Welcome and introductions

First topic message reminder :

Around the autumn of 2007 I came across the MSN message boards and found one entitled "UK Politics" which I joined and enjoyed for over three and a half years, then around April 2011 MSN decided in their wisdom to close down that particular message board.

Over time the MSN message board posters had become like friends, and though I had never met any of them, they became as familiar as the regulars I have a pint with in the local village pub, one or two were fairly nasty and quite vile, most were very pleasant people.

Fortunately, one of the redundant MSN bloggers (Ivan) decided to start his own political blogging site, and many of the old MSN posters followed him to his newly created site, and after a competition to find a name, it was agreed to call it "Cutting Edge".

I have to point out that Ivan ran things in a very fair and democratic way, the members decided the rules, they chose the name and logo, several of us were appointed as moderators and common sense prevailed.

Unfortunately the host of our board was "ProBoards" whom I would definately NOT recommend to anyone, they pulled the plug and closed Cutting Edge down saying that we had broken the rules.
To this day we still do not know what rule(s) were broken, and by whom, we wrote very polite emails to ProBoards asking for an explanation, but we got no answer other than "you broke the rules".

And so here we are WELCOME

Hi.

I'm Helen, or "Blamhappy".

Ivan invited me to join, so I did. Easy!

So far, I've posted a few times in the politics section, and on a thread about Hilary Devey. Random, huh?

Just been reading a few comments above. I, too, believe in free speech, although the recent imprisonment of the racist from Twitter has challenged me a bit. It's not straight forward, is it?

Anyway, so hello

Hello Helen. Thanks for accepting my invite and for supporting this forum.

I'm not easy with imprisonment for someone who makes racist remarks, possibly just for effect, on 'Twitter', or for a couple of foolish teenagers who said "let's start a riot" on 'Facebook'. In my opinion, prisons, already seriously overcrowded, should be reserved for violent people who are a danger to the public. Racists need to be re-educated and could be punished in the community.

I agree that imprisonment is probably wrong (community service would be far more appropriate), but my query is more about whether or not it should be a crime.

I think probably yes, but in all honesty, I've heard worse day-to-day, and a LOT of people would be criminals! I worked in Wetherspoon pubs for nearly three years and you really do see it all. All the scum of society gather there. Some have already been to prison. Many are pretty awful people, who will happily shout abuse at others and even use violence, yet it's more closed-off than on Twitter, and nothing comes of it.

Welcome to our forum, Helen!

I do not think most forms of speech should be punished in any way, for that runs contrary to what life should be like in a free society. Obviously there are exceptions, as there should be. However, if political correctness has taught us anything, it's that censorship rarely stays still. Before you know it, even your private speech must be conducted as if you were on national television at all times complete with a list of things you CAN say, because that list is far shorter than a list of things you cannot say.

Yes, absolutely. There is a difference between having a racist rant, and a racist rant at someone, though. Should the latter be a crime?

I think it should be, but I question my own opinion...

Yes, absolutely. There is a difference between having a racist rant, and a racist rant at someone, though. Should the latter be a crime?

I don't believe so. If a person is the victim of a racist rant, then it is up to the victim to decide how to deal with it. I don't believe the authorities should be brought into every personal dispute. Again, in a free society, we are not protected from being offended ... nor should we be. Here in the US, I see our very own presidential candidates saying things that I find HIGHLY offensive, but instead of merely stuffing a cork in their mouths and telling them to leave off, I make counter-arguments to make them look stupid and foolish. That's a much better tactic, in my opinion.

It's also more fun.

That requires intelligence, an ability to think on the spot, and a way with words though, and not everyone is equipped with that. I think the law is needed to protect them.

Just a thought.

(I put "I think". I should have put "I wonder".)

You'll have noticed the paradox where people who decry "The Nanny State" are often the first to demand, "What's the Government going to do about....xyz?"

oftenwrong wrote:You'll have noticed the paradox where people who decry "The Nanny State" are often the first to demand, "What's the Government going to do about....xyz?"

Yup. I often wonder whether right wingers even know what they're arguing for.

Hello Helen,

I am so pleased that you took up our Ivan's offer for you to join.
I have read and digested all your posts so far and you bring with you a refreshing atmosphere to this forum.

"Yup. I often wonder whether right wingers even know what they're arguing for."

They are arguing and fighting tooth and nail for two things Helen, money and power. That is it.

Mel wrote:
I am so pleased that you took up our Ivan's offer for you to join.
I have read and digested all your posts so far and you bring with you a refreshing atmosphere to this forum.

Thank you. I think you might be referring to my ditziness. Hahahahahahaha!

