Posted by Patrick Henry on August 23, 1998 at 19:20:28:
In Reply to: He who walks with wise men becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 posted by Man of Reason on August 22, 1998 at 17:43:12:
While I agree in part with you that citing arguments which have already lost isn't in and of itself very convincing, the losses by themselves in no way HAVE ANY BEARING upon the validity or invalidity of the arguments. Just because the Religious Order of the Black Frocks rules against a line of reasoning doesn't mean the line of reasoning is invalid. In fact, MOST legal arguments which tend to poach upon some state sacred cow has lost, and lost, and lost when brought before these poor-excuses-posing-as-judges. How do you think Supreme Court precedents come into being? Because someone with a line of reasoning scoffed at at the lower levels had the guts and determination to stand by that line of reasoning until ultimately they convinced someone they were right.
Mr. Mitchell's arguments have not "won" yet. But do you have a crystal ball that shows you that they never will? Is it your premise that we should only avail ourselves of the "tried and proven"? That if at first we don't succeed, we should quit? That's BS, and you know it. ALL the major advances in the protection of the rights of men have come about by PLOWING NEW GROUND! And rarely, if ever, have these new "arguments" been accepted by the established governments at the first presentation.
So lighten up. If you have information to present that you believe is "better" than what Mr. Mitchell is presenting, that's great. Diversity is one of our strengths. But your line of reasoning is in no way enhanced by personal attacks upon those whose beliefs differ from yours. That is a prime characteristic of the small-minded man.
P.S. I agree with the proverb. However, my own knowledge of the Scriptures teaches me that he who calls his brother a fool is in danger of the fire of gehenna.
Mr. Mitchell is obviously an educated man. His demonstrated command of the English is evidence of that. It is just as obvious that he is also intelligent. He MIGHT be right in his premises. He also could be wrong. He IS NOT a fool, however. Nor is anyone who agrees with his premises, no matter how often they may have lost already. The simple act of disagreeing with you does not make anyone a fool. It makes them one who exercises his right of choice. If he chooses wrongly, he will pay the penalty. If he chooses rightly, he will reap the benefits.