Protecting our wildlife

ME14addick

I thought long and hard about whether I would make this post, but decided that I would, as when I pointed out that releasing balloons into the air can be extremely harmful to wildlife, it became apparent that some people didn't realise that this would be the result.  If this post can advise a few more people of the harm that some of things we do can have on our wildlife, it will have been worth it.

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, many species are in serious decline and we need to do all that we can to protect them. It also seemed the right time to point out the harms that some Halloween practices can have on our wildlife. 

Millions of pumpkins will be bought over the period leading up to Halloween, some of the intricate carvings are beautiful, but they need to be properly disposed of. They should not be left in woodland and places where hedgehogs might be tempted to eat the flesh inside the pumpkin. It can make them seriously unwell, causes diarrhoea, they then lose weight and will not have enough fat reserves to see them through the winter when they hibernate. Hedgehogs are facing a serious decline and we need to do all we can to help them survive. Using the flesh for soups and pies can be a good way of disposing of it, another is to compost it.

Another Halloween practice which is extremely dangerous for birds and bats, is the use of fake spider's webs. Birds and bats can become entangled in the webbing and suffer a long and painful death. The webbing also contains plastic, is very light and can be blown away, causing more damage to the environment. Fake spider's webs should be confined to indoor use, where it cannot harm bats and birds and can be properly disposed of.

I hope that this thread doesn't attract the usual comments when I make a post, because it is is intended that others can also post about ways in which we can stop the serious decline in our wildlife.

https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/about-hedgehogs/why-are-they-disappearing/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63426864

https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/shopping/amazon-halloween-decoration-spider-cobweb-27722760

https://news.sky.com/story/dont-leave-halloween-pumpkins-in-woodlands-people-warned-12734903

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/littleknown-reason-we-shouldnt-be-decorating-our-homes-with-fake-spider-webs/news-story/a2cbf4cb4c353f2c5036b521b978fc71

https://www.ecowatch.com/balloons-pollution-map-2645531901.html

https://www.forestryengland.uk/news/dumping-pumpkins-the-woods-bad-wildlife-says-forestry-england-expert

Karim_myBagheri

Well you have my full backing as I hate halloween. 

Gribbo

Hopefully all those covid masks were disposed of responsibly when people were screaming from the rooftops that they should be down, no ifs, no buts.

seth plum

My old dad died during the night between October 31st and November 1st.

All hallows evening is a Christian event where people were urged to remember and pray for the souls of the departed. All Saints Day I think it might also be known as.

Now it is a vapid Americanised wastefest. 

If people want to experience scary, they only need walk through most UK towns and cities and observe all the ‘there but for the grace of God’ street sleepers. 

Maybe give a homeless person all the money they would have spent on all this pumpkin and plastic web nonsense, and encourage their children to help with wildlife conservation rather than the death celebration of ‘trick or treat’.

I am completely sympathetic and allied to the original post by ME14. It doesn’t take much to help save creatures and plant wildlife and allow diversity in nature.

ME14addick

Gribbo said:

Hopefully all those covid masks were disposed of responsibly when people were screaming from the rooftops that they should be down, no ifs, no buts.

I agree, they should be disposed of properly, so that they cannot harm wildlife.

Wheresmeticket

ME14addick said:

I thought long and hard about whether I would make this post, but decided that I would, as when I pointed out that releasing balloons into the air can be extremely harmful to wildlife, it became apparent that some people didn't realise that this would be the result.  If this post can advise a few more people of the harm that some of things we do can have on our wildlife, it will have been worth it.

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, many species are in serious decline and we need to do all that we can to protect them. It also seemed the right time to point out the harms that some Halloween practices can have on our wildlife. 

Millions of pumpkins will be bought over the period leading up to Halloween, some of the intricate carvings are beautiful, but they need to be properly disposed of. They should not be left in woodland and places where hedgehogs might be tempted to eat the flesh inside the pumpkin. It can make them seriously unwell, causes diarrhoea, they then lose weight and will not have enough fat reserves to see them through the winter when they hibernate. Hedgehogs ae facing a serious decline and we need to do all we can to help them survive. Using the flesh for soups and pies can be a good way of disposing of it, another is to compost it.

