How Was Your Day?

[Libertine]

I'm StanSP and so is my wife.

[Jimothy]

53 minutes ago, Webbo said:

That is true, I'm also Another of Walshies Women.

Yeah but what usernames are you using?  

[ajthefox]

What is Matt actually banned for?

[Strokes]

9 minutes ago, ajthefox said:

What is Matt actually banned for?

God knows I've not seen anything I would consider worthy, certainly not the thread in which Alf up and left. It's clearly a detriment to the forum to lose either of them. 

[Jimothy]

29 minutes ago, Strokes said:

God knows I've not seen anything I would consider worthy, certainly not the thread in which Alf up and left. It's clearly a detriment to the forum to lose either of them. 

It's to do with the thing that Alf left over. IMO I've seen more heated arguments between Carl and Webbo, or Thracian and anyone he decides to offend that day. Matt seems to being punished for Alf's strop. I like Alf but Matt shouldn't be punished when others aren't because the guy he happened to piss off couldn't handle it.

[Strokes]

5 minutes ago, Facecloth said:

It's to do with the thing that Alf left over. IMO I've seen more heated arguments between Carl and Webbo, or Thracian and anyone he decides to offend that day. Matt seems to being punished for Alf's strop. I like Alf but Matt shouldn't be punished when others aren't because the guy he happened to piss off couldn't handle it.

I quite agree, I've no particular gripe with Alf, he is entitled to do what he did. I'm just unsure as to why Matts carrying the can, if that is the case. 

This and a few other things recently, seem to have stifled debate on here and that's the only reason most of us turn up. Isn't it?

Edited 21 February 2017 by Strokes

[Jimothy]

1 minute ago, Strokes said:

I quite agree, I've no particular gripe with Alf, he is entitled to do what he did. I'm just unsure as to why Matts carrying the can, if that is the case. 

This and a few other things recently, seem to have stifled debate on here and that's the only reason most of us turn. Isn't it?

Of course. I know there's multipal forum rules and obvious if you're continuously offensive or posting stuff that could get the place sued, or calling people names or trolling you should face punishment. I've already made my feelings about a certain posters offensive posting going unpunished. I didn't see anything like that from Matt imo. If we can't disagree with each other and discuss it, be it sacking Ranieri or starting King over Drinkwater to Brexit and Muslim terrorist then what are we doing?

[Carl the Llama]

1 hour ago, ajthefox said:

What is Matt actually banned for?

1 hour ago, Strokes said:

God knows I've not seen anything I would consider worthy, certainly not the thread in which Alf up and left. It's clearly a detriment to the forum to lose either of them. 

Caveat:  The following post is speculative and inflammatory and heavily reliant on my often sketchy memory.  I hesitate to even make it without Matt around to provide a retort/clarification but in the interest of dissemination of information:

 

There was a strong case for Islamophobia in some of the things Matt was pulled up on by Alf which I assume is probably the main factor behind the ban.  That said, the offending comments were made a fair time back in a different thread and brought to light by being quoted into the topic in question so I would say that if that's the reason he's been locked out then it's definitely unfair given how long those comments had stood prior to this point - even if they were highly unsavoury I'd have thought a temporary ban and a warning would have sufficed.  If in reality the decision had more to do with his general demeanour then I have to agree with the sentiment that it's unfair in the context of what else goes on here.

 

 

 

 

At the end of the day it's all debate on the internet so nobody's getting physically hurt, nobody's forced to be subjected to the debate.  It's a shame Alf's taken a sabbatical because I really enjoyed his eloquent dissections of politics but his patience for explaining himself in the face of frequent childish retorts from many different conservative-minded posters was something I'd been amazed about for weeks before the falling out eventually happened so I absolutely understand his decision and in many ways it's reassuring to know that he is in fact a human with human emotions after all.  On the other side of that coin I've enjoyed being able to come on here and read opinions which challenge my own so I'm dismayed that Matt's been banned because he's the closest thing to an Alf we have on that side of the political divide and one of a select few posters whose comments actually get you re-evaluating your opinions when he's on form.  Yes he's a bit of a shit at times but aren't we all?  And besides, he's our bit of a shit, I hope we get him back eventually.

[Alf Bentley]

8 hours ago, Carl the Llama said:

Caveat:  The following post is speculative and inflammatory and heavily reliant on my often sketchy memory.  I hesitate to even make it without Matt around to provide a retort/clarification but in the interest of dissemination of information:

 

There was a strong case for Islamophobia in some of the things Matt was pulled up on by Alf which I assume is probably the main factor behind the ban.  That said, the offending comments were made a fair time back in a different thread and brought to light by being quoted into the topic in question so I would say that if that's the reason he's been locked out then it's definitely unfair given how long those comments had stood prior to this point - even if they were highly unsavoury I'd have thought a temporary ban and a warning would have sufficed.  If in reality the decision had more to do with his general demeanour then I have to agree with the sentiment that it's unfair in the context of what else goes on here.

 

At the end of the day it's all debate on the internet so nobody's getting physically hurt, nobody's forced to be subjected to the debate.  It's a shame Alf's taken a sabbatical because I really enjoyed his eloquent dissections of politics but his patience for explaining himself in the face of frequent childish retorts from many different conservative-minded posters was something I'd been amazed about for weeks before the falling out eventually happened so I absolutely understand his decision and in many ways it's reassuring to know that he is in fact a human with human emotions after all.  On the other side of that coin I've enjoyed being able to come on here and read opinions which challenge my own so I'm dismayed that Matt's been banned because he's the closest thing to an Alf we have on that side of the political divide and one of a select few posters whose comments actually get you re-evaluating your opinions when he's on form.  Yes he's a bit of a shit at times but aren't we all?  And besides, he's our bit of a shit, I hope we get him back eventually.

