Randomly Me an addendum to my diatribe to put the highlighted exchange into the proper perspective. Prior to that exchange, the fellow in question and myself had sustained a back and forth debate/discussion of matters both political and social which lasted a number of months, close to half a year actually. Up until I blew up, I had refrained from using curse or swear words when writing to him, because I knew that they offended him. I also wrote to him in a polite and calm manner. I know that because he directly commented on that matter, saying that he liked the back and forth that we had because, although we disagreed on virtually everything, I was polite.
Part of why I blew up was, well, I went into that in the diatribe. Further though, I know firsthand what core beliefs one must have to be able to make the statements that he did. I also know that when someone is in that place, mentally, regarding their world view, and they’re past their 50’s, that’s it, that’s a permanent condition. Thus, when he finally spoke of his core beliefs, which dictate all of his ancillary beliefs, I recognized the futility of debating issues with him.
When someone is that far out, where they are willing and able to dismiss obvious contradictions in their perspective to sustain their conspiracy derived beliefs, well, no volume of internet debating is going to do anything in that regard.
So, in a fit of rage, I told him off, and I’d do it again, because I think that it was deserved. It’s similar to if I saw guy beat up on their girlfriend, my response to that won’t be calm and “factually corrective” IE, “You shouldn’t be hitting her, because she isn’t the one that spilled the wine(or whatever perceived wrong doing the guy was supposedly attempting to correct).”, it will be intense, direct and a bit physical. I know this because I’ve been in that scenario and the latter is exactly what transpired, not the former.
Granted, we’re not talking about domestic violence here, we’re talking about a guy that said a Jewish fellow should support the leader of the people who sent him antisemitic death threats. That is insane.