In todays news...

[demographic]

I've got a dog and regularly used to walk past the hotel where assylum seekers were housed, many from countries with predominantly muslim population.

The odd person wasn't used to dogs by the way they kept out of the way or possibly the dogs they were used to were a bit feral.
Not a big deal and loads of them were pretty friendly and stroked my dog.

I don't walk about looking scared of "forrinurs" and look people in the eye, say hi whatever.

Some of you lot seem believe any old inflammatory shite about people you have existing extreme prejudices against, its sad to watch.
Seem to be cowed by your own insecurities.
Strap.a pair on you fucking snowflakes.

[gremlin]

Lucky they didn't eat your dog.

[Count Steer]

For you, it might be misguided misinformation. But, as we've seen for others (eg Farage), it's potentially deliberate misinformation to support an agenda.

As an aside, but in context, this made me smile.

Leaving Twitter (Z/online-nazi-bot-sewer or whatever it is today)...

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... 20-minutes

[mangocrazy]

First dog on the moon is always good value...

[Taipan]

Do you think false news is only a right wing thing then? Seriously? I'm not checking jack shit on anything, i think someone on here said so, which is my audience, on here, about this. I'm not addressing x/twitter/blue sky.

Left right, right wrong? Irrelevant. I've not said anything about that.

And checking because someone here says so?

Irrelevant.

Perhaps think about the wider implications of spreading incorrect 'information'.

For you, it might be misguided misinformation. But, as we've seen for others (eg Farage), it's potentially deliberate misinformation to support an agenda.

Next time you're tempted to repost something, is it such a hardship to pause for a moment, and think about whether you're being used? Because if you propagate incorrect disinformation, that's what's happening.

Whoa, wtf you on about. Heres what I said,

Also, if its true, wasn't there a murky past with his parents?

Please note the last character.
and maybe this will help, even though the text and punctuation should have been clear enough !

A question mark (?) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a question or uncertainty in a sentence or phrase.

I'm conversing, not making statements, or propagating anything. If someone says to me what did you do last night on RTTL i'd say just chatting with people on there, but it'd never occur to me I was making statements.

[Yorick]

Do you think false news is only a right wing thing then? Seriously? I'm not checking jack shit on anything, i think someone on here said so, which is my audience, on here, about this. I'm not addressing x/twitter/blue sky.

Left right, right wrong? Irrelevant. I've not said anything about that.

And checking because someone here says so?

Irrelevant.

Perhaps think about the wider implications of spreading incorrect 'information'.

For you, it might be misguided misinformation. But, as we've seen for others (eg Farage), it's potentially deliberate misinformation to support an agenda.

Next time you're tempted to repost something, is it such a hardship to pause for a moment, and think about whether you're being used? Because if you propagate incorrect disinformation, that's what's happening.

Whoa, wtf you on about. Heres what I said,

Also, if its true, wasn't there a murky past with his parents?

Please note the last character.
and maybe this will help, even though the text and punctuation should have been clear enough !

A question mark (?) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a question or uncertainty in a sentence or phrase.

I'm conversing, not making statements, or propagating anything. If someone says to me what did you do last night on RTTL i'd say just chatting with people on there, but it'd never occur to me I was making statements.

He's an expert on everything. His sort of attitude is poisoning this place.

[Horse]

Whoa, wtf you on about. Heres what I said,

Also, if its true, wasn't there a murky past with his parents?

Please note the last character.
and maybe this will help, even though the text and punctuation should have been clear enough !

A question mark (?) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a question or uncertainty in a sentence or phrase.

It's not my fault if you go away from the thread, then come back having forgotten previous posts:

So the story just gained momentum.

Not helped by Farage standing in parliament saying "I have heard that* ... We should be told."

And then what?

If true, what then? Would that have justified everything that happened subsequently?

. I guess the problem was he was from an African immigrant family, but had arrived much earlier than touted.

Problem? Again, what difference would that have made?

Also, if its true, wasn't there a murky past with his parents?

And there's your potentially toxic free speech again. Why not spend a few moments checking before posting.

* And I've heard Trump and Boris use exactly that very careful phrasing. And epitomises X 'free speech'. For the last 16 years I've worked in an environment where if you make a statement then anyone else is fully justified in asking for evidence.

