Dems Lose Five For Five Open Seats

[Cow Poke]

Insulting opponents doesn't tend to win many arguments either.

In the unlikely event I should ever grow up, I wanna be just like you.

[lilpixieofterror]

Insulting opponents doesn't tend to win many arguments either.

Who said my goal was to 'win arguments'? They treat others with disrespect, they get it back in kind. Nothing more and nothing less.

[Mountain Man]

Insulting opponents doesn't tend to win many arguments either.

It depends on what you mean by "win". No, it's probably not going to change your opponent's mind, but shaming an opponent with insulting rhetoric can devalue their position in the eyes of others. Surely you're aware of the long and proud tradition of challenge/riposte in public debate. Even Jesus used it.

[One Bad Pig]

It depends on what you mean by "win". No, it's probably not going to change your opponent's mind, but shaming an opponent with insulting rhetoric can devalue their position in the eyes of others. Surely you're aware of the long and proud tradition of challenge/riposte in public debate. Even Jesus used it.

I am quite aware of the tradition of challenge/riposte. In my opinion, it's vastly over-used. A critical aspect of challenge/riposte which is often overlooked here is the perceived status of the one doing the shaming. If one's own status is quite low, then one's attempt at shaming others is simply not going to be effective.