Sunday 17 June 2012

THE YGL TROLLS AND THEIR VICTIMS

I have been reluctant to return to this subject, but a reply this morning (on Little Boxes II (March)) has forced me to rethink. 


For several years I, and a number of others posted on the unmoderated and free for all AOL forums.  Most of us were initially drawn to the board to discuss the case of missing Madeleine McCann.  The forum quickly divided into those who supported the parents (the pros) and those who questioned the series of events (the antis), and many who were simply curious, and undecided.  


As time went by, the Madeleine case faded into the background, but the core group of posters remained, even though there were deep divisions and major clashes of personality.  


Some of us bonded and wanted to stay posting together, despite the heckling and abuse from the deeply entrenched gang of bullies, and maybe a stubborn sense that we were not going to be driven from a place we had become accustomed to.


However, I won't make light of what went on.  Those who were tormented so mercilessly deserve more. The YGL became a study of human nature at its worst.  A small gang of cyber bullies patrolled the board like rabid rottweillers, savaging and tearing apart any new poster who dared to raise their heads above the parapet.  Victims were selected on an almost weekly basis, 'we like to have someone to kick around' was the battle cry of their leader.  


Absolutely nothing was off limits to the bullying gang.  Facebook pages were lifted, photographs distorted, private addressed revealed.  Sick and disabled children were taunted, mental health and bereavement became a laughing matter.  So many decent, intelligent posters were forced to leave, unable to endure the relentless tirade of abuse.  The husband of one lovely lady wrote a post expressing his disgust.  His wife was a cancer sufferer who came to the board for a bit of company and distraction from her illness.  The gang rounded on her with such savagery that she chose never to log on again.




We regularly see tragic stories where victims of cyber bullying have been driven to suicide, and many times I feared the worst for some of the victims on the YGL board.  Some of us did what we could to support those victims, and the wrath of the gang would turn on us, I am still followed and taunted to this day.  


Perhaps one of the strangest things about this vile gang of cyber thugs, is the fact that they are middle aged women hiding behind anonymous screen names, who would probably be mortified should their real identities be revealed.   They certainly do have much to be ashamed of.

36 comments:

  1. and some of them are still around today , if we as niddle age women where bullied , what chance do school kids stand , only the stong servive .graceland .

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  2. All very strange Ann - I cannot understand why some people become such monsters online, perhaps its because they are hiding behind anonymous screen names and think they can get away with it.

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  3. Thank you Bell for speaking out yet again! They must really miss giving some of us a good kick (chuckles)but they did get it back too!
    Now my 'murderous' thoughts are directed at inexperienced nurses who dont know how to put a cannula in LOL. Actually they aren't thoughts...i say it how it is! Nothing to lose!
    I had just renewed my passport at great cost...i wonder if they do refunds? Methinks NOT! Not leaving the planet!..just not travelling abroad for a bit!
    Take care Bell xx i will stay reading your blog and smile

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    1. My sympathies with those cannulas (sp)Amore, they can be painful. You stay strong, and well done on renewing your passport, I am sure it helps to stay positive, and to have a giggle xxx

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  4. Why believe something without proof,??????

    The line above made me smile from a certain ( cough) blog..Oh the irony, oh the bloody irony.

    Bell, i know you wont but don't go down the same route as 'other blogs' Blogs full of innuendo and insinuation from someone who hasn't got the balls, the guts, call it what you want to REALLY say it like it is ;)

    Amanda x

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    1. I'm finding it quite amusing Amanda, but should I think now fess up. I actually didn't have any parents, I was found under a gooseberry bush, that may, or may not, have been Scottish or Irish. Said gooseberry bush, was a great orator, but occasionally a heavy drinker, we used to give it shots of Teachers, rather than Babybio.

      The degree was a tricky one to fake, I had to attend uni for 3 years, then hijack an innocent family to stage the graduation pics. A lot of trouble I know, but totally worth it. I am now writing to former students and colleagues to let them know that I was in fact a figment of their imagination. I hope they take it Ok.

      I think also, due to the overwhelming concern of our friend, I will book an appointment with my GP to let her know that I am an illusion and don't actually exist. I am hoping there might be some sort of medication for that xxx

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    2. omg that made me laugh Bell ha ha ha lol xx

      All the very best to you ((Amore))

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  5. Hark at amanda who once told a few people that she detests you and enjoyed giving you the silent phone calls ....hehehe.

