carlw wrote:
> I
> forget who it was (it may have been Lord Chesterfield) that recommended a
> punctilious courtesy when setting out to insult somebody. I would recommend
> those words to your attention.
That may be good advice to follow once you have decided to insult someone, but I would recommend questioning the utility of flinging insults regardless of how punctiliously courteous, literate, or clever the insult may be.
> > Prof. Tim:
> > Your prejudice knows no bounds (or ethics
> > either, it seems.)
Granted, that was an insult, but the inclussion of "it seems" did leave you the option of clarifying your position without drawing your guns.
> May I suggest that you attempt to maintain a civilized tone
> when criticizing others.
I second that motion.
> Perhaps we will then be bamboozeled into believing
> that you are not a turgid farraginous mass of viturperation.
That was a clever and literate (and arguably civil) thing to say. Was it wise?
-KMO