<<You know, BT, you're full of shit.>>
a fitting response to anyone questioning my honesty. I do not throw the first insult and I really don't even like to throw back the response. This is what got me down regarding my "debates" with sirs. I was actually in the process of composing a really blistering response to something he wrote about me when I realized (a) I really DON'T enjoy flame wars, exchanging personal insult for personal insult and (b) the whole personal thing was taking up a huge amount of my time for someone who just enjoys debating the issues and (c) I really don't HAVE to respond to every fucking ass-hole in the group whose debating style is one fucking insult after another. Once I realized that it's not "discourteous" not to respond to certain kinds of posts or posters, I really did find my participation in this group to be much more enjoyable. At the same time, an occasional insult deserves an occasional response in kind. That's the "cut and thrust" of debate, and to some extent it's unavoidable. If I find it's occupying too large a percentage of my time, well, fuck it, then it's no longer enjoyable for me and it really isn't worth "debating" this person any longer. I still read your posts (and sirs' as well) and if I ever feel any of them merit a response, well, so be it. I don't give a shit - - you in particular often seem to have intelligent and knowledgeable contributions to make, although way too argumentative, often going into minute detail on relatively minor points which, however, still need to be refuted. In your case, it wasn't only the personal insults but the often excruciating detail required to rebut you that made debate with you a real chore - - when you decided to add personal insult into the mix, I just thought, fuck this, it ain't worth the effort. Personal insults weren't the major element in our debates, but they did become the last straw.
<<And believe me, those fucking morons will come to see the error of their ways, once the backlash sets in.>>
I don't see how insulting comments directed at public figures should annoy any member of a debating group, who is perfectly free to defend them. Look at all the insulting comments I've had to endure that were directed at my personal god and hero, Fidel Castro. If I returned a personal insult to every member of this group who insulted Fidel, this whole fucking newsgroup would be nothing but Flame City. Grow the fuck up.