when I used the term 'opponents' on this thread, I was referring to opponents of your viewpoint

So do I Nigel, which is why I would never describe genuine opponents as stupid. I will always treat anyone with an opposing viewpoint with respect and accept that they are entitled to their own views, no matter how daft I think they are. The stupidity that goes on here has nothing to do with opposing viewpoints but with how some treat other people regardless of what they are saying and being so rigid as to never accept the merits of another person's argument.

DtG