I FOLLOW some blogs, and on occasion I feel motivated to make a comment about something I read. The other week I did this and got into a discussion with a gentleman who was adamant that the 2014 indyref was lost because of the English voters who took part.
He took a very anti-English stance to the position that in a future indyref, English-born voters should be excluded. He refused to say whether or not his view extended to other non-Scottish-born voters, or only to the English. I pointed out, as I have done in these pages, that Scottish-born members of my family voted against independence and are possibly still minded to vote that way. I also suggested a residency qualification as in rugby, but to no avail. I realised that I was getting nowhere as he seemed to be incapable of reasoned debate, just anti-English ranting.
Although he made himself out to be a supporter of independence, I have to wonder if he was just the opposite – a Trojan horse – a cyberyoon? – using the technique of Theresa May to bludgeon those with opposing views into submission.
Maybe, if we are to have good online debate, we need to have people exposing themselves, not hiding behind fantasy or false names. Without honesty who can we trust?
Robert Mitchell
Stirling
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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