Yes, because of '?' you asked a question. Of course, you do know what a rhetorical question is, don't you? But what was the point of 'asking'? Wasn't it really an attempt to emphasize the 'we should be told', 'more to this than meets the eye', etc. aspect?


Whatever, X could be both free speech and toxic, not just one or the other.

[Yorick]

FFS, arguing to the death is making a comeback

That's still no prize for being an argumentative nobber.

[Taipan]

Whoa, wtf you on about. Heres what I said,

Also, if its true, wasn't there a murky past with his parents?

Please note the last character.
and maybe this will help, even though the text and punctuation should have been clear enough !

A question mark (?) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a question or uncertainty in a sentence or phrase.

It's not my fault if you go away from the thread, then come back having forgotten previous posts:

So the story just gained momentum.

Not helped by Farage standing in parliament saying "I have heard that* ... We should be told."

And then what?

If true, what then? Would that have justified everything that happened subsequently?

. I guess the problem was he was from an African immigrant family, but had arrived much earlier than touted.

Problem? Again, what difference would that have made?

Also, if its true, wasn't there a murky past with his parents?

And there's your potentially toxic free speech again. Why not spend a few moments checking before posting.

* And I've heard Trump and Boris use exactly that very careful phrasing. And epitomises X 'free speech'. For the last 16 years I've worked in an environment where if you make a statement then anyone else is fully justified in asking for evidence.

Yes, because of '?' you asked a question. Of course, you do know what a rhetorical question is, don't you? But what was the point of 'asking'? Wasn't it really an attempt to emphasize the 'we should be told', 'more to this than meets the eye', etc. aspect?


Whatever, X could be both free speech and toxic, not just one or the other.

I'm not actually following you here. You're not making a lot, if any, sense to me? I think you're confusing people and their conversations here...

[Felix]

FFS, arguing to the death is making a comeback

That's still no prize for being an argumentative nobber.

No prize for shit stirring either but here you are. Again.

[gremlin]

'Ask for Angela'...

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8v4p2dj01o

I was vaguely aware of this scheme, mostly because I've seen posters in pub toilets. Apparently a lot of venues have been recorded by secret filming not recognising people asking for Angela. Frankly, I'm not surprised. Why is there the need to have this easily-misinterpreted codeword rather than just an understanding that if somebody is feeling they are in a dangerous situation simply explaining this to a staff member?

In addition, if a date isn't going the way you were expecting it go, why not simply tell your date this and politely call an end to the night? If you're in a public space, like a bar, surely you're safe enough, or am I being hopelessly naive when it comes to modern dating?

[mangocrazy]

'Ask for Angela'...

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8v4p2dj01o

I was vaguely aware of this scheme, mostly because I've seen posters in pub toilets. Apparently a lot of venues have been recorded by secret filming not recognising people asking for Angela. Frankly, I'm not surprised. Why is there the need to have this easily-misinterpreted codeword rather than just an understanding that if somebody is feeling they are in a dangerous situation simply explaining this to a staff member?

In addition, if a date isn't going the way you were expecting it go, why not simply tell your date this and politely call an end to the night? If you're in a public space, like a bar, surely you're safe enough, or am I being hopelessly naive when it comes to modern dating?

I'd say you're probably looking at this from a male standpoint, not that of a female. If you're a female who's on a date with someone that makes them feel potentially threatened you need a way to get help discreetly, and that's what the 'Ask for Angela' thing was primarily about (my understanding of this y'unnerstand). A significant minority of blokes don't take rejection well, and I believe that it's this type of person that the 'A for A' scheme is there to protect against.

Except it seems that large numbers of bar staff are completely unaware of the scheme...

[Noggin]

'Ask for Angela'...

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8v4p2dj01o

I was vaguely aware of this scheme, mostly because I've seen posters in pub toilets. Apparently a lot of venues have been recorded by secret filming not recognising people asking for Angela. Frankly, I'm not surprised. Why is there the need to have this easily-misinterpreted codeword rather than just an understanding that if somebody is feeling they are in a dangerous situation simply explaining this to a staff member?

In addition, if a date isn't going the way you were expecting it go, why not simply tell your date this and politely call an end to the night? If you're in a public space, like a bar, surely you're safe enough, or am I being hopelessly naive when it comes to modern dating?

Because sometimes it isn't that simple!!! For a girl anyway. When I gave online dating a try ( a Long time ago, disillusioned very fast!) the main thing I was wary of was if he was going to be a nutter! I always tried to tell a friend what bar I was going to and what time etc - I tried to see the guy arrive so I could text the registration to a mate!!

