MNHQ

[Waltermittythesequel]

I've been a member of MN for almost a decade (I had to re-reg after the hacking debacle). I know there has always been contention and controversy but I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever been sickened by MN members and by you, HQ.

Over the last few days there has been thread after thread bashing Ireland, being xenophobic, insulting and downright nasty and you, HQ, have let them all stand.

I believe now, that the English attitude to Ireland is unfortunately as bad as it ever was and it is perpetrated by business like yours for not taking a stand against it. I can only assume you agree with the shit being spouted.

I have loved it here but I can't engage on a forum where such behaviour is tolerated without even an attempt to do something about it.

You should be utterly ashamed of yourselves. I'd like to say it's been fun but frankly, the last few days have negated any enjoyment I've ever had here.

I've just read two threads in active conversations that have been the straws that broke the camel's back.

I'm not expecting anyone to give a shit about my flouncing, by the way. I'm not expecting attention. I AM expecting a barrage of abuse and oh-so-hilarious insults. It doesn't bother me.

For a 'supportive' website, MN, you've really let yourself down.

There has been a lot of English people bashing too. I'm English, what have done?

I realise you feel insulted and angry but we all do not feel badness of Irish people.

Don't flounce, stay. Use the hide function or have your say.

for you and well done to Ireland!! :)

Op! Look at chat at my lovely thread to counteract! All lovely things being said about us!

Hide the other ones, seriously your blood pressure will thank you!

Don't read them?, I haven't so I haven't a clue about what you're upset about.

Don't leave, that's giving in to those that have upset you.

I haven't opened any of the Irish threads.

Anyone who recognises me will know that I have had my share of, er, robust discussions here

It's HQ's total disregard for the continuous barrage of bashing threads that has really boiled my piss. It's shameful, IMO.

That's why I can't be arsed hanging around. I'll take myself back to Rollercoaster .

If the Irish threads offend you, don't open them. I haven't.

I am Irish and haven't opened any of the Irish threads. I do think that the scottish and English get a pasting quite alot so don't go on those kids of threads anymore.

What were the reasons MNHQ let them stand?

This might have been better in site stuff, more chance of HQ seeing it.

Another one here who hasn't a clue what you're talking about. I don't tend to open threads that might upset me though. I haven't seen anything rose than normal, although there's always a few questionable posters no matter what HQ do.

rose worse

YABU.

There are lots of threads anti lots of things. They produce robust conversation.

MNHQ is fairly on the ball with deletions as far as I can see.

There's plenty of 'bashing' on all subjects, such is freedom of speech and all that.

I tend to agree with you OP as I have similar feelings as there's often a thread about my race and how we're sewer rats, scum and racist words I thought no one used anymore etc allowed to stand every month or so. But in other ways I find it fascinating as in real life I don't experience too much trouble, so find it an interesting insight into people's real attitudes if that makes sense?
And I also don't think mumsnet would work without some of the arguing.
I know I should hide threads but it's a bit like being sat by a giant box that says 'do not open' on it...I just know I will!

Completely agree with you OP. Can't believe that MNHQ think that this is acceptable! There are some real goady threads atm. They are obviously designed to get a reaction by being deliberately insulting.

However, I have seen some utterly astonishing bile against Scotland and the scots on numerous occasions on here as well..

Please do not take the tone of some people on an internet forum to represent the feelings of an entire nation.

Even if 1000 members posted to say that all Irish are fuckwits (I don't hold this view) that is 1000 people out of the population of England.

I do not believe there is anti-Irish feeling. I feel we have come a bloody long way from the 80's and any brain-cell challenged Muppet, posting vitriol and anti-Irish comments on an internet forum does not speak for me or my nation.

I feel strongly about this, I live in Warrington and lived through the bombings. I've watched the work between the 3 countries and the tireless work of Colin and Wendy Parry to turn what could have been a flashpoint for retaliation into hope and some form.of peace between communities.

I will not stand for mindless fuckwittery from keyboard warriors, wasting a few minutes on the internet and pedalling hate.

MNHQ, if what Walter says is true (I haven't read the threads) then I'm shocked. Why allow xenophobic comments stand?

For those saying "hide/dont click/ignore" that's missing the point entirely.

Op would you report the thread so mnhq might see it?

I reported two posts on a thread yesterday. I have had no communication from Mnhq at all.

As another person from Ireland I have found it extremely unwelcoming and unsupportive on here of late, as well.

It's a tough one because the threads themselves - about Gerry Adams & the IRA, about the lack of abortion in Ireland (three of those I think, at last count) are about subjects that might be difficult but are fair enough to discuss and not inherently xenophobic. So I understand why MNHQ has been slow to police them.

But it's the general sense that this weekend Ireland took a truly wonderful step. And we celebrated together the progress we've made, and every single other place I've looked, other than MN, it was apparent that the World was celebrating with us. On Twitter, on FB, on international news sites and popular discussion boards. There was recognition that this was the result of a lot of hard work by a lot of people in the face of very powerful institutions and history. I worked my ass off on the Yes Equality campaign where I live, out canvassing every night after work for weeks, and I know people who worked much harder than I did and who had more to lose - because it was their own equality they were working to have recognised. And we won. And we were delighted.

And the predominant message I get from browsing on Mumsnet is one of "Ireland thinks they're so great now, yeah yeah okay marriage equality whatever, let's talk about everything that's shit about Ireland instead, like the IRA, and the lack of abortion access, and how they're all backward and mawkish and full of themselves." It is unfair, and hurtful. And it doesn't matter if some of the people reveling in the pissing-on-chips contest claim that they're Irish, or used to live here, or have Irish grannies or whatever. And of course some people are just making up bullshit and delivering it with an air of authority and expertise, like how they've heard Irish politicians spouting on about 'horrible heathen Britain' with your abortions and whatnot. Just making shit up to deepen divisions.

I get why each individual thread was allowed to stand, but taken together they do send a very clear message that as far as many on here are concerned, Ireland has no business having a sense of pride about itself and we will be very quickly put back in the inferior place we occupy in some minds around here.

I do think that MNHQ could have removed a few particularly offensive posts, like the one referring to the "typically Irish, mawkishly sentimental self congratulation" (or something), and the numerous posts that referred to our country and it's people as "backward" and "uncivilized." I can't blame MNHQ though, because I didn't report them. I should have but I'm not putting myself through the annoyance of reading through it all again.

I don't blame you for wanting to flounce, Walter, but I hope you don't. Besides, if there is anything that's truly shit about Ireland, it's the parenting websites .

Oh for God's sake. Just don't read them if they upset you. Better that than a sanitised site where only politically correct opinions are allowed to be voiced.

Would you say that if I posted that black people were not to be trusted? Retarded children should be institutionalised and kept away from 'normal' people? You know, the way it has played out in years gone by.

Or is it ok to be 'un PC' because it's only the thick Paddies?

Do enlighten us Sheen.

Why did I bite.

Why oh why oh why.

You just can't argue with stupid.

I'm English and I beg you to try and find a post where I've 'bashed' any nationality

I hate the whole 'don't open the threads if they upset you' shit as well, when it comes to threads like this.

That's a bullshit cop out.

Yes sheen we're waiting..

In that case, Sharon, I don't think the OP is directed at you really