leicsmac

Exactly. The only observation I'll add is about the last sentence; in theory sunlight is the best disinfectant, but in practice I'm not sure how well it's working given how folks have been trying to do that with diminishing success of late.

And were they not all of the post here would be fine. Unfortunately, it seems like there are a rather large amount of people who disagree with that sentiment and are not shy about expressing it either verbally or physically. I've seen the Telegraph's version of it, which means I'm going to reserve judgement there. In any case, IMO this is merely a facet of a larger matter where people are actively seeking the freedom to harass, abuse and in some cases visit violence upon an incredibly marginalised group of people.

You're absolutely right about the first paragraph. The fact is though that a world where no one is invalidated but no one is right is a world that ends. Nastily, brutishly, rapidly. So as a species we'd better come up with a solution to deliver that single point of truth reliably or fold our hands and hope the next sapiens civilisation will be smarter than us right now.

It would benefit humanity - in fact it's a necessity to humanity - but as you say, it needs to be delivered sometimes in spite of people's attitude towards it.

... and once the other way, too. But, purely for the record, I am not sure anyone should trust the Telegraph on a topic like this anyway.

The problem with commercial media in that case is that a single point of truth doesn't sell. Oppobrium and controversy do. Another weakness of such a commercial system. It's become so much more prevalent recently, and yes, such lies incur a debt to the truth and one day that debt is paid. An agency outside much human control, with the laws of physics and microbiology, will see to that. And the cost will be high.

See discussion below.

Tbh I wonder how much of the recent decline is due to this idea of various media outlets either accidentally or deliberately conflating the ideas of all viewpoints deserving a platform, and all viewpoints being equally valid.

I did, hence my response in kind.

Hey Mr Pot, here's Mr Kettle. (But in all seriousness, it's been an interesting watch this past day.)

Agreed, barring a massive change in the way people think. Which makes the present situation a Cassandra-style farce where some folks know pretty much exactly where things are headed, but lack any kind of power to either control or convince those who do control and have no chance of gaining it. Fun times.

I thought that too, but a little while ago @bovril correctly reminded me that such sentiment was common before that, too. The thing that gets me about it all is that, in the end, it is not only destructive to the groups targeted, but to everyone. That seeks obvious to me and I've no idea why someone would seek a pathway like that.

Sad is exactly right. How sad it is that some human beings cannot or will not look past skin colour, or history, or whatever other difference they incorrectly think is important, and persist in dividing our species for seemingly no other reason beyond incredibly petty self interest.

That's a working hypothesis, but I'd like to know for sure. Understanding is important, I think.

I have asked, on here, repeatedly and out of genuine search for understanding, for at least something of an explanation from those of a more populist persuasion as to what motivated their policy based actions and how it fits into the future for them and everyone else. I have heard nothing in response. I would like to, if only for the sake of basic honesty of purpose. Those even vaguely familiar with this forum know that I've been tolling the bell on this matter for years now. I take no pleasure in seeing the consequences of the above ignorance start to manifest themselves, and desperately hope we can turn things around as a species before truly irrevocable damage is done.

So... open season on a marginalised demographic then. Glad to know where we stand. And to forestall an obvious response, I know the above wasn't said directly, however the inference was blatantly obvious.

Nah, acceptable work to "stick it to the libs/lefties", apparently.

I'm curious to know exactly what mitigating circumstances short of direct self defence would justify harassment and damage/destruction of property of a member of a marginalised demographic by a well known public figure, but yes, I guess we'll see how the case pans out.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg0e485wwwo Florida is aiming to become the first US state to cancel all of its vaccine mandates, many of which require children to get jabs against diseases like polio in order to attend public schools. The state's top health official, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, likened the mandates to "slavery", in announcing the plans. "Who am I to tell you what your child should put in your body?" he said. "I don't have that right. Your body is a gift from God." Florida officials did not give a timeline or details on ending the mandates. Several may only be repealed through a vote by the Republican-led state legislature, while others can be scrapped by the state health department. Ladapo, though, pledged several times during Wednesday's news conference to end "all of them, every last one of them". MTDDGA - Make Transmissible (and) Debilitating Diseases Great Again.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0x2kx08wdo Quite apart from being met by five armed fuzz coming off a plane, here's some more enlightening stuff Mr Linehan has been up to.

One of the late weekday kickoffs from when I was working in the Far East (4am kickoff over there). Only got to know there had been a game on when I woke up the following morning.

Six years and plenty of events later, is this still unpopular?

The legal definition and prosecutable range of a crime against humanity should be expanded to include acts that destroy or lead to the destruction of resources that are vitally important to humans of any nation, like crops and potable water. At the moment, it only appears to include much more direct acts.

You're absolutely right, and therein lies a key, damaging weakness.

Addendum: this is happening already and has done for a long time. Social media has helped accelerate it.