Forum Topic

Are we back at school?

I’m beginning to wonder whether this forum has become in part a school, with Steven its head and John Hawkes his loyal deputy. It doesn’t  worry me but this constant repetition of rhetorical questions and expressed annoyance when they are not answered or the answer is not to the questioner’s satisfaction , is hardly encouraging more people to  contribute. John H has even given out grades to some of the responses he has received. I would politely suggest reducing the number of questions and toning down the often aggressive tone in which they are asked.

Jane Carter ● 15h18 Comments

Just Giving, the site that Medical Life Lines Ukraine uses, charges the fundraising charity nothing for the use of their platform. They do however solicit a “tip” from donors but that can be set at zero if you don’t want to pay them anything. I don’t know who the ultimate owners are and a quick Google search reveals nothing.  We have found their platform flexible and fairly easy to use. MLLU used to use another site, GoFundMe, which is US based but they changed their platform structure and caused us some inconvenience, hence the switch. Donations can also be made direct to MLLU via British Ukrainian Aid, but it is difficult that way for MLLU to keep a track of which volunteers have raised which sums, and indeed for BUA to identify donations intended for MLLU.

Jonathan Callaway ● 5h

Please don't think because people don't respond with entries on here that they don't read or note what is said. I like many others contributed to the cause though I resent having to use Just Giving. Apparently that enriches some obscure US citizens.I choose to read some but not all of the entries on here. I particularly appreciate your contributions and Michael Brigo, David Ainsworth and others. Many I ignore.

Katrina Black ● 6h

Bit of a contradiction, Jane, between singling out two individuals for personal criticism while having previously decried ad hominem remarks. Also a misunderstanding of the term ‘rhetorical’. This  is used of a question where no answer is invited, whereas a question like, ‘Would you be in favour of a ceasefire which left Hamas in control of Gaza? certainly deserves an answer. PS Probably not a good idea to describe your own request as polite. People will judge for themselves if it’s polite.

Steven Rose ● 7h

Sorry Jane I think it about free speech.  Cleary some questions and the number of times they are asked vex some forum members however in my view we have a right to free speech and therefore to ask the questions.Nobody needs to respond and we don’t need to shut anyone down.  We do not need an unofficial moderator. 

Robert Wheeler ● 8h

Robert“If you don’t like the thread don’t read it, likewise the poster”. Good advice which I decided to follow some time ago given the persistent and repetitive posts by one or two participants. I stopped reading and stopped contributing, and felt the better for it.It must be mutual, however, because I started a thread on Ambulances to Ukraine which has sadly been largely ignored. Could this because it’s about a country no longer the sole focus of everyone’s attention?

Jonathan Callaway ● 8h

Hey I thought I was Pollyanna!

Philippa Bond ● 8h

Hi MikePerhaps I should have been clearer. My reference to being at school referred to the fact that at school, if you were asked a question, you would surely feel an obligation to answer it? People on public fora are under no such obligation and are less likely to respond if the questions are rhetorical or expressed aggressively. Nothing whatever to do with Free Speech.

Jane Carter ● 8h

@Sue we may have had our disagreements in the distant past (Brexit comes to mine lol) but can I join your 'gang' please? Please don't bugger off!

Lucille Grant ● 10h

Hear, hear Mr Wheeler!

Lucille Grant ● 10h

JaneI understand what you're getting at but I think most of the teachers I had at my Comprehensive school (with the exception of my English teacher in the 5th form) and my friends who are or have been teachers might find this slightly insulting. I'd say in the main they encouraged and tried to understand our viewpoint, and above all where generally civil - ok, one or two may have been a bit sarcastic at times but I can live with that and perhaps that was educational in it's own way?Thinking about this reminded me of the story we were told by a friend teaching in SW London several years ago (not Putney but not too far away). After one lesson where the children had been difficult to control the son of a recent family of immigrants came and apologised to her about his behaviour in the lesson. His said he just wanted to be one of the British crowd and not appear different but he knew his parents would be annoyed if they thought he was wasting the opportunity of a free education; presumably, something the British children thought their parents wouldn't worry about?

Michael Ixer ● 11h

@JanePutting aside the fact that this is a rather childish accusation to make, I suppose that's why you mention being back at school.  Is that a subliminal message coming through?  I often agree with both Steven Rose and John Hawkes so does that make me part of a playground gang?  Are you, Richard, MI, MB, DA and YH a rival gang lol? Don't know where to place Philippa bc her mindset is too obtuse for me to bother trying to understand. P.S. Your husband has been very caustic over the years (remembering Brexit in particular) and often threw the racist accusation at me, but if he thought I would bugger off it obviously didn't work.

