Tanzi
Lantern Swinger

Sometime earlier this month someone on NavyNet posted a humourous letter about what may happen to RNR sites in an independent Scotland under the heading Scotland Referendum. Some readers liked it.
It was then deleted by the moderator ‘purple twiglet’ (PT).
Some complained. PT explained it went against some sort of MOD Directive. I said that was bollox, surely we were entitled to free speech. Others also complained but PT was adamant – the referendum could be discussed elsewhere but not on NavyNet, serving members could be in contravention of aforesaid MOD Directive.
I suggested purple twiglet should be re-named purple helmet.
PT posted a long diatribe: NavyNet was not a public site, you had to obey the rules etc. It also included the fantastic claim that it was not unusual for PT to ring senior government ministers late at night to discuss breaking news on social networks. It then went on into a ‘nobody loves me, everybody hates me’ bit about being a moderator including the astounding statement “ people who don’t know me call me a c*nt, maybe rightly so because people who know me think I am a w*nker”.
Ignoring the latter I posted along the lines of: Are you serious or did Walter Mitty just enter this thread? It is usual for you to ring senior government ministers late at night? What is your day job, spin doctor at No. 10?
Who would have thought that such a random comment could have been so near the mark !
I was informed anonymously that PT worked in the media department of the MOD and was of sufficient seniority to accompany officers as senior as the 1SL
I was mulling this over and what PT’s response might be when I went to bed.
At 5 a.m. the penny dropped.
Sure enough, when I logged on the Scotland Referendum thread had disappeared. Instead a ‘Scotland Thread’ (don’t mention the Referendum) announced that since all views had been aired this thread had been moved – no comments allowed.
It has actually been deleted in its entirety. Possibly because PT, in his cups, had revealed too much.
The inescapable conclusion is that at least one thread/subject/forum on NavyNet is being actively moderated by the MOD.
Fine if you’re happy with it.
Prove me wrong.
It was then deleted by the moderator ‘purple twiglet’ (PT).
Some complained. PT explained it went against some sort of MOD Directive. I said that was bollox, surely we were entitled to free speech. Others also complained but PT was adamant – the referendum could be discussed elsewhere but not on NavyNet, serving members could be in contravention of aforesaid MOD Directive.
I suggested purple twiglet should be re-named purple helmet.
PT posted a long diatribe: NavyNet was not a public site, you had to obey the rules etc. It also included the fantastic claim that it was not unusual for PT to ring senior government ministers late at night to discuss breaking news on social networks. It then went on into a ‘nobody loves me, everybody hates me’ bit about being a moderator including the astounding statement “ people who don’t know me call me a c*nt, maybe rightly so because people who know me think I am a w*nker”.
Ignoring the latter I posted along the lines of: Are you serious or did Walter Mitty just enter this thread? It is usual for you to ring senior government ministers late at night? What is your day job, spin doctor at No. 10?
Who would have thought that such a random comment could have been so near the mark !
I was informed anonymously that PT worked in the media department of the MOD and was of sufficient seniority to accompany officers as senior as the 1SL
I was mulling this over and what PT’s response might be when I went to bed.
At 5 a.m. the penny dropped.
Sure enough, when I logged on the Scotland Referendum thread had disappeared. Instead a ‘Scotland Thread’ (don’t mention the Referendum) announced that since all views had been aired this thread had been moved – no comments allowed.
It has actually been deleted in its entirety. Possibly because PT, in his cups, had revealed too much.
The inescapable conclusion is that at least one thread/subject/forum on NavyNet is being actively moderated by the MOD.
Fine if you’re happy with it.
Prove me wrong.