the most popular thread ...

[peacedove]

had disappeared.

should have been left alone by the mods. It was full of gems!

I have no problem with innocent fun. But calling people "retarded" simply for not sharing their views is neither harmless nor fun.

but the poster who was so addressed didn't show any sign of stress, and seemd rather amused.

it all got a bit playground imho

well done wiggy

The word "retarded" is offensive to many, whether it's directed at them or not.

QoQ, I was joking

Batwoman? Sounds like a namechanger to me...

oooh missed it again I really need to kick DH out on a sunday night and stop watchin christopher eccleston on Dr Who! )

everyone (including me) thought it was a guy

either way the posts on there were nasty by the looks of the archive messages.

The fact that the people the insults were being thrown at didn't seem to mind isn't the only consideration with a thread like that. The fact is that personal insults affect other people too, and they're against the ethos of MN. Turning a reasoned and reasonable debate into a mud-slinging match achieved nothing apart from inviting mud-slinging back, and any argument or debate gets lost amid the name-calling and point-scoring.

I believed her, including her Ivy League degrees despite persistent and insitent spelling errors, her investment banker job in London with two months paid holiday every year, etc. etc.

Is it possible to have such mixed threads marked by a red asterik, so that those who might take offense, avoid it; and those who like to pick up the diamonds and emaralds in thse, can do so?

Please Mods, will you restore it,

please, pretty please

thought you were 'peacedove'?

even peacedoves like to see fun once in a while

Your definition of "fun" is a lot different to mine. If something is truly "fun", then no-one is offended. I like a healthy debate, I like an argument every now and then, I like a bit of fun - I even like a bit of harmless troll-baiting sometimes. What I don't like is nastiness of that level. I agree that it's a shame that the whole thread had to be deleted, because before Batwoman got started there was an interesting debate going on, but do you seriously think that bringing the thread back is going to serve any purpose other than pandering to this nasty troll?

Would just like to agree with WWB. So I will.

I agree with WWB.

Agree there WWB.
And moderators don't have the power to delete or reinstate threads.
Off our own backs or at the request of other Mumsnetters we draw Mn Towers' attention to stuff like racist/personally abusive remarks and the decision is theirs as to whether to pull a thread or not.
I can't speak for the other Mods but if I'm ever in any doubt as to whether a thread is offensive (this is often a grey area until real name-calling starts ) I watch and leave. So I rarely report a thread and even when I do it is not always deleted. It's a very cautiously invoked sanction and that caution makes Mumsnet "freer" and much more interesting than many over-moderated sites. IMO.

I thought it was vile, actually. I'm glad it's been deleted.

WWB: Batwoman was a distraction from the seriousness of the thread, but the response to her at times brought out some data and useful statistics.

It is educational too, to be able to see into the minds of others. And Batwoman did eventually give in on some points, so the posters were able to bring her back to more reasonable views, which I think were hiding in her subconcious.

Would also like to agree with Marina that MN is a lot more interesting than over-modded sites.

On a completely different topic, isn't it about time for another ruck with babyworld?

Oh, I'm going to HELL!

In a handcart you naughty Munker

she made some good points in the beginning but it all got lost when she turned all "dirty harry" and started blasting away with her "bring it on, I'll take you all isms" which was a shame. I did think she was real actually right up to the insane posting where she pretended to masturbate. Then I thought she was a spotty adolescent from Alabamha and best ignored.

A website told me I was going to hell the other day. I'm already planning what to take with me. I hear it gets quite hot?

Getting deleted gives him/her exactly what they want. They go out of their way to be offensive and get people riled. Of course calling people names is wrong but it's the easiest way for an idiot to get a rise out of people. We shouldn't give them the satisfaction I think.

He did admit to being a mass debater though.