Back Towards The Locus

Via an unlikely trio of Splintered Sunrise, Liberal Conspiracy and Iain Dale, I find this statement from the DUP Minister Iris Robinson:

“There can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality and sodomy, than sexually abusing innocent children. There must be sufficient confidence that the community has the best possible protection against such perverts, and it is important that there be a mature public debate on the issues, but the security of our citizens must be our overriding priority.”

After her little speech, Robinson told the Belfast Telegraph that child abuse “is comparable to the act of homosexuality“. Of course, her employers weren’t particularly happy with this, and so she issued a statement proclaiming that “at no point have I set out to suggest homosexuality was worse than child sex abuse. There can be no comparison between the two“. Okay, she’s a liar then.

At Dale’s Diary, however, a number of commenters are offering fierce defence of Robinson’s “right to believe” and are decrying her enemies for stultifying “rational debate“. The problem they face is that Robinson is not abetting debate herself, as she will not openly state her position. To help them, and her, I shall attempt to piece together her policy proposal myself.

- Robinson stated that she believes that child abuse is “comparable to the act of homosexuality“.

- Robinson stated that she believes that those who abuse children are sex offenders, and as homosexuals are apparently equally vile perverts she must surely believe them to be as well.

- Robinson stated that she wishes to highlight “the gravity of sex offences and indeed calling for stronger sentences“.

- Thus, Robinson appears to believe that homosexuality should be a criminal offence, and that the Government should be given legislative power with which to punish those that practice it.

No, I don’t believe that the woman should be arrested. I wouldn’t debate her, though, as it might look good on her CV but would make me vomit.