Thread

Are people losing interest here?

Angus Scrimm, 23 Mar 2006 18:17:18

Might sound a funny question that, but I was looking at the page which shows how many messages are posted per month, (y'know the one you see when you log on). October 05 has 2064 messages, Nov 05 has 1331, yet by Jan 06 it's dropped to just 50 something!

Seems quite a severe 'cooling off' has occured!

Teddy, 23 Mar 2006 18:44:04

Hi,

The fact that "Smartgroups" hasn't functioned properly for much of the post-Xmas period has been a contributing factor. Also, I guess much of the Oct/Nov interest was related to folks seeking inspiration/advice for their consultation responses. We are currently in a "phoney-war" stage of things, as we wait for the next HO announcements.

T.

Author wrote:
> Might sound a funny question that, but I was looking at the page which shows how many messages are posted per month, (y'know the one you see when you log on). October 05 has 2064 messages, Nov 05 has 1331, yet by Jan 06 it's dropped to just 50 something!
> Seems quite a severe 'cooling off' has occured!

demolitionred, 23 Mar 2006 19:24:59

some people were also turned off by attitudes of some of the posters here so we're trying to rebuild our image and persuade peole thta backlash does represent them and they can help...

Graham Marsden, 24 Mar 2006 02:42:05

Hi there,

saynotodarwinism@yahoo.com wrote:

> Might sound a funny question that, but I was looking at the page
> which shows how many messages are posted per month, (y'know the
> one you see when you log on). October 05 has 2064 messages, Nov
> 05 has 1331, yet by Jan 06 it's dropped to just 50 something!
>
> Seems quite a severe 'cooling off' has occured!

At the moment the ball is very much in the Home Office's court. We've
done all we can to generate responses and lobby MPs etc, based on the
original consultation, now we just have to see what they're going to
come back with.

Cheers,
Graham.

demolitionred, 24 Mar 2006 07:26:36

Graham wrote: We've
> done all we can to generate responses and lobby MPs etc, based on the
> original consultation, now we just have to see what they're going to
> come back with.
> Cheers,
> Graham.

Thats not true. Almost no MPs have been lobbied in a serious way. We've had no success getting the press or the wider public onside and time is tunning out...people need to getr active again.

Teddy, 26 Mar 2006 22:57:27

Hi All,

It is likely that a number of our MPs will not be lobby-able, given some of the responses that have been received, like this from the Peterborough MP to one of the "Melon Farmers"

http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cnon6200148009zv.jpg

That said, we have also had some more positive responses from MPs

http://www.melonfarmers.co.uk/gch06.htm#Extreme_Concern

I have heard literally nothing about this issue in the mainstream media, either pro or against, since the consultation launch and Mrs Longhurst's petition was presented to parliament (so much for all this "increasing public concern"!). A disinterested media, in itself, might make it hard to get our campaign to a wider audience.

Teddy.

Author wrote:
> Graham wrote: We've
> > done all we can to generate responses and lobby MPs etc, based on the
> > original consultation, now we just have to see what they're going to
> > come back with.
> > Cheers,
> > Graham.
> Thats not true. Almost no MPs have been lobbied in a serious way. We've had no success getting the press or the wider public onside and time is tunning out...people need to getr active again.

Graham Marsden, 26 Mar 2006 23:42:04

Teddy, 27 Mar 2006 00:58:32

I guess "lobbying" takes on two forms here. At the moment, we most need sympathetically inclined MPs to speak out against the proposals as they are formulated. Then there are those MPs who may have mis-conceptions (such as the Peterborough guy), are indifferent, or who are just following sheepishly in fear of tabloid wrath. This second grouping will become more important if the proposals reach the bill stage.
Individuals writing to their MPs is not always going to have much impact (unless a large number in a given constituency do so). What we really need is some kind of resource regarding what the positions of various MPs are; weren't all MPs written to during the early stages of the Backlash campaign?

Teddy

Author wrote:
> Hi there,
> Teddysmith2@hotmail.co.uk wrote:
> > It is likely that a number of our MPs will not be lobby-able, given
> > some of the responses that have been received, like this from the
> > Peterborough MP to one of the "Melon Farmers"
> I think he's one that most definitely should be lobbied since he seems
> to agree with the viewpoint that viewing this stuff makes you want to do it.
> Cheers,
> Graham.

OgreOni, 27 Mar 2006 01:00:11

Good point!

