Shall I stay or shall I go?

[combat_claire]

A recent posting on here has caused me to reconsider my position on here.

I have no problem with the renaming of the forum to Hunting..I think that is fab if it encourages others to come in here and ask questions. It was a facility my local hunt forums were able to offer to me 4 years, when I was a scared newcomer desperate to know answers to things and desperate not to look like a cretin!

However I don't believe we should be stifling debate, I have always been courteous and I feel that challenging people's entrenched opinions is the best way of gaining new supporters. It would seem however that those desperate to try drag hunting are not willing to even consider the alternative that quarry hunts provide.

I had no intention of starting a slanging match on the Cheshire hunting thread and it saddens me that anyone thought I was being an [****], trying to score points. I have proved in my many postings that I am always willing to answer questions from those wanting to get involved or point them to someone who can answer their queries.

However it would seem in recent months that this forum is on a slippery slope which it cannot claw its way back from. I think the best option will be for me to depart from here and never return, unless you can think of any good reasons why I should remain!

 

[Hercules]

Claire,

I reckon that you should stay. Not only are your comments well considered, it is clear that they are based on a good deal of research and personal experience.

Experience is what is lacking in the majority of debate (particularly anti) and is invaluable in attempting to educate the ill-informed.

What's more, you have the patience that I could never have when dealing with some of the more rabid antis.

It's up to you what you do, but for what it's worth, you get my vote.

 

[truffles]

Please stay. I know I don't often come here, but I do read the threads, and I have always thought you have been polite, and happy to answer any questions without it resulting in a childish slanging match.
Please don't go, to me and other amateurs, you are one of the few sane people left in the hunting forum.

 

[Ereiam_jh]

Go for a while if you're pissed off and then maybe come back later.

You're definitely a good sort Claire and very sincere.

I'd imagine the HHO forum goes through cycles, sometimes it gets pretty nasty but I think generally people don't take it too seriously. It's a shame when people get person al, I try not to do this, although I have to confess I do my best sometime to out annoy my opponent, perhaps a not all together honourable tactic.

Hunting is a complex subject and there are a lot of different views on it, not just 'pro' and 'anti'.

I think the best part of this site is having discussions with the likes of RS and Maria, they seem like reasonable types (although Karl's a bit of a plonker as I'm sure you've realised).

When people debate/argue it's very rare for either side to climb down. However they do possibly go away afterwards and either refine or change their views.

Also there's other people listening in who are probably influenced.

The sad loss of Hippy was hard enough to bear, your passing would be very greiving for us all.

I have to admit though I've not missed LACS, tony Pluck and that git 'from' Simonsbath!

BTW I hope I haven't pissed you off - I'm all worried now!

 

[Megan5]

Was it the comments from Tilly06 if it was ignore them (they are just one users comments after all). I haven't posted very often, and never in here before, but have enjoyed reading the debates for a while. Your comments have always come across as fair and well thought out to me (not like some of the rubbish that is posted on here, were certain users seem intent on bringing everything down to a very base level).

 

[peakpark]

You must stay! I know there have been some dodgy posts - ranging from the childish to the sinister and vindictive, but we need voices of sanity.
You've got plenty of supporters on the forum - don't desert us!

 

[severnmiles]

Claire,

Please stay, your posts are always well thought out and you often answer in an unbiased frame of mind. Don't let someone else push you away. You are from a [****]!!

I hope you choose to stay.

 

[Onyxia]

CC you have to stay.
If nohing else, Field Marshall RS will ned his Captain back again at Christmas!


More seriously, you are one of the few who IS interisted in debate, please stay- your contributions will be greatly missed if you go.

 

[Clodagh]

You have to stay, you answer queries so well...hang around, we need you!

 

[Ereiam_jh]

You should have made it into a poll CC judging from the above it would be 100% for staying.

 

[Jiffy]

C_C Please stay. I haven't been in here for ages, so don't have a clue what is going on.

Don't let the trogs hound you out of here 8^)

 

[wallace]

Stay.
You are a beacon of reason amongst a cacophany of specious cant.
(Quite possibly a tautology, but............what are you gonne do? Sue me?)

 

[AlanE]

Claire, you MUST stay! I speak as someone who comes on here from time to time and generally turns apoplexic at the nonsense antis come out with, then, as I've said in the past, your patience and calmness is essential. All the best for the Masters!

 

[Tilly06]

This post is because of me? I cant see i have done anything wrong at all and my comment was in no way shape or form made in a nasty or dismissive manor. Every other thread on the hunting page is a debate, which there is nothing wrong with at all, i do enjoy a good debate, just not today. All i wanted was some information on drag hunts in cheshire, thats all. I am new to this forum and a very decent person if i do say so myself, but "apologies" to you combat claire if you disliked my comment. x

 

[Maesfen]

I have to say - STAY!

