Reply #138: I'm not looking for absolution, ta

[iverglas]

I already said that anyone was free to dispute my premise and characterize my argument accordingly.

You are demonizing them, instead of saying why they are right or wrong.

The word "racist" presumably exists for a reason, doncha think? It means something. Using a word to describe someone really is not equivalent to demonizing him/her. Really.

I guess I wasn't plain. My characterization of them is not necessarily dependent on the rightness or wrongness of what they do. And characterizing someone as a racist does not imply any value judgment with respect to their character.

you have not given evidence that they (implying the majority, when you make a general statement like that) are racists, just now used the kludge "it's my opinion".

And I don't plan to. I'm happy to let anyone who wants to make an ass of him/herself by disputing the characterization do so.

That isn't discussion or rational argumentation. It's just using insults so you don't have to discuss actual IDEAS.

I'm not aware of any ideas being in issue here. And once again, it is just demagoguery to persist in calling a characterization (that you know full well is based on a wealth of fact, beside the point as that is) an insult.