General Chat

Sam I agree with you. Marion in Merseyside comes to mind. She had the same treatment dealt to her. She stood up for herself and look where it got her. I wonder who the next target will be? Deb

I am also upset at Mike's suspension and there are too many suspensions. But the difference on this occasion is that we all know who started all this, how it came about and who was responsible for 'setting it up' because thats exactly what it was. We've all seen the bullying of Mike by certain members and we all know that those same members can (and will!) do the same to any one of the rest of us should we dare to cross them! Bev

Suspending Mike Chambers was not fair the poor guy was Hounded from day 1 by the little gang. Every time the Mike came on they chewed away at him and he retaliated. Could you please tell me why these people get away with this and are never dealt with. Mike was not at fault here Linda

Linda, I think the reason why these people get away with it is because they are sneaky. They chip away slowly until the person they are bullying blows up, they then retreat and play innocent. We all pay our membership, which means we are all entitled to a opinion, but there are some people on here that don't like the fact that you may not agree with them. I wouldn't mind betting that everyone who has replied to this thread and Mike's thread, is now down in the bullies little black book. If that is the case and you sad plebs are reading this, then bring it on..... I will not be bullied, and I would name and shame and bring you down with me.

mike was bullied by other gr members personaly i think they shud b suspended not him i hope gr see sense and bring him bak very quickly hope u read all these threads mike as u can see lots of people cud see wat was being done to u and will suport u take care x

I didn't think so many people realised what has been happening - we're a good lot on the whole aren't we:)

This is the last post that Iwill put on this board until I receive an apology from one Garry Betts who because he did not agree with my statement re Mr Blair called me a Wimp and further intimated that I was a coward and had to do my duty because the government forced me to. People of my age allowed this moron to make the remarks that he did but as old as i am if Mr Betts rides his Harley contraption near me I will wrap it round his neck. I could have complained to GR but did not. Thank you those people who mailed me and to those who stated that I was entitled to my opinion. It should not be up to members to have to complain to GR but for GR to realise that when pathetic snide and untrue remarks are posted on what otherwise is a simple debate they take action Rupert Bear (still hurting)

I have never spoken to mike or contibuted to any thread that mike has (just never been in the same place at the same time), so i can't really comment. All that i can say is that, sometimes i find it diffucult to understand how a comment is to be taken, because it is only typed and has no tone. I think this is how a lot of arguments are caused and i for one will be taking a step back and taking a moment before i reply to anything c x

Ray I wouldnt let what Gary said deter you from posting it was hurtful and totally untrue what he posted.Like i said on your thread everybody is entitled to their view and if people disagree they should answer without being personel. Dave

Shall we again have the conversation/debate about gangs or Cliques that everyone denies exist? There are some people that will stick up for certain members regardless- that is the clique/gang culture. Jess

Yet again mindless idiots in the minority seem to have spoilt it for others.... Going on what I have read it's appaling to think that they can goad all they like and nothing happens to them.,... I so wish I knew who the culprits were!! AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!

Debates are bound to offend someone! When I was 'got at' recently by a member who isn't brave enough to admit he's male, I just smiled to myself - he doesn't know me at all - and put him right on one or two matters before leaving that thread for good. There is NO WAY we are all going to be one happy gang, there are always those who wish to throw a spanner in the works, feel sorry for them, they probably haven't got much of a life! Most of you seem a very friendly lot and I,for one, enjoy our chats and exchange of ideas, but try not to get too emotionally involved. Lily

Once again the constant goading and bullying of mindless idiots have resulted in a valued member of our board being suspended! Mike has been targeted from the very first time that he began posting threads so I hope that the people concerned are finally happy.... they have got the result that they so dearly wanted!! Bev

I think you have got it one there Sam, sneaky, these people start off with a little dig at someone, nothing personal to start, then if that person respnds to it, they play the 'who me' card, and then you misunderstood me trick, then I don't want to offend anyone, then they try another tactic, but still chipping away. Then there other trick is to be soooooooo nice to everyone else, like look at me I am so good, so nice, so genuine!!!! it's happened to me, so I've sussed how they work, goodnness knows why they do it, but personaly I think it's because they have no real life and live there day to day life on the internet, so in fact they are very sad people, but not just sad VERY nasty, sad I can feel sorry for, nasty I have no time for. Perhaps, just perhaps, this thread can make people think about what they do, what they say, and stop there nasty tricks and clear off, but I doubt it. Lynda

