LOTM: “The parsing of the term ‘No one does harm ..,’ which [...]”

You are not careful enough. The first place in this thread where the words “No one does harm” appear is in msg #142. My words were “No one does wrong …”. This is not an irrelevant quibble. It illustrates that you are careless. This is further implied in your rhetorical “Do you really expect me to take the time to read my stuff twice and rewrite it?”

It might surprise you, but, yes … yes I do expect you to read your stuff twice and rewrite it where necessary.

I do that with my stuff.

If you are actually worried about what is posted here being used by a KOS troll, the first thing to do is look after your own words (have you heard about getting the beam out of your own eye before you worry about a mote in someone else’s?). Through carelessness, you could actually put down something harmful, which you don’t mean, but you have actually expressed. This would be real harm, whereas using my words dishonestly cannot so easily cause harm because the dishonesty can be demonstrated from the record.

Any words can be used dishonestly, so speaking with fear that you must not create an opportunity for dishonest interpretation means that your words will sound like you have a mouth full of cornmeal – like this:

“If your goal is, as I believe in fairness to you it is, to raise in the public mind the idea that certain practices and beliefs are inimical to the free tolerant and creative culture that we cherish then it is very important that message be delivered in a way that does not result in those who have been raised in the majority culture and subject to decades of manipulation by the Left through the media and educational systems rejecting the message.”

Now let us look at what I said. I said, “No one does wrong who participates in creating pressure on Islam.” That phrase neither condones nor condemns any specific act. It does not condone murder. Murder is wrong, not because it creates pressure, but because it is murder. The person who murders to create pressure is not wrong because he created pressure. He is wrong because he murdered. Creating pressure is not wrong. No one is wrong for creating pressure. Murder might create pressure, but it does something else. It murders someone. It is wrong for being murder, not for creating pressure.

You are right that Meno and other dialogues are easy to read in translation. That’s why I suggested them. I don’t know how much more clearly than in the previous paragraph I could express the categorical error you made in your reaction to my statement, but I was very serious when I suggested you read (or reread) Meno, because it, and other similar dialogues address this kind of error you made in the straightforward style that made Socrates immortal.

There is no defense against the left using against truth the ease of misleading into this kind of error, except to stand firm against such misdirection, to point it out, and to take it to the deliberate perpetrator of the false news to make him pay for his false posture. Backing up, explaining, modifying, apologizing … this is just what he wants. He wants you on the defensive. He wants you retreating.

I am explaining now, because I accept that you are a friend, but the aggressive defense I made earlier is exactly the right way to deal with KOS lies.

Mealy mouthed expression, apology, fear … are not.

[this post was reread and corrected - for error and correct expression - style and entertainment value were of secondary consideration only ]