Facts, free speech and democracy

I was once having a discussion with someone about an issue, and was accused of using facts to back up my argument. I found this to be a bit strange and a little worrying that someone would think because I was using information that is based on facts to formulate an argument that this could be deemed somehow wrong.

We continued our discussion, which then turned into an argument, and the reason it changed was simply because the two people I was having the discussion with knew nothing about the subject matter, and just ended up saying 'no you are wrong' and 'that isn't right'. I found this to be very frustrating and ended up getting quite irritated and annoyed.

The interesting thing is when I discuss many issues with many people they generally have spent very little, if any time looking into the issue that we are discussing. I have spoken to people about; the EU, global warming, the link between heart disease and saturated fat, and many other issues and found that most people will repeat the same arguments time and time again.

Now, don't get me wrong and think that I am boasting, and that I am putting myself on a pedestal and making out that I am special and I am always right, I am not. The point I am making is that for so many of us we just follow the consensus, we never question, we just agree with what is said and go along with it. We either do this because we think that what we are told by 'so called experts' is always right, or we trust those who are 'informing' us. Or we just cannot be bothered to find out or look at a different opinion.

What I have noticed, particularly over the past fifteen years is that much of what we have taken for granted has been removed or has changed. Many of the things that we would have said without any concern have now been removed, whether that is certain jokes or certain words. The fear of offending people is everywhere, many people feel it is their right to be offended, so then follow this through with court cases, this then ends up with the government and organisations bringing in more and more legislation to stop any sort of offence.

You could accuse me of being paranoid, but I do not believe I am. It would be interesting if we could travel back in time and take someone from twenty years ago and bring them forward to now and see if they would be shocked at how things have changed.

And this brings me to may last little point, and highlights how so many people are willing to except things. Do you not think that it is rather concerning that we have two unelected prime ministers running two Democratic countries in Europe and people have just accepted it? Mario Monti (Italy) and Lucas Papademos (Greece). And this to me just shows how so many people are happy to just except what they are being told without questioning whether or not it is right or wrong. After what has happened in Egypt and Libya recently, with many people dying to bring 'democracy' to these two countries. And the UK and France spending millions on defending the Libyan people and supporting their fight for democracy, yet no-one raises even a murmur about the removal of democratically elected prime ministers in Europe!

Let me finish with this from The Times which was written in 2002 in regards to the EU and our further integration:

'It is at first denied that any radical new plan exists; it is then conceded that it exists but ministers swear blind that it is not even on the political agenda; it is then noted that it might well be on the agenda but it is not a serious proposition; it is then conceded that it is a serious proposition, but it will never be implemented; after that it is acknowledged that it will be implemented but in such a diluted form that it could make no difference to the lives of ordinary people; and at some point it is finally recognised that it has made such a difference, but it was always known that it would and voters were told so from the outset'.

That is why I believe it is very important to look at the facts and gain information, because as we have seen in regard to so many issues it is very easy to accept something and be blinded by propaganda, spin and disinformation. And before you know it the 'so-called facts' are not what they seem.