2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: A right winger just went OFF on me a few minutes ago at work. In Texas. [View all]Bernardo de La Paz
(48,605 posts)Yes, refuse to engage is best.
But if you must or if you want to for sport or ultimate effect, ... then do so in such a way as to maintain your calm dignity while manoeuvering them to lose every shred of their dignity. It is most effective if they are in a cube in a large office at the other end of the phone, or in a public space surrounded by people who are wondering who the giant idiot is and ready to protect you if they get violent. Personal safety is paramount.
The ultimate effect can be if they completely shame themselves publicly so that they have hit bottom in some kind of way. It can be like the first step of a 12 step cure; that they recognize they have a big problem.
Very very few of the loudmouth right wing jerks are introspective in any way, and it shows.