[martin gibson]

A word like "Hitlery" is not a word that thrives in the realm of logic and reasoned debate. It is simple name-calling; not only does it fail to advance one's argument, it actually detracts from it.

Thank you, Miss Manners.

Now if you and all the other high-minded girlies in the middle-school debating society will just continue to play nice with our Neo-Stalinist opposition, our National Socialist opponents can quickly get back to their slander, wholesale treason and virulent anti-Americanism.

Remember now...be nice, pleeeeese! Otherwise The Pig will only become more easily irratated and might even become angry with us.

[wizzler]

Your response to my post against the use of the word "Hitlery" epitomizes the reason many smart people avoid Free Republic, Democratic Underground and similar forums. "Hitlery" and "Shrub" and other like-minded names are like big, blinking signals that say: "This is not a place where intelligent and reasoned debate takes place."

That's not entirely the case, of course, because intelligent debate does take place here. And there are many bright people here. But this is the case despite stuff such as "Hitlery" and "The Pig," certainly not because of it.

The goal of political discussion is to persuade others that one is right, and to get them on one's side. Words like "Hitlery" and "Shrub" do not help persuade or move others to one's side; in fact, they can only solidify an opponent's stance. They show the very people you're trying to sway that you are not to be taken seriously.