How should I deal with this?

[Michael_UK]

I'm debating with a wild-eyed conservative on a conservative board and he's ranting about liberals being the biggest threat to freedom in the known world, blah, blah, blah.

A fellow liberal (a high-school teacher) comes on and writes that I should ignore the man and that anyone with sense on the board ignores him. I follow the advise and this infuriates the repub, so he writes "oh that just proves my point that he's so good at shredding the arguments of liberls" even though he isn't. I ignore this and he comes back with greater venom, but he seems to be begging me to reply.

Do I be the bigger man, and leave him with his arguments demolished - it'll probably annoy him even more - or (as it's so tempting) pick up the debate?

[WillParkinson]

1. Let him stew in his juices...

There's nothing worse than venom that can't be spewed.

[skypilot]

Unless it's spin'em that can't be viewed.

*

On edit:That was in response to WillBowden's post.

[Michael_UK]

4. Thanks

Thanks for the advice. I know ignoring him is the right thing to do. I'll bite my lip and let him stew!

[GOPFighter]

2. Ignore

Nothing you write will ever change his mind.

[fryguy]

3. turn and walk away

you're not going to convince him an he's just going to keep spewing his rhetoric...doesn't sound like its a very interesting conversation anyway....

[Senior citizen]

5. Don't respond

I once spent over a year demolishing the vitriolic arguments of conservatives and libertarians on a board that proclaimed that everyone "owned their own words." Then, without prior warning, the administrators simply deleted everything I'd ever written. For some people "free speech" permits the vilest porn, but does not permit any defense of human rights and individual freedoms.

[bowens43]

6. Ignore him...it's driving him crazy.

[TrogL]

7. It's good practice

and a complete waste of time.

He cannot think, hence he cannot be swayed by logic.

[HFishbine]

8. Or

You could, very simply and succintly, acknowledge that he has a right to express his views; that liberals repsect freedom of expression.

[2bfree]

9. Life is too short......

to worry this much about what others say (especially on a message board). Just ignore the jack ass and don't let his negativity get you down.

[TXlib]

10. I only continue arguing as long as debate is productive

That is, if it is likely to lead to one of us changing our minds, or if not that, at least help me solidify my arguments for use against somebody not so hard-headed.

If it degenerates into pure ad hominem attacks and "Nuh-uh... Uh-huh", then I give up, and find something more productive for my time.

[historian]

11. let him stew

He's probably scared silly and deep down knows his country is heading toward an abyss but he hasnt the courage to face the facts. His solution? Rant and rave against anyone who doesnt think the way he does - now hes found a scapegoat and can vote for asshole with a clear conscience