Hello Everyone! I look forward to some lively discussions and getting to know you all! *waves*

Hi Adele and a very big welcome to you

Blue...

Hi Blue! Thanks for the welcome!

My pleasure Adele......It does get lively on here, but today seems a quite day for heated discussions. Maybe the sun has put everyone in a good mood (well its sunny where I am)

It's sunny here in Wigan, and I kinda like lively!

Hello and welcome Adele. You will find the debate here on this excellent
forum "lively" i'm sure.

Regards,
Mel

Hi Mel! Thanks for the welcome! Looking forward to chewing the cud with everyone! I don't mind disagreeing on things, but I do show my teeth when people are nasty just for the sake of it...but mainly I'm a big soft northern lass! lol xx

Hi IM THE Red Cat Woman and look forward to reading and joining in on the site

oftenwrong wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

And the point your making please?

Welcome Red Cat. I look forward to you joining the debate which I am sure you will find enjoyable. It can become very addictive at times therefore my advice is to pace yourself.

Our good friend oftenwrong has a very dry sense of humour. You will i'm sure come to enjoy and understand his highly intelligent input.

Red Cat Woman , we meet again in pastures new , will be a pleasure having your no nonsense debating skills on the forum.......sock it to em and welcome.

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Scarecrow wrote:Red Cat Woman , we meet again in pastures new , will be a pleasure having your no nonsense debating skills on the forum.......sock it to em and welcome.

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Hi Scarecrow
that was a great welcome. I taken a copy of that as i do love it.X Can you please PM Ivan for me. as I can post any PM to anyone. it says my inbox and out box is full. yet I have not posted anything as yet. Got help everyone as I am that no nonsence debating me, great to find so many good friends on here, you Red Flag and Stox 16

thanks

Red Cat Woman xx

moonbeam wrote:Welcome, Adele and Red Cat Woman!

Thanks Moobeam, great to meat you

Mel wrote:Welcome Red Cat. I look forward to you joining the debate which I am sure you will find enjoyable. It can become very addictive at times therefore my advice is to pace yourself.

Our good friend oftenwrong has a very dry sense of humour. You will i'm sure come to enjoy and understand his highly intelligent input.

Hi Mel
Thank you for such a warm welcome. I sure i will enjoy it very much Mel. already had some warm welcomes from friend like Red Flag and Scarecrow and I see you also have Stox 16 here as well

thank you all

Red Cat Woman xxxxxxxxxx

Red Cat , glad you like the avatar , I have PM ed Ivan as you requested , regarding posting PMs.

SC

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Hi Moonbeam, nice to meet you too!

Can you please PM Ivan for me, as I can post any PM to anyone?

Hello Red Cat Woman, and welcome to 'Cutting Edge'. Hopefully, you should be able to send PMs now. In order to deter spammers, new members are not allowed to send PMs until they have posted at least ten messages.

Ivan wrote:

Can you please PM Ivan for me, as I can post any PM to anyone?

Hello Red Cat Woman, and welcome to 'Cutting Edge'. Hopefully, you should be able to send PMs now. In order to deter spammers, new members are not allowed to send PMs until they have posted at least ten messages.

Thanks Ivan, Good to be with some friends at last.

Scarecrow wrote:Red Cat , glad you like the avatar , I have PM ed Ivan as you requested , regarding posting PMs.

SC

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THANKS SC, yep I love them, there so nice I got one in a frame on my wall at home. i do like the way you have done them. your have a Gift SC

Red Cat Woman x

Hello, Red Cat Woman ... are you a cat lover, by chance?

If you are, then I'm a fan already. I love cats.

Had a spectacularly weird dream last night in which I was being hanged in front of an audience. I managed to get away, and then my cat Jasper was suddenly in my arms (he died a few months ago) and I was finding him a book to read. Haha!

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This is my ginger tom Seamus! I'm sorry you lost your cat Jasper, Blamhappy! I was distraught with the loss of everyone of my cats.

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This is my beloved Norwegian Forest Cat named "Mom" . She was the only female of a litter and no one wanted her, so I inherited her, so to speak. She earned the name "Mom" because she wouldn't stop having kittens - it was one litter after another until she finally took a break long enough to have her "fixed."

She is getting along in years though. She's 15 now, and though healthy, I know the day will come.

Aw! She's beautiful, just look at that face. Two of my cats lived to around 20yrs old, one made it to 18 and my Murphy was 17 when she died two years ago. Seamus is still young, I think he's around 6 or 7 now.

Yes, pics later maybe please! lol I love kitties!

cue Mrs. Slocombe.