Following a spate of unpleasant incidents in their online newspaper, the BFP is to set up a Bullying Helpline. Comments are not actively moderated on the local newspaper, which means that some unpleasant individuals are free to abuse whoever has caught their eye on the days that they got out of the wrong side of bed. As many of these characters are not very bright and unable to learn from their mistakes, this can often be as many as seven days a week. They fall into two categories: those that like to be offensive about certain sections of the community and those that prefer to pick on individuals for a more targeted approach.
The Editor says: “We have to rely on the good sense of the public, and we respond to any complaints we receive.”
“We react to reader complaints – and we then base our decisions on our T&Cs.”
“There is a clear line of abuse that shouldn’t be crossed. I bet all of you who post on here know exactly where that line is”.
“There’s no problem with honestly criticising someone or something; but there is an issue when it descends to vicious name-calling, open abuse and defamation.”
Unfortunately, it rapidly became clear that approach wasn’t working. As no-one could agree what was “vicious”, “abuse” or how to define “defamation”, the comments section descended into unseemly squabbling and outright lies in an attempt to shout the loudest. After several lengthy dissertations it became clear that the Editor had in fact left the building and couldn’t even be found in his usual spot on Twitter telling awful jokes and discussing sport.
It became clear that one group of posters were more fortunate than others. Those who were insensitive to other peoples’ feelings are less likely to suffer as they have no idea of the harm they are causing and have an unwavering conviction that they are in the right.
In an attempt to salvage the situation, the Editor contacted his staff from his remote hideaway location. Student journalists on work placements during their summer breaks have been instructed to set up the Bullying Helpline. Anyone who feels they have been abused or bullied, or know someone that they think has, can now ring the Bucks Free Press offices and talk to an untrained counsellor.
A spokesman says “It’s a win win situation”. Anyone with an axe to grind can still comment online without fear of censure. This will upset a lot of people and create a lot of online traffic for us and believe me, local newspapers are struggling to stay afloat at the moment. This sort of controversy is very good for us and it keeps the advertisers very happy. Meanwhile, anyone who is upset and needs to complain can rest assured that we are listening. Well, the unpaid staff will be listening. It is an excellent opportunity for them and gives them insight into the moral dilemma created by giving everyone freedom of speech. Meanwhile, our journalists are free to get on with the job in hand. Whatever that is.”
26 comments:
Yes Morag this has brought a smile to my face, so much better than listening to people with ego's bigger than their brains. It never ceases to amaze me that people can spend so much time arguing. Do they enjoy it, are they so bored. I would really like to know. One thing I do know, you wouldn't get a straight answer.
I made this point on his thread - it appears that anyone can say what they like without fear of censure and if you are upset about it then you are clearly over sensitive.
Good blog Morag.
Dear BFP Bullying Helpline,
For several months I have been having a sadomasochistic relationship with a man who considers himself imperturbable. He has recently become very hateful and taken to setting up a spreadsheet of everything I say in order to quote it back at me. There is nothing I can do or say to please him; instead he seems to enjoy expending a great deal of energy sniping and trying to upset. He has even suggested I look words up in a dictionary before I use them. I have tried ignoring him but evidently I enjoy receiving his abuse as I just cannot stay away. I would now like to distance myself from him, but it’s clear we must somehow exist in the same orbit. What do you suggest I do? This is how wars start, isn’t it? I would much prefer the peaceful route without having to accept a defeat.
Yours imploringly,
Edna Welthorpe (Mrs)
Glad I made you smile, Lorraine. Sadly, I think some people just get a kick out of upsetting others. Or maybe it just that they KNOW they are right :-)
Thank you Demoness. Yes, we are all supposed to turn the other cheek, aren't we?
Dear Edna,
You poor dear. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news luv, but there is no-one in the office except me, Ethel. I’m the cleaner. You rarely see any journos round ‘ere. They ‘ave a lot of time orff for stress and that. There were two of them work experience students earlier. Nice young girls. I saw them leaving in floods of tears bout an hour ago. Poor loves. Crying their little hearts out. Sobbing about a misogywhatsit. Shocking what people get away with these days. I said to them “He wouldn’t have the guts to come down ‘ere and say them things to your face. That type never do”.
