Racism and After Hours

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Don't think i need to post the links to the vast multitude of threads. Over the last few months there has been a huge increase in semi-racist threads on After Hours, all teetering in the direction of intolerance to non-native Irish.

Sample threads include against travellors, Polish people selling paintings, afghan hunger strikers, nigerian deportees.

If this is the direction that the powers-that-be want the After Hours forum to go in, then that is fine. I just personally think it is a particularly poor 'shop front' for boards.ie.

It just seems like an online version of the Daily Mail.

Anyway, that's my feedback. Not sure if there is anything anyone will do about it. Maybe keep those threads to the Politics forum? I used to really like the After Hours forum, now i feel slightly unconfortable browsing it. Don't think it is doing the boards.ie public image any favours either.

pebble

Surely Boards.ie is simply a Bullitan board.
Surely the content comes from the users?

Do you feel that the users should not be allowed to post their opinions on matters like this?

And I am not sure at what point that After Hours became a 'Shop Front'.

What sort of threads should be encouraged in the 'AH' forum that will allow you to feel more comfortable in there again?
And should these threads be moderated to ensure they stay within the confins of your personal comfort zone?

BuffyBot

I think you need to redefine your take on "racism".

Racism may pop it's head in to some of the posts, but to say that the threads are racist, or even borderline racist, would be pretty off the mark.

Time Magazine

You're probably one of these coming in taking our jobs anyway.

Aside from that, I'd agree that some of the comments made, particularly recently, were dodgy.

Dirk Gently

I agree with the OP.

Not that the threads aren't relevant but that a small minority posting in them go beyond what would be considered reasonable debate.
Where do you draw the line between freedom of speech and racism?

Negative generalisations and incitement to hatred should not be tolerated and if the rules of the forum are followed and the mods enforce them then there shouldn't be a problem.

Some of the recent posts I've read look like they belong on stormfront or the BNP. Depresses me that some Irish people have these attitudes.

woody

It is the sign of the times as frustration by otherwise non confrontational people is coming out..

The term racist should be applied primarily to the persons entering the country not the ones in it, saying all that there is racism but concern and frustration to the current dangerous immigration issue is causing it..

I blame primarily the governments weak stance and also the big business encouraging the cheap labour market....

I have friends of several nationalites including fijians,south africans, turks and arabs who entered Ireland legally and are basically disgusted by the current situation...The Same applies in the Uk to the ethnic minortites there..

Giblet

There is a line.

Moderators have been known to ban people for calling other people racists when they are just stating facts or whatever. And some people have been banned while trying to defend their racist posts by saying they aren't racist.

Also people have been banned who aren't racist but make overly racist and prejudice comments in the heat of an argument.

The moderators control this but we aren't going to silence everyone nor are we going to allow this place to be a platform.

Users create the content and for the most part it is fine. Whatever is the current issue at hand is usually reflected in the content of the posts. So issues such as the asylum seekers will draw out people from all sides.

woody

Giblet wrote:

There is a line.

Moderators have been known to ban people for calling other people racists when they are just stating facts or whatever. And some people have been banned while trying to defend their racist posts by saying they aren't racist.

Also people have been banned who aren't racist but make overly racist and prejudice comments in the heat of an argument.

The moderators control this but we aren't going to silence everyone nor are we going to allow this place to be a platform.

Users create the content and for the most part it is fine. Whatever is the current issue at hand is usually reflected in the content of the posts. So issues such as the asylum seekers will draw out people from all sides.

True but arguements have to be more analysed before making rash decisions ie...Bannings

Gordon

Nothing wrong with a rash banning to quell a flash fire.

Beruthiel

Gordon wrote:

Nothing wrong with a rash banning to quell a flash fire.

couldn't agree more, fire's can get out of hand if not controlled properly

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

used the word racism in the absence of a better word. Maybe 'intolerance' would be better.

after hours is the shop front of boards.ie - it is the most popular forum, and the place people go until they find other specialist forums that interest them more. i don't think looking at a thread about afghan refugees, with comments like "ship em home" is the best introduction to this website.

the problem could be purely with me. i don't like reading threads like that. and used to prefer the forum without those intolerant threads.

jhegarty

Roundtower2 wrote:

used the word racism in the absence of a better word. Maybe 'intolerance' would be better.

after hours is the shop front of boards.ie - it is the most popular forum, and the place people go until they find other specialist forums that interest them more. i don't think looking at a thread about afghan refugees, with comments like "ship em home" is the best introduction to this website.

the problem could be purely with me. i don't like reading threads like that. and used to prefer the forum without those intolerant threads.

whats wrong with a thread that says "ship home the people who had due process and failed to make a convincing argument to the correct government body"

its not like people are say ship all afghans home , just those who failed the test set down buy our government....

Dirk Gently

woody wrote:

It is the sign of the times as frustration by otherwise non confrontational people is coming out..

