That's the one thing I agree with you 100%.
I'm not sure why you're bringing in the guy who criticised Plymouth though. He's lived there, and (presumably) knows about the situation there. He may be wrong, but he's entitled to relate his experiences there. I'm sure that if another poster who lived there came back with positive stuff, no-one would be bothered.
If I harp on Madrid (well I try to avoid doing it too much, believe it or not) it's because I've lived and worked there, albeit for not as long as I would have liked. So when I warn people that certain areas there are bad for pickpocketing, or conversely that going out at night is a lot safer than equivalent UK cities, again it's from my own experience. Plus I'm sure Madridboy or other posters here who live there now can either confirm or dispute my experiences.
I think what puzzles HBG is why someone who's never lived in Madrid, will never live in Madrid, and has stated quite openly that he has no desire to live either in Madrid or Spain, comes here to post negative news-stories on Madrid. To be honest it puzzles me a little too. EDIT: I've just seen your new post - fair enough if you feel you know the place well.
Anyway I hope we can all avoid direct abuse and insults. All it will do is get the thread closed (again) and maybe a few rises in blood pressure. Or does it release tension?

I think that's exactly what I am saying, he's entitled to his view, but I brought it up as it was perhaps the most recent "slag UK" post, and everyone deems that as OK, but my post about some madrileños getting hammered and ending up fighting (nothing unusual anywhere on NYE) is deemed to be a general attack on the Spanish people everywhere.

I think I've explained that, someone mentioned the lightshow in Madrid, and having just read the article, I put the two together. Had I said that it was in Trafalgar Square, that would have been OK? Perhaps we should ban any news story, any posts about Spain that has the slightest trace of negativity, and let's all believe it's Shangri La and everything is perfect. I'll leave this thread with you, I'm outta here.

I think the main problem is a few of you that don`t even live in Spain have to compare whatever is posted with the UK.
Try and stay on topic and there are no problems, like this thread if you don`t want to post about what is in the title then start your own threads. ;-(

But he did stay on topic, he was posting some information about New Years Eve in Madrid. Agoreia doesn't seem to be the main culprit on the forum for comparing Spain and the Uk. I think you should have another read at some of the threads. As for Plymouth I have heard it's a bit dodgy but all places in any country have areas like that, but wasn't the Plymouth thread more off topic anyway

Happy new new to eveybody in spain.
may it be best ever .
I stared 2009 in the the u.s.a. from there to ferral to now ireland ,boy do miss spain