#53
by Magustra
I was in no way attempting to make an ad hominem argument, Baison, as should be evidenced from not only my recent post, but from the many I have made prior to that.
In fact, and somewhat ironically, the very suggestion only serves to discredit yourself, without the need for outside intervention.
It is not only a misleading accusation, but yet another example of being blind to the harm caused by your own hand.
For my part, it is no secret that I share and support our mutual friend's ideology, and that is not something I would ever attempt to surreptitiously subvert by means of targeting you.
It is true that I may question the manner in which you apply his idea's and your motives for doing so, but that is another matter and one without skullduggerous agenda, I assure you.
Queef equally conceded he thought some good points were made in your post, and Podatz was simply exercising his right to address your rather judgemental and unsolicited aside to him.
You close by stating that you cannot counter the so called attacks levelled at you, but by classifying them as ad hominem, that is exactly what you are attempting to do. It is simply a way to dismiss and negate any personal criticism, by claiming the real target to instead be the legacy of a respected friend. A legacy you would do disservice, and by taking it for a trump apple.
You also state that your momentary slip in etiquette is the result of provocation, yet it is the insulting composition of your posts that gave rise to that in first place.
By fabricating that you are the target of an ad hominem argument, you are actually using a similar and no less underhanded device, to deflect due personal critisism and project it instead towards an ideal... A reverse ad hominem of sorts... Or an outright, yet clever, deception, to be more precise.
I have said before though, that I do not think you intentionally mean to deceive others, but rather that you do deceive your own self. And I still have faith that this is the case.
As far as your views on resetting go, I have no agenda in undermining those either. I have said before that I do not knowingly aid such enterprises, and find them unpalatable. The only distinction I would make between your cause and mine, is one of treating a symptom rather than the illness.
Though I would say to your assertions that everyone besides yourself has a short sighted perspective of Danu's ills, that to then go on and mistake a symptom for the disease itself, suggests otherwise. Though this is simply my own personal view on the matter, and I accept that yours shall be different.
Now if you feel that I have been unduly hard on you, then you should know it is not with malice, and in fact comes from good place.
My harshest critique, I always have, and always shall, reserve for myself, and perhaps it is some of our similarities that extend a lesser of that tendency towards you.
I also consider us to have a kinship, and I am not shy when it comes to telling harsh truths to friends, and others I would seek the best for.
Wasted potential yet is another of my bugbears, and as I have said, I think you could have a big part to play if only for a bit of wisdom and humility.
An ideology can be a great and powerful thing, when wielded by wise and humble hands. When wisdom gives way to ambition, however, it can be terrible thing indeed.
It is said that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is this latter path that I feel you unknowingly tend towards, and I would simply want better for you than that, especially considering your mentor whom we both call friend. The source of your tutorage may also be a reason why I perhaps overstep my usual bounds of critisism, and feel an undue sense duty and care regarding your progression.
I accept that it is not my place, however, and is beyond my remit, so I shall try to keep that to mind in future.
I do not wish to stop your posting. On the contrary, I should like to see much more. I just think some soul searching may serve you well.
Besides, as someone who carries similar wounds, and similar ideologies, I certainly wouldn't want my critiques to cause yet more anguish to you.
All the best,
Magustra
