Rude people
I got myself in a debate today, through email, with a lady that wrote to the editor of a local newspaper.
In high school, I was in Mock Trial, which is where schools compete with other schools in local courtrooms in front of judges. The judges are real life judges and lawyers. I was a lawyer usually, but sometimes I filled in as a witness depending on if we were the defense or prosecution. Anyhow, one of the first rules we learned was that you always respect the other students. When debating the finer points of a case, you do so with respect and courtesy.
As many of you on my friend's list already know, I'm not one that debates often. The reason? The lack of courtesy. I would rather not open my mouth than deal with a person that will be immature and impolite to me. But something about the letter to editor (it was about abortion) made me open my mouth. I really wanted to share my opinion with the woman who wrote it and I thought she was open to disagreeing emails because she provided the paper with her email address. I guess I was wrong and she only was pats on the back. But just to let y'all know how polite I am, I made it a point to first say:
Hello {name},
My name is Holly {last name} and I respectfully disagree with your opinion. These are my reasons. Blah blah.
At the end of my email, I even put "Sincerely, Holly {last name}" I made sure to not criticize her as a person, or even criticize her opinion. I just listed the way I disagreed. And I even made the point that abortion is a very subjective issue because, like most issues with religious supporters and non-supporters, it all depends on a person's idea of right and wrong. There is no concrete evidence supporting either side...just a bunch of emotions and opinions.
The email I got back?
"Holly,
Your argument makes no sense.....blah blah"
At the end, she didn't sign sincerely or thanks for writing or anything. Just signed her name.
Now, I don't even want to continue with the debate but if I don't, she thinks I chickened out or that her argument convinced me I was wrong. Then, she included a link to her yahoo 360 account and that had a mention of the "hate mail" she received. I really hope she isn't grouping my letter into that catergory. I don't "hate mail" people. I was reared to be polite until all other avenues fail.
In high school, I was in Mock Trial, which is where schools compete with other schools in local courtrooms in front of judges. The judges are real life judges and lawyers. I was a lawyer usually, but sometimes I filled in as a witness depending on if we were the defense or prosecution. Anyhow, one of the first rules we learned was that you always respect the other students. When debating the finer points of a case, you do so with respect and courtesy.
As many of you on my friend's list already know, I'm not one that debates often. The reason? The lack of courtesy. I would rather not open my mouth than deal with a person that will be immature and impolite to me. But something about the letter to editor (it was about abortion) made me open my mouth. I really wanted to share my opinion with the woman who wrote it and I thought she was open to disagreeing emails because she provided the paper with her email address. I guess I was wrong and she only was pats on the back. But just to let y'all know how polite I am, I made it a point to first say:
Hello {name},
My name is Holly {last name} and I respectfully disagree with your opinion. These are my reasons. Blah blah.
At the end of my email, I even put "Sincerely, Holly {last name}" I made sure to not criticize her as a person, or even criticize her opinion. I just listed the way I disagreed. And I even made the point that abortion is a very subjective issue because, like most issues with religious supporters and non-supporters, it all depends on a person's idea of right and wrong. There is no concrete evidence supporting either side...just a bunch of emotions and opinions.
The email I got back?
"Holly,
Your argument makes no sense.....blah blah"
At the end, she didn't sign sincerely or thanks for writing or anything. Just signed her name.
Now, I don't even want to continue with the debate but if I don't, she thinks I chickened out or that her argument convinced me I was wrong. Then, she included a link to her yahoo 360 account and that had a mention of the "hate mail" she received. I really hope she isn't grouping my letter into that catergory. I don't "hate mail" people. I was reared to be polite until all other avenues fail.