Bad News for Wilko's

Don't know how true this is BUT it is from a friend of mine on F/B... Wilko's at Canterbury today wanted a few homeless persons moved so one of the staff turned a cold hose on them I think this is disgusting and so did the police when they arrived... I do hope the person responsible is charged.... There by the grace of god it could have been anyone of us sleeping rough.

 

And that encapsulates my detest of "Trial By Facebook"

Here is a post, based purely and simply on an FB "post". No idea if it is true, but, taken as true by those reading (and "liking/agreeing" with) it.

Chinese whispers, anyone?

So: I refrained from posting when I read this post, but, nonetheless, my knee jerk reaction is the same: it is all in the choice of words (or, if you prefer: the "detail" / emotive language) E.G. Who (other than the member with his hose) could know *what* Wilkos wanted of/from the homeless people, in their doorway?

Did the FB reporter even ask? Or, is it merely an assumption? Were they even *in* that doorway at the time? What if it is your doorway? Would that change your perception of events? Do you see it as something you have control over? Or, as something which is at the mercy of an FB "reporter"?

Was the hose "cold"?
If so, how cold is cold?
Or, perhaps it was warm, maybe, even hot?
If it was a warm hose (in cold weather) would that - then- become an act of kindness? Warming them up?
But: more to the point - How could FB sensationalist tell?


Was it all of staffs? Or, just *one* staff member? How many Wilko staff does it take to hold a hose?

So: I refrained from posting until I had something other to go by - because, if it were true, there would be another source of information.

Here is another (equally plausible) account:

I have a deep cynicism of FB posts when "reporting" what is (or, isn't) "fact". As you rarely (truly) know the actual author, their motivations, their intent ... they are all to be treated with a huge degree of cynicism.

Besides: there are always two sides of every story ... and no one should rush to judge until (or at the very least!) they are presented with an alternative! Hence why I did not put any "tag" line (like/agreed/informative/creative) to the OP until I was afforded a broader/alternative point of view.

Who might that be: exactly? (The FB "reporter? The hose bearer? Wilko's?)
The person cleaning up or the FB reporter (potential slanderer?)
If the person with the hose .... Charged: with what?
Unless the FB "reporter" has physical evidence that the person responsible targeting any particular individual/s, there is no case to answer.
Equally the question then begs to be asked: is the individual with the hose held accountable for their actions, or, is the company (in this instance: Wilko's) held to account?
Or, perhaps it is the person on FB making spurious accusations?

What I have understood from this is: the person who initially posted about it, is now named (and, potentially, shamed!) After all, a reasonably plausible account has now been issued by "Wilkos" justifying their behaviour. Could this now impact on that persons future employability? Have they now (inadvertently) blotted their copy book? Could they now be seen (by future employers) as a potential "trouble maker"? (Or, "whistle blower, depending on your point of view ). And, it is well documented how they *can*, now, be ostracised; despite any good intentions

Ultimately, I see no good coming from either the posters intentions, the publicity, nor ... perpetuating it via forums Most especially as it is 3rd hand

This is not a win-win scenario for either side

 

Glad you refrained from posting "M"

 

Personally if someone decided to sleep in my gateway, I would not be amused.

 

My pleasure, @pete ... couldn't bear the thought of tantalising your blood pressure with my musings at this time of year

 

Hi M I did state that I didn't know if this was true or not.... Glad you sorted it I will let my friend on fb know. However I must say if someone was sleeping on my doorstep I would offer them a cuppa. As you never do know y are in such a bad situation But that is me......

 

Hey @jono - my comments were never personal, but generalised and formulated based merely on your post content not your post per se
Like you, if someone was sleeping on my doorstep, I would offer them a cuppa before casting judgement I (hope!) am not so arrogant that I have any distain for those who fall into poorer times - my cynicism lies with social media masquerading as a point of fact: that is it; no more, no less
:merry christmas: jono: wishing you peace and contentment

 

This is the one major downside of Facebook, and social media in general. For too many people, "it is written, therefore it is true". The people that propagate all the Facebook rumours don't seem to stop and think, "what if the next rumour is about me?".

There was one a while ago. A photo of some lad with some spiel about him being a wife beater and dog thief (yes, both), and we should all share it around with all our friends to make sure nobody ever trusts him again. Several of my 'friends' were promptly "unfriended" within minutes of me seeing the post in my news feed, because I simply don't want to associate with people that spread unfounded rumours, especially dangerous ones that may very likely result in someone who just happens to look vaguely similar to the accused getting a proper beating while out on the town one night, just because some drunken idiots have seen, believed and shared some unfounded malicious drivel on Facebook.

 

Facebook? what's Facebook?

Never heard of it.

 

Facebook is the place where you get all the latest good rumours, spam, and political propaganda messages from

 

I've noticed a lot of people actually let Facebook report their actual location at any given time, so that you could, if you were so inclined, actually keep tabs on where people go. Its crazy. I don't mind posting where I've been, but I don't tend to post that I've out until I'm back in, if that makes any sense