So, what are you wishing for in 2013? I’m rather hoping it will be possible to engage in sensible conversation about issues that concern us without a public witch-hunt.
Take immigration as an example. Anyone brave enough to comment on the subject is immediately branded ‘racist’ regardless of the intent. Careers are destroyed on such accusations.
Immigration is a serious issue that concerns all members of society. It’s not healthy to suppress debate by this kind of bullying. It needs open and informed discussion.
The very sensible suggestion that benefit payments should be redeemable only against basic essentials such as food, rent, clothing and heating were met with such outrage some discussion forums closed the subject down.
I listened to a farcical tirade on BBC radio accusing anyone suggesting benefit payments should exclude the purchase of alcohol and cigarettes was ‘a fascist.’ (Figure that out.)
There was an astounding accusation against the Premier League earlier this year as none of their players declared themselves to be gay. The easiest response would have been to have a player ‘come out’ whether he was gay or not. I suppose he could have gone back in again once the furore died down?
For public servants it’s a nightmare. It used to be the case that an accused teacher could be photographed and named in the press even before they were charged and if the allegations proved malicious, their identity could be known to all while the miscreant’s remained anonymous.
Imagine how much fear that created in teachers dealing with difficult pupils. The law on that has now changed.
Disagreeing with the Global Warming lobby is like spitting in church. That it morphed into Climate Change after ‘warming’ evidence proved somewhat flawed matters not a jot. Speak against eco policies and you will be publicly vilified as Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair found out.
Politicians support the Global Warming/Climate Change theory whenever they’re raising taxes but are not so enthusiastic when proposing new runways. Figure that out.
I’m hoping we will be able to discuss these important issues free from bullying and intimidation in 2013.
The alternative is too frightening to contemplate.
Take immigration as an example. Anyone brave enough to comment on the subject is immediately branded ‘racist’ regardless of the intent. Careers are destroyed on such accusations.
Immigration is a serious issue that concerns all members of society. It’s not healthy to suppress debate by this kind of bullying. It needs open and informed discussion.
The very sensible suggestion that benefit payments should be redeemable only against basic essentials such as food, rent, clothing and heating were met with such outrage some discussion forums closed the subject down.
I listened to a farcical tirade on BBC radio accusing anyone suggesting benefit payments should exclude the purchase of alcohol and cigarettes was ‘a fascist.’ (Figure that out.)
There was an astounding accusation against the Premier League earlier this year as none of their players declared themselves to be gay. The easiest response would have been to have a player ‘come out’ whether he was gay or not. I suppose he could have gone back in again once the furore died down?
For public servants it’s a nightmare. It used to be the case that an accused teacher could be photographed and named in the press even before they were charged and if the allegations proved malicious, their identity could be known to all while the miscreant’s remained anonymous.
Imagine how much fear that created in teachers dealing with difficult pupils. The law on that has now changed.
Disagreeing with the Global Warming lobby is like spitting in church. That it morphed into Climate Change after ‘warming’ evidence proved somewhat flawed matters not a jot. Speak against eco policies and you will be publicly vilified as Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair found out.
Politicians support the Global Warming/Climate Change theory whenever they’re raising taxes but are not so enthusiastic when proposing new runways. Figure that out.
I’m hoping we will be able to discuss these important issues free from bullying and intimidation in 2013.
The alternative is too frightening to contemplate.
Last edited:
