Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
Yes, I've gotten increasingly disillusioned by the creeping politics over the years too, though not to the extent of giving up entirely. It just seems to consist of aggressive forthright opinion on both sides and little ground giving or admitting that someone may actually have an alternative view worth listening to. Sadly some of these posts are simply gibberish or use many words to say precisely nothing.
Despite the inevitable cries to the contrary, this is a very political forum, and those of us who are completely disillusioned with the whole farce of party politics, posting middle-ground statements is pointless. That is unless one enjoys constantly returning to justify opinions to entrenched positions, which, in light of the polarised opinions on here is just not worth the time of day. That might be fun for some, but isn't for me. That's why I hardly ever post these days, and when I do it tends to be on non-controversial topics.
I see my name was mentioned in connection with the WCCP - well, for two years or so I posted the dates of the Dour clean ups again and again, and not one person from Dover Forum ever turned up despite so many constantly sounding off about the state of the river. So I gave up.
As for non-political, this forum is very useful for finding out what is going on, even if replies are few and far between. The front pages are usually positive and have some great photos - some of the very best Dover has to offer, and it's a shame they don't get more comments. I'm as guilty as that as the next person though...
Still, it is always good to meet the forum dwellers in real life, as no matter how annoying they can be online, pretty much everyone is a jolly good chap or chapette in the flesh.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
looking through this thread i am at a loss to know why paul underwrites the forum, there seems to be very few positive comments.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,835
A thread does not have to have loads of postings to be an interesting or informative thread, sometimes just the initial posting does the job.
Why reply if there is nothing useful to add.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,835
Phil.
You have to remember that a lot of us on here either working or elderly so are past doing things like clearing the Dour, that does not mean we are not interested in when the next clean-up will happen. Also by posting you might just get a new volunteer.
Howard.
Why would we give positive comments on the one thing on here that so many of us dislike. We all like the Forum and would prefer not to see so many threads being (in our view) spoilt that is why we are contributing to this thread.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Must be said, that Scottish Tom does his utmost best to liven the Forum up.
We are missing some history threads. Tried something out on Howard's Easter thread. Anyone up for a history lesson?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I've stopped posting on political threads - local (non-party, more personal) as well as National and local, party-politics, some time ago.
I stopped posting for a while and am very careful what I type now.
Roger
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Yes Roger, the girls in the fish and chip shop asked me for your address and a description of you yesterday, you'd better arrange some security.
More seriously, just because I don't post on a thread doesn't mean that I haven't read it or am not interested. Personally I am often irritated to check a thread with a new posting only to find someone has just posted 'oh wow', 'how lovely' or some other fatuity.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Politics, if I may, [and I will]
Politics is everything. There is simply no way around that fact. True, we have all grown-up within a system that plays down the essential nature of politics, that says it wishes to popularise politics; a thing that cannot be done. We cannot turn grass green or the sky blue. Politics is what it is. EVERYTHING.
Above all politics IS people and it is about how we manage to co-exist together.
Party Politics is exactly what it says it is. All about 'them', all about party and all about party-politicians. All about petty point-scoring, perambula-tory toy-ejection and the be-labour-ing of nuance and nicety.
There are none more disparaging of Party-Politics than me. Whether you tend to slink away from, run away from or feel chased away from Politics there is simply nowhere else to be.
As in that cartoon I put-up a few days ago with the tortoise and the hare, once you embrace the reality of politics's true significance you are ever at home.
As far as public forums are concerned, this one being a shining example, (we are all in this together) there is the perfectly acceptable tactic of 'bumping-up'. Should any feel that a thread should be at or near the top of page 1, then simply type 'bump' and it will be so. PaulB has his sticky (the least said about that...) we, each and all, have 'Bump'.
[och! Alex.
]
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Paul.
I am with you, take a break, keep logging on and come back fighting and refreshed.
Use the negatives to your advantage but don't give up on Dover/Deal.
This Forum can and does, make a difference and people like you are important.
Come back soon.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
Some 'history' items coming up, shortly !!
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
look forward to it kath, newspapers i hope.
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
On new thread, Howard!
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
An informed opinion makes a substantial contribution to local debate Paul.
Yours is always that.
Keep in touch, your valuable research is to be appreciated not left unshared.
Watty
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
Well said Paul Watkins, summed up exactly.
I've read through this thread today and have to say that I feel like Paul does too. I only read posts from people I like and am interested in, but there are only a few of those if I'm honest.
Scotchie you and I were among the original members of the original forum under PaulB and Rick. We had a night at Premier Inn where I met you and Rick and PaulB as well as Collette, Barry W-S Nigel and a few more and it was great. In those days we also had a chat room where some of us would talk into the small hours and it was fun. Remember Secret Squirrel? And Tracey and Heidi? I can't remember all the names now but you will probably. In those days there was very little backbiting or politics and the emphasis was more on improving Dover than kicking others. In the last few years there has been a definite playground feel to things, with certain members trying to make us all think their way and shouting down others who disagreed. They know who they are and they are ruining things for the rest of us. Silly one liners, stupid comments, things that don't have anything to do with Dover, and worst of all - nasty comments. I think PaulB does a good job, an excellent job with the updated forum/magazine. His front pages are wonderfully informative and interesting - why can't the rest of it be the same. As others have said, keep politics to fact, not petty point scoring. Like you Scotchie, I don't like politics, nor does Mel and a lot of others. It just needs the facts, not biased opinions and name calling.
Anyway Scotchie, I understand where you're comimg from but I hope you don't stay away too long because your posts are always interesting and we all love them. Take care.
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,890
Ok then time for my few comments as i'v been away a while and look what happens!!!!!!!! lol
I think it was barryw that quoted on here the few number of posts on the front page that actualy contained anything like politics compared to the vast majority of threads on the front page that had no political content at all.
Now, as i'V been quoted(no surprize there) let me reply further,
I recall(think it was howard) who stated that the biggest number of replies/views
were the political threads, which in itself answers some of the questions.
Further as has been said many times, people can view/post on any subject they wish, and read/not read anything they wish.
Now whilst I encourage all to post(whether there political posts or about a local fete)w should look to encourage all.
For some posters to say they understand(jacqui) how they feel and fed up of the politics/bickering, i refer you to some of your posts on a recently retired member (vic) who you often got personal with in your posting(whilst sometimes it was understandable)
A poster indicated(terry nunn) THAT I NEVER STARTED POSTS complete TOSH
I start lots of threads to highlight just one of many i started the local football thread, not one bit of politics in it.
The forum is a useful tool to get very early news, and lots of details of events happening locally, but also very inormative.
but some posters have said politics affects your every day life.
but hey ho another day
well done to all the posters/organisers of dover forum long may it continue
So anyway, let's all calm down, post if you want, read if you want, and if you don't want thats fine to
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Before you quote me, please make sure it is accurate! I don't think I have even discussed you Keith! I expect some of what I write is tosh, but that wasn't one of the tosh bits!
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
"but some" Keith. Is that like 'handsome'?
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,890
BERN;
I apologise had to re read back 3 pages lol it was in fact terry nunn that incorrectly quoted i dont start threads
so sorry
as for postings as iv said i encourage all
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
#57 made my day!
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,890
have changed name bern
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS