While engaging the left may seem like a total waste of time, think of how many people have come to FR seeking to overcome the lies drilled into them by the leftist media and politicians. Notice how many who call talk radio are recent converts to conservatism.
I wanted to expand the list of diversions from the left that are to be ignored: charges of racism, charges of wanting to kill granny, calling us polluters and accusing us of wanting to “kill the Earth”, slurs against millionaires, billionaires and the use of corporate jets (sheesh), tax cuts for the rich.
Pausing even one moment to respond to these nonsensical comments from the left sidetracks the discussion about finding a solution for the economy and the national debt. If you respond to even one of their canards, it only emboldens them to reach into their Barney Frank/Maxine Waters pouch and drag out more.
Recently, when in a discussion on how to spur the creation of jobs, I mentioned that, for starters, the government should honor its gas/oil leases and permits. Of course, the opponent immediately accused me of polluting “the Earth”. I responded by saying that sometimes a little pollution is preferable to abject poverty, just ask China and India. It more or less wrote a period to that tack from the lefty. He thanked me for my honesty. lol
I shouldn’t have responded at all, but it is a small example of how they can be stopped in their tracks sometimes.
It takes resolve and some practice in private (with a friend) to get used to being called names and not allowing it to sidetrack you in your discussion.
What you say is true. I don’t get sidetrack by the name calling it’s more fun to bait them to the middle of the lake and them give them a anchor (facts) they go crazy.