Differences of opinion

This week on Twitter has been interesting. I am sure we all agree that everyone is entitled to an opinion, whether you or I agree with it or not. I would go as far as to say no-one would deny anyone the right to have an opinion if asked directly.

Despite this obvious conclusion, you only have to read today's postings to see that this is not the case. I have read dozens of posts telling me what I should think of the execution in the U.S. Not only have have I been told what to think, I have also been told what I can with myself (not particularly pleasant) if I do not agree. None of the posts are directed at me of course. They are meant for anyone who has a contrary opinion. That is not allowing me an opinion. It is telling me to conform with the views of the particular individual. For this reason (I am not saying whether I agree or not) I tend not to take part in anything that could be considered controversial. I think it is fair to say that the vast majority of people I follow have political leanings to the left. I tend to lean to the right but this does not mean that I am a raging Nazi racist any more than being on the left means you are a comrade communist.

It has been very interesting reading views on the Dale Farm saga. I would wager that the majority of people who have strong views on this have never had to face up to the problems that the travelling community can, and often do, cause. I have. I totally agree that suitable areas should be made available (at a charge the same as every other citizen is expected to pay) but simply buying land and bulldozing your way through planning laws is not an option. Try buuilding an extension to your house without permission and see what happens.

I actually have had years of dealing with the travelling community through various businesses I have owned. It is always a problem. We have had problems at the Mill here in the last few weeks with travellers setting up camp illegally then demanding money to move on. This is not hearsay, it is reality. There are some very likeable characters amongst them and I have had many laughs over the years. I have also lost serious money through theft and other scams. This is not to say that there are no miscreants in other ethnic groups, including the indigenous ones, it's just that the travellers tend to come at you in numbers and it can be very intimidating if you allow it to be. To pretend that, as a whole, travellers are a merry band of fiddle players spreading good will and cheer is as silly as pretending they are all villains.

In conclusion. We all have opinions. We can agree or disagree with others without the need to resort to insults and banal comments about racism, ageism and all the other isms associated with it. I shall await the unfollows over the next few days.