SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : Just the Facts, Ma'am: A Compendium of Liberal Fiction
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Solon who wrote (45566)2/23/2006 3:24:33 PM
From: TimF  Read Replies (1) of 90947
 
Generally a disagreement about the proper use of a word isn't considered "playing games with words". Using a word one way in one part of an argument and another way in another part would be playing such games. Quoting someone out of context to make them look bad might also be playing games with words.

Trying to establish the correct usage for a word is not playing games. If we mean different things by the same word than it might destroy effective communication. Talking about the proper meaning of words can be very important to make sure that ideas are being correctly communicated. If agreement can not be reached than perhaps another word can be used. Barring that at least both people can understand what the other person means when they use that word.

Apparently what you mean is that we cooperated with Saddam, didn't want him to lose (although we didn't want him to have an overwhelming victory either, we wanted more of a balance between the local powers), and provided a small part of his arsenal. That is apparently the idea you wanted to communicate . If so I agree with that idea.

I wouldn't call that being allies with Saddam, you would, but the facts and ideas are more important than the labels. Labels are useful tools, they can be shortcuts to express the facts and ideas, but a disagreement as to the label doesn't have to short circuit the discussion.

Tim
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News