I'm torn on this one.
On the one hand, I agree with MNHQ that you can't call troll just because someone disagrees with you.
However, it's apparent to me as someone who very, very rarely visits the Feminist Board, because you are all a bit scary and intimidating (so shoot me for saying that), that edd and Bob are here only to be disruptive and undermine the conversations.
Bob and Ed - I really don't believe you are here because you think Mumsnet is a wonderful place, or that you are here to develop your own feminist thinking. You show absolutely no interest in any other part of Mumsnet, except for threads that mention the words 'feminist' or 'feminism'. In fact, I'd be prepared to lay money on you both using the search function to find threads (outside the remit of the Feminist board) that use these words.
However, as both Bob and Ed (assuming that they are different posters, of course), are mostly very careful to post within the MNHQ guidelines, and their posts can seem oh so reasonable. They are skilled at not appearing to be offensive to other posters - "I'm just putting forward my own point of view, my own argument - am I not allowed to do that?"
Other people have done that, in MN's history - daftpunk is a classic example -and it's hugely frustrating as it is then nigh on impossible to ban them, as they don't infringe any of MNHQ's guidelines.
So they can't be banned as they aren't transgressing any of the rules.
However, it's very clear what their agenda is. If someone like me who isn't here very often can see it, then I'm surprised (and a bit - nay a lot - disappointed) that MNHQ can't see it.
I would like to suggest that MNHQ monitor/police the Feminists board much more carefully/regularly than they are doing at the moment. I know and appreciate that MN is a huge site and very fast moving. Nevertheless, I think that this board is more vulnerable than most.
I have come to the conclusion that there are two things that should happen:
- MNHQ should appoint moderators for the Feminist Board (if having moderators makes it difficult legally, then perhaps we should have more volunteers on site duty specifically on this board)
- We should allow blocking of posters on this board.
If posters like Bob and Ed are genuine about their interests in women's issues, then they will be free to express them elsewhere, and they will be subject to the responses of the broad church that is the MN membership.