Foxy, you poor deluded little petal.
At a girl, keep on fighting as you slowly die.
You may like roses with spittle on them, whilst I don't.
That's OK it just explains the difference between us.
Onward and upward.

ALTRAV,

Glad to see that you are finally getting the message.
Onward and upward ... That's an excellent sign.
Because those of us who are lifting the world upward
and onward are those who encourage more
than insult and criticize.

Keep on striving onward and upward.

Hi Joe,

//I'm worried that both Left and Right forget that: that they airily assume that, because their opinion is so obviously right (except to deniers), that only evil bastards could possibly disagree, and that therefore they are deliberately trying to cause offence.//

I consider my opinion to be just that, opinion. At times what I present is unashamedly biased opinion, after all this is an opinion forum. Presenting facts is entirely different, facts cannot be disputed or altered, facts are undeniable. To present opinion, and then claim it to be fact, is nothing short of ridiculous, and that is a fact.

Paul, did you check/proof read your last paragraph?
"To present opinion, and then claim it to be fact, is nothing short of ridiculous, and that is a fact".
WTF?
Really?
WOW, well I'm glad you cleared that up for us all, otherwise we might have gone on thinking you actually might have got it right every now and then.
Well now we know.
I wonder if there is anyone else who can see it?
Anyone?

ALTRAV, poor on comprehension as usual.

Opinion; a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

Fact; a thing that is known or proved to be true.

When I said "I consider my opinion to be just that, opinion" I was thinking of you as one who presents opinion and believes it to be fact. You continually do that, offer opinion and then in the next instance claim it to be fact. What you have said about academics and universities in Australia is your opinion, nothing more, you have no evidence that what you claimed is fact.

The quip on the end "... and that is a fact." is a witticism that went over your head. It can't be a fact now can it.

Paul, I don't claim to be whatever it is that you and your mates are.
If someone gives an opinion, it must be based on something resembling the truth or facts, otherwise he or she is an imbecile.
Now do you know the definition of imbecile?
Well look it up.
What kind of stupid logic do you believe in?
So you can just throw in a random few, irrelevant words, with no connection to the topic in question, and just say 'it's my opinion', and I'm supposed to do what, with that?
If it's not factual, it's irrelevant.
Who cares about anyone's opinion if it has no relevance to the topic.
Oh My God! You're taking the piss, right?
Oh I get it this is another witticism, right?
Well I'm sorry I did not do WIT 101 at school so I don't get anything that is not actual english and clear and structured sentences.
If you want to talk 'wit' I suggest finding someone who understands wit, maybe there is a group of people better known as twits.
Now I understand why I cannot communicate with you lot.
I don't talk in riddles or any other method of communication other than the traditional, tried and tested methods.
Anyway good luck with speaking in tongues or whatever language you all communicate in.