individual,

I know exactly what sound scholarship is.

I could explain it too you but my words would be lost on a pseudo-intellectual such as yourself.

Foxy,

As you say "There's always room for one more."

But why would someone as well educated and knowledgeable as myself want to buddy up to a pseudo-intellectual the likes of FOULmouth and the shadyminister?

Foxy,

I don't think I've changed my views much, but I've certainly modified some, and been wonderfully informed in respect of others, such as yours ;)

Misop,

I imagine that a genuine intellectual wouldn't constantly go on about his intellectuality, he would take it for granted - which obviously indicates that you may not fit into that category, or that you have graduated from some piddly diploma or degree, maybe in medieval sophistry, or 18th century Korean flower arrangement, or advanced critical environmental sociology theory, or something equally relevant.

If you want to claim any intellect at all, you would be advised strongly to never bring up that of others. I've learnt from experience that a fool can masquerade as a wise man by never opening his mouth: a pregnant stare into the distance, solemn and wise nods, have served me well :)

Joe

Mr O,

Only you can answer that question.

Dear Joe,

Many of the things that most of us were brought up
to believe to think "could never happen here", have
already begun to happen: dangerous scapegoating, violent
hate crimes, small-minded intolerance for the views of
others. At what point do we wake up enough to know that
without treatment this desease will destroy us?

It's more important that we renew dignified and respectful
dialogue with those we don't agree with than we slavishly
keep on congratulating those who have the wisdom to see
things our way.

However, there are some people on whom these tactics just
simply don't work and as you rightly point out - in that
case it is best to just walk away.

I have learned so much from you - and continue to do so.

Foxy,

It's more of a statement than a question.

And the fact is that I only comment on fields that I am knowledgeable in, thus avoiding being called a pseudo-intellectual.

Too bad a lot of others on OLO don't follow that line (I'm not dropping names of course but you know whom I'm talking about).