Reply #39: I'll probably get flamed left and right...

[Versailles]

I think it is important for us, as intelligent free thinking citizens, to be aware of what our opponents are saying and doing so that we can make more informed arguments and educate ourselves. As a former teacher, I always taught my students that in order to debate a topic, you must be aware of BOTH sides of an issue so that you can make a powerful argument. Part of knowing both sides, unfortunately, sometimes means delving into the unpleasant or outright wrong aspects of your topic. In this case, I think it is our duty to know what smears are out there so that we can effectively combat them. I don't get the rightwing smear emails anymore from friends and family because they know that I will work hard to debunk every single point in them. I've done my job well enough that I no longer get those emails so I've been taken out of the loop of knowing what is being said. I come here to find out political news, slanders, lies, and the truth...not a happy meeting house where everyone has their fingers in their ears singing LALALALALALA at the top of their lungs pretending that our opponents don't exist.