Another Halloween practice which is extremely dangerous for birds and bats, is the use of fake spider's webs. Birds and bats can become entangled in the webbing and suffer a long and painful death. The webbing also contains plastic, is very light and can be blown away, causing more damage to the environment. Fake spider's webs should be confined to indoor use, where it cannot harm bats and birds and can be properly disposed of.

I hope that this thread doesn't attract the usual comments when I make a post, because it is is intended that others can also post about ways in which we can stop the serious decline in our wildlife.

https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/about-hedgehogs/why-are-they-disappearing/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63426864

https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/shopping/amazon-halloween-decoration-spider-cobweb-27722760

https://news.sky.com/story/dont-leave-halloween-pumpkins-in-woodlands-people-warned-12734903

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/littleknown-reason-we-shouldnt-be-decorating-our-homes-with-fake-spider-webs/news-story/a2cbf4cb4c353f2c5036b521b978fc71

https://www.ecowatch.com/balloons-pollution-map-2645531901.html

https://www.forestryengland.uk/news/dumping-pumpkins-the-woods-bad-wildlife-says-forestry-england-expert

Well said

Gribbo

ME14addick said:

Gribbo said:

Hopefully all those covid masks were disposed of responsibly when people were screaming from the rooftops that they should be down, no ifs, no buts.

I agree, they should be disposed of properly, so that they cannot harm wildlife.

Think the point is, it's not the objects that are the problem as they are all inanimate, it's people who can't be bothered to dispose of their rubbish correctly, regardless of what it is.

Gribbo

1st of November is indeed All Saints Day and is a national holiday in France (Toussaint), which along with Labour Day are the 2 national holidays that they get a bit grumpy about, if it ain't observed.

Carter

1st November is a huge event in Belgium too, I was there for it once and it was actually really inspiring that peoples actions rather than platitudes were obvious. All the town went to visit graves and places of rest of their loved ones and those who died there fighting oppression

Back to the OP 

I could not agree more about the environmental impact of all the single use shit bought from China to essentially follow and American event Ive got no interest in that yet am expected to put up with kids and their thick as pigshit parents whose only qualification for motherhood is having a womb to catch the spunk of one or several of the local scumbags gazing gormlessly into their phones while my door gets knocked and the bell rung setting all my animals off multiple times when we clearly haven't got anything on display indicating we give one shiny shit about the pox of that night. 

Well said @ME14addick I don't have to agree with everything everyone says on here and they certainly don't in regards the tripe I contribute however I make you right here 

PopIcon

Some people don't think that releasing 1000 balloons will be harmful? Assuming they are not biodegradable, that's 1000 pieces of litter.

Gribbo

Carter said:

1st November is a huge event in Belgium too, I was there for it once and it was actually really inspiring that peoples actions rather than platitudes were obvious. All the town went to visit graves and places of rest of their loved ones and those who died there fighting oppression

Back to the OP 

I could not agree more about the environmental impact of all the single use shit bought from China to essentially follow and American event Ive got no interest in that yet am expected to put up with kids and their thick as pigshit parents whose only qualification for motherhood is having a womb to catch the spunk of one or several of the local scumbags gazing gormlessly into their phones while my door gets knocked and the bell rung setting all my animals off multiple times when we clearly haven't got anything on display indicating we give one shiny shit about the pox of that night. 

Well said @ME14addick I don't have to agree with everything everyone says on here and they certainly don't in regards the tripe I contribute however I make you right here 

No you don't!

ME14addick

Gribbo said:

ME14addick said:

Gribbo said:

Hopefully all those covid masks were disposed of responsibly when people were screaming from the rooftops that they should be down, no ifs, no buts.

I agree, they should be disposed of properly, so that they cannot harm wildlife.

Think the point is, it's not the objects that are the problem as they are all inanimate, it's people who can't be bothered to dispose of their rubbish correctly, regardless of what it is.

I agree, that is why I decided to make this post, so that a few more people understand the consequences of their actions. 

