In the last month I do believe I've had the opportunity to
 participate in two potentially decent debates on Fidonet. One
 involved an accusation that John Kerry outed a CIA operative,
 the other was with someone who actually presented a case to back
 up the accusation that Clinton committed perjury.

 Now, I have often challenged conservatives to support the latter
 accusation, but few have even tried.

 This was like the old days in Fido, when you could actually
 engage in an exchange of ideas. It was fun. Unfortunately both
 were also short lived. In both cases the conservative reverted
 to the typical "everybody knows it's true" type defense.

 Somehow, in Fido today, debate is equated with agreeing with the
 republican position. Any disagreement is flaming.

 A real exchange of ideas seems to be in short supply.

 Are you sure it isn't time for a colorful metaphor?

BOB KLAHN bob.klahn{at}sev.org   http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn

... I have looked into a child's eyes, and seen the light go out. OSW
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