Plumbing the depths

[alex hampshire]

Take a look at this post
http://forum.anglophone-direct.com/ftopic11396.php
and the reply from Freeloader (if it hasn't been deleted yet). Seems like even their admins have no shame. On the other hand if anyone fancies lending these people a car then you can post it there. Have fun and I hope you get the car back in one piece.

[alex hampshire]

And now the usual load of vitriol from 'over there'.
All I did was relate the facts, I didn't attack anyone. Not much of a sense of humour in the PO n'est pas?

[alex hampshire]

I love the way that this comment is made, "say what you have to say under your real name?" when not one of the posters, so far, uses their full name and hides behind either a christian name or something else.
Just reporting the facts!

[alex hampshire]

True to form, posts have now been deleted and posts altered all to sanitize the forum and control what people say. What a shower.

Cherish the freedom to say what you think, disagree, take the mick or even have fun. This is a grown up forum.

Thanks Peter.

[peter]

I'll be in the sh*t again ...

[alex hampshire]

I'll be in the sh*t again ...

But given the shit that's been thrown your way do you really care?

[Brian and Helen]

I'll be in the sh*t again ...

Hey, Peter - it goes with the territory (and I know which territory I'd rather be on)

Brian

[Genghis Cohen]

I have never met the person in question. What I do know is that he makes a habit of asking for hand-outs. This year, so I am told, he has managed to get several weeks free accomodation and now wants transport on the same basis. All this in the height of the season. He pleads poverty and is not alone using this stratagem.

In my simple world goodwill is what we show to those that deserve it. But I give scroungers short shrift. Where was this guy when we were mopping up after the floods last year?

Genghis Cohen

PS We offered the use of our house to someone of limited means who is forced to let her own place to create a bit more income. She turned down the offer of a couple of weeks of air-conditioned, all mod-cons luxury. Preferring to pass the summer under canvas. I admire her pride, something in short supply in some quarters!

[ringlefield]

There are parasites in all areas of nature. If he can live with himself, why can't you do the same ?

Ron.

[Genghis Cohen]

There are parasites in all areas of nature. If he can live with himself, why can't you do the same ?

Ron.

Two answers. If I come into contact with a parasite I get rid of it toot sweet. Ever had a tape worm?

Acting in the way this person did, ie in the public gaze, paints a less than engaging picture of the ex-pat community.One with which I do not wish to be identified.

Genghis Cohen

[mrob343]

You lot ever heard the expression “a level playing field” obviously not…You all claim that you’re mature adults over here on LF,and this is the best forum in the entire French speaking nation yet you continue to belittle and abuse others without any intervention by Peter the so called “gaffer” of the group. And you’re all happy to criticize and “jibe” at someone who is considerably less fortunate in life than most of you will EVER BE! FACT!
I bet that makes you all feel “real great inside “eh? A nice warm feeling within you, satisfied that you’ve successfully pounded someone into the ground.
And you all sleep soundly in your beds after your evening swim, followed by a glass or two on your terraces.
This someone I may add has little money, little or minimum, prospects, but at least tries to survive and struggle through life.
So he asked his AD forum friends if they could help out with the loan of a vehicle…and bang! You lot all jump on the bandwagon…
He wasn’t asking for a free handout. simply asking if anyone had something available and he was willing to pay for the use of any prospective vehicle
Seriously? Have you lot nothing better to do with your time than come here to mock and degrade other people? It beggars a question….???
I’m going to take this opportunity to ask you to stop now, as this is ridiculous behavior, above all at least 5 of you over here are my (so called??) friends on Face book too. Which kind of adds insult to injury?
Lets call it a day, de friend me on FB if you feel I’m talking out of hand. But please …there’s many more important issues in life……

[hesfordj]

Rob (and Sav and any other AD forumites who are looking),
I really don't think this was something to get so worked up about. Although I've met him, I don't know much about Sav's personal financial situation or the reasons behind it. However, if you go on a public website and ask for something that most people would normally expect to have to save up and pay for, you are opening yourself up to comments. It would have been much more sensible, IMO, to email or use use a private network like Facebook, to ask for the thing you want.

If I want someone to do me a favour or lend me something, I ask my friends, not the world at large. If I have a general question or want a general opinion, I may put it on a forum.

