Just So Unnecessary

[poliphilo]

I know this is frightfully English of me, but I don't see why we can't debate our differences- and do it stringently, wittily, hilariously- without having recourse to personal insult. What do you gain by calling someone an ape? Or for that matter banging on about small hands and peculiar hairstyles? Nothing that serves your cause.

Insult raises the heat, widens the gulf, lowers the tone. And sometimes- as Roseanne Barr just found out- your carelessly aimed stone can bounce off an opponent's tin roof and strike you full in the gob.

Comments

[oakmouse]

Oh, definitely agreed. It's only an insult to call someone a thief if they're innocent of theft. Otherwise it's a simple statement of fact. (ETA: or perhaps not so simple, depending on tone and context and delivery. But still, statement of fact.)