Quote
Originally posted by: arshaleignGotcha. So you're saying that the next time someone here uses the insult "buttwipe," rather than describe it as an ad hominem, the better response is a reasoned argument presenting conclusive evidence which establishes that the target of the insult is in fact NOT a "buttwipe."
Umm, . . . no.
What DonDiego
is saying is that one does not advance one's argument by (1) responding to an
ad hominem declaration or (2) pronouncing that it is an
ad hominem attack. One should just address the material issues.
With specific regard to arshaleign's [
AKA forkush's] present query, DonDiego re-posts his original response to this issue:
Quote
Originally posted by: DonDiego
”ad hominem” would seem an appropriate description with reference to the claims of one having no life or a sad life; however, being a “buttwipe” might actually be pertinent to the argument. DonDiego would require specific details to decide.
So, first one should determine as best one can within the context of the debate is the term "buttwipe" an ad hominem argument or a germane descriptor.
__If "buttwipe" is an ad hominem argument, DonDiego suggests no response is necessary, . . . indeed, no acknowledgement is appropriate. [Ref: jatki99's post of 8/16/12 11:27 PM. (Oh my, . . . that is well beyond DonDiego's bedtime !)]
__If "buttwipe" is relevant to the discussion [and not intended as an "insult", as arshaleign [AKA forkush] assumes above], a reasonable opinion on the matter may be in order. [n.b. That providing a reasonable opinion may be in order does not assume that there is, in fact, "conclusive evidence which establishes that the target of the insult is in fact NOT a "buttwipe"".]
If someone were to posit that DonDiego were a "buttwipe", DonDiego would accept it as a term of endearment.
Or depending upon his mood he might respond: "DonDiego is rubber [the perpetrator] is glue, [the perpetrator's] words bounce off DonDiego and stick to [the perpetrator]."
If someone were to suggest that arshaleign [AKA forkush] were a "buttwipe", DonDiego would suggest he respond similarly.
Or he could present a dismissal:
__"You Sir are mistaken.
__"You Sir must have me confused with DonDiego." [DonDiego would take no umbrage; see paragraph immediately above.]
Or arshaleign [AKA forkush] could provide a counterargument.
__"I may be an obnoxious asshole, but I am not a buttwipe."
__"I may be an utterly disgraceful numbnuts, but I am not a buttwipe."
__"I may be an insensitive, ignorant, cocky jerk, but I am not a buttwipe."
. . . or words to that effect. [n.b. DonDiego is just providing examples; he asserts no direct applicability of these personality traits to anyone]
Or arshaleign [AKA forkush] could fight back:
__"I may be a buttwipe, but you are an asshole."
__"I may be a buttwipe, but you are a pencil-necked geek."
___ or words to that effect. [see note immediately above]
DonDiego trusts that arshaleign [AKA forkush] finds this explanation satisfactory.