But there was one time I'd forgotten all that and I ended up telling a girl at the bar that I was on a blind date and that if I was uncomfortable I'd come and chat to my 'mate' that was working tonight!

Equally - I was in my late 20's or early 30's and already a cynic, had run pubs and done door work, so was probably easier for me!

I'm not sure a code works - unless the guys sticks to the girl like glue so she can't ask for help subtly. But then if I was that worried about the guy, I doubt I'd be subtle! Maybe 20+ years ago it would have seemed more difficult?


BUT - there is the thing to remember here, it's always about how can girls/women protect themselves: wear different clothes, always tell someone where you're going, don't drink too much etc etc etc

Anyone think there should be a flip side message? Guys, don't be dicks??!!

[gremlin]

'Ask for Angela'...

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8v4p2dj01o

I was vaguely aware of this scheme, mostly because I've seen posters in pub toilets. Apparently a lot of venues have been recorded by secret filming not recognising people asking for Angela. Frankly, I'm not surprised. Why is there the need to have this easily-misinterpreted codeword rather than just an understanding that if somebody is feeling they are in a dangerous situation simply explaining this to a staff member?

In addition, if a date isn't going the way you were expecting it go, why not simply tell your date this and politely call an end to the night? If you're in a public space, like a bar, surely you're safe enough, or am I being hopelessly naive when it comes to modern dating?

I'd say you're probably looking at this from a male standpoint, not that of a female. If you're a female who's on a date with someone that makes them feel potentially threatened you need a way to get help discreetly, and that's what the 'Ask for Angela' thing was primarily about (my understanding of this y'unnerstand). A significant minority of blokes don't take rejection well, and I believe that it's this type of person that the 'A for A' scheme is there to protect against.

Except it seems that large numbers of bar staff are completely unaware of the scheme...

I do wonder then, the concept of having a code phrase for 'can somebody help me get out of this situation', that everybody (apart from, seemingly, bar staff) knows. I've seen the posters in gent's loos, as it's equally applicable to males, so in theory, both parties know that asking for the elusive Angela, is a cry for help.

When a 'secret' password is known by everybody, it's a bit pointless.

[gremlin]

BUT - there is the thing to remember here, it's always about how can girls/women protect themselves: wear different clothes, always tell someone where you're going, don't drink too much etc etc etc

Ah, now if I say that to the Gremlinette, I'm told that I'm 'victim blaming' and that I'm supporting the male patriarchy.

My usual retort to that is a 'knowing father raised eyebrow'.

[Noggin]

BUT - there is the thing to remember here, it's always about how can girls/women protect themselves: wear different clothes, always tell someone where you're going, don't drink too much etc etc etc

Ah, now if I say that to the Gremlinette, I'm told that I'm 'victim blaming' and that I'm supporting the male patriarchy.

My usual retort to that is a 'knowing father raised eyebrow'.

Well exactly, that's what I was saying! You missed this bit -

Anyone think there should be a flip side message? Guys, don't be dicks??!!

Victim blaming is the way it's been forever - about time the men that do this shit are taught not to, early enough for it not to be retrospective!!!

[gremlin]

You missed this bit -

Coz I did a 'man look'.

[Noggin]

You missed this bit -

Coz I did a 'man look'.

I did know that!!

[Saga Lout]

BUT - there is the thing to remember here, it's always about how can girls/women protect themselves: wear different clothes, always tell someone where you're going, don't drink too much etc etc etc

Anyone think there should be a flip side message? Guys, don't be dicks??!!

Another BUT: The guys who are not going to be dicks don't have to be told not to be dicks. The guys who are going to be dicks will be dicks whether they're told or not.

[Noggin]

BUT - there is the thing to remember here, it's always about how can girls/women protect themselves: wear different clothes, always tell someone where you're going, don't drink too much etc etc etc

Anyone think there should be a flip side message? Guys, don't be dicks??!!

Another BUT: The guys who are not going to be dicks don't have to be told not to be dicks. The guys who are going to be dicks will be dicks whether they're told or not.

I did kinda say that too!?! -

about time the men that do this shit are taught not to, early enough for it not to be retrospective!!!

I do know it's not all. But as with all things, how do you target the shit ones without upsetting the ones that aren't shit??!!