Are You A Mad Swivel-Eyed Loon?

[Gromit]

// Grassroots Conservative activists are “mad swivel-eyed loons” who are forcing Tory MPs to take extremist positions opposing gay marriage and Europe, one of David Cameron’s closest allies has said. //

I have an feeling that description of right whingers will catch on.

[DTCwordfan]

for a man with an avatar like you have, that's a bit rich!

[jim360]

Sometimes I think this country is going to the dogs... ?

[FredPuli43]

If the man from a grass roots Tory organisation, on Radio 5 this morning, is anything to go by then a) Cameron is right to ignore what 'grass roots' think, if he wants to get elected b) mad swivel-eyed loons is right; the close ally's complaint, when he used those colourful words, was that local organisations were trying to force their MPs into arguing for policies which would make the Party unelectable. That is certainly mad, in political terms.

[anotheoldgit]

Only amongst the those with Leftie/Liberal views, who constantly have the need to be insulting to others who happen to disagree with their views.

[ichkeria]

Naturally I agree :-) But is there a link?

[modeller]

Yes ! I think the term Marriage for a gay couple is a farce. For thousands of years marriage has meant . Man and Woman the world over.
I feel sorry for any kids . I knew some kids brought up in a gay household and they spent years trying to hide the fact.

On the question of Europe it will never be changed from within so the only alternative is for us to get out. Cameron can huff and puff and try to weasel his way out of the mess but in the end it is only those 'Loons' who will really get something done. Why is he prepared to publish a draft bill now ? The Loons and UKIP.!

[jim360]

Why do you think those children of gay parents try to hide the fact? Is it because it's a shameful activity, or because they are being bullied by the ignorant?

To deny people rights because there are those out there who would mock them is the poorest reason I have yet seen for opposing gay marriage.

[ichkeria]

The loons are loons AFAIC if they think that by opposing gay marriage they will make their party more likely to win an election. Aside from that I happen to disagree with the arguments against but if they are honestly held views so be it. They are out of touch much if the electorate on this though.

[LazyGun]

I am indeed - but that has nothing to do with my politics :) I am just a mad, swivel-eyed loon :)

[modeller]

jim //To deny people rights because there are those out there who would mock them is the poorest reason I have yet seen for opposing gay marriage. //

So you think it's a poor reason to protect our chidren from being mocked and bullied ! Ok if that's your opinion. Try telling the kids and see if they agree with you.

[jim360]

You should protect people from being mocked and bullied by dealing with the attitudes of the mockers and bullies. Similar reasoning would prevent people from being open and honest about their sexuality, or prevent mixed-race marriages, or encourage segregation among races... or perhaps even stop allowing children to wear glasses. Seriously. Bullying is a major problem, but you deal with it by tackling the bullied and not the bullied.

[modeller]

Gromit do you include those Labour MPs who voted with the Tory rebels as Loonies and Right Whingers as well.

[modeller]

//tackling the bullied and not the bullied. // !?

[jim360]

first one should read "bully". sorry. Slip of the fingers.

[anotheoldgit]

Since Gromit seems shy to enter a thread, I thought I would do it for him.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2326030/Tory-activists-swivel-eyed-loons-Cameron-ally-hits-Philip-Hammond-says-gay-marriage-plans-caused-real-sense-anger.html

I don't know how many of you watched BBC's Question Time on Thursday night, but Philip Hammond after being earlier hammered by presenter David Dimbleby, put up a fair and reasonable argument against 'Gay Marriages' (as did a member of the audience), but alas he was in the minority on the panel as other guestsl were Chris Bryant MP, (being gay himself) and the Chair of Arts Council England, Peter Bazalgette. (well one would expect anyone in that position to support gay issues wouldn't they)?

[jim360]

I did watch it -- but all "fair and reasonable arguments" seemed ultimately to boil down to religious considerations. Should the state legislate based on religious views?

[sandyRoe]

In Coleridge's day loons seemed to have been 'touchy-feeley' judging from this.
'"Hold off! unhand me grey-beard loon"
Eftsoon his hand dropped he...'
Central Office wouldn't have liked that, either.

[mikey4444]

Complaining about Conservative activists being called swivel-eyed loons, is akin to keeping bees and then complaining that you got stung ! If you are going to sup with the devil than you had better make sure you have a long spoon.

[anotheoldgit]

jim360

/// I did watch it -- but all "fair and reasonable arguments" seemed ultimately to boil down to religious considerations. Should the state legislate based on religious views? ///

Obviously not fully, but since our country and culture is based on Christian values, it's religion should be taken into account, and just because some of it's subjects are not prepared to accept that fact makes no difference whatsoever.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16224394

[jim360]

It was an open-ended question and thanks for the respectful answer.

It's rather easier I expect for me to say no given that I am not Christian, but in general we should be uncomfortable whenever religious-based morals appear to lead to discrimination. I think we're going through a sort of transition at the moment, as the country becomes more secular -- and that's always going to be messy when religious views still hold very strongly for many people.

Are there any arguments against gay marriage that you can think of that aren't ultimately religious, AOG?