The term racist should be applied primarily to the persons entering the country not the ones in it, saying all that there is racism but concern and frustration to the current dangerous immigration issue is causing it..

I blame primarily the governments weak stance and also the big business encouraging the cheap labour market....

I have friends of several nationalites including fijians,south africans, turks and arabs who entered Ireland legally and are basically disgusted by the current situation...The Same applies in the Uk to the ethnic minortites there..

The usual woody response. Soften your argument in an attempt to gain sympathy. My earlier post in this thread was less aimed at boards users in general and more at you. Decided not to mention you by name to keep things civil but it sickens me to see you attempt to justify yourself yet again with a softer version of your stance.

You are not a "non confrontational person". You thrive on confrontation. Remember your post a while back where you boasted about standing on your front lawn waving a gun around in a show of strength against "non-national scum who invaded your area". You later edited your original post blank and started a new thread complaining about the PC brigade, in an attempt to soften your argument and turn the tables on the people who complained against you.

Earlier today I was one of the many people who reported you for your rant in the Afghan thread and I made reference to your previous post I mentioned in the hope that an admin can recover the unedited version of your post. Today was the first time I ever reported anyone here on boards but you just make me sick with all your ….I served my country, what did you ever do, this excuses my racism remarks.

I feel really sorry for you and anyone who has to put up with your hate in the real world. I even believe that you don’t see yourself as racist, the problem is everyone else can see it plain as day. Seek help before all that hate you have inside you ends up destroying you. How come other users can register there opposition to the immigration system without going to your extremes?
Why are you always the one singled out as over stepping the mark?

Giblet

its not like people are say ship all afghans home , just those who failed the test set down buy our government....

Sadly, there was...

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

sure, as i said, it could be just my personal perspective (and those who also said that they feel unconfortable earlier in this thread). Am just giving my feedback!

Archeron

the thread about the Afghan hunger strikes was intended to start a debate about it, and to see how other people felt. It was not a way to strike out at any group/color/creed/nationality. I think for the most part, it was a good thread with good points made and it showed how people feel on this situation. Unfortunately, I did see a couple of comments that made me feel very uneasy, but at least I am learning more about the Irish psyche, if nothing else.

Vegeta

sher lets all move to China altogether and enjoy the censorship there

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Vegeta wrote:

sher lets all move to China altogether and enjoy the censorship there

great comment :cool:

no-one was asking for censorship, but once again, thanks for your imput

Giblet

Vegeta wrote:

sher lets all move to China altogether and enjoy the censorship there

That's funny, I can't find any posts that where deleted or edited in any way....

amp

After Hours maybe a busy forum but it's now a small fraction of the overall threads on boards. Boards is HUGE lol.

woody

clown bag wrote:

The usual woody response. Soften your argument in an attempt to gain sympathy. My earlier post in this thread was less aimed at boards users in general and more at you. Decided not to mention you by name to keep things civil but it sickens me to see you attempt to justify yourself yet again with a softer version of your stance.

You are not a "non confrontational person". You thrive on confrontation. Remember your post a while back where you boasted about standing on your front lawn waving a gun around in a show of strength against "non-national scum who invaded your area". You later edited your original post blank and started a new thread complaining about the PC brigade, in an attempt to soften your argument and turn the tables on the people who complained against you.

Earlier today I was one of the many people who reported you for your rant in the Afghan thread and I made reference to your previous post I mentioned in the hope that an admin can recover the unedited version of your post. Today was the first time I ever reported anyone here on boards but you just make me sick with all your ….I served my country, what did you ever do, this excuses my racism remarks.

I feel really sorry for you and anyone who has to put up with your hate in the real world. I even believe that you don’t see yourself as racist, the problem is everyone else can see it plain as day. Seek help before all that hate you have inside you ends up destroying you. How come other users can register there opposition to the immigration system without going to your extremes?
Why are you always the one singled out as over stepping the mark?

Clown Bag your name is apt, you sicken me and my stance will not soften and my resolve will harden...

Again your term racist explain, to oh ignorant me and I have a right to defend my property in the absence of Police intervention and weither they be Non Nationals or Skangers I take the same approach....

My approach is not extreme it is practical for the survival of the state before it is bled dry by the freeloaders, come back to me when you chidren can't get a job because of them or you are forced to pay higher taxes and are lying on a trolley in AE whilst the other non-irish people get preference...Again not fable but fact, why do you think there is so much resentment in the country so recently...It is obvious...

Road Traffic Incidents with Eastern Europeans dramtically increased, nearly 500 Million euros given to non-nationals for a mutliple of reasons..Now where should that be, let me see the health system,the education system, housing schemes for people who pay their taxes...

A lot of money given to people you dont belong....

There is an old statement the Irish are very friendly to everyone else but there own... And is so true...

So clown bag continue with your tosh as I am in the silent (maybe not me) Majority

amp

woody wrote:

Clown Bag your name is apt, you sicken me and my stance will not soften and my resolve will harden...