This whole storm-in-a-teacup was caused because Sav asked the whole internet population to lend him a car, seemingly for nothing.

I've just been introduced to Kickstarter which is an interesting internet concept. People propose their prioject and try to get the general public to fund it. A bit like Dragon's Den with no regulators. Perhaps that would have been more appropriate.

[hesfordj]

I also read in The Connexion about a site called voiturelib.com which allows the renting of cars by the public. Perfect

[Genghis Cohen]

In reply to mrob343.

I am most definitely not your "friend" on FB. Never have been, never will be. I cannot fail to notice the difference between the balanced tones of JH and you own approach to the subject.

The only reason this item was aired here is that all sensitive discussion was/is ruthlessly repressed on the forum where the original request was made. If you wish to call a halt to these activities - simple. Get your contacts ( I assume you are on friendly terms with the owners) to modify their procedures so their members can wash their own dirty linen in public.

Quite a few of us have been humiliated, insulted and effectively banned on AD. For no other reason other than we spoke the truth. We do not easily forget . As I already said, you would be better off using your influence to address this problem.

Genghis Cohen

[mrob343]

In reply to mrob343.

Quite a few of us have been humiliated, insulted and effectively banned on AD. For no other reason other than we spoke the truth. We do not easily forget . As I already said, you would be better off using your influence to address this problem.

Genghis Cohen

Oh stop wining and pining Genghis.You're beginning to sound like my cat ! You'll have me crying next in pity for you all... Shall we break out the violins now ? Or wait for your next reply ?

[mrob343]

The only reason this item was aired here is that all sensitive discussion was/is ruthlessly repressed on the forum where the original request was made. If you wish to call a halt to these activities - simple. Get your contacts ( I assume you are on friendly terms with the owners) to modify their procedures so their members can wash their own dirty linen in public.

Quite a few of us have been humiliated, insulted and effectively banned on AD. For no other reason other than we spoke the truth. We do not easily forget . As I already said, you would be better off using your influence to address this problem.

Posted by Sav
Waiting for registration approval

I don't know you & neither you me i'm assuming
But i've now had to come here, because of what's happened these past few days.
I posted an innocent enough item on another forum & suddenly you attack me & my partner for no reason whatsoever.
What have i ever done to you ?
Not that i have to justify myself, but i was not looking for a freebie !
What you posted was defamatory & there was no call for it at all
This makes you & that other person look like sad individuals, playing keyboard warrior.
We now establish the reasons are down to a forum elsewhere
So you lead personnel vendettas against people, to somehow achieve whatever goal you seek.
You are a disgrace to humanity & you should be ashamed at this childish behaviour
Why should the past bother you so much, move on & lead your life, instead of spreading muck/hate over the internet.
I don't wish to argue with you, just to let you know this is not a game, it's people's lives/dreams.
Please respect that if you can

Regards Sav

[peter]

I'll be in the sh*t again ...

I will be back tomorrow ...

[hesfordj]

I don't always agree with GH but I do agree that this, although it appears personal, is actually a manifestation of the difference in censorship rules between the two forums.

It's like two neighbouring states which have different levels of civil liberty and control. Over time, people who like a more liberal, possibly anarchic, state, cross the border and settle on the other side. People who are comfortable with state-control and protection, realise that it's best to be "In" with the government and stay, sometimes being given positions of authority within the state.

Over time, more and more defection leads to a clear political difference between the populations of the two states, and fighting breaks out. It may appear to be over a personal issue but at the heart of it is a clear political difference.

[alex hampshire]

You lot ever heard the expression “a level playing field” obviously not…You all claim that you’re mature adults over here on LF,and this is the best forum in the entire French speaking nation yet you continue to belittle and abuse others without any intervention by Peter the so called “gaffer” of the group. And you’re all happy to criticize and “jibe” at someone who is considerably less fortunate in life than most of you will EVER BE! FACT!
I bet that makes you all feel “real great inside “eh? A nice warm feeling within you, satisfied that you’ve successfully pounded someone into the ground.
And you all sleep soundly in your beds after your evening swim, followed by a glass or two on your terraces.
This someone I may add has little money, little or minimum, prospects, but at least tries to survive and struggle through life.
So he asked his AD forum friends if they could help out with the loan of a vehicle…and bang! You lot all jump on the bandwagon…
He wasn’t asking for a free handout. simply asking if anyone had something available and he was willing to pay for the use of any prospective vehicle
Seriously? Have you lot nothing better to do with your time than come here to mock and degrade other people? It beggars a question….???
I’m going to take this opportunity to ask you to stop now, as this is ridiculous behavior, above all at least 5 of you over here are my (so called??) friends on Face book too. Which kind of adds insult to injury?
Lets call it a day, de friend me on FB if you feel I’m talking out of hand. But please …there’s many more important issues in life……

