Have I misunderstood you, Smokey? Have you essentially said that intolerance towards racism (and vehemently disagreeing with the views of those who set themselves up as apologists for racist "comedians") is the same impulse that leads to racist mass murder on an unprecedented scale?

No Spleen, I have not said that. As Lox rightly points out, that is a logical fallacy. Disagree with me by all means; I take no offence at that, but don't put words in my mouth. "Fear and subsequent intolerance" is what I said. Of "views contrary to one's own" - and that is precisely what I meant.

My post was an attempt to explain my views, rather than just shout them repeatedly. My opinion is no more important than anyone else's, but I think that for any constructive or meaningful discussion to take place we have a duty to at least try to do that, preferably calmly and without jumping to unreasonable conclusions about one another.

Thanks again, Lox. Any sign of the mother-ship yet?