Teddysmith2@hotmail.co.uk, 27 Mar 2006 01:00:11

>Subject: Re: [backlash] Are people losing interest here?
>
>I guess "lobbying" takes on two forms here. At the moment, we most need
>sympathetically inclined MPs to speak out against the proposals as they are
>formulated. Then there are those MPs who may have mis-conceptions (such as
>the Peterborough guy), are indifferent, or who are just following
>sheepishly in fear of tabloid wrath. This second grouping will become more
>important if the proposals reach the bill stage.
>Individuals writing to their MPs is not always going to have much impact
>(unless a large number in a given constituency do so). What we really need
>is some kind of resource regarding what the positions of various MPs are;
>weren't all MPs written to during the early stages of the Backlash
>campaign?
>
>Teddy
>
>Author wrote:
> > Hi there,
> > Teddysmith2@hotmail.co.uk wrote:
> > > It is likely that a number of our MPs will not be lobby-able, given
> > > some of the responses that have been received, like this from the
> > > Peterborough MP to one of the "Melon Farmers"
> > I think he's one that most definitely should be lobbied since he seems
> > to agree with the viewpoint that viewing this stuff makes you want to do
>it.
> > Cheers,
> > Graham.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>--
>If you want to share pictures, use the calendar, or start a vote
>visit http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/Backlash
>
>To leave the Group, email: Backlash-unsubscribe@smartgroups.com
>
>Report abuse
>http://www.smartgroups.com/text/abusereport.cfm?gid%3D3271426&mid%3D4507

zak, 27 Mar 2006 19:56:59

Original Message:
-----------------

graham graham@affordable-leather.co.uk, 27 Mar 2006 19:56:59

Hi there,

Teddysmith2@hotmail.co.uk wrote:

> It is likely that a number of our MPs will not be lobby-able, given
> some of the responses that have been received, like this from the
> Peterborough MP to one of the "Melon Farmers"

I think he's one that most definitely should be lobbied since he seems
to agree with the viewpoint that viewing this stuff makes you want to do it.

Cheers,
Graham.

Yup. Bug the pop-eyed fuckwit with as much proper research as you can lay
hands on - Cumberbach and Howitt for starters (Uk Govt-commissioned
research that showed NO evidence of a causal link between viewing images
and maiming others). There's more on the website.
Z

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Paul C. Dickie, 28 Mar 2006 00:01:03

In message <571372.1143410021218.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
, Teddysmith2@hotmail.co.uk wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>It is likely that a number of our MPs will not be lobby-able, given some of the
>responses that have been received, like this from the Peterborough MP to one of
>the "Melon Farmers"
>
>http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cnon6200148009zv.jpg

Cannot someone Googlebash the silly idiot so that, were one to enter
"utter fuckwit" or some such phrase and then hit "I'm feeling lucky",
one is immediately directed to http://www.stewartjackson.org.uk?

--
< Paul >

Teddy, 28 Mar 2006 20:36:00

No guessing who comes up if you type-in "liar"...

Author wrote:
> In message <571372.1143410021218.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
> , Teddysmith2@hotmail.co.uk wrote:
> >Hi All,
> >
> >It is likely that a number of our MPs will not be lobby-able, given some of the
> >responses that have been received, like this from the Peterborough MP to one of
> >the "Melon Farmers"
> >
> >http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cnon6200148009zv.jpg
> Cannot someone Googlebash the silly idiot so that, were one to enter
> "utter fuckwit" or some such phrase and then hit "I'm feeling lucky",
> one is immediately directed to http://www.stewartjackson.org.uk?
> --
> < Paul >

Angus Scrimm, 30 Mar 2006 00:26:20

> > >http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cnon6200148009zv.jpg
> > Cannot someone Googlebash the silly idiot so that, were one to enter
> > "utter fuckwit" or some such phrase and then hit "I'm feeling lucky",
> > one is immediately directed to http://www.stewartjackson.org.uk?
> > --
> > < Paul >

Maybe it might also be good to do that Googlebash the other way, so that when "Steward Jackson" is typed as a search, the first page shown just says "FUCKWIT" in 250 point letters!
Or it goes straight to the Viz comic page, and the character "Terry Fuckwit".

Anyway - better chill, we'll only get accused of libel.

demolitionred, 30 Mar 2006 07:57:53

A bit ironic that on a thread asking whether people are losing intertest desceneds into the kind of name-calling that has deterred so many from wanting to be part of backlash.....

Many people have told nme that having their inbox filled with mud slinging was ehy they they asked to be taken off the list and lost interest. they don't weant this associated with them....

Given the imminent meeting with the HOme Office, and the fact thae Scottish executive is about to publisgh results, some constructive suggestions and some evidence of advances made may be a better way to encourage people back into the campaign...

zak, 30 Mar 2006 10:48:34

Original Message:
-----------------

demolitionred@yahoo.com, 30 Mar 2006 10:48:34

A bit ironic that on a thread asking whether people are losing intertest
desceneds into
the kind of name-calling that has deterred so many from wanting to be part
of
backlash.....

