As a new member I am shocked........

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I have only been a member of this site for one week and I am horrified at the thought of entering into a discussion!

I joined because I have always liked Gundogs, especially Setters of all varieties and have been thinking of owning one or maybe even two.

My friend who is a member said to me a few months ago "Bel, I have found a lovely site for Setter enthusiasts and the people on there are so nice and friendly".

I am sorry to say, after reading through some of the latest discussions, I don't share her opinion at all!

All I have read are aggressive, verbal attacks on members who do not share the opinions of a few regular contributors who gang up on anyone who dares to disagree with their point of view.

I don't know how many members there are on here, but it seems the whole site is run by a few 'know alls' who delight in making other members valuable contributions to discussions a very unpleasant experience for them.

Some on here will probably say I should hold no opinions at all because I am a 'newbie' to this site.

Well sorry, I loath bullying in any shape or form and that's what I see happening on here!

Maybe I will test the water on a site for a different gundog breed because from what I have read so far on here, setter breeders are not people I would like to have any more contact with.

[Rhonda Fisher]

I have just read in full the forum discussion on the breed standard and wavy coats. It is such a deja vu feeling. Same tactics, same people and even to the point the same words at times. To be so similar you wonder if they just cut and paste it into new posts. Very sad to see.

[Catherine Carter]

Sara,

I think Gene Harris (who owns the site) did say at the time..' Good Bye' to Pat' !And she chose to ignore his words.

[Rhonda Fisher]

Having been bullied at my first Royal Show in public over the benches for at least 20 minutes I am afraid it does happen in the same room and in the public view. This was a well known breeder,a judge and and exhibitor at the time. It happens over and over again just a different target. For the sake of increasing Setter numbers we need to look at the whole package. The human behavior as well as the pure bred dog. It is not just about Crufts and Westminster. They happen once a year. This website is viewed by the public. Some people are not helping the breed by their behaviour at shows and in public. If I had known about the off switch for the discussion it would have been selected a lot sooner.

[Rhonda Fisher]

Mel

My forum post is closed for replies.

Move on darling. Meant in a caring sharing manner of course

[eva ciechonska]

Hello Sarah, please be very careful on this because it is my understanding that Gene does not, on any account, divulge the source of complaints to him so it can only be speculation.  But incase you are wondering it was absolutely not me.  I do not believe in complaining.  I think it is unfair and underhand.  Whatever else you would accuse me of it is not of going behind a person's back.  I, like Mel, would also happily sit in the same room as someone and say what I have written on ES to anyone and in person.   

 

[Rhonda Fisher]

Personal rules for forum

If some ones wants to talk about one issue only in isolation let them. Do not try and hijack their posts by insisting that one aspect of an Irish Setter can not  be disscussed at a time.

If you can't reply to one aspect at a time don't reply. Perhaps  start a post of your own.

Do not try to continue a reply to a post when it is closed. The fact that it is closed is probably a hint that further replies from you were not wanted.

[Dee Rance]

Hi Susan

I am really sorry that you have had a taste of the bully's that are on this site....the problem with bullies is that they do not think that they are doing anything wrong...I think that some of them actually think that they are the only people that are correct...and us lesser mortals should obey what they are saying or doing...(don't do as I do, do as I say...)

Well like you I have been on this site from very close to the beginning...and it is only recently. (in the past couple of years) that this has been going on, the (bullying)...many of us have left....me I am just too stubborn, or perhaps stupid.,,,, to take the hint....although I have kept off discussions for a while...well since being verbally abused.

I mostly could take it...(and give as good as I got)...but this is supposed to be a site for people who love Setters....it is now mostly a mutual adoration society for a few....and if a person doesn't agree then they get bullied...this is wrong very wrong...one thing in life I really hate is bullies...

I think that Gene is having a problem with all of this, that is going on..he has got to have at least two or more people complain before he can do something about it...and then I think that he can only ask them to 'calm it down' mostly they do.....for a while.....but back it all comes again. Some people just can't learn...(I don't know if this is the case but this is what I think happens only Gene can tell you what happens to stop it)

It is a shame because some of us would like to discuss things like movement, coat, feeding etc without being told what we 'need' to know...we are all individuals. life is difficult enough to get through without having to defend everything that we are saying..and debates being cut short by some wanting to tell us just what we should be thinking or doing...

Sorry for the ranting on ladies...but that is me said what I want to, it would be nice if we could treat people how we would like to be treated, and we can all learn from each other, we all have experience to give, even if we have never bread a litter in our lives, this doesn't mean that we don't care or have anything to give to this breed...listen and learn...

[Catherine Carter]

Hi Mel,
Susan is the owner of Beau and has been on this site like Dee from the beginning.

[Dee Rance]

Hey Mel

It was to Susan....(and everyone that has been 'taken to task' on this site)...

And no Mel, I don't think that you are my enemy...why should I????

I just didn't make it clear who I was referring to should have put Finding Beau....then it would have been clearer, its late and its been a hellish couple of weeks so mind not what it should be.... 

[Rhonda Fisher]

What a lovely positive post for the future of forums. More of this please.

[Catherine Carter]

This was a reply to an earlier post by Sara. It appeared in the wrong place. I am trying to reposition it......

[Catherine Carter]

No , it was not about you, I am trying to re position it but I keep on losing the Internet connection.