Re: [asa] AIG -- Scientists! Give it up!

On 7/25/06, Dick Fischer <dickfischer@verizon.net> wrote:
>
> Hi Iain:
>
>
>
> >>You still haven't answered my main point. Using that sort of uncouth
> language is just going to antagonise people, not win them over.<<
>
>
>
> As Shakespeare said, "Thou protesteth too much." When I first heard the
> term, "Pollyanna" there was no Wikipedia or Internet or any derogatory
> meaning. Just shows you how language changes. It meant simply a "wide-eyed
> optimist." It was in the old fashioned un-derogatory sense that it was
> used. But it wasn't used of you so may I refer you back to Shakespeare's
> quote.
>

Just because the term wasn't applied to me doesn't exclude me from the right
to comment on such a patonising attitude And in any case "wide-eyed" implies
"innocently naive". I'm sure Debbie is very grateful for receiving the
benefit of your superior experience (not). Actually I'd moved on from
"Pollyanna" when I referred to uncouth language. I was referring to
"paid-up assassins" , "scrawny necks", and such comments as your latest:

"obstinent (sic) closed-minded obstructionist"

Let's just think about this rationally for a moment. As I understand it you
wish to call Vernon an obstinant closed-minded obscurantist. What do you
think such an action can possibly achieve? I can't believe you actually
think Vernon's going to come back with " Oh yes, you're absolutely right,
now I see the error of my ways and unreservedly renounce the heretical creed
of Young Earth Creationism". If you do think that hurling insults at him is
going to get him to reform his ways, then it is you who deserve the epithet
"Pollyanna".

If, on the other hand, you think that it will serve to crush him and shut
him up, then you are being equally naive. Vernon believes he is on a
mission from God to challenge the belief in evolution that is widely held by
people on the list (including me now, thanks to the more gracious
explanations I've heard). Vernon EXPECTS to be insulted and bad mouthed.

However, I don't think you're really that naive either, so all I can do is
attribute your uncouth comments to pure malice. I'm sorry that sounds a
harsh thing to say, but there are two logical alternatives here; you are
either hopelessly naive or malicious. If I'm wrong, then will you please
explain what all this hate language is intended to achieve?

Iain

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Received on Tue Jul 25 03:42:13 2006