Temulkar wrote:citizenJA wrote:Temulkar wrote:
Both sides are doing it and yes it is depressing, and counterproductive, and it has ruined this site, perhaps I will return regularly after the election.
Not ruined the site, Temulkar, I don't agree. Petty bickering is a stage in the political process. We'll work our way into comradeship.
Really? many many people have left this site from other parties of the left, not just greens, citing the same thing. I only lurk now and again, indeed I only posted today because some rather spurious claims about who I know and who knows me were being made, as well as comments on my understanding of English.
That's after ignoring the 'skewed vision of the world' or 'guff' or 'snarky' comments made about me yesterday, and because my real name was used I decided to at least respond, initially I sent it as an email to ephy, but wanted to make sure it was seen.
Often I read complaints on here about the behaviour of the scottish cyber nats and their online behaviour and how deplorable it is. Then I see people shout with glee about who has blocked them on twitter that day or this.
My point about the two green groups standing candidates was supposed to highlight how counterproductive this behaviour has become on here. If Labour fails to secure a majority because of the green vote in two marginals, and labour supporters keep telling us it's that close, are you going to blame green voters? the green party? or the labour supporters whose non stop bile was a factor influencing those candidates standing in the first place. If it really is that close, some people on here could be directly responsible for Labour failing to get a majority. So do it out of self interest if nothing else.
To quote the only good tory prime minister, 'scurrility is not sarcasm, and insolence is not invective'. or Yoda 'Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.'
Attack policies, attack manifestos, attack party records of course, and debate with vigour, but too often on here the attacks are personal and have nothing to say about policy.
I hadn't realised you were the topic of any post yesterday, Temuklar, I'm sorry, it's insensitive for me to impose my own impression onto others' posting here - your experience & those of other friends may be completely different. Thank you, sincerely, for letting me know.
Your English is excellent, you're a teacher, if I'm not mistaken & a good one if the content of your posts are anything to go by. Your comments are beautifully put together. I defy anyone telling us different. My own command of English & grammar are a work in progress. It's the first language I was taught & it's still a work in progress.
I've no idea who you know unless you tell me. I won't breech confidence. I'm human though & can make mistakes. The mistakes I make are almost always fixable without irreparable harm done. I'll make reparation for my mistakes.
Those posting about blocked Twitter feeds & Scottish 'cyber nats', please think of the rest of their commentary. Their knowledge & scholarship are extensive - ask for an explanation when a post jars you.
I'd be ashamed of myself if I ever demanded someone vote against their conscience. It's like crossing a picket line. I won't do it. That being said I strongly encourage everyone to stick together.
What does that mean, cJA??? Just that. Stick together, we've more in common than we have differences & we stick together or we get crushed one by one. You know history, Tem. So do I. Scares the hell out me sometimes.
March of Folly, by Barbara Tuchman.
Vote as your conscience dictates, no one need tell me or anyone else how they're going to vote & I won't speculate. I can only continue to sound off as often as possible stick together. I'll not blame anyone voting as their conscience dictates. That's sacred. Like picket lines. Some people cross picket lines. I must continue to love them somewhere because they're human beings doing their best but I don't cross picket lines & hope I never will & strongly encourage everyone to never cross a picket line. Stick together or get crushed one by one. We make mistakes & we fix them. Next time we don't make the mistake & move more forward.
You're absolutely right, politeness is necessary in order for others to feel comfortable participating. Give & take, I make a mistake, I've hurt someone's feelings, not understood their despair over policy in their area or their councillors or MPs, I may have posted rudely - I'm sincerely sorry for it. I'll probably make more mistakes but hopefully not the same ones & I'll learn more too.
What bothers you & others who've left FTN is important information I'd like to know about. We're using words unspoken to communicate. It's an art. I re-read some of my posts with horror because I've written something tactlessly.
That's not what I was trying to say! I think sometimes. Probably not long after posting this but I'm not going to change it. I like myself for writing it. I like you for inspiring me, Temuklar. Please don't be gone long.
love
JA
