Death threatsand abuse of MP?

[PoppyPopcorn]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41237836

Seriously, what is WRONG with some people? What happened to argument and debate. It's fine to disagree with someone's politics. It's not fine to draw swastikas on posters, threaten to put someone in a coffin or call someone a terrorist in front of their kids.

What is happening here? Social media has a lot to answer for, people write the most horrendous things on Twitter or Facebook with no consequences so therefore pull that sort of behaviour into real life.

Cannot believe MPs have to put up with this. Just awful.

But its not social media is it

Its parents
Its schools
Its society
Its day to day interactions
Its even the type of TV we watch and what becomes the norm in terms of behaviour

I have to say that MN is part of this all too - people post a thread about how all Tories are nazis who torture kittens for fun and eat children for breakfast and they're applauded. Or people say that Corbyn is best mates with the world's biggest terrorists.

(The ire appears to be more directed agains the Conservatives though and the survey appears to prove that too)

I don't think it's social media. Hatred has always been here, the only difference is that social media allows us to see the hatred we would like to think doesn't exist as pervasively.

I think traditional media, specifically (but not limited to) the Daily Mail actively foment and "curate" certain viewpoints, ie. "God Bless Our Queen/Benefits Scum/Corbyn loves IRA" and THAT is far more insidious than social media.

But I'm confident that graffiti, heckling and anonymous threats have been part and parcel of politics for centuries.

Standing for Parliament in the UK can mean facing death threats, online intimidation, verbal abuse and vandalism, according to MPs surveyed by BBC Radio 5 live
Yes and it can mean murder in the case of Jo Cox

I think heckling is fair game. I'd hate to live somewhere that politicians are not challenged and debated with.

But that's a lot different from death threats.

Poppy: Pointing out what people have actually done and who they habitually ally themselves with is something I would do andcis not wrong in the slightest.

That has to be distinguished from name calling, surely?

Let alone death threats.

I think people need the boundaries reinforced rather than saying we must only be kind and respectful.

Jo Cox was an appalling incident but it's like previous incidents of a similar nature have been totally forgotten about. Our MP, Nigel Jones, was the victim of a Samurai sword attack in his constituency office in 2000 during his routine surgery by a chap he'd been trying to help over some time regarding legal issues. Nigel survived but his colleague and councillor Andrew Pennington died by intervening.

So violence, attempted murder and murder of our MPs and politicians is nothing new. Verbal abuse has increased due to the internet as it just gives so many more ways to have a go.

The criminal class are feeling threatened... hordes at the gates and all that.

Sheryll Murray antagonised locals in her campaigning and it barely got a mention in her campaigning. She then went all sad face and got a full article about how she has been targeted.

You earn respect and courtesy by treating others with respect and courtesy. Something all MP need to grasp regardless of their political party.

Cheltenham mp nigel jones was attacked with a sword and i think a councillor died in the same attack. That was years ago. Gloucester mp parmjit dhanda had a pigs head left on his car at his family home. Also years ago. And poor Jo Cox last year.

This isnt a new phenomenon. I dont think the confrontational culture of politics really helps. I think a lot of people feel disenfranchised and powerless and whilst its not ok they get so frustrated with no appropriate outlet then this is what happens. Also some people are just violent thugs and will use any excuse.

Red Had you read my posting three notches above yours, I'd already answered your question

"It's not fine to draw swastikas on posters, threaten to put someone in a coffin or call someone a terrorist in front of their kids. "

If you are advocating policies which suggest that disabled children shouldn't be born or exsist, then Swastikas are appropriate.

In that linked article one Tory MP felt intimidated at a Hunt, well boo-hoo.

When I see how the bedroom tax has for the first time ever, created a Housing issue and has meant the selling off of housing stock and our local parks, then I'd run a Tory campaigner down my path.

What is wrong with some people? You get pissed off at your life turning to shit because of these people's ideas.

ShatnersWig I saw it JUST after I posted and felt a bit