Jane's Posts

Feb 21 2004 12:17 pm

No reasonable person could possibly justify the existence of partial birth abortion.
Lori

Lori, no reasonable person could take the bible literally, so that argument isn't going to work on me.
Melissa

Yes, they're right on the same level alright.
Anne

I think the point is that "no reasonable person could believe" is one of those things you don't say if you want to continue the discussion. It's like "you're just stupid."

jane

Feb 22 2004 9:18 am

I think the point is that "no reasonable person could believe " is one of those things you don't say if you want to continue the discussion. It's like "you're just stupid."

In which case, I can rephrase, but only to say that I don't *understand* how any reasonable person could believe it. I truly don't, which is why I asked the question.
Lori

What question? Never mind. I'm not the referee. I don't care at all about this conversation.

I'm taking about discussion in general. If you're having the sharing of ideas kind of conversation, you've got to stay away from this kind of remark. It chills the flow of ideas you're looking for.

I'm not sure that couching it in terms of your lack of understanding is much better. It does invite the other participants to help you understand, but the "if you don't agree with me, you're not reasonable" is still lurking in there.

jane