His halo has finally slipped.

I cannot believe that some folks are just so gullible.

Someone trawls the news websites, looking for juicy titbits guaranteed to fire up an opinionated few, but does it cutely, never implicates self in the initial post as a potential cyber bully. Chooses forum with care as well, one not renown for pro active management, not policed too well at weekends.

Casts lines out, waits for the sharks to bite, lets the sniping and trashing of reputations build, maybe gives things a little prod here and there just to keep the acid flowing. But mainly sits back and let's others pour out their opinions ( a loosely applied term, could be construed as bullying or trolling against someone unlikely to view this forum). Bingo, the objective of the disruptive opening post is achieved!

The really sad thing is, some cannot or don't see the hidden agenda. 

Nail on head, TDA. 

It's happened over and over again. Some of us are simply sick of it, others can't see the plot and one or two help the game along.

I really cannot belive that some people are so gullible.

They simply accept that these people who are constantly angling for a gong actually do their five minutes of charity work for some altruistic reason

I really cannot believe that some people are so gullible.

They throw a red herring into a thread in the hope it detracts from the original intent.

Obviously some posters know David really well others just believe everything written in the gutter press

No actually it doesn't

What does cause people problems are two fold:

Firstly are these opinions truly believed in? IF they are that is one thing. However certain posters seem to change their 'opinion' in different threads or sometimes even in the same thread. These opinions are not opinions at all just simple tactics to cause offense and start an argument

Secondly, and in my view this is the most contemptible of all, is that when a posters opinion is disagreed with, rather than counter it in a civil manner with a rational counter argument, the poster is attacked personally. Phrases like the poster is apart of the CC fan club, or timid, or sycophantic, clinging a moderator's shirt tails was actually one used this weekend. (How is this showing respect for fellow posters). Also the way is which the poster actually replies is also criticised. Anything than actually counter the arguments with facts and logic really.

Well said, Corners. We are often told that "this is a friendly forum" so there should be no place for remarks such as the ones you've mentioned. It is indeed a sad reflection of certain posters debating skills, or possible a lack of confidence in their own point of view which leads to this.

This thread has moved so far away from the original subject and is likely to go further downhill as it gets more personal, it's time to close it I think. I will alert the CM to my action

Thanks

David