Madeline Mccann

[Barsel]

I know this has probably been discussed before, but I really thought this would have ended by now. Your thoughts please?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41197076

[Kathyan]

So you're assuming I'm unemployed then?

[hc4361]

I am quite sure both were entitled to paid leave - after all who would want to be treated by either of them at such a time? That paid leave would have been funded by each and every one of us as they were NHS employees.

[Sqad]

Right^^^

[tamborine]

I didnt ask that... re-read my response, kathyn

[anneasquith]

Geez an aber disagrees and her personal circumstances are questioned,? Slightly derailed post methinks .

[Kathyan]

"I didnt ask that... re-read my response, kathyn"
I know you didn't and I didn't answer!

[Barsel]

Deskdiary yesterday //Or, as I prefer to think, people like Barsel are uncaring unsympathetic truly horrible people.//
I take it you have reached this conclusion because I called the parents neglectful, or was it something else that I said?

[Kathyan]

"Its the working & middle class that pay tax to keep unemployed et al"
I was assuming this was meant for me!

[andy-hughes]

As usually happens on a McCann thread, people divert from the OP which was about ending the search and digress into what they think happened, which is always followed by the debate about the culpability of the McCanns in the loss of their child.

I sympathise utterly with their loss, but I can only confirm my own actions as a parent, when away, our children ate with us at all meals until they were old enough to go away without us. Now they are grown ups, when we go away together, they eat with us, and their own children, for all meals, and everyone goes to bed at the same time.

That change in routine is part of the pleasure for the children, and the adults, to be able to stay up and have late nights.

[Barsel]

I don't think it only happens on a McCann thread andy that people divert. What bothers me most of all is that although I started the post, I seem to be not only ignored by all, but insulted by Deskdiary with no explanation why.

[andy-hughes]

Barsel- You are right, diversion is the life-blood of a thread, and also its downfall sometimes.

If you feel you are being insulted, then of course you have recourse to the Reporting System if you feel it is appropriate.

[Barsel]

To be called //people like Barsel are uncaring unsympathetic truly horrible people// is not nice and it has upset me, but I don't think Deskdiary realizes that.

[EcclesCake]

Some seriously ill-tempered posts.

Which contribute diddly-squat.

[andy-hughes]

Barsel - part of the downside of written communication, is that it comes without the nuances of voice and facial expression.

That is why irony is often missed - although that is clearly not the case here.

I do think a thick skin is necessary to enjoy the robust style of debate in the News Section, coupled with the ability to shrug off personal slights because they cannot be seriously offered, coming as they do from strangers.

Hopefully you can simply let that slide, and if you feel that other comments are inappropriate as I mentioned, the Report System is there for just that purpose, although a patrolling Mod will usually zap anything that is seriously out of order.

(That is NOT a green light to resurrect the 'Mod' thread again everyone!!!!)

[Davemano]

barsei - the 20.34 post by Deskdiary gives something to consider regarding leaving his children alone in the house whilst he is 100 yards away. To my mind this sounds a bit neglectful and this is why I asked at 20.47 about the age of the children.