Lewes Forum thread

Go on, tell 'em what you think

Lewes Forum New message

DJS

On 11 Aug 2010 at 9:21pm My Bleeding Heart wrote:

So, has anyone seen old pock face on the streets of the town this week?

On 11 Aug 2010 at 9:55pm Down and Out wrote:

Inappropriate.
Yes, he's an obnoxious misguided oaf, but any suggestion that people might be 'keeping an eye on him', or anything remotely similar, is to be avoided.
Back to the Voltaire thing about disagreeing with what you say but defending your right to say it, I think.

On 11 Aug 2010 at 10:26pm My Bleeding Heart wrote:

Incorrect DoO. Though I may have put it differently. I merely asked if anyone has seen him swanning about, or is he keeping a low profile. 'keeping an eye on him' ? Don't add words to my post. That is 'Inappropriate'. You're not the moderator.

On 12 Aug 2010 at 12:11am young lad wrote:

he is right you know. there is racism everywhere so to single out lewes, a town which is one of the least racist areas it a bit harsh but there is a lot of racism still and he does have a point. maybe some of the stuff was a bit far-fetched but these comments are quite arrogant and ignorant saying he's and oaf etc

On 12 Aug 2010 at 11:36am williamdyer wrote:

Slightly less abusive way of putting it might have been:
'So, has anyone seen DAVID SMITH on the streets of the town this week?'
or even
'So, has anyone seen THE JOURNALIST THAT WROTE THAT ARTICLE that article on the streets of the town this week?'
Not sure how the condition of his skin makes any difference to the debate.
I am interested in how he and his family have reacted to the response to the article themselves though.

On 12 Aug 2010 at 11:44am Down and Out wrote:

I s'pose the point I was making in my original post is that this is a public forum and there is already a whole bunch of mistaken people out there who now doubtless think that Lewes is the heartland of the BNP.
I think any sort of post at all which gives the impression that there might be a vigilante bunch of people set on tracking Smith's every move is to be avoided.
What he wrote was wrong, but I should hate to give him more material by encouraging his victimhood, and further encouraging the notion that Lewes might be intolerant.

On 14 Aug 2010 at 4:27pm Peter B Ex Friars WalkR wrote:

I knew a chap years ago, same type of character as old Smithy, the chap I knew had suffered a father who had been a very strict bully, left him angry with people, sort of passive aggressive type, so maybe we shouldn't be too hard on Smith after all. Cheers all.