Give voice to reason

Why the illusion of inclusion should not allow idiots air time

Not everyone deserves a platform to spout their opinions from and sometimes zipping it is the best option. Picture: Nomadsoul1

FREEDOM of speech, it's a wonderful thing. It gives a voice to all. It makes everyone feel included and warm and fuzzy. However, there is a big problem with giving a voice to all. Not everyone's opinion is valid.

Yes, I really said that. It's all fine to give the illusion of inclusion by hiding behind the free speech banner.

But that does not mean every word uttered should be heard, let alone repeated and god forbid acted upon. Just because someone has something to say does not mean it's valid or factual, let alone rational. This is something that seems to have been forgotten in the latest national public debate - marriage equality. Valuable air time and print centimetres are being used to give oxygen to irrational thought.

Much of this is probably due to it appearing on social media first and garnering lots of clicks.

But what we're doing as a nation by giving voice to irrational thought is complicating what is often a simple issue.

We do it time and again. Think gender equality, gun reforms, anti-vaccination and now marriage equality.

How could any rational person think that allowing women to be involved in politics would result in them not marrying and having children and the human race dying out?

Or that same-sex marriage would lead to laws allowing a human to marry an animal? Please. When did we become so worried about not offending everyone that we handed those with idiotic rants a platform?

You can't have an argument with an idiot. And I love a robust discussion with those who are willing to stand by their rational words, and explain their reasoning, while also listening to reason. Sadly the marriage equality debate is anything but this.