Qui tacet consentire videture... I want it to be understood by MNHQ and by guests to this site that my silence on the subject of the recent speculative threads does NOT condone their existence.

[Aitch]

Aitch.

MB - we could argue. We can't make them listen though but we can argue.
This thread is still running and I'm aware my questions are irritating and I will stop soon but this thread does exist.
We could avoid MN for a few days/weeks/months/years.
We could refuse to read threads that look dangerous.
I suppose I'm saying there's no need to feel so angry and helpless about the awfulness.

don't see why bun fights are bad

They haven't been ignored. This thread isn't ignoring them. It's acknowledging them but only obliquely.

They haven't been ignored. This thread isn't ignoring them. It's acknowledging them but only obliquely.

Ignoring them might not work either but I wonder if this isn't the worst of all worlds. They get two threads - one on which to speculate and one on which they are discussed.

mb I agree, atm active convos is full of threads on the McCanns, even when you click on a thread you think is not related in any way, they'll be posters on there arguing about it.

A lot of it is in very bad taste and it also makes me feel sick to the pit of my stomach.

Yes freedom of speech and all that, but some people have joined Mumsnet specifically to post disgusting things about the McCanns. Mumsnet is also being quoted on the news, so these vile people are having their vile opinions aired in the name of Mumsnet. As I am a member of Mumsnet I feel offended by this.

I am also shocked by those names I do recognise who are joining in the general vulture picking.

No-one will win any argument.

What is the point therefore?

Why bother writing your views on this when you know they won't be listened to?

Why encourage these new posters to air their views?

Why?

But you have said, and I have said that we don't go there, for a whole range of reasons. And I can't ask someone to do something I'm not prepared to do myself.

And ATM I simply can't face them.

Slubber

NKF, have a quick flick on active convos, open all the threads, you'll find lots of thread title you think are nothing to do with it, but which actually are.

It's not as simple as ignoring ones with McCann in the title.

dunno, huddling together against the storm, I suppose. Nice to know that there are are people out there who share my distaste. That MN has not gone to the friges of acceptable behavior

Personally, I think Persil gives your whites much more dazzle than Bold.

I have been on a thread to do with this, i have read what some sick people are writing & i have posted, i should walk away but i feel the need to point out what these people are writing is wrong, they should not be saying such awful things about a young child & also about 2 parents who are in enough pain in my eyes.

I think some people have joined mn just to state there speculation on this case, also there may be people who have name changed so they can state such sick things but not under there usual name.

I have been on the threads & i have quoted things from the news but i have "never stated anything about bodies & what the parents "may" have done.

I do think that those members who have joined and only posted on the McCanns should be asked to leave.

This is a parenting site, not a bloody news forum.

Just reading those threads made me feel unclean. I'm glad there is a space to say
NOT IN MY NAME

Thank you Aitch
Rosa

I agree, The speculation threads I do not condone, and I now avoid them as they got pretty offensive IMO.

Hula

Random

I think actually, with regards to how the media has used MN to show the world what MNers think of the mccanns case, that this was made perfectly clear at the time of the shrek debate. I bet you all posted on that unhelpful, critical thread which was in no way helpful to their plight.
I found this particular thread to be defamatory, and distasteful towards those poor parents who want nothing more than to have their child back in safe hands.
Absurdly, it was this thread and the media attention to it that brought me here in the first place.
So, i think you have all brought this on yourselves tbh.

Im not out to cause an arguement, my thoughts on this are actually middle of the road. I have respect for you all signed up here for a cause you all believe is right. But as you know is not a cause i want to back. It was just a thought about how you beleive MNers are being portrayed in the media.

Absolutely agree with the OP.
RHW

I wanted to say something about how I feel on this whole thing, but dont want ot get involved in the whole bunfight going on, dont want to make speculations, but still believe in free speech.

The media use mumsnet to quote on things because journalists are frequently bone idle and it's an easy way of getting copy. It has nothing at all to do with portraying Mumsnet.

I am so surprised that everyone who doesn't want to talk about it, just doesn't bother reading the threads. All of the speculation has bypassed me completely to an extent because I just don't bother reading them.

I am concerned that there are people on here who actually go and vomit over threads as well.

Bizarre.

signed
elliek

I've missed what's happened (not in UK). Trying to follow news on BBC website. Who's quoted MN?

UCM, I haven't read the threads, I have heard about them by accident.

There has been some interesting - and valid - discussion here about censorship, a practice I totally abhor. Someone's already said it but it bears repeating 'I hate what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it'. I just don't have to read it!

However....I didn't stick my name on here to demand the threads be removed, but simply to demonstrate to journalists and so on, who do read this site for copy (vis - the Guardian), that not all MNers are ghoulish rubberneckers, but instead they are a rather vociferous minority. I do avoid those threads, not because I'm particularly sanctimonious, but because there's enough shit in RL without indulging in it on an otherwise normally thoughtful, intelligent and sensitive site, not to mention hysterically funny on occasions, where I've met some wonderful people. Long may it continue.

OK, I'll get back into my box now, and if that sounded obnoxiously pious, I apologise.