12 May 2014

I received an email Friday or Saturday which discussed my earlier posts about being the brunt of ad hominem attacks and response with logical argument to those attacks. In the posts I was responding to one of the words to describe those like myself who oppose certain policies was “racist”. The individual who sent the email basically said if I was responding to the use of the word, maybe I was and needed to check myself. I'm sorry, but I can't let that pass.

Just because an individual disagrees with a particular policy or idea doesn't make them racist. Now if they used that as an excuse to be against the policy, then maybe there would be a reason to use the descriptive term. If, however, they have a logical, fact based reason for their opposition; then pejorative terms shouldn't be used. Rather, attempt to refute their reasoning with logic and fact.

Otherwise you are the reason we cannot have real, constructive political discussion in this country. The use of ad hominem attacks are meant to stifle debate and shut down your opposition and not allow them to express their ideas, which is their first amendment right. You are also admitting the weakness of your own position. Saul Alinksy is wrong to have suggested the tactic in the first place.