You question me, I answer you

NOTE: Alex D. has responsed (see below), so I'm bumping this to the top.

A reader (who let's call "Alex D.") reaches out to your Proprietor with a worrying email(not entirely positive, it seems) and I'm not sure I have answered him in satisfactory way, in these dark dank times. (Email was rather long - skimmed in parts) I did the best I could but if other reader's have input for how I should respond here, it would be Remember, we're all in it together (It's a process).

Here's the original email (published in entirely, w/o explicit permission (Some links added where appropriate)):

Subject: What is wrong with you?

Dude, WTF?

I started reading your blog with the hopes that I'd have help in proving that the war in Iraq was a mistake. All I got was complete ignorance.

In one of your earlier posts, you mentioned the response you received from Powerline and thanked them for agreeing with you. Newsflash: that was sarcasm, meaning the folks at Powerline still think the war was right. They're trying to make you substantiate your arguments with fact (i.e. why was the war in Iraq wrong?), but you continue with "I'm right and everyone else is wrong" again.

Steven DeBeste tried his best to explain the issue of how you could disagree with him, and instead of taking his advice, you went on a tirade about how inductive reasoning doesn't exist and he'll always be wrong! You really shouldn't be surprised by his decision to end the discussion.

How does having an opinion other than yours make someone a neocon? Are you even dimly aware of what a necon is? Why do you use the label so freely? Have you no respect for people who disagree?

That is the very core of the terrorists we're trying to defend ourselves from -- the "I'm right and everyone else is wrong" mentality.

Where did you get the idea of a Freudian slip in Jaco Pastorius' letter to you? All he did was mention a Jimi Hendrix song, and you went berserk about how he'd never be as good a bass player as Getty Lee. Now don't get me wrong, Rush is one of the best bands of all time, but you're going a bit overboard, aren't you?

Finally, your most recent post, the one that caused me to write to you in the first place, is your mock disproving of the anti-Kerry windsurfing ad. I can't believe you spent that much time and energy proving that a photo trick was used. The Dan Rather issue was about something that was on paper. This was a video. Did you actually watch the ad? How about disproving the statements in the ad?

You're such a political radical that I can't help but wonder whether you've actually been hired by Karl Rove to make the opposition to the war in Iraq look bad. Stereotyping and arrogance have made you a parody of yourself.

A concerned reader,

Alex D.

WEll there was ALOT to chew on there(Not sure I understand his point rellY) but I responded with kindness/sincere effort to reach mutual understanding, as follows:

Dear Alex D.,

So let me see if I understand. You're saying you
DON'T think The Iraq War was wrong?

Confused,

iraqwarwrong
Proprietor, The Iraq War Was Wrong Blog
iraqwarwrong.blogspot.com

Not sure what else to say (at this point) Maybe we have a mixed communication? Anyway, So far, no response, but I'll keep you posted What he says, and I welcome any other input from Readership as to what the root of the problem here is.

It's a process.


UPDATE: Alex's response:

No. I actually am against the war myself. I just think you could do a better job in backing your arguments, that's all. I agree with your positions, but I'm getting some weird vibes about the way you're defending them.

See, I'd really like to keep following your work, but it seems to have gone downhill since the start.

I'm not a neo-con, and I'm not gay. If that's what happens to people who try to resolve an issue, I would not like to discuss this any further. If anything, these actions resemble those of a "neo-lib" -- ridiculing people until they agree with the extreme left (as opposed to "neo-con" -- the extreme right).

Way to gain respect.

Alex D.

WEll, I do have to say this clears up (alittle). He's not a Neocon, folks(dodged a bullet there). Here's how I responded to him:

Dear Alex D.,

It seems I owe you an apology, as I misjudged you (i.e. to be a dhinger). I'm sorry, apparently somehow I completely misread your letter. Thank you for this response which clears up ALOT.

You say that I could do a better job in backing my arguments and I'm have to admit, You're absolutely right there. I am just a (1) person here on this little (Humble) Blog, labouring trying to do my best. If my work is not up to par then I'm sorry and I freely admit there are others (Kos ect.) who are way ahead of me at this thing. I'ts like my "so-called" spelling that people complain about - They have a point, but I do my best with the time allotted and sometimes fall short. I may still not be up to snuff but I'm working to rectify It's a process.

Note that I didn't call you "gay" that was someone else (BeerMan?). I did call you a Neocon however (sorry) (wrongly). I not familiar with the term "Neo-lib"(I think it's made-up?).

Anyway, I'm glad we had this chance to clearify things up, and Thanks you for being a Reader and baring with me in these times.

Best,
iraqwarwrong

I would have to say that (cross fingers?) it looks like probably our little Misunderstanding is cleared up. I'm relieved that we could bring to a resolution and now consider the matter closed. We should be greatful to Alex D. for clearifying his position for us.