On May 25, 2011 Ed Schultz, MSNBC liberal commentator, made some disparaging comments about conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham; calling her a “slut”. After listening to the audio, please read the following exchange between other bloggers and myself.
Jedna Vira: Liberals who can't win an argument based on fact and reason always resort to name calling. Herman Cain called it the S.I.N. tactic. S - Shift the subject, I - Ignore the facts, N - Name call. He couldn't be more right about the general tactics of liberals, and liberals prove him right day after day. For those who would call me a hypocrite I say, "I call liberals names while using facts, reason, logic and never shift the subject matter!”
Blogger KitKat4200 states, “Ah, I believe that conservatives do this too Jedna Vira. Anyone who is really arguing logically should be able to see the validity in the opposing argument, regardless of political policy. So - making a blanket statement of how your opponent thinks (as you perceive it) isn't really arguing or logic - it's simple name calling. Don't get me wrong, I like a good debate as much as the next person, but I don't like sweeping generalizations.”
Jena Vira: I agree some conservatives name call, especially since I admitted in my previous comment that I do at times. However, my purpose is satirical in nature and with an intention of proving a point by exposing the truth. Liberals seem to do it because they are frustrated that they cannot win an argument based on logic and reason, or they are just full of hate. It's the difference between a 7 year old not getting his way and yelling, "Well, you're just stupid," and an adult telling someone that just killed their unborn baby that they are "foolish and immoral." I take issue with your statement, "Anyone who is really arguing logically should be able to see the validity in the opposing argument..." What if their argument doesn't contain any truth; why should I be able to see validity in an absurd line of reasoning?
Blogger Paolina Garcia comments: “But ANY insults are unacceptable. I am guilty of this too, just don't like seeing it justified. It also doesn't win anyone over. Once you name-call you harden them up. Liberals are extremely hard to get to think logically, so once you name call, their defensive emotions take over and all logic becomes impossible. Don't name call. In fact, I've found that trying to understand what emotions they are feeling allows you to help them understand the logical, conservative side feels those emotions too, but that we have a cool head and believe in a solution that achieves better results.
i.e. When a well-to-do liberal talks of wanting to help the poor, I would say, I agree and want to help them to and admire their sentiment, but that I think counting on the government for charity removes the goodwill in communities who otherwise would of banded together to help out people. Point is, you have to make them WANT to listen to you. Liberals run on EMOTION. Name calling them makes them turn to stone against you. Find out what emotions they are running on and LOGICALLY think of how to convince them of the right solution. You're letting your OWN emotions blind you.
Also name-calling is a bit bad in the bible if you care about that: ‘But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire.’
Matthew 5:22, That verse often makes me think twice before ever saying that someone else is ‘foolish.’”
Jedna Vira: Maybe where we differ is on how you define "insult." The fact of the matter is that if you point out something not true you may "offend" someone; is this "insulting." Did Jesus insult the Pharisees when he called them "snakes?" I'm certain he "insulted" and "offended" them, but the heart of the matter is what the motive is. If my motive is to make someone feel bad for the sake of being mean, then yes, I am in the wrong. However, if my motive is to point out a lie, or something destructive, then I really don't care if I've offended them.
"He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise." Proverbs 15:31
"All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord." Proverbs 16:2
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