OK Rob let's talk about a level playing field.
Some time ago you befriended me on Facebook. We didn't know each other but I asked around and specifically asked some ex AD members. Some of the ones that you berate and belittle above. They appeared to like you and gave you a clean bill of health. So far so good, level playing field.
Some time later you set up happy slappy 66 and what happened, I was banned. Funny that. We didn't know each other but no doubt as a result of input from others, lets call them members of AD, I was no longer acceptable. I'm a big boy and laughed when it happened but let's say the playing field is starting to look a little rocky.
I'm an outspoken critic of AD because of the inability to post without the thought police altering posts, deleting posts and the inability to say anything in the slightest bit controversial. You offend the troika at your peril. The playing field has now taken on a bit of a slope my son.
Do as I say not as I do. Do not enter into an adult conversation and stop to consider whether what you say is bland enough. The playing field now slopes at both ends.
Have you ever stopped to consider that you can make the above post on TLF? It would not be allowed on AD. You have the ability to critise TLF, it's members, in a way that would not be allowed on AD. Do you not see the irony in that?
Where's the original post on AD. Whoops, it's been deleted. Your playing field is now a housing estate!
Why not say thank you to Peter for treating you like an adult and allowing you freedom of expression.
AD is now seen by me (and I suspect others) as a puerile, self congratulatory place where questions like 'do they celebrate bonfire night in France' are given full and free space for discussion.
I could go on but I can't be arsed.
Thank you for your input. Level playing field.

[ringlefield]

"AD is now seen by me (and I suspect others) as a puerile, self congratulatory place "

Then why, Alex, do you and one or two others on TLP, persist in keep poking at it, like a wasps nest, to see if there is a reaction.Can't you simply ignore it?

Ron.

[peter]

Forum : a medium for open discussion or voicing of ideas, such as a newspaper, a radio or television program, or a website.

I've been away and once again have returned to a mass of opposing view IM's, FB messages, PM's, emails, screen prints, etc from Catalonia all claiming the high ground. I can't really comment since each presents their view and "evidence" but the original content has again been censored.

I'm afraid these problems and past problems stem entirely from members and ex members of one forum.

Can someone explain to a simple forum owner why anyone should attempt to operate a forum where "discussion" is limited to views in agreement with each other and controlled by the forum owner or administration ?

What are the advantages of attempting to control forum content by banning straight talking members who disagree with the ruling clique then deleting the troublesome threads? I could also ask the same question about having a policy that allows controversial posts to remain until they have been read by most participants but are then deleted.

It seems to me this generates a climate of distrust, disharmony and disagreement in those who have been disenfranchised.

Looking above it seems that someone drew attention to a post on another forum that was quickly censored and the parties from both sides entered into a rather spirited discussion which is, surely, the exact purpose of a forum.

My belief is that mature adults should be able to contribute to discussions without feeling threatened. Over the years I've controlled the registration process to eliminate known spammers and trouble makers and stop members from other forums having multiple identities here. Many members of the other forum post here because they feel unable to express their views there.

I ignore requests from members of other forums attempting to dictate content, banning and deletions on The Languedoc Forum.

I have banned one member and currently have 5 disabled accounts. All are from the same forum in Catalonia.

I prune posts on a six monthly basis - viewtopic.php?f=26&t=965&start=10 - based on non contribution intervals.

Overall it works better ...

[Sandra]

well said Peter

[Genghis Cohen]

Phew! Well said Peter. As an ex-member of that catalan place I was just checking to make sure I was not now eligible for the paralympics

[labonnevie]

Do they celebrate bonfire night in France?

[catalanglais]