Craig Minns

Another one of my consistently hostile attackers telling me that I am the one with the confrontational manner!

You blatantly ignored Rhrosty's disgusting and personalised attack on ME above, in order to patronisingly point out that I am abrasive.

If you want a 'dispassionate' response from me, then treat me with respect. If not, I'll simply give back as good as I get.

Rhian

I'm simply conveying the overwhelming attitude I've encountered with the Irish people I've spoken to on the subject. And all these people voted Yes, as did I.

If you took a walk around Dublin these days, you will encounter at least half a dozen beggars per 100 metres. It's appalling! Whenever I go to Dublin, I keep plenty of loose change, because I find it too depressing to keep turning them away. They even come up to your car to beg at traffic lights.

I doubt that the Irish government gave a toss about gays. It's nothing new to say that governments have always used 'feel good' distractions to placate the people during desperate times. That's the only point I'm making and I feel it needed to be said.

If people want to twist my words into some gay-bashing diatribe or an attempt to spoil everyone's self-righteousness fun, then twist away. (Not that you're doing that. I'm referring to some others here.)

If you want my respect, act like you deserve it instead of constantly whining.

Funny that it's always everybody and everything else that's wrong...

Hi there ERIC G...

I'm sorry for my delay in responding to your many assertions concerning the treatment some Gays received at the hands of police. I note you're from Victoria, my policing was in NSW, and I guess a copper is a copper is a copper !

When I joined the job, homosexual behaviour was a crime, often punishable by a term of imprisonment, usually at Long Bay. In fact they had a dedicated wing (7 Wing) exclusively to house what was then known, as 'non associates'. You'd agree, a lot has changed since then.

In your writing, I hear (loudly) of your 'hurt' at the hands of police. I can't defend that behaviour, other than to state 'hand on heart' I never did anything untoward to a gay man or woman, that I'd not wish a Court of Law to hear ! I will admit to employing language of a kind, that today, would be clearly unacceptable. Put that down to my youth, peer pressure and my ignorance !

I'm referring to the late sixties and early seventies, and in those days, homosexuality was both illegal and considered immoral by the community at large, as I've stated above. So after years of vilification, even a hatred perpetrated by some coppers, laws were slowly softening and even more slowly, being amended. So there was little wonder police needed some intense behaviour modification and education, in an attempt to teach them to understand and accept, homosexual behaviour was legalised, and no longer considered a crime !

But old prejudices die hard, as you could imagine. Particularly in structured organisations, such as the military, police and prisons amongst others. Trying to change behaviour, attitudes and entrenched opinions, specifically concerning formerly described behaviour as aberrant and immoral, really takes some doing ?

All I can say ERIC G, is extend my own apologies for the intemperate remarks I've previously directed at Gays. Growing old does impart a degree of wisdom, as well as a touch more tolerance towards any human being who's a little different, in one way or another.

Hi David, thanks for your thoughtful, persuasive and kindly put observations. I agree with you

Nice one, Craig.

Complaining about people whining is just another form of whining.

Now that we have confirmed that we have absolutely no respect for one another, please refrain from engaging with me at all.

Cill Airne a chara,

I am in regular touch with people in Ireland and was on the phone last night to my eldest son and some friends.
From my talk with them I'd say that you are spot on in your observations.