I commend Double Edge for focusing on sources and for a lucid essay on the subject.
I would like to amplify just one point.
People with personal opinions need not fear stating them without piling on references to others who share the same opinion. But they must be able to substantiate any facts on which they, or their like-minded sources, rely for justifying their opinion.
Also, we should be careful not to resort to ad hominem arguments. This goes as well for self-qualifying statements, such as IQ claims, which suggest the other fellow is unqualified to engage in whatever issue is being discussed.
And finally, we have gone far afield from the original topic. Unless most everyone here wants to continue going in circles, perhaps we should allow this thread to cool for a time, until some new development re Iran and nukes comes along.
I would like to amplify just one point.
People with personal opinions need not fear stating them without piling on references to others who share the same opinion. But they must be able to substantiate any facts on which they, or their like-minded sources, rely for justifying their opinion.
Also, we should be careful not to resort to ad hominem arguments. This goes as well for self-qualifying statements, such as IQ claims, which suggest the other fellow is unqualified to engage in whatever issue is being discussed.
And finally, we have gone far afield from the original topic. Unless most everyone here wants to continue going in circles, perhaps we should allow this thread to cool for a time, until some new development re Iran and nukes comes along.
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