General Chat

My opinion didn't change one iota but I gained an insight into why others think as they do, which is valuable.

Well I usually hold back from joining in debates and discussion threads because people who are so much more able to express themselves than I am make me feel somewhat inadequate. It was good to see so many of us adding to the thread without the worry of being 'put down'. We have all had different upbringing and education, are all different ages, all live in different areas and therefore all have different views and fears. sometimes in this sort of discussion if we are receptive to the ways others think and then opposing views are put, minds can be changed, attitudes altered. That is why these debates and discussions are valuable. But not if they are stifled before finished.

I think it only fair to say that many people went to the trouble of stating not only why they think as they do but also to post links to sites that gave facts that they based those opinions on and it is a shame when people are denied the chance to read that.

There are always two sides ( usually a lot more ) it helps to be able to read both, if only to cement your own convictions...nothing I read changed mine, but I had learned a lot more than I knew at the start of the thread.

I think its good we all have different view
Think how boring the world would be if we were all the same :-D :-D

No one on the thread threatened violence or declared war.

In a democratic society people will debate the issues of the day. Often people will be polarised. I don't see what's wrong with that. Several people posted links to reliable news sources to back up their argument, others quoted personal experience, it's all part of the pitch and toss of debate.

No one was forced to contribute.

In the past, NOT on the thread in question, posters have posted opinion as though it was a known fact, or posted inaccurate information from inside their own heads or, even worse, from Britain First. That sort of nonsense deserves to be challenged.

It was an interesting and informative thread and I think all contributors learned something from the views of others.

As long as there are people questioning others' views surely that's a good thing?
No opinion will ever be softened without questioning it. The worst views to my mind were those quoting certain media

Surely though we should have had some indication that serious discussion and different view points are not welcome on this site! I think Genes should make it quite clear that anything even remotely political/controversial is not tolerated, and that only domestic trivia or trivia in general is allowed, then those of us who want to have a more grown-up conversation can go elsewhere.

I'm afraid I don't really care why someone chooses to despise people who are different and stereotype them in a way intended to prompt other people to despise them as well.

I have posted on Ann's new Thread, 'GR Admin' but I'll now put my two-pennorth in here.

Every person has a different view because we all have different life experiences.

I think Maggie has a point and I think you are right about personal jibes, Inspector. The Thread became harsh and I said as much.

It looked as though the parrying back and forth was going to run forever and intolerance had crept in from some contributors.

One is now able to see how troubles escalate from difference. Doesn't take long, does it?

Surely it's better to ask 'why' someone holds those views? Our personal experiences do tend to effect our outlook on life.
Listen then attempt to persuade rather than accuse.

Which was the minority view on the thread? As a head count I would have said it was pretty much 50/50.

maggiewinchester if GR does not want visitors to this site to be confronted with messages stating that people of a certain sex / ethnicity / religion are rapists and terrorists, I think that is not unreasonable, myself

I think you were told that GPS phones can be quite cheap, Inspector.

Here is an explanation from The Independent. Apologies for the title, it isn't mine.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/surprised-that-syrian-refugees-have-smartphones-well-sorry-to-break-this-to-you-but-youre-an-idiot-10489719.html

ah, more equivocation

'The minority view on the thread was starting to be stifled by the majority'


'minority view' ... that covers such a rainbow of things, doesn't it?

why, one would almost think that someone was trying to stifle the view that orange is the best colour for a kitchen in a discussion where most people thought yellow was best

of course, one might even think that someone was trying to stifle something


'For example, when I mentioned that I did not own a 4g phone with GPS like some of the migrants in Hungary shown on the BBC news, It was hinted I was a tight a..se.'

ah, good old concrete thinking

myself I thought it was being hinted that you were disparaging someone for being a perfectly normal member of the 21st century world when they should be destitute and begging, and should maybe reconsider


'We keep saying that all views are welcome in debate on this site'

I imagine someone has said that ... it wasn't me ... I never welcome views that demean human beings because of their race or religion or ethnicity or social class ... or misfortune ...

How very true IGP. ;-)

But unless you voice your opinions, how can anyone know what they are? How can they be questioned?
GR are the biggest bigots in denying a difference of opinion on the boards - they have (at best) stifled opinion, and therefore free speech.
At worst, they have (yet again) treated paying adults like naughty schoolchildren, stormed in like an overbearing schoolma'm and forced us to stop because x,y, or z, (teacher's pet), instead of walking away, went snivelling off to her.

Sadly, maggiewinchester has a very valid point. The minority view on the thread was starting to be stifled by the majority, and what is worse still, personal jibes were also being slipped in

For example, when I mentioned that I did not own a 4g phone with GPS like some of the migrants in Hungary shown on the BBC news, It was hinted I was a tight a..se.

We keep saying that all views are welcome in debate on this site, but in practice that tends not to happen and it often ends up that all views are welcome provided they do not go against the flow.

Certainly wouldn't be the only one playing lets pretend
WOULD I ;-) ;-)


Edit and yes I still, prefer Maggie's version ;-) ;-)


edits
Hang man No I much prefer guess who ;-) ;-) ;-)

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/bigotry

Intolerance towards those who hold different opinions from oneself:
>> the difficulties of combating prejudice and bigotry



anybody who wants to play 'let's pretend' and claim that the 'opinions' in question are something other than religious belief and 'opinions' of that nature ... and that intolerance of prejudice is 'bigotry' ... is free to keep doing so

their game is obvious

yes, Joy, no doubt you do ... shall I use a different word then so my meaning is clear to those who like to play let's pretend?

we could play hangman if you like ...