Near to where I live, there was an outcry on social media when some fake webbing was removed from a local iconic sculpture. It wasn't until someone (not me) pointed out how harmful the webbing could be to wildlife, that some admitted that they weren't aware of what could happen. I hope that by reading this post, a few more who might not have been aware, will now not use fake webbing outside.

Solidgone

Are condoms biodegradable - asking for a friend 

ME14addick

Solidgone said:

Are condoms biodegradable - asking for a friend 

https://www.mywaste.ie/news/are-condoms-biodegradable-you-probably-shouldn-t-put-them-in-the-compost/

Stig

I like to do a bit of beach combing when I can. It never ceases to amaze me how much plastic junk people throw away. I suspect the biggest wildlife killer is old fishing line. I do think that's one item that isn't as common as it used to be though, so I'm hopeful that most people will act responsibly when they understand the consequences of their actions.

I used to be surprised at the amount of tampon applicators that could be found on the beach and I was horrified at the thought of what people might be doing for these things to be out at sea. It's since become apparent that most of them get there because of sewage dumping by our despicable money-grabbing water companies. So, a plea to anyone using those products. Please don't flush them. Dispose of them in a manner that won't see them washed up on the beach.

JaShea99

ME14addick said:

I thought long and hard about whether I would make this post, but decided that I would, as when I pointed out that releasing balloons into the air can be extremely harmful to wildlife, it became apparent that some people didn't realise that this would be the result.  If this post can advise a few more people of the harm that some of things we do can have on our wildlife, it will have been worth it.

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, many species are in serious decline and we need to do all that we can to protect them. It also seemed the right time to point out the harms that some Halloween practices can have on our wildlife. 

Millions of pumpkins will be bought over the period leading up to Halloween, some of the intricate carvings are beautiful, but they need to be properly disposed of. They should not be left in woodland and places where hedgehogs might be tempted to eat the flesh inside the pumpkin. It can make them seriously unwell, causes diarrhoea, they then lose weight and will not have enough fat reserves to see them through the winter when they hibernate. Hedgehogs are facing a serious decline and we need to do all we can to help them survive. Using the flesh for soups and pies can be a good way of disposing of it, another is to compost it.

Another Halloween practice which is extremely dangerous for birds and bats, is the use of fake spider's webs. Birds and bats can become entangled in the webbing and suffer a long and painful death. The webbing also contains plastic, is very light and can be blown away, causing more damage to the environment. Fake spider's webs should be confined to indoor use, where it cannot harm bats and birds and can be properly disposed of.

I hope that this thread doesn't attract the usual comments when I make a post, because it is is intended that others can also post about ways in which we can stop the serious decline in our wildlife.

https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/about-hedgehogs/why-are-they-disappearing/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63426864

https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/shopping/amazon-halloween-decoration-spider-cobweb-27722760

https://news.sky.com/story/dont-leave-halloween-pumpkins-in-woodlands-people-warned-12734903

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/littleknown-reason-we-shouldnt-be-decorating-our-homes-with-fake-spider-webs/news-story/a2cbf4cb4c353f2c5036b521b978fc71

https://www.ecowatch.com/balloons-pollution-map-2645531901.html

https://www.forestryengland.uk/news/dumping-pumpkins-the-woods-bad-wildlife-says-forestry-england-expert

Did you think long and hard before hi-jacking an RIP thread with this matter?

JohnnyH2

This is an issue and should be addressed by the relevant authorities.

This is also the appropriate way to start the conversation on this forum. 

ME14addick

I was not the person who hi-jacked the Dave Courtney thread, I merely pointed out that the planned release of 1000 balloons would be extremely damaging to the environment and that there are better ways of remembering a deceased person. It was others who chose to hi-jack the thread by making comments about me. 

I have worked in the charitable sector for over 16 years and I see the good that can be done by making a donation in memory of a loved one. The releasing of 1000 balloons would be an extremely destructive act.

Friend Or Defoe

JaShea99 said:

ME14addick said:

I thought long and hard about whether I would make this post, but decided that I would, as when I pointed out that releasing balloons into the air can be extremely harmful to wildlife, it became apparent that some people didn't realise that this would be the result.  If this post can advise a few more people of the harm that some of things we do can have on our wildlife, it will have been worth it.