Tbh, haven't a clue what's gone on as haven't been here very often but I have always enjoyed your posts and wish I could write so well on this subject.

You will be sorely missed by the genuine people on this forum, I'm sure, so I do hope you re consider.

 

[Doreys_Mum]

stay - for MEEEE!

 

[Tia]

My god Claire - you can't possibly leave!!

You are, and always have been, one of the few members who have been the life and soul of this forum!

I haven't been on this forum for many many months and I have no idea what could possibly have happened for you to even consider leaving....... *unhappy face*

 

[Tharg]

Stay on this forum, post more in the other rooms.

 

[flying_change]

Pleeeeeeeeeease dont go ! You're one of the nicest people on here.

RS

 

[AmyMay]

Please don't go CC. I don't post on here much - but do read quite a bit.

You are well informed, and interesting - which is more than can be said for some who come on here.

 

[Tilly06]

The "event" that has lead to this *i think* is ultimately my fault. This being my reply in question "Combat_claire this wasn't posted to incite a debate etc, just wanted to know if there were any drag hunts in the cheshire area."

quite frankly i cant see what is wrong with this at all, but i have apologised, which has yet to be acknowledged for one reason or another. I wasn't being funny etc in any way, i just didnt want a debate, im happy with my reasoning for not hunting and just wanted some infornation on drag hunts. If i do ever decide to put my thoughts across it will be in a different thread. x

 

[severnmiles]

Well I personally can't see anything wrong with that.

CC, was that the comment you're referring to?

 

[Sooty]

The hunting forum hasn't really changed, it has always been like this (well, in the time since I joined anyway). I think what happens is that the same old arguments and insults do the rounds, and it simply gets boring. I really like your idea of trying to enlighten people, and in some cases it works - I have learnt loads about hunting, and now know far more about its place in the countryside than I ever did before, despite living in the country. But...most people are so entrenched in their views, and even if you point out to them something is white, they will either persist in calling it black or, more likely in the case of some antis, deny it exists altogether. This forum does seem to attract extremes - antis who are not prepared to see any valid points about hunting whatsoever, and pros who are determined that what they do is right and there is no room for improvement or compromise. I am opposed to the ban but not a huge fan of hunting, but from what I can see of this forum it is the antis who are most blinkered and least willing to learn. There seems to be a holier-than-thou attitude amongst a few of them which makes my toes curl - I cannot abide being patronised! Anyhoo, it would be a shame if you left but I wouldn't blame you. There is only so much banging of one's head on a brick wall a person can stand...

 

[Tilly06]

i really hope that wasnt aimed at me?? x

 

[Tilly06]

What can a girl do!? It saddens me that the comment above "may" be aimed at me. This issue has nothing to do with peoples stance on hunting, just that cc seemed to be upset at my comment. I despair, cant do right for doing wrong.

 

[flying_change]

"There is only so much banging of one's head on a brick wall a person can stand... "

I feel the same way......

... if only one could bang other people's heads against he wall sometimes.....

 

[Ereiam_jh]

Well said Sooty. That's pretty much how I feel. I'm not actually that keen on hunting but I'm anti ban, especially thgis ban.

I find it very revealing that the 'antis' on here are unable to accept there is anything wrong with the law.

Except maria who admits it's a nonsense.

 

[flying_change]

Sigh.

"I find it very revealing that the 'antis' on here are unable to accept there is anything wrong with the law."

Have I not said over and over again that the law has not been tested in the courts yet ? And do you not realise that this means that the terms used in the act have not been defined yet ?

 

[flying_change]

Dont worry, you've not done anything wrong !!

I confess that, since this used to be a forum for debate, some of us may have found it hard to avoid making a debate out of other peoples comments and challenging them. And I'm sure that C_C only meant (in her original reply) to offer another point of view.
So, please dont take it personally, and please dont be upset at something that, if said face to face in conversation, you would probably just brush off.

RS

 

[Tilly06]

well im very upset u feel that way about me. I am an anti, but a very well informed one and appreciate all the advice or knowledge people offer on the subject, and like i said enjoy a good debate. I may even change my mind sometime, who knows. But on that particluar day, i didnt have time for a debate, i just wanted some quick information. This should not be foolishly mistaken for someone who is set in their ways or unwilling to learn. This is far from the truth and i was looking forward to the time i could put my point across and see what people thought.. As far as i am concerned no one is banging there head against a wall, although i cannot speak for other members. this post was not intended i dont think to be a outlet for peoples general feelings about antis but anyway..
x