Simon writes, As for my [lack of] success in debates with Lawrence, memory suggests that it has been him either using dodgy debating tactics [like using logic] or else just plain leaving rather than me on the fire and burn. Right, well I do confess to "just plain leaving" after you demonstrated not only a lack of understanding of the rules of logic but an insistence that logic should be ignored in order to allow the debate to continue. Lawrence _____ From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Simon Ward Sent: Monday, January 01, 2007 1:35 PM To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Max Boot Not for the last time, Lawrence misses the joke [thought the parenthetical comment might give the clue, but no...] As for my success in debates with Lawrence, memory suggests that it has been him either using dodgy debating tactics or else just plain leaving rather than me on the fire and burn. But since it's New Year, perhaps we could turn over a new leaf and discuss something to the bitter end. How about Saddam's demise? Simon ----- Original Message ----- From: Lawrence <mailto:lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Helm To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, January 01, 2007 9:19 PM Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Max Boot Simon wrote, "As for Lawrence, I think we all know by now that he is the devil incarnate [says the athiest trying not to grin]." Since Simon has never done terribly well debating me, I can see why he might ascribe this fact to my possessing supernatural abilities. Let me hasten, before I suffer the same fate as Nebuchadnezzar, to assure everyone that I make no such claim. Lawrence _____ From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Simon Ward Sent: Monday, January 01, 2007 12:52 PM To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Max Boot Brian, I doubt you'll find many on the left who have a true concept of evil in the sense of a profoundly flawed soul. That's far too spiritual. Instead, those on the left will talk about motives, sometimes in a conspiratorial manner, but often in terms of economic greed, not personally, but in a partisan way. It's motive that matters far more than the individual, because motive covers the broader range of decision making activities. Nobody on the left would say that Bush is evil, many, if not all, would say that he is a misguided idiot. As far as Eric is concerned, I for one find his views divergent from his nature. In one post he will talk fondly of the bear in the orchard, in another he breaths fire about an arab in a cave. Given that he is a Newyorker, I think this is understandable, sad yes, but entirely understandable. As for Lawrence, I think we all know by now that he is the devil incarnate [says the athiest trying not to grin]. Simon ----- Original Message ----- From: Brian <mailto:cabrian@xxxxxxxxx> To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, January 01, 2007 3:27 PM Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Max Boot Simon, there was no vitriol present. I was demonstrating Irene's absurdity by being absurd. She has a bad habit of speculating about the psychology of people she doesn't know and imposing a template from the therapeutic/victim culture onto them. And I don't see how it in any way negates her apology or my accepting it. In fact, I think her admission of error would be stronger if she had left it at that instead of pretending I brought up Bill Clinton in a completely different context to deflect from Max Boot's crushing analysis of a position I haven't staked. I think you're quite wrong about Rightists. By-in-large conservatives believe the Left is wrong but the Left believes the Right isn't just wrong, but bad and often evil. We see this time and again, both in the larger culture and on this list, with President Bush. It isn't enough to say his policies are wrong but that he is a bad person and a force for evil in the world. How many times has Eric taken a more conservative position and been personally attacked for it? ~Brian On Dec 30, 2006, at 4:44 AM, Simon Ward wrote: Seems Lawrence's surrogate didn't waste too much time descending into vitriol. Par for the course with these Rightists. Some advise: never waste an apology, you might not get another.