It’s still an ad-hominem response. This is not to say it is wholly invalid
Sure. If, when you wrote “Seriously? It’s advocating ad-hominem.” you meant to suggest that it was advocating a response that was valid but not as strong as other possible responses, then I agree with you completely. I had understood your rhetoric to be conveying a stronger objection.
Also agreed that hostile or otherwise extreme rhetoric can alienate people who might not be alienated by different rhetoric.
That said, while I often find reactive anti-Blue rhetoric offputting in much the way you describe, I also consider myself to have some responsibility for actually evaluating the positions involved, rather than allowing myself to be reactively alienated by it.
It was more that it didn’t advocate anything else at all. (As you observed, it’s hard to believe the author would endorse the literal understanding.)
I’m actually considering writing a “Defense of Ad-Hominem” post, if a search doesn’t turn any similar posts up in the past. I may take too much entertainment out of this. :-)
Sure. If, when you wrote “Seriously? It’s advocating ad-hominem.” you meant to suggest that it was advocating a response that was valid but not as strong as other possible responses, then I agree with you completely. I had understood your rhetoric to be conveying a stronger objection.
Also agreed that hostile or otherwise extreme rhetoric can alienate people who might not be alienated by different rhetoric.
That said, while I often find reactive anti-Blue rhetoric offputting in much the way you describe, I also consider myself to have some responsibility for actually evaluating the positions involved, rather than allowing myself to be reactively alienated by it.
It was more that it didn’t advocate anything else at all. (As you observed, it’s hard to believe the author would endorse the literal understanding.)
I’m actually considering writing a “Defense of Ad-Hominem” post, if a search doesn’t turn any similar posts up in the past. I may take too much entertainment out of this. :-)