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0 pointsbhouston8y ago0 comments

This is a polemic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polemic

It is not a means of trying to fix the issue, but rather a strong worded, accusatory, defensive blast at his critics by someone who believes they were wronged and others are at fault.

This is not a "how to get to yes" type response, but rather a response that just inflames a situation, and causes everyone to dig in.

There is going to be no winner going down this path, just losers all around and a lot of wasted energy and time.

Yuk.

0 comments

eric_b8y ago

Sounds like you'd already made up your mind about Rod, and weren't keen to hear the other side.

I, on the other hand, was curious to read his version of things so I'm glad he took the time to offer a detailed reply. After reading his "polemic" I felt he was rational, composed, and defended his actions and character rather well. I came to the conclusion that the pitchfork wielding folks were slinging a lot of unsubstantiated accusations that look a lot like moral authoritarianism.

My read was that he diffused a lot of possible indignation and inflammation with his word choice and tone. He was more conciliatory than I would have been in his position.

bhoustonOP8y ago

> Sounds like you'd already made up your mind about Rod, and weren't keen to hear the other side.

I actually only read his side, although I stopped after a couple screen fulls as I recognized from experience that what I was reading was not a productive response to the situation at hand, but a defensive one.

dmpk2k8y ago

Of course it's a defensive one. He's the person being accused! ಠ_ಠ

God forbid someone defend themselves after being publicly and on-record dragged through the mud. This isn't going away for him even if he stepped down and disappeared from the scene entirely.

kuyan8y ago

> I recognized from experience that what I was reading was not a productive response to the situation at hand, but a defensive one.

What would a productive response be? I agree that getting unnecessarily mired in drama is counterproductive, but I don't think that these accusations could have been reasonably ignored, nor do I know what Rod could (or should) have done differently.

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phiskk8y ago

When people have already mounted an attack, a polite defense seems a very reasonable response.

hoorayimhelping8y ago

>I actually only read his side, although I stopped after a couple screen fulls as I recognized from experience...

So what you're saying is you made up your mind (based on past experience) and weren't really keen to read the full text because of that?

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