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On Debate, Dissent, Manners and Public Apologies

10 comments

I have one only one rule of conduct here on the blog, and it's a simple one: Engage in personal attacks toward me or another commenter, and you're gone.

I welcome debate, and I believe one of the hallmarks of intellectual honesty is the active solicitation of opposing viewpoints. I don't edit comments, and the few I have deleted were either spam or those that engaged in personal attacks that were beyond the pale. Just because I invite you into my house doesn't mean it's okay to shit on the carpet.

Recently, I swung the Ban Hammer at someone that really didn't have it coming. I had already banned a couple of immature children on that comment thread, and when his comment posted, I banned him too. The tone of his comment rankled me, and still does.

But in fairness, it wasn't a personal attack, and wasn't any less sarcastic than I have been on too many occasions to count. He didn't deserve to be banned. It shames me that I personally engaged in the very same "reasoned discourse" we so often deride our opponents on the issue for using.

So, Juan Der Meant, welcome back to the whitelist, and I apologize for my unduly harsh reaction to your comment. We're probably never going to agree on the subject of gun rights, but banning you here only makes the debate impossible, and that is not my wish.

You're welcome to comment here any time.

 

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Posted by on July 28, 2012 • Filed under: Uncategorized
  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Scott-Brown/1525756291 Scott Brown

    You know what they say about absolute power, LOL? 

    I kid, I kid!!!

    It’s very difficult to afford the same leeway that you’d like yourself with differing opinions. Reference the latest kefluffle with Chic-Fil-A. It’s now become OK for government to require a business to hold “acceptable” views in order to conduct business…while we shed literal blood as a nation over the right to hold certain views without the government taking measures against you. Everybody wants whomever they disagree with “banned” or eradicated in some fashion…instead of persuaded or at least compromised with. That’s how entire populations end up dead…which is a comment on a very large point, not at all a comment on the dynamics of internet blogs. Pretty sure nobody is going to end up genocided here…I just made that word up. 

    Echo chambers are boring…I enjoy that you feel the same way. Good call all around.

  • Michael Hatfield

    Debate is necessary….politics and social issues should be debated vigorously and often. Debate has reigned for years the Grecian Assembly, Roman Forum and colonial America.My two rules for debate (not the only two, but by far the most IMPORTANT two)…

    1) Don’t call names or use inflammatory language

    If you are comfortable in the simple bare validity of your argument, you will have no need for insults.

    2) Stick to the facts

    No emails forwarded to you by Aunt Gertie, articles from the National Enquirer or anecdotal stories.You cannot debate with rumors and slander that no one can really prove or argue against.If you can’t follow those simple rules when debating something with me, the you’re a dipshit and I’ll forward the emails to you so you can see for yourself…..;)

  • Michael Hatfield

    LOL…genocided…..Your post is correct, and begs the question…where have all the moderates gone?It seems that on most if not all issues, 1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment, gay marriage…..that everyone has become fanatical to one side or the other.
    I miss the moderates……

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Scott-Brown/1525756291 Scott Brown

    “Moderation” is not the goal…the definition of that word has morphed out of meaning as whatever lines you tend to adhere to sway to and fro. My positions are considered “radical” by the left in this nation, yet they are 100% consistent with JFK and mostly consistent with Jimmy Carter. What is considered “moderate” these days was purely socialist not that long ago. I never in my lifetime believed that you could serve as chief executive espousing pure socialism…but having it spun as “mainstream”.

    Passion…even fanaticism is fine…so long as everybody understands that the moment you devolve into trying to silence and/or eliminate those with opposing views, you’ve crossed the line into fascism.
     
    We have always been a nation of fanatically defending minority viewpoints…because at some point, on some thing, you are going to be the minority. 

    ‘Sides…it’s no fun beating up on those who agree with you…it’s a LOT more fun beating up on those who oppose you :-)

  • Juan_Der_Meant

    Class response, Kelly. Thanks for inviting me back. 

  • LittleRed1

    Moderation got trampled under the idea that the more strongly you feel about something, the more correct you are. Since moderates tend not to scream, shout, throw objects, or use all caps,obviously they are wrong and no one has to listen to them. I’m joking a little, but only a little.

    One of the tenants of post-modernism is that emotional intensity trumps logical argument, since truth is so subjective. Thus, if you feel very, very strongly about something, your emotional response is more important than the quiet guy/gal/ whatever in the corner saying, “but turkeys can’t fly.”

  • Ambulance_Driver

    “With God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.” ~ Arthur “Big Guy” Carlson
    (wild turkeys actually can fly, you know)

  • NYEMT

    Yeah – about as well as I can.  That is to say, they can, with a little luck, get up into a tree at roosting time, with a lot of frantic flapping and grunting and sweating, and getting down at dawn is pretty much a controlled fall.  :)

  • http://hybridmedic.com HybridMedic

    Surprisingly, I was a fan of Clinton for being one of the few presidents to be able to accomplish big things. It seems that most politicians of his time, Democrat and Republican alike, were the last moderates.

  • Ambulance_Driver

    I had issues with Clinton, but he was a genius and a master statesman compared to the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

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