Damaging public discourse: Minorities use vote to vent hatred

THE referendum on marriage equality is still some months away, but even at this stage of the debate, especially the online and often anonymous tirade and counter tirade offered as rational discourse, is sobering and disheartening.

The extreme views, albeit offered by minorities at either extreme of the argument, are either intolerant Old Testament fire and brimstone or a chilling and blind aggression towards any view other than that perceived as liberal and inclusive.

The right to disagree, and the right to express that disagreement is hardly recognised.