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, many species are in serious decline and we need to do all that we can to protect them. It also seemed the right time to point out the harms that some Halloween practices can have on our wildlife. 

Millions of pumpkins will be bought over the period leading up to Halloween, some of the intricate carvings are beautiful, but they need to be properly disposed of. They should not be left in woodland and places where hedgehogs might be tempted to eat the flesh inside the pumpkin. It can make them seriously unwell, causes diarrhoea, they then lose weight and will not have enough fat reserves to see them through the winter when they hibernate. Hedgehogs are facing a serious decline and we need to do all we can to help them survive. Using the flesh for soups and pies can be a good way of disposing of it, another is to compost it.

Another Halloween practice which is extremely dangerous for birds and bats, is the use of fake spider's webs. Birds and bats can become entangled in the webbing and suffer a long and painful death. The webbing also contains plastic, is very light and can be blown away, causing more damage to the environment. Fake spider's webs should be confined to indoor use, where it cannot harm bats and birds and can be properly disposed of.

I hope that this thread doesn't attract the usual comments when I make a post, because it is is intended that others can also post about ways in which we can stop the serious decline in our wildlife.

https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/about-hedgehogs/why-are-they-disappearing/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63426864

https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/shopping/amazon-halloween-decoration-spider-cobweb-27722760

https://news.sky.com/story/dont-leave-halloween-pumpkins-in-woodlands-people-warned-12734903

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/littleknown-reason-we-shouldnt-be-decorating-our-homes-with-fake-spider-webs/news-story/a2cbf4cb4c353f2c5036b521b978fc71

https://www.ecowatch.com/balloons-pollution-map-2645531901.html

https://www.forestryengland.uk/news/dumping-pumpkins-the-woods-bad-wildlife-says-forestry-england-expert

Did you think long and hard before hi-jacking an RIP thread with this matter?

After all of the outrage at suggesting not using balloons for environmental reasons, there hasn't been one post today about the event itself.

Athletico Charlton

1.  Little known about but Tesco will recycle soft plastics.  

https://www.tescoplc.com/news/2021/shoppers-can-now-return-all-their-soft-plastic-packaging-to-recycling-points-at-every-large-tesco-store-in-the-uk/

I now recycle food, hard and soft plastic and paper/cardboard.

My general rubbish is pretty insubstantial since.

--------------------------------------------------------

2.  More commonly known about (I think), is the 5 minute beach clean:

https://www.5minutefoundation.org/

It's a great idea and ever since I heard of it I have been unable to go to a beach and not collect a bag of rubbish whilst there.  On my own it isn't a great impact but imagine if you get get everyone globally to join!

----------------------------------------------------------

3.  Other things I do, incase anyone wants to make some changes.

1. Use eco deodorant 
https://www.getfussy.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=13524904923&utm_content=128441714121&utm_term=fussy_e&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhfipBhCqARIsAH9msbkOCL4DQMHuTRRS76_0xuM3MVLI3AmPT7Ug4kwrR-8yOFxNzLONC8saAtNeEALw_wcB
Was on Dragons den so thought I would give it a go, it's way better than the normal stuff I have used and eco friendly, a bit expensive is the only issue.

2. Get milkmaid to deliver my milk rather than buy plastic cartons.

3. Use Freecycle and charity shops to move on items I don't want any more.  Cuts down trips to the dump and amazing what other people will re-home and make use of.  I used Freecycle quite a lot to get things when I first bought my house and when my kids were younger.  A perfect table tennis table; two perfect IKEA wardrobes, a turbo bike trainer, a perfect wood dining table and chairs just some of the things I have picked up through it.

4. Ecococnut scrub dish cleaner.
https://www.naturalcollection.com/shop/ecococonut-scourer---twin-pack-by-ecococonut/?PCode=DSGPESS15&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhfipBhCqARIsAH9msbk2-OjEM0wVfqIQa4gdhEskSWPYSdui-S9nQEOmedmF-b9CROeyDkcaAkfPEALw_wcB
Better than any of the plastic ones, cleans well.  Lasts ages so probably cost effective. Eco-friendly.  Wouldn't ever change this now.


Be interested to hear what other people do, large and small that I may then look to adopt.