Anyway love, looks like you’re on your own. The Editors b*****ed off somewhere muttering about needing a break and he’s the only one who could ‘elp you. I leave a note on his desk shall I?
To move a particle (eg an atom) from a fixed regular orbit , the 'trapped' particle needs to be given a burst of directed energy from an external source.
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In this context the requisite energy may be provided through bombardment by other larger particles or even X- or gamma rays. Usually the origins of these orbit-busting particles are from decaying or unstable nuclear reactions nearby. Or in the case of cosmic (gamma) rays distant stars within distant galaxies.
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If this phenomenon does occur , the particle so targeted will find itself transported to a higher plane out of reach of other erstwhile interfering (conflicting) particles within the original orbit.
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The transported particle will be aware the displacement has occurred , because a blinding visible flash of light energy is emitted at the time of displacement. This sort of reaction could be encountered and seen in the luminous dials of old-fashioned watches.
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There is a connection here with trying to escape the attentions of undesirable unwanted disruptive elements , but it seems so long ago - and I have got so wrapped up in trying to draw parallels I have forgotten what it is.
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I will have to go away and think about it.
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are busrs fro
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Very interesting JBB. I think you may be onto something here. Can you let me know when you have worked it out? I feel like a burst of directed energy might be the answer to all my problems.
Dangerous stuff - energy ie - especially when in the wrong hands (or even the wrong tentacles / pseudopodia / tendrils / claws / suckers etc ).
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I am , however , still deep in thought - in spite of apparent outward appearances.
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Nevertheless here is A Helpful Hint. The required energy , to alter the course of an orbiting body , does not originate from within the local system but is invariably located external to it.
Yes but where do I locate the require energy? High Wycombe? Bucks? England? UK? Europe? somewhere in The World? How about Mars? I have heard there is a lot going on there at the moment?
Oops, sorry. I deleted the last comment because I accidentally posted twice. Just In Case you were wondering :-)
I was taken aback a bit , because you see , Morag , I was born under a wondering star.
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There is minimal activity on the surface of Mars at moment - see the pictures.
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However I do recall at the beginning of War of the Worlds everything was very quiet after the initial impact on Horsell Common (near Woking /Chobham).
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With a bit of luck perhaps things will begin to move soon. But please be careful of what you may be wishing for.
I'm not even sure what I am wishing for now, JBB. But I am pretty certain I'm not going to get it. That's life, I guess.
Morag said...
Yes but where do I locate the require energy? High Wycombe? Bucks? England? UK? Europe? somewhere in The World? How about Mars? I have heard there is a lot going on there at the moment?
9 August 2012 14:33
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The particle can not 'request' the beam of energy. It comes as I said previously from an external source outside the knowledge , scope or even ken of the little particle.
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The source can be of natural or unnatural origin and can be either random or directed / controlled via human (?) intervention.
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The secret is to find a source - natural or unnatural.
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I may have said too much already - I could be being watched / monitored by aliens with evil intentions.
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But I am not going to worry about that as I am still thinking about the original 'problem' and the fact that your human lives are so short , constrained and contradictory within this vast unexplained Universe we all inhabit.
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Things may go bump in the night, but it's not the bumps we need to worry about ; it's the things that make the bumps and the after-effects of the bumps that are more worrisome. A bump is only a noise ( like thunder is ).
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I hope you are taking notes.
Rgds
I don't have a good track record on finding sources, JBB. I believe I already told you what happened when I went to Cricklade.
I spend quite a lot of my time bogged down in the mire in totally the wrong place at the wrong time. As I said, that's life :-)
Oh Morag - that's not life - you may be experiencing (through no deliberate fault of your own) being initially accidentally bogged down in a bog , emerging disorientated (with sucking noises) out of that bog then subsequently stumbling / falling into yet another and so on.
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Another Helpful Hint : Avoid any areas that appear to have swamp-like , morass-like , marshy properties. Keep your eyes constantly peeled and stick to firm ground that has a stony or solid character. Avoid fertile looking green grassy places as they can be quite deceptive (like weasel words).