Sue Hammond ● 11h

I am sorry, Sue, but you got the wrong end of the stick (excuse the pun).Of course we all have a right to express our opinions but in a courteous and civil way.  What is not accepted is aggression (even if somebody is hot under the collar), insults and superiority (can I call it pedantry too?).I do not know about other fora but I will not leave this forum.  I will just not reply to obnoxious people.  Just trying to clarify.

Ivonne Holliday ● 11h

Oh god, Pollyanna is back waving her olive branch again.  Perhaps a public forum where people are allowed to voice their differing opinions may not be a comfortable place for you Ivonne?  This forum is positively benign compared to some I have been on in the past.  Digital Spy used to be very spicy and I had some very 'interesting' exchanges on there back in the day, but eventually it became engulfed in threads about television (soaps and crass reality rubbish) which I personally found boring, so I didn't bother with it anymore.  If this forum upsets you or p'ees you off so much perhaps you would be better off doing the same.  Just trying to be helpful. 😇

Sue Hammond ● 11h

Ms CarterRe my requests for you to answer some specific questions, rather than make some rather childish and obscure reference to school perhaps you might respond to an earlier post of mine.Topic: Specific answers please re Israel's right to existForum HomePosted by: John HawkesDate/Time: 18/07/25 12:13:00I am genuinely interested in getting to the bottom of what this thread is fundamentally about.Do you really believe in Israel's right to exist in the current territory in the Middle East which it now governs ?If not, where should its people move to ?Do you think it possible that Israel and Palestine (Hamas ruled Gaza when Israel feels safe enough to withdraw from it, and the West Bank) can live peaceably side by side ?What compromises do you think might be necessary from both sides for this to happen ?Surely all on this thread believe in a two state solution do we not ?Once you have made your position clear hopefully this long dialogue can draw to a close.I know I am accused of being robust and pedantic but I feel strongly over the matter, especially over Israel's right to peaceful existence, and the solution to the issue, as well as the devil, is in the detail.

John Hawkes ● 12h

I wholeheartedly agree with you, Jane.Many of the questions, from memdory, were answered in a thread started by Richard in April 2025 entitled "Two vile attacks in one day" (if not before, repeatedly). Sadly, the responses were not absorbed or disregaded without reading them.  Hence the constant repetition of rhetorical questions which some posters believe were never answered.Toning down the often aggressive tone in which questions are asked would be very helpful.That is why I suggested later "Time to extend an olive branch?" which was promptly compared to past politics instead of understanding that an olive branch, as well as white doves" are signs of peace. We can only but hope that civility retuns to the forum. Thank again, Jane.

Ivonne Holliday ● 13h

Whatever happened to freedom of speech.  If you don’t like the thread don’t read it, likewise the poster.  If you contribute to a thread expect people to ask questions.  How hard is it?  It’s all personal choice l enjoy Steven’s posts and it amuses me when John chases people down but if you don’t care for it ignore it.  This forum isn’t compulsory.

Robert Wheeler ● 13h

Ms Carter'I’m beginning to wonder whether this forum has become in part a school, with Steven its head and John Hawkes his loyal deputy'.What a ridiculous comment.A school of what ?I don't express annoyance when you don't answer direct questions.It just proves to me two things.1) You have no answers to them or at least are unable to articulate them.2) Regarding your attitude to Israel's right to exist you are ashamed to declare one way or another.To say it should have it would put you in bad odour with the WPPLF (shorthand for we all know who).To say it should not would require some sophisticated reasoning that perhaps you cannot muster and might even leave you open to claims of you being antisemitic.The number of questions would be reduced if you (and others) answered a few rather than make whingy post such as the one above.You cry 'aggressive' when people express views on an existential problem for western society.Should we support Israel, a country with values and institutions similar to ours, in its defence of attacks by Hamas and other extremist Islamic Arabic groups and nations with whom we have absolutely nothing in common.What do you think - yes or no ?To quote -First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me'.—Martin NiemöllerThey of course are Islamist Arabs and their western fellow travellers.I do appreciate that these days most socialists at least are on the side of the Arabs but I am not sure you get the gist of  what is meant by this quote, nor I have to say, what I feel.You obviously don't.Fine.Just don't get too pearl clutchy.

John Hawkes ● 14h

100% agree

Michael Brigo ● 14h