An interesting column, suggesting that attempts at persuading partisans who are committed to their beliefs is largely useless. Only political independents who haven't invested emotionally in a stance, one way or the other, are largely reachable. So attempting "to point out contradictions, dishonesty and hogwash in politics and rhetoric [is] probably a waste of time."
I'd say this rings true for the most part. Logic is largely irrelevant in most political arguments, and completely futile with ideologues on either the left or the right. It's all about my team and your team-a point David Boaz makes here.
More. I can attest to the prevalence of this nonthinking. Whenever I argue why I believe an aspect of the predominant gay movement strategy is wrong-headed and counter-productive, the comments pour in accusing me of working against the home team or aiding the other side by fostering disunity-some even suggest I couldn't possibly be gay (I'm a front!).
Beware of ideologues, for they have shut their critical minds
down for the sake of fealty to this or that "community."