<<whispers>> Was there ever any clarification about whether the issue with GF was swearing on here?

lol @ Posting copies back

very sorry about my message delted post

but somewhat relieved that my first post to be deleted was due to a technicality rather than me getting carried away being offensive again

oo that's a good idea .. I have a copy upstairs .. I think I may well do that

Simple, what and who made her (be it as a saint or satan)a household name?
We did - the people who bought the books (and digested, composted or door stopped it) made her rich (one presumes she is well off if she can afford to have lawyers and so forth) Post every copy of the book you can find back to her publisher with a brief note (2nd class :))

And we can live in ignorance that such a person ever published such a book...

I must admit I feel incredibly sorry for GF as an individual

I feel this is such a destructive path that she has set herself on with threats of litigation against a website which is merely at its heart a group of parents

I think it would take a lot of strength and soul-searching to be able to pull out of this tailspin now .. but it would certainly behove her to do so ..

sorry Fio if I dropped you in it - (thats why I put my email addy) - oops!

I think we'll live!

See Blu's post of 2.45pm. Apologies have already been made for personal criticisms. Offending threads have been pulled. I assume that MNHQ have already provided written apologies anyway? The so-called defamatory comments were always countered with supportive, pro-GF ones. MN is policing itself pretty effectively to prevent any further problems arising, imo and, as we've seen, 'vicious and libelous' [sic] messages are floating around on many high-profile websites aside from this one.

I really think, therefore, that a written apology from MN members - even if everyone who has ever posted signed! - would be pissing in the wind.

thanks fio! - it'll self destruct any second now!

Don't worry :) (You got on the course, remember :))

Aaargh fio- the link was on here before but now appears as message deleted. I don't think MN want it here...

And why would we (the mumsnet masses) apologise for the words of few, no I don't think so. Would she call off the lawyers? If so, for how long? What happens when the new batch of mums come along who don't know what has gone on? Do they have to apologise for hurting her feelings?

And why would we (the mumsnet masses) apologise for the words of few, no I don't think so. Would she call off the lawyers? If so, for how long? What happens when the new batch of mums come along who don't know what has gone on? Do they have to apologise for hurting her feelings?

I wouldn't mind a link to the Guardian board, I've tried to find it but I don't know my way around that publication

pretty please someone? - angrydriver2000 @ yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

letter bad

talking to the press when it all comes out good

I can see why some would see it as a bad idea. But it's hardly likely to do any harm is it? Depends, some might not want anything to do with it so you couldn't put "from all Mumsnetters" on it or anything like that. And where would you post it? Would you email to her site? Or do a thread on here and email them a link? Or what?

I can't see what good it would do to be honest as there are so many thousands of members. However many people signed it it would never possibly be enough to be convincing.

I think writing a letter would be a very bad idea.

Depends on how you word the letter I suppose. We could put something like:
Dear Ms Ford
As the members of Mumsnet we would to say that we understand fully how upset you have been by certain personal insults made about you on this site. Whilst we all have differing opinions on parenting books of all kinds, we do not encourage personal insults and we are very sorry for the fact that you feel rightly hurt and offended by what has been sad.

As you are aware, any parenting book is bound to be a hot topic on many parenting sites, yours is no different to any other on that score. But some of our members went too far and they caused hurt and pain to you, for that we are truly sorry.

We hope that you accept this letter as it is intended to be, a sincere apology from us all at Mumsnet for the hurt some of the remarks have caused you."

Something like that? We are apologising for the personal insults, we are not bowing down to any bullying. Sometimes a little sorry goes a long way!

just want to add my support to MNHQ. Hope common sense prevails...

The rational part of me thinks that a letter like that would be a positive thing however I also feel like I am being bullied and I don't particularly feel like ameliorating the bully, sorry.

Worth a go I should think, but there are so many angry emotions on here about it all I'm not sure how many people would be willing to put their names to it.
Think it's generally not a bad idea though.