Replies

the OlLine Rebel: "I do not consider directly calling me Founding-hating or America-hating, and accusing me of such, to be anything but highly offensive and insulting to me personally.
It is very serious to me."

First of all, you may be just too sensitive, your skin may be too thin for posting about controversial subjects on Free Republic.
Please consider that all of us who defend our Free Republic and Founders Intent on Civil War threads have been accused of worse, and called far worse names.
Some have been actually threatened.
On just this thread alone I was called a "sorry ass" (see post #218), and that's quite mild compared to some CW threads... :-)

So this exercise is not really suited for the feint of heart, the weak of mind or anyone easily offended by rough and tumble debates.

Second, there are several appropriate responses to the accusation of "anti-American", including:

Ignore it as too ridiculous for comment
Respond in kind with an equally ridiculous accusation, i.e., "if I'm anti-American, then you are a (pick something, i.e.,)... Stalinist.
There's no harm, indeed it's quite humanizing to simply cite your credentials.
For example, I would define a genuine patriot as someone who does all of the following:
1. Obeys the laws (i.e., taxes).
2. Votes
3. Served in the military, or equivalent
4. Serves on juries
5. Does not advocate political agendas (i.e., socialism) which are at variance with our Founders Original Intent.
If all of those apply to you, then you are a patriot, no matter what anyone else says, and you can just brush their insults aside.
Of course, if you truly are anti-American, or a Democrat (but I repeat myself), then you could admit it, and we would at least have an honest discussion about your problems, FRiend.

Finally, if you think I have "insulted" you, then I'd invite you to quote my words, and explain exactly what about them you find "offensive".