[Vision2020] Name calling, was: Pat nails it on Iraq

[Paul Rumelhart]

I'd just like to weigh in here on this topic.  I think that this forum 
would be better served if we all toned down the insults and ad-hominem 
attacks.  I'm not accusing anybody here - I have been just as guilty.  
But we risk polarizing on everything if we don't look at the arguments 
instead of the presentation.  Someone on the "other side" might just 
make a good point or suggest a reasonable course of action and half the 
posters here will denounce it just out of habit.

I've tried to do what I'm preaching, but I have also failed at it here 
at times.  I also agree with Roger that Tony has been trying to tone 
down his posts, with the occasional lapse.  I recognize that, and 
applaud him for it.  I haven't jumped on him for any atavistic comments 
he might have made, but I haven't jumped on anyone else, either.  Ok, 
maybe once or twice.  I'm only human.  But I try not to.

I think we are illustrating here on vision2020 why the "turn the other 
cheek" philosophy is a good one.  Just let the insults roll right off 
your back and respond to the argument instead; don't slap back.  It 
sounds to me like the same kind of thing.

Paul