JohnnyH2

Friend Or Defoe said:

JaShea99 said:

ME14addick said:

I thought long and hard about whether I would make this post, but decided that I would, as when I pointed out that releasing balloons into the air can be extremely harmful to wildlife, it became apparent that some people didn't realise that this would be the result.  If this post can advise a few more people of the harm that some of things we do can have on our wildlife, it will have been worth it.

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world, many species are in serious decline and we need to do all that we can to protect them. It also seemed the right time to point out the harms that some Halloween practices can have on our wildlife. 

Millions of pumpkins will be bought over the period leading up to Halloween, some of the intricate carvings are beautiful, but they need to be properly disposed of. They should not be left in woodland and places where hedgehogs might be tempted to eat the flesh inside the pumpkin. It can make them seriously unwell, causes diarrhoea, they then lose weight and will not have enough fat reserves to see them through the winter when they hibernate. Hedgehogs are facing a serious decline and we need to do all we can to help them survive. Using the flesh for soups and pies can be a good way of disposing of it, another is to compost it.

Another Halloween practice which is extremely dangerous for birds and bats, is the use of fake spider's webs. Birds and bats can become entangled in the webbing and suffer a long and painful death. The webbing also contains plastic, is very light and can be blown away, causing more damage to the environment. Fake spider's webs should be confined to indoor use, where it cannot harm bats and birds and can be properly disposed of.

I hope that this thread doesn't attract the usual comments when I make a post, because it is is intended that others can also post about ways in which we can stop the serious decline in our wildlife.

https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/about-hedgehogs/why-are-they-disappearing/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63426864

https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/shopping/amazon-halloween-decoration-spider-cobweb-27722760

https://news.sky.com/story/dont-leave-halloween-pumpkins-in-woodlands-people-warned-12734903

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/littleknown-reason-we-shouldnt-be-decorating-our-homes-with-fake-spider-webs/news-story/a2cbf4cb4c353f2c5036b521b978fc71

https://www.ecowatch.com/balloons-pollution-map-2645531901.html

https://www.forestryengland.uk/news/dumping-pumpkins-the-woods-bad-wildlife-says-forestry-england-expert

Did you think long and hard before hi-jacking an RIP thread with this matter?

After all of the outrage at suggesting not using balloons for environmental reasons, there hasn't been one post today about the event itself.

I have now put that right

ME14addick

Athletico Charlton said:

Little known about but Tesco will recycle soft plastics.  

https://www.tescoplc.com/news/2021/shoppers-can-now-return-all-their-soft-plastic-packaging-to-recycling-points-at-every-large-tesco-store-in-the-uk/

I now recycle food, hard and soft plastic and paper/cardboard.

My general rubbish is pretty insubstantial since.

I take the plastic that can't be put in the kerbside collection to Tesco as well, they have a big container near the door of my local Tesco. 

JaShea99

ME14addick said:

I was not the person who hi-jacked the Dave Courtney thread, I merely pointed out that the planned release of 1000 balloons would be extremely damaging to the environment and that there are better ways of remembering a deceased person. It was others who chose to hi-jack the thread by making comments about me. 

I have worked in the charitable sector for over 16 years and I see the good that can be done by making a donation in memory of a loved one. The releasing of 1000 balloons would be an extremely destructive act.

Yeah…did you though?

bobmunro

ME14addick said:

I was not the person who hi-jacked the Dave Courtney thread, I merely pointed out that the planned release of 1000 balloons would be extremely damaging to the environment and that there are better ways of remembering a deceased person. It was others who chose to hi-jack the thread by making comments about me. 

I have worked in the charitable sector for over 16 years and I see the good that can be done by making a donation in memory of a loved one. The releasing of 1000 balloons would be an extremely destructive act.

You were - and the comments that followed highlighted that.

People choose to mark the passing of a loved one in any number of ways, and commonly at the request of the late departed or their family. It could be planting a tree, a traditional floral tribute, help with the cost of the funeral, a charitable donation (you are not the only person who appreciates the work of the charitable sector) and so on.

