# Hey Nacho4Sara - Here I Am! Bring it on! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 11, 2000, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238 "2000-05-11T16:25:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ignatiusjreilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@ignatiusjreilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ignatiusjreilly)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/1 "2000-05-11T16:25:09Z")
If you want to “insult my intelligence” or make asinine discussions about my self esteem, then feel free. This is the place to do it. :mad: You’re the smart little (state) college chick with all of the answers that seems to know so fucking much about life and me because of your own shitty personal experience as a fat chick (“Nacho” how damn appropriate) and your own fucking remedial classes in your little pissant college (most likely it’s some second-tier college in a small barren town in Nebraska or Montana or Wymoning or Kentucky or some other place known for academic enlightenment). Come and take on a real man from a real college. You’re going to rue the day (I think it was what, two weeks ago?) when you decided to register at SDMB. C’mon. I’m waiting. You are a fucking newbie with a big mouth and no sense at how to conduct yourself and I’m calling you on it. You’re so fucking smart - please, show me how smart you are. Are you going to tell me about how > [@](#): > > … this one time, in my justice seminar, I was mad at this other girl, so I started a flame war and it hurt her feelings, so I can say whatever I want to say because I have personal experience on the subject and if you don’t like it then poo-poo on you, you condescending asshole Please please please - I’m waiting. You go first… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![aenea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@aenea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aenea)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/2 "2000-05-11T17:21:17Z")
Give us links johnny! ---
**Author:** ![ignatiusjreilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@ignatiusjreilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ignatiusjreilly)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/3 "2000-05-11T17:29:36Z")
Oops - forgot. I was having too much fun. 😃 [The Fat vs Thin debate in America](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=23088) It’s kind of long. She doesn’t jump into until near the end of the 2nd page. ---
**Author:** ![ignatiusjreilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@ignatiusjreilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ignatiusjreilly)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/4 "2000-05-11T18:30:55Z")
Out of deference to Gaudere, I have agreed to keep this in the pit… > [@](#): > > Oh well. I will still refrain from stooping to your level. > > As a personal attack, that one was exceptional. It was also well done in light of all the other personalattacks on my intelligence. However, as I have reiterated many times, your opinion of me does notmatter. I know I am intelligent. Your opinion of my intelligence does not concern me. > > As for flaming, I have no desire to flame with you here or anywhere else. I find you to be arrogant,condescending, silly, rather immature, and quite meaningless. I don’t care if you go in the pit and havea thread just about how much you dislike me. It simply does not matter to me. Your biased andchildish ideas no longer interest me, as you have proved that you are unwillingly to accept differentviewpoints. > > As I pointed out in my third post, I was not attacking you. I was simply questioning your ideas. Insteadof doing the same, you questioned my debate tactics and never once addressed the valuable andwell-thought out comments I made. > > I will say again, regardless of your opinion on my comments, that I answered the question, as didseveral other posters, many times. However, you chose to concentrate on debating skills instead ofthe merits of these comments. I do not have respect for someone who debates by pointing out flaws indebating skills instead of actually addressing the subject at hand, as many arrogant, condescending,silly, immature, and meaningless people do. > > If anyone would like to continue to debate or discuss this topic, I would be happy to do so. However, Ithink the toic has been answered by myself and many other thought-provoking posters. > > Thanks to the person who pointed out that I was using “flippin” as a substitute for “fucking.” It wastrue, I was trying to be polite in my replies, as I will continue to do in the future. ---
**Author:** ![struuter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@struuter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/struuter)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/5 "2000-05-11T18:40:58Z")
johnny, Just curious and with no intentions toward starting an argument with you–although this is the Pit–why the harsh comments about colleges in Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming and Kentucky? I am just assuming you picked them in the heat of the moment. ---
**Author:** ![aenea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@aenea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aenea)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/6 "2000-05-11T18:55:21Z")
LOL, ya! Hey, I went to a Montana State. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/7 "2000-05-11T19:01:38Z")
