"You only think that way because you were told to think that way."

[Monorail Man]

"You only think that way because you were told to think that way." Words clearly said to me today, at the college, and a heated discussion in a Sociology class. Taking Sociology 103, the family life & yadda, long after the professor left, there was quite a conversation going on about the topic of 'freedom'. Now, it's good to note that I live in one of the most conserative areas of California. Liberals are few and far between. Amist the 'debate', there was a point brough up by us 2 liberals on how huge infrigments of freedom was done by the Bush administration. Being younger, she repied to me, "Your too young to debate your side..You only think that way because you were told to think that way by your parents." I replied, "Well, then theres no need to continue this debate, because...Your too influenced to debate your side..You only think that way because you were told to think that way by your religion, friends, AND PARENTS." I then walked out. My friend tells me that my little phrase killed the debate. It's gonna be a long summer in that class. ;)

[blueerica]

Geez....

What a cop-out of an argument! It's a good thing she had the maturity to come up with something like, "You're to young to debate your side."

Just remember, Hastin, your opinion can't count. You're not old enough.

[Prudence]

So the next time you can really make her look like an idiot and let her know that logical fallacies do not contribute substantially to the debate and that you would prefer she leave off the ad hominem attacks (and specifically the "abusive" subset) and confine herself to the facts.

You will have to repeat this, as you are also likely to hear in the future "you only think that way because you're a liberal/male/white/fill-in-the-blank."

And she will never ever get it because unfortunately she's been taught that you can dismiss entire categories of people whose opinions are inconvenient and that the arguments of those you don't like have, by definition, no merit. And trying to convince her otherwise will be like wrestling with a pig -- you both get dirty but the pig likes it.

However, you will demonstrate to anyone with any capacity for independent thought that you are intellectually capable and sufficiently superior that you can call her on her sh!t and move along.

And smart chicks totally dig guys who know their logical fallacies.

[blueerica]

You must spread some Mojo around before giving it to Prudence again.

Just remember, smart chicks dig smart chicks.

[Kevy Baby]

Just remember, smart chicks dig smart chicks.Ya know... sometimes it's just so easy, you would feel guilty doing anything with it.

[blueerica]

Hey, I'm always setting 'em up, just waiting for others to knock it over the net... ;)