Being Right

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When does simple debating turn into jousting to the death? When does civility leave a verbal disagreement? When does discussion become strategic movement on a battlefield? 

When the talk turns from the topic at hand to the people who cannot agree. When we shift the talk to you and me. When differences in perspective are weaponized to then hurt and harm in an ad hominem attack made personal.

When a person's integrity is questioned because of a different perspective, it's another conversation, apart from the start, and meant to weaken the other.

You don't accept all the assumptions of global warming? You're anti-science!

You don't agree with critical race theory? You're a racist!

You don't agree that male and female bodies competing is fair to anyone? Then, you're anti-LGBT!

Debating enters the Octagon when we forget our own decency in order to condemn others for their opinions. Discussion goes off the rails when one is willing for dialogue to crash and burn beside the wreckage of mutual respect.

It's when momentary hatreds roll over intellect and reason, and logic mauled and belittled by bullies of censoring, or identity politics replacing good sense. Being "right" isn't ever that important.

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