Am I the only one that thinks this forum should not be a showcase for political views, and certainly should not be used for advertising political demonstrations with scare-mongering titles?
There are lots of things that need changing in politics, and I am not against debate and reasoned discussion of the issues that are relevent and affect each of us here - I am sure we have a very good debate about the NHS, both its good and bad points (I certainly have some horror stories I could share, plus some examples of excellent care), and its future.
I am just extremely uncomfortable about this forum being used to promote a political rally.
I completely agree, this forum is for people with BC or BC related issues and is here to support, guide and comfort people who need it and maybe also try to have a bit of fun to keep our spirits up. I have a very strong view on the NHS but would not dream of voicing it here, it is just not appropriate, this is not Facebook after all. I am no doubt setting myself up for a savaging for saying so and this is the only comment I will make as I do not feel the need to defend my view regardless of what else is said.
Not being known as one to keep quiet I do find the constant jabbing at politics irksome, especially when some comments expressing a different view appear to be dismissed.
I agree that this is not the ‘orange-box’ and I hope it doesn’t become one. Maybe a FB page is the best solution for those wanting different types of ‘discussions’.
I for one am grateful for info that is shared with me - others can ignore it if they wish. I wish health with the NHS was not such a political issue but it is and am grateful for those who openly fight for improvements in BC care on my behalf as well as for themselves. Those who work within the NHS know what is happening - I keep praying for really good treatment for all of us but it’s not going be easy to continue to improve things with current financial arrangements (maybe I should not say I’m “praying” for fear of upsetting some people…)
Am most definitely in agreement with the majority viewpoint. There’s a time and a place, but this isn’t it. Unfortunatley in such a large forum there will always be a few who will use it to further their own specific interests/hobby horses. All it then takes is for a few other people to encourage them, and before we know it, the forum takes on a whole new direction. Perhaps we should remember that it is here to answer questions and give support on B.C.
I totally agree, its bad enough having BC and having to go though all that we do, without people using it as an excuse to promote their political views.
Anyways as I was saying before … what are your views on Labour/Conservative/Lib Dem/BNP etc etc. (joke)
I don’t have any problem with people raising health related political/policy issues in the current issues/hot topics section. There are many threads here that don’t appeal to me and some that are very irritating, so I just ignore them.
Maybe people will think differently if their services are under threat - this is very much the case for some secondary ladies who are being denied access to potentially life prolonging treatment such as Cyberknife.
I fully support campaigning for the best healthcare services for everyone, and we should all agree that in some cases these have been sadly lacking for many years. There are campaigns that we can and should get behind, but my argument is that these should not be directly aligned to one political view.
It must be clear to all of us that no one has managed perfection yet.
If something offends or disinterests on this forum then it is very simple - ignore it. Nobody is compelling anyone to read or particpate in anything. And last time I checked we are all grown ups capable of making up our own minds.
The idea that other forum members feel that they can dictate or censor what others wish to discuss is deeply objectionable.
I find large numbers of threads are not to my taste but I would certainly not wish to prevent anyone from discussing those issues.
I would remind people that this is the current issues/hot topics area of the board. If this section is offensive to you then don’t read it. But please don’t dictate to others what we can and cannot discuss or take an interest in.
Basically, I have no faith in any political party and think we have extremely low quality politicians, so I prefer to focus on topics/issues rather than on political party views. I have no problem at all with debating the issues, and think we certainly should do so, even though political views are bound to emerge in this - discussion is good, and is the way we can find a voice to campaign for effective change.
I know that many people do get excited about politics, which was the reason for my posting, but if the consensus is that political rallys for ANY party view, however extreme, can be advertised on this site, then so be it, and I will ignore such adverts in future.
I am sure I put it better the first time, but can’t be bothered to think it through again!
…as with all our threads there will be different views, but the most important is to follow the guidelines and be good to each other; we have enough stress, fear, lack of self esteem without foisting more on each other. perhaps BCC could take a view on the thread topics, whilst we can keep ourselves in being good to each other mode - unfortunately what is a comment with good intent from one person can have a more than anticipated bad impact on another person - a tricky area in life and more so in cyberworld so I try really hard to tread good and carefully - pretty sure I don’t always make it, but I do try!
bw Nicola
What may be dismissed as a hobby horse by one person may be life and death issue to another.
All life is politics whether we choose to engage with it or not: the forums are like the telly - we can always turn off if we don’t like the subject matter: it ain’t compulsory.
In the meantime …
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,committed citizens can change the world: indeed it’s the only thing that ever does” Margaret Mead
PW I do completely understand your point, but I think there is a subtle but significant difference between promoting rallies for party political reasons, and promoting rallies that are protesting a health policy, irrespective of who’s policy it is.
