== 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.