Bitched, Bullied, Bribed and Banned: The Week Parent Blogging Should Hang It's Head Over.

Firstly, yes I know I said I had nothing to say. I feel its necessary to write this as a fellow Blogger has really been the target of a follow on of the anger and upset. And she had nothing to do with it, just felt it was unfair that a mass censoring had occurred, in her view, unfairly. She had no idea I had been banned. I don't actually think she even follows my blog. And its not someone as some people have suggested who is overly "matey" with me either.

It would also be disrespectful of me to answer the critics via her blogs comments page. There's a time and a place, and that's not the place.

It speaks for itself that the blog's author had respect for me enough to use a pseudonym. The piece was not written in support of me, or the opposing view. It was purely to say they disagreed with the censorship.

Right, now, I know a lot of questions, and an extended Chinese Whispers has been going on for a few days now, and, as is usual with that method, facts often become fiction, and people use it as an excuse for a bit of sensationalising.

Firstly, yes, I have been banned from British Mummy Bloggers.

For what, well, I'm still not sure. I'm led to believe two very different things from one very high up person. 

Firstly I was told it was due to my comments on a discussion. Apparently, my point, that us bloggers nominated had been made to feel guilty, and had effectively been bribed and bullied was completely unfair. I felt, and expressed that it was (under BMB rules) a better idea to take it up with Gurgle, rather than the constant and all consuming negativity that was hurled at us in not one, but two separate discussions.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Party aspect of Cybermummy was never mandatory. If that was the case, it would have been prudent to include the price of a hotel room in with the ticket. To me, until recently it was seen as optional for those with the luxury of being able to stay over night or living in London. I had never had the intention of staying on. I'm sure I am not the only one.

The second reason was due to a joke (and it was clearly a joke) I made on Twitter. I don't have the luxury of screen grabbing, but its here 

At no point was this written with names, blogs or on BMB itself. 

I reserve the right to make a joke outside of BMB (well, won't be hard to do that now!). 

The behaviour of certain bloggers is getting beyond a joke. 

A few comments written on the blog I mentioned say that the discussion became distressing, and worrying. 

I beg to differ, I think that the level of brown nosing within the network, and the fact that a member cannot crack a joke outside of it without the network watching your tweets is the most alarming. In my view, and the view of quite a few others, its becoming like a cult. They (the site owners)  have already revoked the rights of members to disagree with their views. They obviously monitor our actions and words outside of the group too and look to censor further. And its clear that there are those who find it impossible to think for themselves and have to comply with Big Brother (or should that be sister?), before making their own choices.

I for one, do not want to be a part of that.

So, if you ask, am I bothered about my banning.

Nope.

I was reliably informed that another blogger (who is well known for their bullying, and who has bullied me in the past) was also being banned. However, this was untrue. So why they are allowed to make comments purely to slyly put in a dig to me, at the expense of the feelings of other bloggers, I can't answer that one. 

I have been offered the opportunity to be reinstated. However I was told I would be monitored and had to apologise.

I would like it known I would rather eat my right arm and have it removed with a rusty saw first than give up my right to disagree with someone. However high up they are. 

My thoughts now?

Well, firstly, nice to know how many people actually want to meet me at Cybermummy and not just so they can bitch slap me! 

And on the whole thing?

I was censored because I made a valid point. I had tried and tried not to lose my temper for days. I had even had to question the rules which say we should support each other before those who wrote them and should have known better said well done over the Gurgle Affair. Us Gurgle Girlies have every right to go and enjoy our minute in the sun. The fact that people were bullied into not going, even being told they would be excluded from a raffle for going (after paying over eighty pound just for a ticket, and more for travel), is bribery and a disgrace. Its cynical to think that Gurgle wont get some advertising out of it. But to say that and have brands sponsoring an event and giveaway? Are we expected to believe that they are doing it out of the goodness of their heart then? 

The comment that worried me most? That as Gurgle were not part of "the network" (how cult like does that sound?) they were not to be trusted! They are a massive company, here before blogging, the internet and probably the computer itself! That's an alarming comment.

So, yep, I am no longer at BMB. Do I care? No. Was it fair? No.

Will I be going to Cybermummy? Hell yeah! Gurgle too? With bells on (and heels, so watch out if in front of me, may need to fall on you). 

Do I love you guys? Of bloody course! xxx

Cheers me dears. That is all x