It seems sophistry is hard to combat.


Face it, Kevin, no matter how many times you try to allege it, there is no parallel between Americans' view on Ireland's independence and Britons' views on independence for the South--unless you think the South had a right to be independent just as Ireland did.

On most threads, especially those on history, I believe in reading carefully, doing research, thinking, and expressing myself as clearly as possible. History is enough of a minefield without sloppy reasoning or encouraging the same.    You were wrong on 1859 as being the occasion for "54-40 or Fight" and you are wrong on this one also--there is no parallel. Nobody is perfect.   When I am wrong I admit it and go on.

If somebody drags an absurd connection into a discussion, e.g. bringing St. Paul into a discussion of putting "na-na-na" onto the end of songs, then of course any off-the wall remark and in fact ridicule is just fine in my book.    Otherwise, accuracy is a good goal.