Soon everyone will realise who the culprits are. As said last night, a pattern is emerging and If I can see it soon others will....and be on their guard. Iv'e (along with others ) have been a victim in the past on these boards. I now watch my back for flying knives and if I find Im being sucked in, I try to stand back and look at the bigger picture. this way I can see what people are doing. I once thought I should leave after one such barney....then thought...why leave?....i'd cut my nose of to spite my face and the've won. Mike obviously broke guidelines rules, and was suspended for that. Rules are there for all of us. Im sad mike has been suspended. But I cant see that GR will reinstate him when others have had to do their time also. (Others who have been also provoked into a reaction) I do hope Mike comes back, maybe when he does after watching the boards for 8 weeks, he will see the way these people work, and be ready when they try to strike again. But next time methinks he'll go through the right channels to complain about those who are causing him so much trouble. (send all abusive mails and posts towards him to GR abuse) chin up Mike and we'll see you on your return Elaine x

Sticking my neck out here, as I didn't see the thread(s) that are being referred to above, so others may feel I have no right to comment, but I agree that 8-week suspensions are too long. If GR feel it necessary to suspend someone for 'breaking the rules', four weeks should be the maximum, in my opinion. However, if anyone's interested in MY honest, no-holds-barred opinion on the subject of this thread - as someone whose first encounter with Mike Chambers was his very rude response to a simple, polite question regarding him possibly living near where some of my ancestors were born, I didn't think much of him from the outset. I've seen a few other abrasive remarks he's made which also haven't exactly endeared him to me, but I can live with that. On the other hand, I do agree he's made many constructive comments and put up some threads that have interested lots of people, so I can understand others wanting to support him. I think it's pathetic to 'wind up' other Board members, but they don't have to respond and make things worse - but if you're the one 'targeted', then only you can decide how you react and you need to be sure that offence is intended before you do - 'mountains and molehills' spring to mind. I think it's silly to brand groups of people as 'cliques' if they happen to share opinions, neither do I think it's fair that people who disagree with others should be singled out, insulted or hounded, but the way in which they 'voice' that disagreement DOES matter. There is no excuse for insults or rudeness. Of course, a bit of teasing goes on, but if the 'target' is offended, then it hurts nobody to offer an apology, publicly or privately, which I think should be accepted with good grace. Surely that's the way adults behave. I've said before on this Board that I think lots of bad feeling between GR members is engendered on other sites, and from what I've seen here, I'm glad I've never joined any of them. As far as gossip goes 'behind the scenes' on GR (or privately), I doubt there are many members who haven't indulged in that at one time or another. CB >|<

Wow this is really getting daft. Are we back at school? Well I for one think Mike being suspended is pathetic, we are all grown ups and as such have differing opinions. Are there really nasty emails and MSN bickering going on. I am only on here 9 to 5 usually (don't tell the boss) so I miss a lot of this I thought Mike seemed a nice guy so if that means I am going in a little black book of people to be ignored or mistreated then there are two things you all need to know. 1. My name is JULIE 2. I don't care Julie xxx

Well said Julie! There is too much of this type of childish behaviour going on with this site. Some people seem to get too embroiled and take it all too seriously.

CB I take your point but, some people come over as being abrasive/acid when writing on these boards and I am sure they don't mean to be. When I was working one of my annual reports said I was too brusque so i imagine i come over like that sometimes. What the report didn't know or chose not to acknowledge was that the brusqueness hid my lack of confidence. If we know someone has a short fuse is it fair to goad them until they 'lose it' and say something in haste that looks bad written down but would be moderated by body language (a wry smile or a shrug or a supplicating gesture)? No, I feel this was done deliberately to make Mike look bad by people who were out to 'get' him in return for what they perceived as past slights. I agree that 8 weeks is much too long, I feel a verbal warning followed by a 4 week ban, then an 8 week ban if it happens again would be more fair. I do believe somebody has cut and pasted the offending thread and is going to send it to GR (and no it is not me) for them to look at it thoroughly. Ann Glos

David It looks like you got the lucky thread about Mike lol all mine have gone Paul