The original test act, just like this modern one, had a simple animating origin: Fear.
By eschewing debate and, indeed, democracy itself, Una is effectively arguing that the opinions of the little people should not matter.
“Banning thought crime is Orwellian by its very nature”: 40 Days for Life hit out at plan to ban silent prayer vigils outside abortion clinics.
We could debate this, in a civilised society: But debate it is not what Gary Lineker did.
To call this a disgrace would be to gravely under-state the matter.
The objective here is plain: It is to reinforce liberal sensibilities, and lock those who speak a little too plainly out of civilised society.
“The real danger facing this country, according to the government, is people on the internet saying things that Irish politicians disagree with”: Ben Scallan on the government’s new plan to stamp out so-called “misinformation.”
Silent prayer at abortion clinic
“It seems like if you casually “express an opinion” within two football fields of an asylum centre, that could be construed as a violation of this proposed law as it’s currently laid out”: BEN SCALLAN unpacks the government’s bill to ban peaceful protests outside asylum centres, like the ones at East Wall and Finglas:
Not an exaggeration.
For some, this whole process has been emotionally satisfying: There is a hunger, in some quarters, to see somebody, at long last, stand up to the Irish establishment and fight.
You get an adjective, not facts.