Again your term racist explain, to oh ignorant me and I have a right to defend my property in the absence of Police intervention and weither they be Non Nationals or Skangers I take the same approach....

My approach is not extreme it is practical for the survival of the state before it is bled dry by the freeloaders, come back to me when you chidren can't get a job because of them or you are forced to pay higher taxes and are lying on a trolley in AE whilst the other non-irish people get preference...Again not fable but fact, why do you think there is so much resentment in the country so recently...It is obvious...

Road Traffic Incidents with Eastern Europeans dramtically increased, nearly 500 Million euros given to non-nationals for a mutliple of reasons..Now where should that be, let me see the health system,the education system, housing schemes for people who pay their taxes...

A lot of money given to people you dont belong....

There is an old statement the Irish are very friendly to everyone else but there own... And is so true...

So clown bag continue with your tosh as I am in the silent (maybe not me) Majority

Bravo Woody, bravo. It's about time somebody stood up for those of us that feel that Ireland should be for Irish people only. FRECKLES AND RED HAIR ONLY! NO DARKIES! ALL RACES BUT IRISH ARE EVIL! THE IRISH REICH CANNOT TOLERATE THE POLLUTION OF THE SACRED GAELIC BLOOD LINE!

P.s You're a moron.

BuffyBot

i don't think looking at a thread about afghan refugees, with comments like "ship em home" is the best introduction to this website.

You might have a case if the "ship em home" arguments wren't being counterbalanced by other people. But there are - and the function of a discussion site is that debates begin, and things are discussed from both sides.

Now, you peronally may not like to see these comments there - but that's another matter altogether.

woody

amp wrote:

Bravo Woody, bravo. It's about time somebody stood up for those of us that feel that Ireland should be for Irish people only. FRECKLES AND RED HAIR ONLY! NO DARKIES! ALL RACES BUT IRISH ARE EVIL! THE IRISH REICH CANNOT TOLERATE THE POLLUTION OF THE SACRED GAELIC BLOOD LINE!

P.s You're a moron.

Well if I am a Moron you are sure a Complete Idiot

woody

Oh If I remember rightly were'nt you one of the persons sending me abusive Anti-semtic PM's and E-Mails......Can you explain that to us all aswell....

I thought being a moderator you have to be impartial so calling someone a Moron is a appropriate manner to use with the responsibilty you hold....

Ph3n0m

woody wrote:

Oh If I remember rightly were'nt you one of the persons sending me abusive Anti-semtic PM's and E-Mails......Can you explain that to us all aswell....

I thought being a moderator you have to be impartial so calling someone a Moron is a appropriate manner to use with the responsibilty you hold....

oh i hope you have proof of that - otherwise you have just made a very libellous statement in a public forum - implying that someone sent you abusive and anti-semetic pms and emails

amp

woody wrote:

Well if I am a Moron you are sure a Complete Idiot

A compelling argument to be sure. Are you actually Irish btw, I don't think you are. Please provide a detailed genealogy.

Only people that can prove that their ancestors evolved on this island should be allowed tell newer arrivals they can't stay here. Otherwise your logic is completely bogus.

And if we're breaking out the Capital Letters here, why then you sir are an Ignorant Bigot.

6th

woody wrote:

.....I thought being a moderator you have to be impartial so calling someone a Moron is a appropriate manner to use with the responsibilty you hold....

I dont think mods should be impartial, to mod a forum you need to have an interest in the topic i think and if you feel strongely enough about something to spend time modding it you wont be impartial.... or something like that.

On a seperate note:

As for banning people, i dont think its done to hastly alot. I've been banned and i think banning should be treated as a big stick, get wacked with it once and cop on, if you have to get hit twice you must be a f*ckin moron.

woody

amp wrote:

A compelling argument to be sure. Are you actually Irish btw, I don't think you are. Please provide a detailed genealogy.

Only people that can prove that they're ancestors evolved on this island should be allowed tell newer arrivals they can't stay here. Otherwise you're logic is completely bogus.

And if we're breaking out the Capital Letters here, why then you sir are an Ignorant Bigot.

No I am a lesser spotted lilputian

woody

Ph3n0m wrote:

oh i hope you have proof of that - otherwise you have just made a very libellous statement in a public forum - implying that someone sent you abusive and anti-semetic pms and emails

I did report it several months ago, re: the request for the jewish forum, correct me if I am wrong I am almost sure it is the same OP if I am wrong I will stand corrected....

Boston

Roundtower2 wrote:

used the word racism in the absence of a better word. Maybe 'intolerance' would be better.

People arn't required to be tolerant.

woody wrote:

Oh If I remember rightly were'nt you one of the persons sending me abusive Anti-semtic PM's and E-Mails......Can you explain that to us all aswell....

I thought being a moderator you have to be impartial so calling someone a Moron is a appropriate manner to use with the responsibilty you hold....

Amp says and does lots of things which would make lesser posters out to be morons.