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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

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

588 replies

hunkermunker · 22/05/2006 15:46

MN Towers, if you'd prefer it if this was deleted, please do so.

But I'm nosy. And I want to know. Please?

(I didn't swear in this, though I was tempted to...childish or what?!)

OP posts:
arfy · 24/05/2006 15:35

OK

PARP

must go.

morningpaper · 24/05/2006 15:46

I think it's a bit SAD if this is honestly stopping open discussion of the matter.

Can't we discuss it on another website?

morningpaper · 24/05/2006 15:50

This reply has been deleted

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Freckle · 24/05/2006 15:51

The point about issuing proceedings for defamation is that you are asking the court to award you monetary compensation for the damage done to your reputation.

As far as I can see, the only damage done to GF's reputation has been as a result of this ridiculous hounding of MN. She will have to prove to the court that posts on here have caused her reputation to be damaged and her earning potential affected as a result. Can't see that it has to be honest.

This whole fiasco is causing her far more damage than the few nasty posts (thousands - I don't think so) which were removed asap.

SaintGeorge · 24/05/2006 15:53

Don't think the link was a good idea mp.

morningpaper · 24/05/2006 15:57

Sorry ... why was the link bad? It has nothing to do with any mumsnetters AFAIK. It was the Gina Ford discussion that I pointed out a couple of weeks ago because there are rather a lot of robust comments on there - I just went back to view it just now.

As far as I recall, the issue of legal action against Mumsnet by GF has been mentioned in the Times newspaper already, so it is info that is in the public domain from other sources other than here.

Sorry if it's a bad idea but I don't understand why. It has nothing to do with MN.

I will shut the fck up now. :)

SaintGeorge · 24/05/2006 16:01

I can just see the next thing will be 'MN did not take down links to other sites which host defamatory content'.

Is it worth risking more trouble for Justine & Co?

Carmenere · 24/05/2006 16:03

Mind you I'd like to see her take on the Guardian Grin

Rhubarb · 24/05/2006 16:12

Has anyone emailed her site about The Guardian? I think they should! I'd like to see her try and sue The Guardian!

Freckle · 24/05/2006 16:38

The point is that GF has received an apology, the offending posts have been removed, so that only leaves one other benefit to this action. Money. AC even said that baldly in her email - MN failed to offer a reasonable settlement (financial settlement to be exact).

So is that what she wants to be remembered for? For being responsible for the downfall of a much valued resource and support network for mothers of all levels of experience simply because she wasn't offered enough money not to??

snafu · 24/05/2006 16:44

Get thee to the Graun boards, Gina. Pick on someone your own size.

Piffle · 24/05/2006 16:46

An ironic last post on the Graun site LOl
Wonder how this one slipped under her radar then

ho hum

LucyJu · 24/05/2006 17:21

I've been pondering all of this...

It is a trusim that, if this whole saga were to go to court, the only real winners would, as usual, be the lawyers.

Speaking as someone who has a certain level of support for both sides of this dispute (i.e. I have used TCLB book successfully in the past with dd1 and I also like to use mumsnet), I have been trying to imagine a solution that would be mutually acceptable to all parties.

I wondered if an open letter appealling to GF from the mumsnet members might help to calm things down and dissuade her from proceeding with legal action which, I imagine, would be damaging for all parties.

Haven't got time to draft something properly now, but was wondering about something including the following points:

  1. An apology for any personal criticisms made of GF herself. The majority were made to criticise the book and/or the methods contained therein; some, unfortunately went too far. Whilst members reserve the right to continue to criticise methods etc, we apologise as a community for any hurt or offence caused by criticisms of a more personal nature. We as a community will desist from making any other such posts in future for the sake of mumsnet.
  1. Many parents find a lot of practical and emotional support from belonging to websites such as mumsnet. Many 'innocent' mums are going to suffer if mumsnet is forced to close as a result of this action.
  1. Legal action is ultimately likely to be damaging and costly for all parties.
  1. This has been was sponteneously organised by mumsnet members to show their support for MN HQ. It has not been organised by MN HQ.

Would something along these lines be a good idea, do you think? If so, what else needs to be included? Would anyone be prepared to sign it?

Or is it just plain DAFT?

Rhubarb · 24/05/2006 17:23

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.

Carmenere · 24/05/2006 17:30

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.

fullmoonfiend · 24/05/2006 17:32

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

Rhubarb · 24/05/2006 17:37

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!

SoupDragon · 24/05/2006 17:39

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

FioFio · 24/05/2006 17:41

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tamum · 24/05/2006 17:42

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.

Rhubarb · 24/05/2006 17:42

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?

Enid · 24/05/2006 17:43

letter bad

talking to the press when it all comes out good

JoolsToo · 24/05/2006 17:44

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 Wink

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

Carmenere · 24/05/2006 17:45

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?

Carmenere · 24/05/2006 17:45

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?