Trouble is, the majority are thick, lazy and apathetic anyway. Of the
minority who manage
to take an interest in the campaign, too many expect their every witless
utterance to be
greeted with awed reverence and then run off crying when anyone points out
faulty logic,
facutal errors or irrelevant statements of personal taste. However, there's
more to a
campaign than a discussion list: if people can be given things to *do* like
signing
petitions, passing the hat for funds etc, they will often do

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Paul C. Dickie, 30 Mar 2006 17:42:05

In message <1903526.1143674545063.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com
>, saynotodarwinism@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>> > >http://img451.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cnon6200148009zv.jpg
>> > Cannot someone Googlebash the silly idiot so that, were one to enter
>> > "utter fuckwit" or some such phrase and then hit "I'm feeling lucky",
>> > one is immediately directed to http://www.stewartjackson.org.uk?
>> > --
>> > < Paul >
>
>Maybe it might also be good to do that Googlebash the other way, so that when
>"Steward Jackson" is typed as a search, the first page shown just says
>"FUCKWIT"
>in 250 point letters!
>Or it goes straight to the Viz comic page, and the character "Terry Fuckwit".
>
>Anyway - better chill, we'll only get accused of libel.

Except that such comments cannot be considered to be libel or even
defamatory, as they are either common abuse (a simple insult) or else
"fair comment".

q.v. Allison v. Hattrick Productions Ltd.; Rupert Allison MP complained
that, on "Have I Got News For You", he had been described as (if I
recall correctly) a 'conniving little shit' but the case was thrown (or
laughed?) out of court with costs to the defendant.

vide http://snipurl.com/oeba

--
< Paul >

demolitionred, 31 Mar 2006 12:49:08

Zak wrote if people can be given things to *do* like
> signing
> petitions, passing the hat for funds etc, they will often do
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> mail2web - Check your email from the web at
> http://mail2web.com/ .

I regularly ask for volunteers, publish lists of things that need to be done, ask for suggestions. There is no shortage of thinsg that need to be done...

But it'd be really helpful if people could suggest things they would like to do instead of waiting for someone to allocate them a task..

Unfortunately since so many people have ben turned off tbecause of the content of these fora, there are fewer and fewer peopel to listen to my appeals....

*** This message has been edited by demolitionred on 31 Mar 2006 12:48:13 ***

Mick, 31 Mar 2006 13:59:08

How many people subscribe to the group and how many have unsubscribed since it started?
Mick_H

========================================
Message Received: Mar 30 2006, 07:54 AM

demolitionred@yahoo.com, 31 Mar 2006 13:59:08

Cc:

A bit ironic that on a thread asking whether people are losing intertest desceneds into the kind of name-calling that has deterred so many from wanting to be part of backlash.....

Many people have told nme that having their inbox filled with mud slinging was ehy they they asked to be taken off the list and lost interest. they don't weant this associated with them....

Given the imminent meeting with the HOme Office, and the fact thae Scottish executive is about to publisgh results, some constructive suggestions and some evidence of advances made may be a better way to encourage people back into the campaign...

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Amelie, 02 Apr 2006 11:51:54

I agree. Silver and I have also become reluctant to be associated with the
less diplomatic elements of this group. We have worked hard and will
continue to do so having orchestrated a number of responses to the
consultation document, contacted every MP, initiated dialogues with some,
written the pro- BDSM book I have told you about, started some serious
research and madeour own contacts to exploit it. I have not found much
support from the group although Manniq, Rosemary and others have been in
touch directly. If any of the group can use my abilities in their
initiatives, you may contact me direct and welcome.

Amelie

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http://www.youareunique.co.uk/Viscount.htm
----- Original Message -----

"mick h" , 02 Apr 2006 11:51:54

To:
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 1:54 PM

> How many people subscribe to the group and how many have unsubscribed
> since it started?
> Mick_H
>
>
>
>
>
> ========================================
> Message Received: Mar 30 2006, 07:54 AM

: demolitionred@yahoo.com, 02 Apr 2006 11:51:54

> Cc:
> Subject: Re: [backlash] Are people losing interest here?
>
> A bit ironic that on a thread asking whether people are losing intertest
> desceneds into the kind of name-calling that has deterred so many from
> wanting to be part of backlash.....
>
>
> Many people have told nme that having their inbox filled with mud slinging
> was ehy they they asked to be taken off the list and lost interest. they
> don't weant this associated with them....
>
>
> Given the imminent meeting with the HOme Office, and the fact thae
> Scottish executive is about to publisgh results, some constructive
> suggestions and some evidence of advances made may be a better way to
> encourage people back into the campaign...
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> If you want to share pictures, use the calendar, or start a vote
> visit http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/Backlash
>
> To leave the Group, email: Backlash-unsubscribe@smartgroups.com
>
> Report abuse
> http://www.smartgroups.com/text/abusereport.cfm?gid%3D3271426&mid%3D4522
>

demolitionred, 04 Apr 2006 07:26:23

There are 361 members of the group...very few have posted or volunteered. I can't work out how mny have unsubscribed or asked not to read messages or how many read the site....