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Man born and raised in UK told he is not a British citizen

Discussion in 'News from the UK, Europe and the rest of the World' started by KeithAngel, Aug 29, 2017.

  1. KeithAngel
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    KeithAngel 2063 Lifetime Member

    No chance what would he do without being here:)
  2. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    upload_2017-9-2_7-41-53.png

    And yet you manage to be one of the top posters over the last four weeks with 105 posts to your name. This is, of course, a list you used to habitually dominate with your alter ego.
  3. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    I suppose much depends on your viewpoint. If, politically, you're to the left of Jess Phillips or Kate Hoey then you would dismiss any notion of there being a left-wing bias. But if you're politically aligned with those two moderate MPs or to the right of them, then the bias would become increasingly apparent. In the same way, you would tend to overlook any discourtesies towards other members whose views are different to those you and the poster share. That's human nature.

    I do try when posting not to belittle, insult or personally-attack another forum member; I may occasionally fail but I believe I succeed most of the time. Unfortunately there are those here who do not exhibit such restraint, either to deliberately stir-up trouble and provoke arguments, or because they have no other cogent argument, or because they want to close-down debate about embarrassing topics: whatever their reason, they demonstrate total intolerance to those of opposing views.

    I am prepared to continue as before, paying heed to HaloHalo's advice above, provided everyone else does the same. But if I - and others who are not socialists - continue to receive the level of abuse that we have seen over recent weeks and months, then do not be surprised if we retaliate like-for-like - sauce for the goose. As you can imagine, this is likely to raise the temperature quite considerably and could make life very uncomfortable here. None of us want that but I for one am getting really tired of all the insults being meted-out. For example a certain member here reacts with vicious insults if one dares write anything that criticises his leader - and all the while, he's making snide and contentious statements about opposing politicians.

    Now maybe you understand why I called for an end to all political debate on this forum. A call I repeat.

    Sorry but I think your closing sentence is totally uncalled-for and simply contributes to the general atmosphere of discord and ill will. It does nothing to diffuse the situation.
  4. Bowler
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    Bowler Banned

  5. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    And your point is?

    Apart from attempting to deflect attention from your own "mis-statements", that is.
  6. Anon04576
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    Anon04576 Well-Known Member

    I actually have to agree with Bowlers last post (I did actually reply to his post but because he just quoted a previous post it didn't actually include any of his post in my reply). Can I just point out I am totally unbiased in the politics.

    When I read these comments for what they are I have to say that there is intent within the post. Sorry to say @Markham but you have intent in order to highlight on a personal level.

    You are very thorough in your digging around in order to prove your point in a political post which again, no problem, we can go on forever to justify our own position within a political post as theres tons of information on both left, middle, right. It seems you apply that logic in order to discredit on a personal level and I think thats why issues escalate.

    Lets compare that with say @KeithAngel, Keith will also respond to one of your posts but it's generally a one liner with his observation and a roll of the eyes and he moves one. I dont read his response with any real intent, it's almost like he's defending himself with an "oh well thats my point if you dont like it Im not gonna lose any sleep over it". Which is in contrast to your approach were you have to prove until someone eventually bites.

    Like I say Im trying to see this from all sides but when someone has to go on and on to discredit someone personally with what seems malice then it makes for a forum where people get turned off. This doesnt just apply to one person. Its been highlighted before when people have crossed the line to others on here, be it racist or homophobic. We really dont want it here. The ethos of the forum, as I have seen it anyhow, is to help/advise with the knowledge that we have and of course general chit chat, politics, current news, etc.

    At the end of the day its just a small niche forum and I dont think we need to be overly serious. Frank and honesty yes but that must contain some compassion to the respondants feelings.

    Again Im being unbiased as I can here, im just stating it as how I read it, nothing more, so please dont be offended, lets just see the bigger picture of what we are about here. I hold back when I feel someone is goading another hoping that sense eventually prevails. We all say things and then wonder whether we have taken the best approach. Just sometimes we have to take a step back and digest. I see people here who sometimes make a statement then come back, acknowledge something they have said and hold there hands up and apologise and withdraw what they initially said in realisation that it wasnt that fair comment. I respect those people and some come to mind as I write this.

    Good vibes to all.
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  7. ChoiAndJohn
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    ChoiAndJohn Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Well @Markham to be honest I haven't noticed any political leaning one way or the other and I couldn't care less if there was. I would class myself more right wing than left wing - I certainly haven't felt offended by the 'left' though. What I have noticed is that a small section of the forum, consisting of no more than 4 or 5 people, that I refer to as 'the far right' have tended to make xenophobic, racist or other unpleasant remarks, have made remarks that people felt insulted their wives or families and have generally been pretty insulting of any contradictions in the received wisdom. You know that all this is pretty accurate.

    It has been better recently though. Perhaps that's because one of the biggest offenders has not posted for some time and frankly the forum has been a better place for it.

    I appreciate your point about not fostering an atmosphere of ill-will but since @graham59 ignores me, he can't read what I say. Perhaps I am subconsciously trying to encourage others to pull him up on his behaviour but thinking about it, this isn't the right way at all. I have edited the post. I don't believe I usually say things like that. I was in a bad mood.

