It never ceases to amaze me just how mean some people can be.
Forever picking on the most vulnerable, making their lives hell, it’s just sick.
I used to wonder what motivated people like that and then one day I realised, it’s because they’re unhappy in themselves and with their own lives, sad as it is.
I’m sure most of us, at some stage in our lives, have been on the receiving end of cruel words. I know I have.
I remember when I was younger, feeling like I didn’t fit in and hearing little comments about this and that and at the time, I was upset.
Even as an adult, I’ve received abuse from people who have made cruel jibes and even taken digs at those I hold dear.
Girls in particular can be so cruel, even the smallest action or comment can be cutting – and it has to stop.
To be honest, I don’t know how young people today cope with cyber-bullying and trolls lurking around every corner.
Today's online world is a minefield and as a new mother, I worry about kind of future our little Abbie will face.
The media is full of stories about young girls and boys who were affected so badly by cyber-bullying, they were driven to horrific ends.
Such a brutal reality is hard to face, with many choosing instead to bury their heads in the sand rather than confront it.
However, I was quite pleased recently when X-Factor judge, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini took a stand about such issues, particularly body shaming.
The popular pop star was speaking out after enduring weeks of abuse about her dramatic weight loss.
The 32-year-old had found herself on the receiving end of mean jibes about how she looked, even being targeted by Twitter trolls, and after remaining silent, bravely decided to speak out.
"I can take whatever they (the press) throw at me at me after 13 years, what worries me is what it’s doing to the younger generation. And some of the people writing the stuff are women. There is no sisterhood,'' she said.
"The body shaming has to stop. Something has to be done, changed, even if it’s done in law".
Of course, she is right. It does have to stop and I agree the law needs to be adapted to come down heavy on those who feel it is ok to hide behind their computer screens and hurl abuse at others.
Every day on Facebook I see horrible things written about people and how they look. It is absolutely shameful.
The thing is, I don’t for one minute believe these so-called trolls would be as brave if they weren’t hiding behind their cowardly anonymity,
They are obviously very unhappy with their own lives and the jealousy they have of others pushes them to lash out but such behaviour should not go unpunished.
Cheryl is right, something does need to be done and I think parents have an important role to play.
Surprisingly, Britain’s Got Talent judge, Amanda Holden, a mother herself, spoke out this week to have a little dig at Cheryl, giving off about what she had said.
She said it was "a little stupid to say it should be illegal" in relation to Cheryl's comments about body shaming, adding: "When you're in the public eye, you have to take the good with the bad".
I think you're wrong, Amanda.
It is never acceptable for someone to abuse another, no matter who they are or what they do.
The fact is, you are a role model and you should not be endorsing such behaviour in any way.
I for one will always take a stand against bullying in any form and that’s something all parents should be teaching their children. I know I'll be teaching mine.
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Cosy Up For Autumn
With the nights drawing in, local butter and cheese brand Dromona is offering three lucky readers the chance to win everything they need to enjoy a tasty autumn season.
Dromona has been playing a part in family meal times for generations, whether that be melting creamy butter on a hot baked potato or grating delicious Dromona cheddar cheese onto a hearty lasagne.
To celebrate its natural fit with home cooking, Dromona is giving away three ‘Real Taste of Home’ hampers, perfect for making the family’s favourite meals.
As well as a selection of Dromona butter and cheese products, each hamper will include a Le Creuset casserole dish, a Joseph Joseph grater and a Joseph Joseph serving spoon – ideal additions to your kitchen this autumn.
Find out more about Dromona products as well as recipe ideas and serving suggestions at www.facebook.com/mydromona or www.dalefarm.co.uk
If you fancy winning a `Real Taste of Home’ hamper, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is Tuesday, October 13, 2015.
(Q) What type of cheese does Dromona make?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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What’s Hot?
Festival - The much anticipated Cinemagic Film and Television Festival kicks off today and runs until November 4. The programme is jam-packed with creative events to motivate, educate and inspire young people. Details at www.cinemagic.org.uk
Hunk - Grey’s Anatomy star, Patrick Dempsey has confirmed he is to star in the new Bridget Jones Diary instalment, `Bridget Jones’s Baby’. The 49-year-old hunk is sure to be a hit.
Perfect Lashes – If you like the idea of clump free, smudge free and waterproof make-up, look no further than Marks and Spencer’s new Autograph Semi-Permanent Mascara. Priced at £11.50, this high performing wand with define with every application.
So Not!
Rugby – I know there’s a lot of fans loving the Rugby World Cup but I hate that it is interfering with my night time telly, especially Saturday night X-Factor. Not impressed.
Split – Big Bang Theory actress, Kaley Cuoco has split from husband, Ryan Sweeting after 21 months of marriage. Oh dear.
Nude - Strictly dancer, Ola Jordan has defied BBC bosses by posing for a string of steamy shots for her forthcoming calendar. The move comes despite BBC executives saying they fear such behaviour will affect the dance show's family image.
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Competition
The winners of the Natural History of the Redhead competition are Joanne Moore, from Lurgan; Eileen Carey, from Coleraine; Marcella Moan, from Dundalk; Anne Marie Finneran, from Cushendall; and Maurice Todd, from Dervock
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Easy Peasy Recipe
This week’s Easy Peasy Recipe is Pumpkin Cookies
You will need:
21/2 cups of softened butter
2 cups of granulated sugar
2 teaspoons of baking powder
2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla essence
15ozs of pumpkin
4 cups of all purpose flour
½ cup of brown sugar
¼ cup of milk
To Make:
Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius or Gas Mark 3.
In a bowl, mix two cups of butter, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Add two eggs and two teaspoons of vanilla essence and beat altogether.
Add the pumpkin and the flour and beat together.
Divide the dough into small portions using heaped teaspoons onto a baking tray and bake for 12 minutes.
In a saucepan, mix the half cup of butter and brown sugar. Stir in milk and a teaspoon of vanilla essence. Beat until smooth. Spread on cooled cookies.
Do you have an Easy Peasy recipe you would like to share?
You can send your name, address, contact number and recipe (plus photo if possible) to:
Easy Peasy Recipes,
Marie Louise McConville,
Irish News
113-117 Donegall Street,
Belfast,
BT1 2GE
or
m.mcconville@irishnews.com
