Dear Sir,

Have people gone mad?

Some are using their democratic voice to wonder aloud how the 'fanatical' opinions and 'hate' of Destiny Church marchers can be suppressed, by law if necessary, so as to stop them 'interfering' with politics.

The voicing of these thoughts is very, very scary. Not least because the perception they encourage of the marchers is as patently absurd as Jews being styled rodents, but even more because they violate with equal brazenness the ethos of our collective security and democratic society: open debate.

Widespread respect for accurate language, and the internalization of democratic ideals are the guarantors of our democratic process. The repeated violation of both by commentators leaves us on the precipice of a very big fall. Let us hope we do not take the plunge, lest we must repeat the vow: ‘never again’.

Aaron Stewart
Oriental Bay