" 

 == oh, that weasel word ""controversial"" == 

 Again, that 'ol weasel word ""controversial"" used to lend credence to a given position, to give the impression that there a give-and-take going on between two roughly equal positions. But the perfectly accurate word ""unpopular"" can often be more descriptive. Here's a handy guide to when to use each word: 

 *CONTROVERSIAL: Abortion rights; tax policy; immigration policy; etc. 
 *UNPOPULAR: Nazism; human sacrifice; pedophilia activism; etc. 

 You see what I'm saying? We don't say ""John Smith, in a controversal action, blew up a school bus full of nuns and babies today"". Now, I'm sure there are those who wish that pedophile activism was actually controversial; who would like a world where the conversation around the water cooler goes ""Say, did you see what those pedophile activists said today? What idiots!"" ""Oh, I don't know, I kind of think they have a point""... and so forth. But, you know, if wishes were horses then beggars would ride, hm? Thank you and good night.  "