Good evening to you RUNNER and RACHE...

I can't argue with that RUNNER, indeed some things should be hated, similar to that which RACHE has opined with his take on 'intolerance' as an example, we should all genuinely hate intolerance, terminal illness, abhorrent crimes against women and young children the list is endless. As you say RACHE, flawed beliefs, anything misunderstood or misinterpreted can and does fuel hatred, either directly or indirectly ?

One should hate domestic violence and racism no doubt, even abortion if it's contrary to an individuals belief system? In fact to my delicate sensibilities, even the sound of the word 'HATE' is unpleasant and a real anathema to me.

Will we ever shed the word from our English language I wonder, I think not. 'Hate' is the most popular verb, and fastest growing diversion on the planet, that is until we all blow a valve ?

Toni: I have a soft spot for Gertrude, if only because a Gertrude had to be behind the house name in the Five Dock - Canada Bay area in Sydney: 'Gert by Sea'. It has to be 30 years since I saw it, but I still smile when I remember it. Thank you, Gert!

In 1944 18yr olds were storming the beaches at Normandy in the teeth of machine gun fire and shells. Today, teens need a safe space, because, you know, words hurt. An extreme example, but really are the new generation such delicate flowers that need to be protected from unpleasant ideas?

Are happy lies better than bitter truth?

Shadow Minister: Those 18 year olds (and all the 19, 20, etc.) were storming the beaches because a lot of hateful words against Jews (and others - homosexuals, gypsies, disabled people, black people) turned into a lot of hateful actions and were used to fuel the aggression towards Germany's neighbours.

I don't want to block hateful words in themselves, but to do something about hateful beliefs which lead to hateful actions. Taking a stand: that hateful words are unacceptable is part of standing up to hateful beliefs and actions.

"Today, teens need a safe space, because, you know, words hurt. An extreme example, but really are the new generation such delicate flowers that need to be protected from unpleasant ideas?"

Well, as anyone who reads anything on the internet or in the papers knows, it is near impossible to avoid hateful words these days - certainly I don't remember anything like it when I grew up. Maybe that's a good thing? Now we all know exactly what Aborigines, Jews, homosexuals etc. had always put up with. Maybe a safe space is not such as bad idea.

Hi there SHADOW MINISTER...

'...Are happy lies better than bitter truth...' ? A tough ethical and moral question you've posed here SM ?

Is it ethically and morally wrong when a Doctor tells a wife her husband passed peacefully when all the while he died screaming in pain and torment ?

Some of these young, apparently disenfranchised youth who prefer to loiter and lounge around the suburbs all day with no intention of seeking suitable employment, or being trained in order to gain a job. Should they be told the bitter truth, should they continue to pursue their existence of slothfulness or inactivity ?

Many would say put 'em in the Army ? Where they'll engender some personal discipline, industry and self reliance into these people. The trouble is SM the Army doesn't want them, they've become far more technical, as a consequence many wouldn't make the grade, in any area of the military ? Then something's got to 'give', otherwise we're going to see a burgeoning rise of more of our youth wishing to have a job free existence. Either remove all their benefits; Encourage them to work for their benefits, or Simply go hungry ? That is the bitter truth, wouldn't you agree SM ?

I don't see anything wrong with words like 'hate' or 'intolerance', since there is plenty to hate or not to tolerate. Terrorism, for example, murder, the burning alive of young girls, the machine-gunning of babies, blowing people up randomly, gulags or laogais, the blatant misuse of power, etc. - why shouldn't we hate all of these, and be intolerant of them ? Would that there were no evil things at all in the world, so that there wouldn't be any need for these words, but there you go.

But maybe, if there is love, then there is hate; if there is tolerance, then there is intolerance. Maybe not in equal measure, but I don't think we should shrink from hating, as above, or that we should tolerate some actions, or even viewpoints. Advocating the throwing gays off tall buildings - how can anyone tolerate such a pig-ignorant view ? Hacking away a girl's genitals - how on earth can we tolerate that ? Keeping half the world submissive, subordinate and at the will of men - how can one not hate that ?

Jut to clarify: people should be allowed to express their viewpoints, even if they are hateful and vile, but no opinion or viewpoint is sacred - they can in turn be ripped into. We should hate, be intolerant of and criticise opinions that incite violence against innocent people. Hate is good. Intolerance is good.

No, hate is vitally necessary in this world, as is intolerance, and will be until all evil is abolished, maybe by 2 o'clock on 21st November 2027, or earlier if possible.

Joe