The term is intended to refer to an irrational individual obsessed with forcing their ideology upon the world. The term is used most often by individuals on the left of the political spectrum to describe their opposition on the right.
In practice, use of this term supports the need by those on the left to rely on name-calling and taunts. This serves as a distraction and avoids the need to defend deeply-held beliefs with actual facts or other objectively-verifiable conditions.
In practice, use of this term supports the need by those on the left to rely on name-calling and taunts. This serves as a distraction and avoids the need to defend deeply-held beliefs with actual facts or other objectively-verifiable conditions.
Randi Rhodes - "He might be a world renown scholar, but he's a wingnut! The man is just a wingnut! He keeps asking for proof of **things that we know in our hearts to be true**. So... you know... It's better to walk away from these people. Warn your friends. Tell them not to listen! It's better than trying to confronting them with facts. They'll just bury you in proof of what they're saying until it's like ... 'Woah'. It can be confusing, so I just say they're wingnuts and I'm done with it. You know?"
by PixelQuixelSmurf June 29, 2011