"The worst offence that can be committed by a polemic is to stigmatize those who hold a contrary opinion as bad and immoral men." John Stuart Mill
"'We need to be wary of the rise of the polemicist. Polemics is different from journalism'. This simple statement from veteran journalist Paul Kelly... seems as if it should go without saying. Unfortunately..." (Deconstruction zone: festival follies, Daniel Meyerowitz-Katz*, danielmeyerowitzkatz.wordpress.com, 30/5/11):
"If the boycotters had been peacefully promoting their cause to the public... concerning their beliefs, they would not have broken any laws. However, this was not the case. They have repeatedly chosen to act riotously and aggressively, screaming hateful slogans, illegally blocking the entrance to Max Brenner, scuffling with police and creating a scene that would deter any reasonable person from entering - not for political reasons but because any sensible person would tend to steer clear of an aggravated mob clashing with police outside a cafe." (Boycotters' free expression costs businesses plenty, Daniel Meyerowitz-Katz, 27/8/11)
[*Danny Boy is a policy analyst with the Australia/Israel Jewish Affairs Council.]
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