Prof Kaplan: On to Something

Marty Kaplan, writing here, bemoans the inability of people of different viewpoints to communicate across what seems to him to be a vast chasm -- and mourns the elusiveness of "the notion that we can reason together, find common ground, reach consensus, built coalitions, forge compromises."

But one has to wonder whether his stated goal isn't somewhat hindered by his own discursive tactics -- most amusingly, his assertion that even attempting to "reason together" is tantamount to "reasoning with a rutabaga."

Professor Kaplan likewise declares himself "impressed by the way a number of the commenters on her recent HuffPost about Haditha attempt to challenge her analysis and contest the elements of her argument." Which comments, specifically, is he lauding?

This one? (a personal favorite of mine): I dislike ad homonym [sic] attacks, but when Carol "The Hair Lady" Platt Liebau posts here, I feel compelled to indulge. I can't help it... the hair just sets me off.

Or perhaps this: You are a cold, heartless bitch!

Or the ever-elegant: You know where you can stick that thumb.

Professor Kaplan is an intelligent man. And he's clearly on to something -- there is definitely an unwillingness on some peoples' parts to engage in civil, if spirited, discourse.

But I'm willing to try to "reason together" -- why isn't he?

And, btw, it's Liebau.