Why do you come to Gransnet?

I am often not comfortable with others comments on the political threads Annie. I feel some are completely outrageous and seek to silence the voices of those whose views they oppose and stop them putting their political view forward - and some are particularly nasty and vicious in my view.

Please tell me why this thread is full of people saying such things? What good does it do. One person thinks another person thinks the first person is behaving badly in a heated discussion. What do you expect to happen if each person in turn adds to the inappropriate comments or tries to railroad others or tries to derail a thread. This is not and never has been just a few specific people it is frequently those who then say 'not me gov, I'm whiter than white'. It seems they believe they have every right to criticise the poster not the view and then come on this thread and any other they can mention it on, complaining that it happens.

I can think of several who have been on here complaining about the tone of the political threads who are, in many instances, to blame for that tone. What I do not understand is why you think stirring up all this rancour on this thread will help.

I love cheese too but it is off the menu at the moment

Hi marmight - nice to see you.

How on earth did this thread become so flipping nasty!!

Quie, Annie. I don't know how Ilovecheese has got the idea that right and left are represented equally on the political threads...

Posters have explained why they are not comfortable with the political thread , is it fair they should be told not to read them when it is obvious some want to post on them but don't want to be shouted down, just be able to post their political views without being verbally squashed , just as east to type - i don't agree, as it is to say - get off the thread, there is bullying on there and so noticeable that posts which support the government are as rare as hens teeth.

having Merlotgran, Ilovecheese and Marmight on the same page has now led me to a favourite sat evening treat. Well spotted, Menopaws!

I think saying threads are twee and pointless or trivial and laughable (not in a good way), whilst not that kind but it is your opinion, is not at all like calling people who disagree with you imbeciles though, Gg, which one poster did and which made me feel sick.
Haven't seen that poster on here though.

We could do with more male input even so.

Exactly merlot it's the same as complaining about tv programme instead of turning it off, enjoy what you enjoy and avoid the rest. Btw having Merlotgran, Ilovecheese and Marmight on the same page has now led me to a favourite sat evening treat.

That puzzles me too, Riverwalk. People saying they avoid gransnet because of the vitriol on the political threads is just plain daft.

Nobody is forced to read them.

The political/contentious threads are very easy to avoid - I don't know why members have a particular problem with them and avoid Gransnet as a result.

I have no problem in avoiding: games, TV, knitting & crochet, soaps, cake recipes, etc.

Horses for courses ...

Was that really called for durham? Why would you post a comment like that? What's wrong with you?

Perhaps it was yet another negative comment about the political threads - which some people enjoy. Some people declare they don't but still spend an awful lot of time and energy on them and quite a bit complaining about them. Some people have decided not to go on them and still spend time complaining about them.

I think Soops kitchen is twee and pointless and the Argy-Bargy trivial and laughable (and not in a good way). If I - and others - keep telling those who enjoy these particular threads just what we think of them in a very negative way what good does that do? People end up taking it personally, and, if I was to say such things, I would know there are people who do enjoy them and who may, eventually, be affronted so why would I do that?

If I and others continued the criticism we would be very aware that we may provoke or annoy someone, who, at some point will react. Those who like these topics are probably even more likely to do this if I keep referring to them as 'certain people' or 'certain posters' and the fact that their comments 'leave me feeling quite sick', etc.

The likelihood is that someone will then make a fairly innocuous comment and find they are in the firing line that has been built up by others.

Obviously no one on here would do that but it is one possible explanation of how it could happen.

I haven't been on Gransnet long either and I don't post very often but I'm shocked by how many people are saying the same things about the same issues on the N & P forums. Can't all be wrong can we? I've noticed though that the main protagonist has been noticeable by their absence since so many aired their views.

I have been on GN since the start. When my husband died suddenly during the first year I found it a life line and was so grateful for all the help, encouragement, advice and sympathy I received over the ensuing months. I have made some good friends over the years and even discovered someone I had been at school with. Lately I have been giving GN a 'body swerve' for various reasons but mainly I think, because I find it really difficult to accept that some people can hold such ingrained views and values , mostly political, seeming oblivious to others' opinions and are downright vitriolic and nasty in their comments. I just prefer to stay away. Ok I don't have to read these posts but sometimes they are hard to avoid. Perhaps I've lived a sheltered life but I've never come across this before and don't like it. It's a pity that a few make it so uncomfortable for the many. No doubt in time I'll be back putting in my two pennyworth but a break is probably a good idea occasionally. I would love to speak up, give my opinions on many topics but I ain't prepared to be criticised or humiliated on an open forum. I haven't recommended GN to any friends. I would be easily identified: I prefer to be as anonymous as possible!

I rarely post on the political threads because they move along at such a pace I don't have the time to read all the links so can't keep up. I sometimes post at the beginning then drop out because I'm nowhere near as informed as I think you need to be.

I don't have a problem with the arguments because I don't rise to the bait. Not long ago I posted a comment which somebody disagreed with so I was invited challenged to 'educate them!'

Are you kidding? Do I really come across as completely daft?

Interesting, informative & you can learn quite a lot to!

I havn't been a member for long and joined because of the forums.

I like the politics threads and skip over some posts.

Also like with the BBC, each, right and left, think that the other side is dominant. They seem about equal to me.

I like the relationship threads as well. But as someone else has said, sometimes by the time I come to read them, most things have already been said by others, so don't feel I have anything of use to add.

Also like the anonymity.

I don't dare stick my head above the parapet very often on the political threads, but I do enjoy reading the opinions of my obviously more educated betters!

I wish more people would turn from black to blue. It's still quite anonymous but it is nice to know where in the world a person is from and whether male or female.

Day6, you are not alone with your views of the political threads , don't give up posting your opinions

I am so glad the Argy is getting talked about, it is the only forum I contribute to regularly as it is quick, spontaneous and silly and brings out a fun side of people who can still have an incredibly serious attitude and opinion on life's issues experienced by us all. Caring, thoughtful interesting and varied thoughts create a little place I enjoy being a part of. On gn I am anonymous and I have shared stuff I wouldn't share with others and been supported accordingly. Thanks all and to the ones who are holding back from speaking please join us in the Argy for a quick drink, you will find the nasty posters don't visit , it's frequented by smilers not sulkers. Glad Lara gets involved too , good work

Thank you I clearly need to explore the site more as I have never heard of Kitchen and Argy Bargy bar and have no idea what they are. Just because I have disabilities doesn't mean I can be sloppy or lazy it just means I have to work that bit harder than others might have to.

I just love a chat!!! Now I don't work anymore together with moving fairly recently to a completely new area, making new friends isn't that easy. DH is a dear!! but we are a little bit in each others pockets! thank goodness he has a hobby!!
Day6, I mostly avoid posting on the political thread like the plague for the same reasons as you, and I didn't expect it to follow me here! though I do read it frequently.
I feel that I have 'met' some interesting and nice people over the last year or two, so here's hoping that grandsnet continues to flourish

Not at all pink. Considering that you have statemented dyslexia, you're writing and spelling are excellent! I'm glad that you found GN, we are, in the main, very friendly and welcoming. The chat threads, kitchen and Argy Bargy Bar are the places I tend to hang around in most frequently, I tend to only watch the political threads though.

I think i have missed something?

I have statemented dyspraxia and dyslexia and all though I do have a degree and a teaching degree I could never teach English. I do love English Lit though.