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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

Thread sabotage

146 replies

JustineMumsnet · 08/09/2007 20:45

Evening all,
As you know we aren't ones to intervene when threads go off topic as a rule but we think that sabotaging threads you would rather weren't on Mumsnet/find distasteful is not really in the spirit of the place. We are, after all, generally in favour of free speech and people's right to express their opinions - even ones we might prefer not expressed.
If you believe any particular posts break our abuse policy - i.e. are personal attacks, obscene or defamatory - please do report them and we will respond as soon as we can - though not always immediately at weekends/after hours/during England matches.

Cheers,

Mumsnet Towers

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 08/09/2007 22:36

Every now and again, we get someone like lavendrr, Vonda, fastasleep . . .

haychee · 08/09/2007 22:39

and your point is expat? I for one have never heard of these people.

Oenophile · 08/09/2007 22:39

But it got to the point where anyone with an opinion or the latest information to post on a topic widely reported in the news at present was shouted over by those who were apparently seeking to silence all discussion of it. Thus I for one consider Justine's response here to be both fair and wise, and think it's a shame that this factual informative thread is again being used to rehash the same old grievances (from both sides.)

themildmanneredjanitor · 08/09/2007 22:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

startouchedtrinity · 08/09/2007 22:47

I really agree with expats' posts here. We have become desensitised to suffering in this country. Free speech is fine, but don't mnetters also have the right to protest at something they find upsetting, even if it isn't something that could end up in court?

Someone said somewhere that the nature of threads and posts on here have changed, and in the 5 yrs I've been here I will second that.

haychee · 08/09/2007 22:49

Good god most arguements could end up in court if somone really pushed for it. And protesting of course is fine as is free speech but thread sabbotage and childish comments are ridiculous.

startouchedtrinity · 08/09/2007 22:54

I didn't take part in the thread sabotage or post any childish comments, but it's not uncommon to click in a serious thread here and find it's got silly - whether intentionally or not. And I think people yesterday were genuinely trying to stop something that had got totally out of hand.

McEdam · 08/09/2007 23:59

I'm with MMJ.

FGS, it's got to the point where I feel like demanding a 'no McCann' threads button like the 'no buying/selling' one. Because those threads are full of sickos getting some sort of obscene enjoyment out of spreading gossip and outrageous slurs against the family of a missing child. Do those people not have the wit to distinguish between CSI and real life?

2shoes · 09/09/2007 00:00

good point Mcedam

McEdam · 09/09/2007 00:44

Cheers!

turquoise · 09/09/2007 00:58

I wish it were possible to get through to people that no-one objects to a discussion.

The gleeful revelling in the possible fate of a small child that has been taking place on some of these threads is repellent beyond belief, and utterly depressing that it can take place on a parenting forum.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 09/09/2007 01:47

Isn't it freedom of speech to post over and over again though?

And if I ever stamp my feet and say "But I want the right to talk about potentially dead children in possible suitcases," that's the time I take a long, hard look at myself and decide I really don't like what I see, frankly.

(Still not VVV)

suzywong · 09/09/2007 01:49

please can someone tell me what this thread is refering to? Is it MMcann? and how did MB sabotage it? Was she funny, if so then fair play

turquoise · 09/09/2007 01:53

Yes it was McCann, involved much 'discussion' and 'debate' about rotting corpses, whether they could be fitted into suitcases etc - got bumped up to 1000 to get rid of it.
A good discussion about cleaning products helped it along a bit, or maybe that was another thread, there've been soooo many.

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 02:21

I was on the Mccann thread. I would just like to say that I find the whole Madeleine case extremely upsetting and was literally devastated when I heard that little girl had gone missing. I can tatally see your point that talking about rotting corpses is utterly distasteful. However not every persons post on that thread was of such nitty gritty detail and I found it quite offending that we were all dismissed as wierdos and loons. I and many others on that thread were merely expressing our shock and disbelief in the sudden twist in the investigation which I personally think is natural. Trying to control what people talk about on here is just ridiculous and only going to start arguments. Perhaps in future if you see a post that you find 'sick' then report it and it will be dealt with properly.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 09/09/2007 02:26

What purpose does it serve going "ooh, awful, isn't it?" over and over again though? Or is it the "ooh, did she, I hadn't heard that, 97 bottles of wine, you say? And a crack pipe in the room? Ooh!" ever-increasingly wild stuff that you want?

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 02:30

Well its being able to see what other peoples take is on it. Instead of reading it and having it on your mind at home. What purpose does talking about cleaning products have? Other than irritating people and offending people. There are better ways to go about things imho.

OberonKenobi · 09/09/2007 02:35

This freedom of speech issue is a bit annoying.
Of course we are all free to post whatever we like, within reason.
But just because we can, doesn't mean we always should.
I think that some of the threads in the past few months have been deeply ghoulish and inappropriate.

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 02:38

Ok but my point is that if you go back and read the thread you will see that the magority of posters werent being ghoulish or inapropriate. i just cant imagine why people get so so angry when they see a MM thread. Why? WHy does it anoy people so much? Its not as if they have to read it, is it?

lornaloo · 09/09/2007 02:42

Well thats just my point. I dont want enemys on here I really dont. Am off to bed now. Night night.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 09/09/2007 02:45

Because it gets quoted in the press and a site that once had predominantly intelligent people on it looks like it's frequented by bosom-hefting gossips with minds so narrow the sides touch.

That's why I object to it.

It's speculation, pointless, idle speculation which, whatever the truth, does nobody any good and cheapens and demeans poster, site and Madeleine.

So whilst you're right, nobody HAS to read the threads if they don't want to, the very fact that they are there, lowering the tone of the whole site with their tiny-IQd rubberneckery irritates in manner of ignorant mosquito.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 09/09/2007 02:46

PS - please have a go at Hunker for that post, should you need to, since it was she who made it.

minorityrules · 09/09/2007 02:59

Where were the rotting corpses post? and the other things you quoted, had a look briefly and can't see anything like that

Or maybe that is what you assume were on there and the people bumping had good reason? Did some of you read any of it or just siding with people you like?

Some people want ALL discussion removed and I think that is wrong

People are discussing and will discuss in real life because on friday this WAS the biggest news story

It is a sad story, a confusing story but not one that should or will be ignored

If you aren't interested, just move on....I do it all the time

minorityrules · 09/09/2007 03:01

And intelligent people are discussing it too

Worried about te reputation of MN...I'd worry more about how censorship will ruin the reputation

slim22 · 09/09/2007 03:52

I don't get the OP and this discussion......

Agree we may simply move on and not read those threads(Which I did in this particular instance) but we might also want to participate.

Bumping (and sabotaging) is also the expression of an opinion. There are some of us who simply do not want this crap on the site.

Swipe left for the next trending thread