but that seems to be almost over.

Have fun being fractious offended at pinpricks.

I did read it, gg and I also read jas post, which did not construe or misconstrue anything, merely point out an interesting view, and warn those who are inclined to take offence that they might be "hurt". If YOU want to constue or misconstue the article, that is up to you.

The most relevant part is
^"If “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion” just means no-one has the right to stop people thinking and saying whatever they want, then the statement is true, but fairly trivial. No one can stop you saying that vaccines cause autism, no matter how many times that claim has been disproven.

But if ‘entitled to an opinion’ means ‘entitled to have your views treated as serious candidates for the truth’ then it’s pretty clearly false. And this too is a distinction that tends to get blurred."^

There is also a distinction between being hurt by something which directly affects you and being "offended" by something which doesn't. I find dog-dirt in the street offensive, but I am not hurt and upset by it. Builder's bums are another example, they are not the most beautiful sight, but I am not going to take a fit of the vapours at them.

Some of the things that posters have the vapours over are just not worth it!! Note that I say SOME not all. I am all for being annoyed (not offended) for genuine reasons, but being annoyed on behalf of the one person in 10,000 who might, just possibly, if they are feeling a bit fragile, be hurt at the mention of them being perceived as optimistic or pessimistic depending on their opinion on the EU is, frankly, ridiculous.

gg what on earth are you talking about?
Don't put words into my mouth please.
I didn't 'say' anything and how you can presume to know what I 'wished' the article said is beyond me.
For the record, I thought there was an interesting parallel between the article ( entitlement to an opinion) and the cartoon (entitlement to be offended).
That's all.
And if you're so dismissive of other Gransnetters (few of us being interested in proper evidence) why don't you just take yourself off and lie down in a darkened room somewhere?

jbf as my grandmother would say - your opinion matters, just not to me

That is how I feel Alea, and you really cannot tell me how I may or may not feel.

Elegran If you read the article JA flagged I am sure you will see that she has misconstrued the argument Stokes put forward. What she said may have been what people wanted to hear but it wasn't what Stokes said. He is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Deakin University and a published author and I would really rather take on board his article and its true meaning than what JA wishes it said. JA introduced this - I would not have done. I do not believe many of you have any interest in evidence that does not agree with your preconceived ideas. So much so that JA actually turned the meaning of the article on its head.

so why are you still posting? Would you like me to show you the exit?!

jenty the whole thread is a waste of time. As is GN at the moment.

which should be interpreted as a garden trowel.

Sorry! sunseeker. Not roses.

Tegan unless you can remember a bit more about that post, I can hardly be expected to respond to that. I am quite sure I did not say your, or anyone's, life was 'pathetic'. I would never say such a thing. And I certainly wouldn't say how wonderful my life is. I think the postings you refer to need to be put in context. I'm glad your fellow clique-ettes leapt to the rescue with words of comfort.

Yeah, yeah, roses - same old same old.

Jinglbellsfrocks.. why would it be a total waste of time you asking me to back up my 'accusation' (your words) perhaps you do not want to hear the truth!

I like others on here do not like your argumentative comments you seem to go around posting on threads just to stir up trouble....

Tegan ...well said...

Well sunseeker she certainly got one !

I'd say the post at 9.27 was meant to be deliberately provocative . Probably better to have been ignored.

I think jbf posts things just to get a reaction.

The cartoon was bloody funny, the article was interesting.End of.

I've not noticed any Gners mounting a gang attack on JA.