Please can we have an 'opt in' and hide the mccann threads?

[stroppyknickers]

I know I don't have to read them, but I find it hard to believe that I am on a parenting forum where some people feel it is okay to theorise and abuse other parents whose daughter is missing. There seems no room for reasonable debate - what is there to debate anyway? Endless 'Did they do it?' 'Aren't they cold?' etc etc. I would rather pretend these threads didn't exists tbh.

[AMumInScotland]

Well, you can hide them if you don't want to read them. Or read them and report them if people are being abusive. MN is full of stuff I don't want to read, and people giving opinions I disagree with or even find offensive. But if you make everything "opt-in", where does that leave you?

[stroppyknickers]

i know, i just feel like this is such a neverending saga of attack, with no real debate or movement and i feel saddened to see that it still exists.

[CurryMaid]

I feel sadder about the fact that she's still missing/dead than about what a bunch of heartless cows on here have to say about it.

[stroppyknickers]

Goes without saying currymaid.

[CurryMaid]

No point being on here if you don't like what other people think.

There's not usually a great deal of McCann debate anyway, it's just because of the 2 year anniversary and publicity that it's reignited again.

Also - what about newbies - how would that work then? How would they know they can't mention MM or had to opt in to talk about her? Sounds like a VERY weird form of censorship, if you ask me.

And it IS censorship, what you're asking for.

[FabulousBakerGirl]

I think it is a bad idea.

Just hide them.

Not a huge amount of threads anyway.

If this is all you are bothered about - be glad.

[stroppyknickers]

Obv that's not all I'm bothered about - how patronising! I try to address the issues that concern me and do what I practically can - shall I list everything that concerns me and then how I am reacting to it before raising any issues on mumsnet?

[FabulousBakerGirl]

IYO it is patronising.

Wasn't meant that way.

[nkf]

What's hard to believe about being on a forum where there is a wide range of views? Just don't look at threads you don't like.

[Rhubarb]

I do agree. I find it very hard to see these threads and no matter how hard I try, I ultimately find myself getting involved because I just cannot believe that people can be so heartless towards a mother who has lost her child.

Yes, I agree we should be allowed to debate it, it's a free country etc etc. But Mumsnet is a parenting forum, there are mothers on here who may be suffering grief, there may be those who know the McCanns. Because of the sensitivity of the whole case, I would like to see an opt out system too.

I would hate it if, one day, Kate McCann were to come on Mumsnet and read all the accusations levelled against her.

[FabulousBakerGirl]

And to that end I think they should be deleted at some point. If not now, when Madeleine is found.

[stroppyknickers]

Thanks Rhubarb - that's kind if summed it up for me. It's not the wide range of views, it's the relentless airing of vitriol against the McCanns, with no 'debate' at all.

[tiredemma]

I steer well clear of MM threads.

The speculation and hatred towards the parents is disgusting.

[SoupDragon]

[shrug]

Just click "hide this thread". I'm not entirely sure what more you are after.