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By carrying out these procedures , potential encounters with bogs are hopefully minimized.
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Good Luck and here's mud in your eye.
Oh JBB, Where would I be without your sound advice?
I am listening carefully and writing notes in triplicate. Just in case any get blown away in the wind. I am also mapping out my route before I set off so I can see what is ahead of me and only stick to the firm ground as you suggest.
It’s a bit like one of those team building exercises I hear about.
I’m glad you are on my side because I can always put my trust there.
Unfortunately , Morag when it comes down to to it , we are perhaps all just singular pilgrims (as in John Bunyan's Progress) journeying in hope (and with initial optimism) through this particular existence.
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But as in Progress there are plenty of awkward obstacles / diversions in the way. And there are plenty of people giving advice from the side lines - some of it not very helpful.
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However - Helpful Hint No. 3. How did Christian manage to extricate himself from the Slough of Despond. He did have a travelling companion who fell in the bog with him but that companion struggle out and went his own way - back home. And left Christian in the Slough.
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But another more unselfish passer-by helped the pilgrim out of the bog. And that's what true friends are for ; that's what I think anyway.
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You don't have to be religious to get something out of this epic work.
Regards
It’s quite a time since I went to Slough, JBB. I was thinking of doing F is for Fulmer for my next walk but the walks usually lift me from Despond. So maybe I am not like Christian at all.
I’ve got that Stealer’s Wheel song stuck in my head now.
Get yourself out of there , Morag and get that mind-worm out of your brain too. A melody (?) with a very limited choice of notes with a couple of high ones thrown in randomly for some inexplicable reason - that's my opinion.
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And it's no use asking Gerry Rafferty for advice or a helping hand now. Too late. Or even the other Stumblebum.
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Have you been up Lodge Hill recently. I find that an 'uplifting' experience.
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It's on the Ridgeway and just a short walk with interesting fauna / mosses and views across the valleys ; in the Springtime there are plenty of cowslips.
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Failing that try the coincidentally named Slough Hill nearby as demonstrated on this walk
http://www.petes-walks.co.uk/Chiltern%20Hills/West%20Wycombe/West%20Wycombe%201.htm
Well JBB, you have set me out on a mission again. I have been poring over Footpath No 7 and for the life of me I cannot remember going up Lodge Hill. (Which doesn't mean I haven't - just that my memory is poor). I have marked walking along the Chiltern Way and Lodge Hill Farm on the map - I can remember doing that in the winter with glorious dogwood in the hedgerow.
When I lived at Thame we did a lot of walks out Bledlow way, often from The Lions. So I must have done it but I need to walk it again now to satisfy my curiosity.
I do remember walking up Slough Hill several times but not recently.
All that trying to remember has quite driven that mind-worm out of my brain.
If you have done the The Ridgeway in this area you may have walked across Lodge Hill after skirting Princes Risborough (Icknield Way) and then heading towards Chinnor.
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Did you ask your dad if he remembered West Wycombe railway station , the pigeon baskets etc and the pub there , The Travellers Rest ?
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I wonder if Gerry Rafferty got stuck on the platform there - by mistake - while looking for Baker Street station
I have walked on the Ridgeway many times over the years but always as part of circular walks. I will just have to go over that way soon and jog my memory.
Sorry, West Wycombe wasn’t really Dad’s home patch. Go for Footpath Map No 8 and he may be able to help you.
No, Gerry Rafferty was always Right Down the Line.
Haven't got Map No 8 - got 1,2,3, 7, 9 11 12 13 and 14 though. There is a gap in my life. However I have the OS Ranger maps.
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And a lady from Kingshill in a Range Rover just backed into my stationary car in the Matalan car park near the pet food shop. Damaged the bumper and wing - not badly but it's just so annoying because you keep thinking if only I'd not parked just there or been a bit earlier or later etc etc.
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Never mind. I have had worse news recently - but you will not see it on here.
Rgds
Sorry to hear that, JBB. Will meet you in the usual spot.
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