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  6. The perfect analogy:

    'jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself'.

    Quite amuses me to be honest, the proof is in the pudding Bell...'Your Book'...'Your Blog'...'Your friends' etc...etc...etc..

    Amanda x

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    1. Hi Amanda, they seem to be using you to get at me. The wording, 'hark at' especially, will be familiar to those of use from the YGL, it was an expression used frequently by a regular poster. Not difficult to narrow down.

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  7. Sincere apologies to Amanda, I don't seem to be able to edit the post, or I would have removed her name. I don't for one second believe that Amanda was responsible for the nuisance calls, I am merely publishing this one to show how the little gang work.

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  8. Hmmmm...Like the 'Saying it as it is quote' Why believe something without proof,??????

    Take no notice Bell..yes i know the Hark at it expression poster, pity they haven't got the balls to put a name to it...I don't get why they say these things without back up or proof hehehe...lol

    Amanda x

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  9. Hello again Bell, very odd all that insinuation over there, never let it get you down. I tried 2 replies but of course they didnt get through the net, do you have a net, just wondered :-)
    Way back at the start i did post here as Anon but didnt sign it I have now become wiser to that
    Fiona
    PS....but anyone could do that and so confuse the issue ?

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    1. Hi Fi, yeh I get an option to publish or not. I'm absolutely fine with anonymous, its only the nasty ones I put into spam. Though it must be said, their style is quite recognisable.

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  10. Well Bell, you have absolute proof of what you are saying is the truth. Everything about your life is documented, plus you've been on TV and Radio. Oh and any one person can be a drunk and a genius, not necessarily at the same time lol. You really don't have to convince anyone Bell especially your friends because there's only maybe one or two people that dis-believe you anyway xx

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    1. The proof (truth) is out there Inta, lol, I have nothing to hide. I think our mutual friend is losing the plot.

      Its great now to have a relaxing, friendly place to post Inta, thank you xxx

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  11. You're welcome Bell, it was a fresh start for everyone (well almost lol) and I'm pleased you enjoy it there. I'm glad about the place because it's given everyone the opportunity to get to know each other and not hang on to that dreadful mindset of the YGL.

    We've all made firm friends in there, some we thought would never happen lol and it's a blessing xx :)

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  12. Absolutely nothing was off limits to the bullying gang.
    Your spot on there Bell see they are still trying to do it sad lives they lead. Hope your doing well.

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  13. Dont you think though folks that it all depends on who one is strong friends with as to whether others are deemed to be the ogres of the piece? Something begins with two and then it spreads out as others join in, this went on for some since meeting with others many moons ago.

    A mild misunderstanding leads into ww3 and then it is hard to retrieve. Sadly it makes it hard for those who are individually on their own but who can see both sides of the coin. Those who are not fence sitters but who get upset to see friends quarreling with each other.

    We all know there is always two sides to every story and perhaps sometimes we should just be wary of this and let all the old hurts go. Sorry folks, I read and want to contribute to everyones blog if I can. It does not mean to say though that I disrespect anyone else whom some would feel are the ogres of the piece, this works both ways. Life is to short and everyone has a life story to tell. Julie

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    1. Life is indeed too short Julie - everyone should have a voice, even the ones we do not get along with xx

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  14. You were not one of the victims Julie when your family or someone you have lost becomes the butt of every nasty troll lets see if you can put it away. I am sorry Bell but I watched a lot of hurt go on sadly these people are still allowed to post on www they should get a life ban

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    1. I cannot understand the motivation at all, just cannot comprehend the whole concempt of why anyone would think making someone elsse's life worse, could make their own lives better. I could easily have wept at some of the cruelty I saw on the YGL.

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  15. Can this be the same Julie who said somewhere she was starting her own blog, probably not but I do hope if it is the same person this new blog is not full of cicuitous, obsequious ourpourings as in the above
    Good to see Bell is still holding her own ;-)
    Jane

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    1. Ahh, all outpourings are good, and will find a likeminded soul somewhere.