I happen to believe that your view of balloon releases is 100% valid. In my opinion you made an appropriate remark in an inappropriate place - and that has been corrected by you opening this, again, 100% valid, thread. An acknowledgment of that by you, rather than what comes across as a holier than thou stance would be a strength, not a weakness.

redman

Well said ME14. Certainly don't always agree with you but these messages can't be said too often. I do a lot of walking and am often amazed and disapointed at the amount of dangerous rubbish. Often must people just dropping stuff whilst walking. Often must be people just throwing stuff at of their vehicle window whilst driving along. Literally killing our widlife. 

cfgs

Karim_myBagheri said:

Well you have my full backing as I hate halloween. 

I blame the Americanisation of youth through imported TV programmes.

blackpool72

I blame Sandgaard 

Gribbo

Everyone keeps blaming the Yanks, Dr Frankenstien was an Italian born Swiss and he obviously liked a bit of Halloween!

ME14addick

bobmunro said:

ME14addick said:

I was not the person who hi-jacked the Dave Courtney thread, I merely pointed out that the planned release of 1000 balloons would be extremely damaging to the environment and that there are better ways of remembering a deceased person. It was others who chose to hi-jack the thread by making comments about me. 

I have worked in the charitable sector for over 16 years and I see the good that can be done by making a donation in memory of a loved one. The releasing of 1000 balloons would be an extremely destructive act.

You were - and the comments that followed highlighted that.

People choose to mark the passing of a loved one in any number of ways, and commonly at the request of the late departed or their family. It could be planting a tree, a traditional floral tribute, help with the cost of the funeral, a charitable donation (you are not the only person who appreciates the work of the charitable sector) and so on.

I happen to believe that your view of balloon releases is 100% valid. In my opinion you made an appropriate remark in an inappropriate place - and that has been corrected by you opening this, again, 100% valid, thread. An acknowledgment of that by you, rather than what comes across as a holier than thou stance would be a strength, not a weakness.

I don't intend apologising for my remarks, because the comment about the planned balloon release would have been lost on any other thread. I hope that fewer balloons were released last night as a result of my comment and less damage to the environment will be the outcome. It was the personal comments about me that hi-jacked the thread. One person called me 'a pain in the arse', if that is not hi-jacking the thread and being disrespectful, I don't know what is. 

The same people are now trying to hi-jack this thread.

usetobunkin

Absolutely agree with protecting the environment. 

But don’t seem to see anything being done about the amount of fly tipping that takes place and people fronting up to the fly tippers, mainly because they would get a punch on their nose. 

So fly tipping does far more harm than using a hot wash using detergent.
Just take a walk around Dartford heath to see the pollution. 

I know it’s not as glamorous as beaches and whales but it’s is just as harmful. 

bobmunro

ME14addick said:

bobmunro said:

ME14addick said:

I was not the person who hi-jacked the Dave Courtney thread, I merely pointed out that the planned release of 1000 balloons would be extremely damaging to the environment and that there are better ways of remembering a deceased person. It was others who chose to hi-jack the thread by making comments about me. 

I have worked in the charitable sector for over 16 years and I see the good that can be done by making a donation in memory of a loved one. The releasing of 1000 balloons would be an extremely destructive act.

You were - and the comments that followed highlighted that.

People choose to mark the passing of a loved one in any number of ways, and commonly at the request of the late departed or their family. It could be planting a tree, a traditional floral tribute, help with the cost of the funeral, a charitable donation (you are not the only person who appreciates the work of the charitable sector) and so on.

I happen to believe that your view of balloon releases is 100% valid. In my opinion you made an appropriate remark in an inappropriate place - and that has been corrected by you opening this, again, 100% valid, thread. An acknowledgment of that by you, rather than what comes across as a holier than thou stance would be a strength, not a weakness.

I don't intend apologising for my remarks, because the comment about the planned balloon release would have been lost on any other thread. I hope that fewer balloons were released last night as a result of my comment and less damage to the environment will be the outcome. It was the personal comments about me that hi-jacked the thread. One person called me 'a pain in the arse', if that is not hi-jacking the thread and being disrespectful, I don't know what is. 

The same people are now trying to hi-jack this thread.

That sounds very much like a deliberate hijack of an RIP thread to me.