So obviously this went too far

[jpgray]

I don't like to waste your time, but often the best way to engage an argument is to accept all its assumptions and present the more marginal conclusions that may be drawn from them. So if two sides of a debate are split into the naive and the knowledgeable by an argument, one might ask if the conclusions of the latter group seem at all knowledgeable. Was it just too snide, personal or disruptive? At what point does it cross the line, speaking generally? Here's the thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9644350&mesg_id=9644350

[Skinner]

1. We are trying to encourage discussion about ideas rather than people.

Speaking generally, a post crosses the line if you are deliberately painting people in a negative light. Go after ideas, not people.

[jpgray]

2. Thanks for the response--for what it's worth, I think that is a good standard.

[Skinner]

3. I'm glad you approve. I know it is a big change for DU...

...and to be honest we're still kind of figuring out how to do it. But I think it is the only way we can have any hope of keeping this place open to a wide range of Democratic/progressive opinion during the Obama era.