Dear Poirot.

If you already knew I was a racist, then my fame must be preceding me.

Thank you for introducing me to Constance, I think I have finally found my soul mate. You wouldn't have her address would you? I would like to send her some roses and invite her to "Orpheus in the Underworld, the next time it plays at the Opera House.

Dear Lexi.

The best way to keep a discussion focussed on a professional level is to answer the crucial questions submitted by your opponent, and to at least make some attempt to respond to the issues your opponent has raised. If you dodge questions, pretend to stand on your dignity, and start prevaricating, then your opponent already knows that they have you beat.

Dear LEGO,

In order to have someone answer your questions
you must first argue in a logical manner and not
stoop to personal insults in order to be taken
seriously. Sound reasoning will conquer unreasonable
generalisations every time. Also if you don't
respect another persons point of view even though it
may differ from your own you must be prepared to be deemed
pig-headed and to be susequently ignored.

I was not aware that this was some sort of competition.
I don't look upon discussions on this forum as something
to be "won." I enter into discussions in
good faith and look forward to thoughtful, intelligent
responses.

However it appears from some of the responses on this thread
that reasonableness is a rarity. This can be seen
not only from this discussion but also from
the recent one that Alan Austin has put up. Still I guess,
for him that goes with the territory. He's an excellent
example of showing us all that the art of reasoned, intelligent,
debate is a skill not easily acquired. He's acquired it in spades.
You've still got a lot to learn. But don't give up.
Education is the key. Once you are able to view things
from a viewpoint of objectivity you may have better success.
In the meantime - try reading more from a variety of sources,
not only from shock jocks and the Murdoch press
and do your research prior to posting.

All The Best, and may you have better success with others
that you hope to influence.
May they take you more seriously.

Dear Lexi

Would you invite the Hells angels to your next party?

What do you think of Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members?

If you are too frightened to answer these questions, Lexi, then it is obvious even to Poirot that you already know that your "prejudging is wrong" premise is invalid.

If you argue from a position that you know is invalid, then you will lose your credibility. Your opponents will know that you are prepared to lie to defend your position.

If you have to lie to protect your position, then you have adopted the debating tactics of the Creationists, and the Flat Earth Society, and no one will take you seriously anymore. You will become a figure of fun, and people will laugh at you.

When people start laughing at you, you have lost any hope of convincing anybody of anything.

I once had a Lego set, what a useless toy; just to keep the child silent.

Dear LEGO,

Would I invite the Hells Angels to
my next party?

I've already answered that question in a
previous post. No. because I don't know
any. Although, as my husband reminded me -
we did come across a bikie funeral a few
months ago at the Springvale Cemetery.
There were bikies from everywhere present.
Interstate, et cetera. All in honour of
a young family man whose nick-name
was "Steel." We stayed for the entire
funeral. It was truly awesome. A very moving
ceremony with lots of Harleys. Sounded like
jets when they took off.

What do I think of Nazis?
They controlled Germany from 1933 to 1943.
And under Adolf Hitler were responsible for
concentration camps, gas chambers and a
global war.

What do I think of the Ku-Klux-Klan?
They were Secret societies active in the Southern
States of the US who saw the rise of former
slaves as a threat to the dominance of
the white man in the South. The Klan
instituted a progam of illegal activities
in all parts of the South.

If you're interested in finding out more on these
topics - go to your local regional library.
There's heaps of books and
any librarian will be more than pleased to help
you.

As for your reference to humour?
Well, we're all thrown curve balls in the form
of people and situations. Having a sense of
humour helps, to grow through
such challenges.

Cheers.

Islam, coming to a suburb near you:

http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/syrias-civil-war-spills-over-in-sydney/450/

As I have said, women who support islam either do not know what they are talking about or are quislings.

In either case their grasp of reality is problematic.