I didn't see the original article but now understand the writer’s background. I think Mr. Muehlenberg was wrong and has displayed a level of arrogance commenting on the Sunday Age’s “marriage is a good thing, so it should be available for homosexuals as well”, his comment being “He (the author) is wrong big time here”.

I would have thought that the sponsors who saw fit to remove their support from such a worthwhile source of fresh ideas have misjudged so many people who felt moved enough to comment. It certainly did not reflect on the sponsors in any way at all and I seriously doubt if any of the people who took the time to comment would have associated either of the sponsors with the article.
So their actions have been somewhat childish and petulant.

From what other subjects would such organisations choose to withhold their advertising support? This is a Forum for ideas and as such, any opinion expressed is no better or no worse than any other. There were 130 comments and I venture to say, none would have considered cancelling their subscription had the article been written in a periodical. The next week, they would have thought, someone may write an article expressing our feelings, or, alternatively, I will make a comment, which 130 people chose to do.

It was worth running such a piece just for the comment it was always going to generate in this enlightened age when SSM is about to get a run in the Parliament. Will both the ANZ and IBM show their pleasure at this development. Does sponsoring a Forum mean that you agree with everything that is written? I don't think so and nor should it.

It would be a sad day for the country if the content of articles were required to be placed before the sponsors to receive their prior approval.

Be outrageous, Graham and continue to use a broad brush and let people read what others are thinking, rightly or wrongly, to agree or disagree, to comment or ignore.

But keep it coming.

Biar Rose:

I am not an activist. I'm a regular Australian citizen.

Language is important, when this website will not apply it's own rules then it needs to be challenged, the ramifications are because Young would not remove comments that added nothing to the debate and used offensive and derogatory language. The ball has always been in his court.

I don't want to shut down this site, and it's not within my power to do so. I do think that respectful dialogue is important and that can be achieved without resorting to derogatory generalised statements of a section of citizens of this very diverse nation.

I'll give it to you all straight from the HIP..with both barrels.

The debacle of intolerance and unjust discrimination you are witnessing from the Gay lobby (and some of it's 'progressive' entourage) is EXACTLY what Catch the Fire ministries experienced from the Islamic Council of Victoria...

It is what the Islamic/Gay/progressive elements will DO without even blinking.. to destroy opposing voices.

It's also why I speak so adamantly against all of them. Our church has been a victim of their brutality and lack of tolerance.. $5000 (appealed) in fines and who knows what legal costs. But.. the answer is.. COMING.

And part of it is found in an email from the newly elected Attourney General (and I assure you.. this OLO situation will not be escaping their notice as well)

Thank you for your email.

I can confirm the Coalition intend to legislate to amend the Equal Opportunity Act as we committed to do, by
- removing the "inherent requirements" test for employment by faith based bodies
- reversing the powers given to the Commission by Labor to conduct investigations without even receiving a complaint
- restoring an independent chair of the Commission.

We intend to have those amendments in place before the new Act comes into operation, which the Labor government scheduled for August this year.
Regards
Robert Clark.

They'll hate that news I know...too bad.

Bottom line... it's WAR..and anyone who doesn't get that.. is, to use a recent phrase.. in a coma or dead.
They are malicious, vindictive and determined, so.. there will be battles. This is but one of them. *wake up*

Hallelulja!
Someone, Susan P, finally hit the nail the head as to what the thread is actually about.
Nothing to do with gay and whether some aspect of it is right or wrong, or whatever.
It's about the effect of lobbying and the threat of advertising withdrawal as a mean to impose defacto suppression of variant viewpoints.
Could just as easily be the zionist lobby in the US lobbying to get Mearsheimer and Walts barred in a McCarthyite display a couple of years ago for a telling book of theirs on Israel and Palestine. You can't stop it, but you can draw attention to it and ask if its fair or not.

Gregory Storer

You were also a political candidate in the 2010 election. You are a public figure.

You took action to persuade sponsers to withdraw advertising from this site, therefore you are an activist.

Many of us have our own opinions about what is the best way to deal with derogatory comments. For many of us that does not include lobbying for withdrawal of financial support so a site ceases to exist, and thus denying voice to many other causes and concerns.

How do you like the language selfish, tunnel visioned, self centred, self absorbed, irresponsibly unconcerned about every cause in the universe other than your own, and blind to the immense support your cause has in fact received on this site, including from myself?

The garbage I've personally copped for supporting gay marriage - and I'm not gay -
I'm about to get ad hominem I have to go.

Gp

I have consistently supported gay rights and gay marriage in these forums, but I have to say I disagree with you. Freedom of speech means nothing if it is not freedom to be offensive. However much I disagree with those who oppose gay marriage, they are entitled to hold and express their opinions. Pressing corporations to use their advertising dollars to silence opinions you disagree with is reprehensible.

Anyway, I believe the best way to defeat bigotry is to expose and challenge it. Try to suppress it and you’ll reinforce the perverse victimology it thrives on