latest reply...

Miqdad...

I read your email and seriously couldn’t relate the text of your email to mine.

But first, I think that I should clear a misunderstanding that arose due to circumstances that were seriously out of my control.

You raised the charge that I have been saying too much, and I didn’t show up at Hot Spot. That’s true. I accept the mistake. And I also accept my responsibility being unable to inform you. But before making a personal attack on a public list I think you should have made a few inquiries. Probably someone didn’t turn up at the designated place because of a 104 temperature and he has been extremely embarrassed since....

I am emailing you privately because I understand how it feels when an invitee doesn’t live up to one’s commitment. My apologies.

About the first part. You said, everyone is entitled to one’s opinions.. yes, but having said that, don’t you think that debating and testing those opinions leads to refinement of opinions hence of the person also? Don’t you think that it is through questioning your existing beliefs you grow as a person? If we don’t discuss and test each others opinions then what’s the use of having a list? So that we can forward each other jokes?

Secondly, there is a clear distinction between an intellectual and a reasoned argument and a personal opinion/belief. As long as one is arguing on the basis of proper logical reasons, I think it’s fair. But once you run out of opinions and attack someone’s personal beliefs/opinions then it’s time to be quiet. I think you’ll see if you read my email again, you’ll see that I tried to argue with the reasons for disagreement: why and what I disagree with... and I provided adequate reasons for it. I never attacked the emailer. Just voiced my opinion. You are entitled to disagree with that as well. On the contrary, not once did you raise an objection so as to why you disagree with my opinion. You simply stated that I was boasting and everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. I don’t think that argument doesn’t take anything away from what I wrote.

Lastly, you used the word ’boasting’ for what I wrote in my email.. I didn’t clearly understand why? Through your criteria you label my opinion as ’boasting’ and others opinions as ’opinions’.

Please let me know what you think. I am open to a reasoned argument.

God Bless
Bilal