From Ronald McDonald
The other thing I like about Anne is that she knows how to argue a point responsibly
She speaks about the thing in question - speaks about what she believes she knows and then gives her views on it. This is timebound and focussed on that one point at hand
Many people could learn from that.
It doesn't become 'oh but what about' - she doesn't conflate points together to try to make a picture that isn't there or to win at any costs
She doesn't seem motivated by beating people in argument but rather by discourse - sharing thoughts and leaving the bits where there is disagreement on the table. She understands that people can have wildly differing views but still respect or care for each other
She enters the next conversation fresh and without judgement.
I think she is a great example of someone able to not personalise everything. Possibly a great example of a woman or learning and faith
I have only seen her return to things to apologise for mistakes,
Btw - many of the views she holds are the absolute opposite of mine but I respect the way she is behaving.
Starting with the final paragraph, I wholeheartedly agree, which is why I've quoted so much for ease of reading.
I think Ann is somewhat unusual socially and gets a lot of flack as an older, single woman with a puritanical and religious conviction. She doesn't bend with the wind of public opinion, speaking out, when asked, on what she believes. That's never been a popular position, neither is being possibly asexual. Why that shouldn't be a valid option in an apparently liberal society where anything goes, is very sad.
I only knew of her political persuasion, her religious conversion to the Catholic Church and her opinions on abortion, fox hunting and the Iraq War. Beyond that I didn't know many specifics but since she's appeared on Big Brother I've looked up various things including the Parliamentary recording of the shackled prisoners question, which is
here
I think her positions on war and capital punishment come from believing more people would be safe than would be harmed. Working mothers shouldn't be under pressure to work if they and their children would benefit from their being able to stay at home. Wolf whistling? choose your battles for the more sinister stuff.
It's very easy to fall into the trap of repeating things that don't actually stack up if you look into what was actually said.
I think her beliefs and decisions come from a good place, that she always tries to do what she thinks is for the greater good. Her ideal would be a world of happy, modest and law abiding nuclear famies who were all self supporting and she would work towards that aim, but I don't think she dislikes or excludes people who don't comform to that.
On a personal level she seems kind and not malicious. The fact that her reasoning is sometimes flawed, based on religious principles that others disagree with, or out of step with society's current majority, is very unfortunate, but not as unfortunate as this thread title.