Posted by AuntieMel on May 6, 2006, at 13:21:15
In reply to Re: just what it is that constitutes incivility, posted by Dr. Bob on May 3, 2006, at 12:26:57
Cripes. I had this nearly finished and hit the wrong button and lost it.
One of the things stressed in school is the difference between fact and opinion.
Please note that all the following is my opinion.
A reasonable debate can discuss facts, even negative ones, and still be civil, while stating negative opinions is usually uncivil.
Saying "our current president was a drunk" is a fact, even one he has acknowledged himself.
Saying "our current president is hot stuff" is opinion, but not uncivil because it isn't negative.
What you are proposing as an alternate phrasing:
"While I was blocked, she posted something, and I felt accused of felony criminal conduct, and other uncivil things" actually is turning a fact into an opinion.
Her phrasing was:
I am not suprised at all that he has overstepped his bounds. Sometimes I thought he could have been sued for the claims he made about products he uses. He sometimes behaves like a pdoc....telling all what they should take and not take. I was repeatedly surprised that this was *okay*. If he decided what someone should take then he would give a dose level....well that sure looked like perscribing to me. I am amazed how he got as far as he got. I have seen people sued for less.
This is her stating her *opinion* that he broke the law. Lar's statement is, however, correct - she was actually accusing him of breaking the law.
poster:AuntieMel
thread:614568
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20060412/msgs/640622.html