I didn't quite catch that...

I’ll be honest: I’ve not been enjoying reading Twenty as much since he’s been so focussed on the General Election. Mainly because my interests and hopes for that election were quite different to his.

But that election has come and gone, and that means that there is more to be discussed than boring politics. Yes, we now get a return to proper piss-taking of politicians.

In this instance, it’s all about Ian Paisley Junior being a cock. Or at least being a silly, silly person. And there are corresponding calls for his job to go, for official censure, etc etc.

Because of what he thinks.

Not because of what he does, but because of what he thinks. Not because he’s not doing his job, not because he’s shown to treat gay persons differently to straights, but because he doesn’t like what they do.

Needless to say, I’m in agreement with Twenty:

Now, many people have called on him to apologise for his remarks but why should he? If he truly believes that gay and lesbian people harm society isn’t he perfectly entitled to that view, no matter how ridiculous and prejudiced it is?

Why yes, yes he is entitled to that opinion. It’s in his head, not in his actions. If he is found to be treating people differently because of that opinion, then by all means rap him over the knuckles; until then, piss off and find something real to get worked up about.

Because if you disallow him his opinions, then what will prevent every other opinion going the same way? How long until that other long held opinion from Twenty becomes null and void?

Personally I’m repulsed by politicians. I think they’re wrong. I think those people harm themselves and – without caring about it – harm society.

And if that bothers you just shove it up your hole.

+1 to that comment, by the way.

It is only by tolerating the opinions we disagree with that we can be sure our own will be tolerated. You can ridicule them, you can try and dissuade them, you can ignore them, but making an opinion cause for censure or dismissal is starting down a very slippery slope.