 

I'm enjoying my rest from FT, but lurk occasionally. Seeing as I've been mentioned, a brief response....

 

If Matt has been banned due to my comments (I have no info), that's not something that I requested or envisaged. I've never reported anyone on FT (though sometimes it can be the right thing to do). While bans can be appropriate, I think they should be used as little as possible - both on here and in wider life. As a student years ago, I argued against a Labour Students attempt to get books by the holocaust denier David Irving banned from the university library. However, I appreciate that web site owners and mods have to consider wider issues.

 

When I had the disagreement with Matt, I confronted him in response to his post. He responded, as did others. I resolved to take a temporary break from FT but made clear that this was partly due to (a) the stress of a series of "real life" issues; (b) my own inability to just ignore stuff that angered me - I have mild psychological issues with obsession/addiction, I assume. I've linked to the (closed) thread at the bottom, if anyone's interested (argument is mainly from p.3).

 

Otherwise, I wholeheartedly agree with almost everything that Carl says above (apart from the comment about "frequent childish retorts" - quite infrequent, I think). I did contrast current posts to posts dating back a year or two (though I didn't trawl the site looking for something incriminating - I just searched "Australian terrorist" or similar and they came up). I also agree that Matt is one of the most thought-provoking posters on here. He often has something stimulating, original or amusing to say, even if I don't necessarily agree with it (sometimes I do). Very occasionally, I catch sight of something unpleasant - but he or others might say the same about me. I generally think such occasional issues are better argued out....I just wasn't in the right frame of mind to carry on doing so. On the two past occasions when I met Matt, I thoroughly enjoyed his company. He's certainly one of the posters I'm most likely to click on.

 

All the best to Matt, to Carl (thanks, mate) and to all on here. See you again more regularly once "real life" is back on a more even keel. 

 

[Jimothy]

Ah, that's why we miss Alf. His brief response is the longest post of the day, backed up with a link to prove his point.  

[Webbo]

[Rincewind]

What have I missed? Did not know MattP was banned. I don't always agree with him but I have tried not to get involved too much lately. I think some post to wind me up and I am not that great at debating. Now I just shake my head and give a little smile at the comments as I cannot believe some are serious.

I've met Matt and found him pleasant company. He even bought one of my poetry books and a pint so cannot be that much of a self serving conservative.

[Jon the Hat]

1 hour ago, Facecloth said:

Ah, that's why we miss Alf. His brief response is the longest post of the day, backed up with a link to prove his point.  

I know, who has the time??

 

I hope all gets back to normal asap for you Alf.

[Jon the Hat]

Stressful 24 hours negotiating new job, while balancing the offer with an exit package.  Decided on balance that bumming around for 6 months would be great, but I would inevitably spend all of the redundancy money and take ages to get a job.  Can relax now.  Off to Sydney with new job on Sunday for two weeks.

[Sharpe's Fox]

2 hours ago, Rincewind said:

What have I missed? Did not know MattP was banned. I don't always agree with him but I have tried not to get involved too much lately. I think some post to wind me up and I am not that great at debating. Now I just shake my head and give a little smile at the comments as I cannot believe some are serious.

I've met Matt and found him pleasant company. He even bought one of my poetry books and a pint so cannot be that much of a self serving conservative.

He's even been in one of your poems i believe?

 

"Mattp was a late arrival
Dressed as a city gent
He said i stopped to tie a shoelace
And some tramp pissed on my face."

 

Copyright @Rincewind

 

EDIT: link to the rest https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/foxestalk_xmas_party_2013_735738

Edited 22 February 2017 by Sharpe's Fox

[Jon the Hat]

2 hours ago, Rincewind said:

What have I missed? Did not know MattP was banned. I don't always agree with him but I have tried not to get involved too much lately. I think some post to wind me up and I am not that great at debating. Now I just shake my head and give a little smile at the comments as I cannot believe some are serious.

I've met Matt and found him pleasant company. He even bought one of my poetry books and a pint so cannot be that much of a self serving conservative.

Hey even us right wingers need something to light our woodburning stoves with in our holiday homes by the sea.  The butler doesn't come on holiday old chap!  

Edited 22 February 2017 by Jon the Hat

[SystonFox]

Right winger? You able to start in Seville in about an hour?

[Rincewind]

I used to have Matt in my sig but recently changed it. No room to put the full quotation but it is the last line of a famous poem. Just a reminder that a change of fortune can happen to anyone. One reason why I am a perceived as a bit of a leftie but I am neither left or right. I just believe in fairness.

[Rincewind]

Coming soon to the Kings Head.

 

 

Edited 25 February 2017 by Rincewind

[Countryfox]

 

Right its a lovely springlike day today so you keyboard warriors get out there and have a walk in a park or in the country ...   take the dog for a walk ...   and if you haven't got a dog just buy a lead and walk along with it trailing behind you ...    bout the same but no crap to pick up.       

[Thracian]

Cold, windy and horrible compared to the sunshine of Seville. 

[Countryfox]

2 hours ago, Thracian said:

Cold, windy and horrible compared to the sunshine of Seville. 

 

Yep, that's why I'm taking the mrs there for a mini break next month ...     

[Ross-Kemp]

In light of this permanent ban, I suggest we hold a candle-lit vigil for @MattP and a minute silence in the Liverpool game Monday.

 

Its what he would have wanted 

[bovril]

29 minutes ago, Ross-Kemp said:

In light of this permanent ban, I suggest we hold a candle-lit vigil for @MattP and a minute silence in the Liverpool game Monday.

 

Its what he would have wanted 

what happened?!

[Strokes]

51 minutes ago, bovril said:

what happened?!

He got banned.