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  16. Can this be the same Julie who said somewhere she was starting her own blog, probably not but I do hope if it is the same person this new blog is not full of cicuitous, obsequious ourpourings as in the above
    Good to see Bell is still holding her own
    Jane

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  17. What can I say J...I dont think you will like my blog because you do not agree with my way of thinking, I do not think you ever have? That is fine tbh, each to our own eh!!

    Anonymous: your hurt is indepth but you are wrong when you say that another hasnt been in the same situation. We just have to learn to let it all go so that we can go forward love.

    and yes J good to see Bell holding her own, there was never any question of that. I have always wished her luck with her book and life, the same as I have always wished others the best in life. Julie

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    1. I am glad you have now given us a link Jules. I will add it to my favourites. Unfortunately, like yourself, I am not very tech, because I would like to list the blogs I follow, but haven't figured out how.

      I can't remember what we disagreed on Jules, but I do remember enjoying many of your posts and ideas.

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  18. To Juan Abdey
    In your first paragraph you type as if you Think you know me but in fact you do not. However i'm hoping your Blog is successful
    Janie

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  19. Have a look and see, dont worry if you do not like it, I am enjoying the factor and I can see what joy Belle and anyone else can get out of just writing words, they are expressing something within. Words can mean so much but sadly they can also be taken in the wrong way, it is then hard to realise that possibly it wasnt meant that way. We just have to let go sometimes for our own sakes. Nothing obsequious about logic. Hey I am not one for the big words.....

    Jules&Juan

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    1. Its a deliciously enjoyable hobby Jules, isn't it. I advocate writing to everyone, and its a wonderful form of therapy!

      It also allows you to explore and research subjects of interest and fall asleep as the birds start tweeting. Recently fell asleep during the dawn chorus, to the dulcit tones of the Dalai Lamar and Noam Chomsky, courtesty of two dear friends, Jo and Cherub, who have given me to the go ahead to name them, lol.

      But hey, ho, going to check our your blog! But just before I do, I would say, 'You Go Girl!'.

      When I started mine, I decided that I would keep going, even if my numbers dwindled to one, and even if that one was just me checking, lol.

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    2. In a sense Bell, we lost a bit of our creativness when we became lazy with the pc! I used to write in pen for hours, I have bits and pieces here written way back when I first started looking into different things.

      You may possibly have kept some sort of diary re your experiences over the years. I know I did when my children were born. I had two born with medical problems, I used to write my thoughts down as it was a way of getting the worry and hurt out of my system.

      I would recommend anyone who is troubled, doing the same thing. It is surprising when one reads over past words, how they can still affect us now. We can still go into those feelings and they bring forth the emotion of that time. Things said from the heart are easily recognisable. Who was it who said that everyone has a good story within their being. xx

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  20. For Janie, on second thoughts I do not think Jules&Juan will get you to the actual blog, still learning folks.....

    julesabdey.blogspot.co.uk

    I wonder if this will.

    Thanks Belle I am using your space xx dont worry if you do not want to publish it love.

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    1. To Juan/Julie
      The link to your blob is your signature somewhere on the Netscape/Compuserve board which I read only.
      Quite strange as i have read many blogs over the years on the WWW
      Jane/Janie

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    2. Hi Janie,

      Not sure what you mean tbh, are you saying that you cannot get into the blog, nearly put blob lol. I have only just gone back to the Netscape/Compuserve board and have only just put:-

      http://julesabdey.blogspot.co.uk on my messages there. This is the format my grandson tells me to use.

      I have never had a blog before, have never really been tempted but as I said I do enjoy reading Bells and also Sally's blogs. Always have done since they began. I am not politically minded so I havent always answered posts.

      You may know by now that we all used to write together on the aol boards and many changed over to CServe when they closed. I had never heard of these boards before. I went in there for a while but didnt contribute much but I thought I would go back and catch up with a few more friends.

      I am what I am me dear and tbh I do not really have to explain myself but I do it out of courtesy because I believe in being polite. My word is my bond, hey that sounds good!

      Better leave it now though because this is Belles space and I do not want to take up her time with my thoughts. If you want to email me please do and I will answer you honestly. Julie

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  21. Belle did you get a lot of comfort from the Dalai Lamar and Noam Chomsky, I know I have a lot in common with Jo and Cherub but I have never studied these two people. May have a little squint later on as I love looking into different things as you know. I was very interested in Cherub's introduction to the Alien theory. Who knows eh? xx

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