    In the interest of even-handedness though, if you could please use the 'search' icon and take a look at his contributions since his unfortunate return you will see a number of posts belittling members, usually new members. This is what I have a general problem with. That, and the fact that I have seldom seen a helpful posting. If you were to be seen to be criticising offensive posts by @graham59 , rather than defending him, perhaps your own contributions to the forum would be seen as being more rounded and would distract attention away from the many arguments you seem be permanently involved in nowadays :) Just saying..

    Think the problem with internet forums is that very often it's only when an argument happens and someone says something irritating that people can be bothered to post. If the forum was all decent and well mannered the whole time, answering immigration questions, then it would be kinda boring.
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2017
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  8. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    Given what you have just said, would you prefer that I no longer post on this forum? A straight yes or no would be appreciated.
  9. Anon04576
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    Anon04576 Well-Known Member

    Very valid point and that's why we don't kill of the political threads for example, they appeal and bring debate but sensible debate at that. Tbh I have no interest in politics but that's just me and why should I stop something that someone else finds interesting.
  10. Anon04576
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    Anon04576 Well-Known Member

    Im not responding to your question Mark, you're a man who is more than capable of choosing what he does. As I said it's not personal it's an observation from me, someone else may see it different, in which case they can comment. I will just say that your input in other respects is excellent especially in relation to your knowledge of the Philippines, you know the ropes very well, far superior to mine. Politics, like I say doesnt float my boat, you go for it though. I just read that stuff from an admin point of view.
  11. Bowler
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    Bowler Banned

    I do not want to add fuel to the flames. But do want to say very briefly that I agree with your post John, very much indeed.
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  12. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    Ah so your real "beef" is over Graham, a plain-speaking Yorkshireman who's no fan of political correctness. I disagree with much of his expressed views - and have said so on several occasions - but I defend absolutely his right to post them. If you are offended by what he says, then place him on ignore - as he has done to you: simples! But to insult him in the way that you did was totally unnecessary.

    A thoughtful response, thank you!
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  13. ChoiAndJohn
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    ChoiAndJohn Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    You're welcome. As a matter of fact, I'm also a Yorkshireman. I grew up near Sheffield, spent years in York, and would love to live near the Yorkshire Dales.

    However, being from Yorkshire is not a license to be offensive. I can say with some authority that the myth of the "plain speaking Yorkshireman" is grounded in the petty ruminations of a body of poorly educated and ignorant yokels, straight from the plough, rather than the more nuanced argument and considered remarks that some Yorkshiremen would prefer.
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2017
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  14. ChoiAndJohn
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    ChoiAndJohn Well-Known Member Trusted Member

  15. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    I understand that, Paul, and that's a perfectly valid reason for resisting my - and others' - calls to ban political threads.

    However, I do feel that you and others are totally missing the point. The name of this forum is "British-Filipino" and it is run (now) by three British guys** with typically British mindsets and culturally far removed from the "other" half: the Filipinos. Many Filipinos aren't that interested in the political shenanigans going on in their own country: they have zero interest in ours - and why should they?

    Not only that but many of them will have voted for Duterte - why should their decisions be derided and be bombarded with a seemingly endless stream of anti-Duterte invective posted by white guys who have no voting rights in the Philippines.

    There's far too heavy emphasis on the "British" component and that's off-putting to our Filipino partners. My wife has been a registered member here for several years but won't post as she feels intimidated by the "Britishness".

    So here's a suggestion for you. By all means keep the Politics/Religion/Ethics section but hide it from the robots and make it a closed section where people have to apply (separately) to join and participate. At the same time, impose a ban on political discussion everywhere else on the forum. Something like the "Dirty Kitchen" that Sean opened for a while. A proposal that Keith would wholeheartedly support, I think.

    If the section is completely hidden then hopefully we can encourage Filipinos to post more regularly here and even-up the culture.

    **Edit: Actually one Brit, one Welshman and an Italian: but all blessed with a hefty dollup of Britishness :)
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 2, 2017
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  16. ChoiAndJohn
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    ChoiAndJohn Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I actually agree with that. My own wife had hoped to make filipino connections but also feels the forum is too politically dominated by white men. I believe it would be worth a shot. Why not post a poll to see what members think of the idea @HaloHalo ?
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  17. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    Thank you, Paul. I really do appreciate that.
  18. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    Do we need a poll? Forums aren't necessarily a democracy!
  19. Bowler
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    Bowler Banned

    Well, interestingly and in the light of the above few posts, I posted on my daughter's pending school startup. To be honest, this is the third time in my lifetime that this has happened so it is not new to me. For my Filipina wife it is a first and the UK schooling works in a different way to the schooling she has been used to back home in the Philippines. We are going through the process of familiarising my wife as much as getting our daughter ready for this important stage in her life.

    The thread "bombed" and only about 5 British males responded. Perhaps we are too far ahead in the the whole Brit Fil immigration process for many to be that interested? Maybe Filipinas coming to the UK have other ways and means of expressing their interest in such matters. My wife contacts her local friends, for example.

    But one point that should be considered is that it would appear that though this is a Brit Fil forum, would I not be correct in stating that the majority of immigration "traffic" is from the Philippines to the UK and not the other way round and thereby influencing the balance in terms of topics of interest?
  20. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    The whole layout of the Forum needs updating.
    Visa threads top
    Travel
    Life in UK
    Culture
    Life in the Phils
    Cooking and menus
    General chat etc
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