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No, I'm not a racist/homophobe/sexist/whatever, your position is WRONG

Our Lady Has Left the Building

20:15 / 28.08.08

It seems that Hillary Clinton is not the Democratic Candidate for President of the United States of America because the Democratic Party is sexist. When she was in the lead in the polls it was because the Democratic Party was racist. The Republicans, honest tillers of the field each and every one, have accused the Obamas of being elitist.

Now that the Right and other schmucks are using the language of the Left against them it seems to me that there are two important things I need to know.

1) How do I make sure that my beliefs are based on facts and not prejudice (obvious perhaps in the examples above but not always in other examples).

2) Is there any way to stop people from using the 'you're being...' attack in an attempt to close down the discussion.

Any suggestions?

Quantum

15:59 / 29.08.08

Not quite sure where you're coming from here. How do we stop the right co-opting the language of the left for their nefarious purposes?

Simply by asking you are STAMPING on the FREE TONGUES of Republicans everywhere, YOU PINKO SWINE.

Anna de Logardiere

00:37 / 30.08.08

How do I make sure that my beliefs are based on facts and not prejudice (obvious perhaps in the examples above but not always in other examples).

By reading truth.

Is there any way to stop people from using the 'you're being...' attack in an attempt to close down the discussion

No. People are always going to level insults and accusations at people. It's never a bad idea to consider whether they have a point though.

All Acting Regiment

10:24 / 01.09.08

I'm not sure what's going on here. People are accusing you of being sexist for being in favour of Obama over Clinton? Surely you would argue then that no, that's not the case, you support Obama for x, y and z good reason?

All Acting Regiment

10:38 / 01.09.08

And yes, there are few things more infuriating than hearing someone come out with 'you're a racist' when they know full well that they can use it to shut down the argument (they can exploit the legitimate antipathy towards prejudice) and when they are racist in the first place.

Quantum

15:39 / 01.09.08

2) Is there any way to stop people from using the 'you're being...' attack in an attempt to close down the discussion.

Yes- one I have had success with is 'Yes I am, but not as much as you' but generally steamrollering your point home is the only way.

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