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.

Thanks ShinyHappy. Hard to know what to say really as I have found things to object to in both 'camps' as it were! So I suppose I am stuck in the middle.

I think they can be silenced though if only temporarily. They're like weeds but a few good sprays and they're quiet for a bit.

There is a good liberal central position Budababe, which goes, I don't like the McCann threads and I think they're distasteful, but I also am not comfortable with the idea that they shouldn't be allowed on MN.

However, they don't represent what I am about, and therefore I'm going to sign below.

Then you sign.

Does that help at all?

Wasn't it last yr that a lot of mnetters asked for In the News to be optional like buying/selling? The ghoulishness isn't new and there have been endless threads where people like to chat about the latest child rape or baby murder.

I know this wouldn't have stopped the unacceptable postings this weekend but at least some of us may have felt more comfortable looking at active convos.

I too am pleased to see so many Mumsnetters on here who I love and respect. Has restored my faith slightly

signed
RubySlippers

I'm in too, although I have some residual concerns that a lot of the 'action' taken to prevent people posting on the McCann threads in the past, smacked a little bit of the MN old guard (or intelligensia) poking fun at the stupid people.

However, the sentiments of this thread represents my own position (of just ignoring them) much more closely.

The sad thing is soapbox, they're not all stupid

Some of these posters are intelligent people in respected professions.

That is the sad thing

But you're not ignoring them! This is a thread about them.

By ignoring, I mean not posting on the threads where they 'discuss' their 'theories'.

i have tried to avoid those threads. very distasteful.

lissie

Actually 100x it's not that I don't like the McCann threads. This is a parenting site and lots of us go on holiday with our families and there but for the grace of God go I.

I think it would be very odd if there was NO discussion of the case. It is the extremism I find objectionable. There were lots of threads in May where people were trying to actively help with getting Madelaine's picture out. And threads where people said that the whole thing had really affected them. It really affected me for a few days. There were a couple of nights where I woke up and couldn't stop thinking of Madelaine and what she might be going through. I don't think that makes me in any way mawkish or odd - just human. But people who posted similar things were laughed out of town - in fact bullied out of town.

At the time of the SWMNBN saga there was lots of talk of freedom of speech. Where was that if someone posted that they cried for Madelaine? They were made to feel stupid and denigrated terribly.

I found all that bullying to be equally as distasteful as the speculation over the last few days.

I cried again this afternoon watching the McCanns arriving back. I cried as Kate McCann looked as if her heart was broken. And Gerry McCann sounded so defeated even as he said they haven't given up hope. The Sky news woman sounded almost in tears too. All human responses. But not allowed on here by certain sectors.

So maybe it is the extremism I object to.

If so - I sign up.
Budababe

Thank you Aith and MB for being so eloquent.

Please count me too.

MamaPyjama

Beng new to MN, I posted on said thread in good faith in attempt to quash wild speculation. If it fanned the flames, I regret that.

wheresthehamster

signed

AQ

Gess

Message withdrawn

< Lol @ Melly actually signing her name >

and what beuatiful writing she had too! {smile]

I'm quite

(Soapbox - I think signing this thread is v different from 'taking action'. Like my original 'boycott' thread which was about not fanning the flames , as handbags says below, but simply staying away. this thread says that by staying away we are not, nevertheless, condoning wild speculation)

Hello Blu

I did post something, i had to, i said what i thought, i just had to let it out somewhere. But i would like to add my name to this list as i wont be posting again because i find the threads in bad taste.

lucyellensmum

(hug for WB...mwah)

MB I don't think you can really compare it to Nazism. Nobody was advocating that anyone be killed, whatever they may or may not have done.
It wasn't that dangerous.

While watching this thread with interest and some awe, I am also haunted by the fact that one particular poster might be quite enjoying her seeming immense 'effect' on people...this thread is a big power trip if she does get off on that idea.

Sorry to point that out hope it's not the case.