The rage and threats of using bombs and a gun against a supporter of same-sex marriage are nothing short of obscene.
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The target of the violent rant was Lily Callaghan, 14, of Dubbo, who expressed her opinion in a Facebook post. She was participating in the current great debate triggered by the Federal Government’s postal survey on marriage equality.
Her age just adds to the shock. Are there really people out there who would issue effective death threats to a teen, irrespective of what that young person was saying? Her comments were hardly radical or offensive. Even had they been, such threats can never be justified.
Lily’s family stands by her comments. They notified Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of the threats ... he should know. His government chose the postal survey path, despite warnings the debate would be destructive. His office did not rush to respond to questions on Monday.
Dubbo police are investigating. Hopefully they will be able to take quick action.
This incident is not the first unacceptable event. There have been others, perpetrated by what hopefully are fringe elements from both the “yes” and “no” contingents.
It is no surprise there have been scare-mongering tactics, insults, irrational and unsupportable claims, anger, confrontation, protests, awful interchanges on social media and other incidents.
Many of them could not be described as justifiable under the mantle of “freedom of speech”. They have been intolerant and lacking in respect.
As a CSU expert on constitutional law says in the Daily Liberal today, the debate so far has been strong on emotion and short on principled analysis.
That statement is correct.
Emotions are running high and driven by some who believe winning is more important than the means used to get there. It doesn’t matter who or what gets hurt or trashed on the way.
It is a pity the Coalition Government refused to stage the vote where it has always belonged … on the floor of Parliament.
Certainly, people are entitled to state their opinions, but whichever side they are on it should be done with respect for others and their right to their views.
Credit and support should go to Lily and the Callaghans.
Agree or disagree with the views, no one should be treated like that.