Quote Originally Posted by Burney View Post
No, that deflects nothing. Accusing your opposition of opportunistic dishonesty while being opportunistically dishonest doesn't get you off the hook.

'Bad faith' is a good one, btw.
But there is an intrinsic asymmetry to what you just described that does make it effective.

Suggesting that Melanie Phillips is inherently hateful and enables far right violence comes with absolutely no stigma or social penalty. Suggesting that Islam is inherently hateful and enables violence among its followers does.

While that remains the case, those on our side of the fence will always be on the back foot.