johnnyharvard, I’ve been following the thread in GD, and I believe you were behaving there in an arrogant manner, and here have have crossed the line into obnoxious prick. As I read the GD thread, she was arguing from a perfectly legitimate viewpoint, that of personal experience, and calling you out on your examples, which she found to be overgeneral and offensive. Personal experience is a valid argument here, because one of the questions being discussed is the effect that media images have on overweight people. The view of someone who is or was overweight is quite proper and adds to the discussion. You really used few facts of your own to make your point. Rather you have simply repeated the simple obeservation that people can lose weight if they exercise and restrict caloric intake. Her point (and that of many other posters) is that, while your simple observation is correct, there are lots of other factors (which she and others validly introduce from experience as well as by anology) which cause other people not to put the priority on losing weight that you feel should they should. Overall, I would score her ahead on points. Now you’ve crossed into the pit with the following: > [@](#): > > You’re the smart little (state) college chick with all of the answers that seems to know so fucking much about life and me because of your own shitty personal experience as a fat chick (“Nacho” how damn appropriate) and your own fucking remedial classes in your little pissant college (most likely it’s some second-tier college in a small barren town in Nebraska or Montana or Wymoning or Kentucky or some other place known for academic enlightenment). Come and take on a real man from a real college. You’re going to rue the day (I think it was what, two weeks ago?) when you decided to register at SDMB. C’mon. I’m waiting. > > You are a fucking newbie with a big mouth and no sense at how to conduct yourself and I’m calling you on it. You’re so fucking smart - please, show me how smart you are. This is simply offensive. While pride in one’s educational institution is a good thing, the thought that it renders one superior to those who attended another is arrogant and wrong. It demonstrably does not make you a better debater here on the SDMB. Likewise, claiming superiority based on post count is grossly misguided. I think Nacho4Sara is a great new contributors and a perfectly fine debater. She is not “a fucking newbie with a big mouth with no sense at how to conduct [her]self.” Rather, you appear to be the one crossing the line into inappropriate argument and comment. So, johnnyharvard, if you cannot prevail in the underlying debate, there is no reason to move into personal attacks in the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/8 "2000-05-11T19:38:55Z")
I also am offended by the slam against Nebraska and Wyoming, etc. I also wonder about someone who has to MAKE SURE that everyone knows they went to Harvard, so they put it in their username. My father was a very enlighted and self-educated man, and he NEVER went to college, other than a few semesters at a local junior college. Does that mean you are better and smarter than him? I don’t think so. Drop the my-education-and-college-is-better-than-yours crap, it is really offensive. If you cannot prove by your attitudes, insights and words that you are well-educated, all the references to Harvard aren’t going to make you look any smarter. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/9 "2000-05-11T19:39:55Z")
Since when has anybody needed a “reason” to post personal attacks in the Pit? ObPit: You’re all a bunch of big flaming poopy-heads. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/10 "2000-05-11T19:43:08Z")
I also am offended by the slam against Nebraska and Wyoming, etc. I also wonder about someone who has to MAKE SURE that everyone knows they went to Harvard, so they put it in their username. My father was a very enlighted and self-educated man, and he NEVER went to college, other than a few semesters at a local junior college. Does that mean you are better and smarter than him? I don’t think so. Drop the my-education-and-college-is-better-than-yours crap, it is really offensive. If you cannot prove by your attitudes, insights and words that you are well-educated, all the references to Harvard aren’t going to make you look any smarter. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/11 "2000-05-11T19:48:13Z")
Yeah, well, as soon as you see that UserName, you’ve got to figure the guy for a pompous prick. Ahem. **Johnny,** we’re all very proud of you for having gone to a fancy school, especially since you seem to have come out of the boondocks and everything, and the upperclassmen up in Cambridge had to throw you on your back to get shoes on you. At any rate, we can’t snicker at you for being admitted because your name is Lowell or Cabot. But attacking a fellow Member for NOT going to a similar institution, and insinuating that her education was of a lesser quality because she didn’t enjoy the privileges of the Ivy League…Great _Scott,_ that’s tacky. If a student applies himself and studies hard at Assboink Community College, he will certainly emerge with a finer education than someone who drinks his way through four years at Princeton or Cornell. And “education” doesn’t mean the institutional name at the top of the sheepskin. Really, that shows a miserable lack of class. Is this the way Harvard men and women are trained to behave? Or are you merely a loathsome example of the breed? ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/12 "2000-05-11T20:18:28Z")
JOHNNYHARVARD – As another (seven-year) graduate of a “state school” in the hinterlands mentioned (the University of Montana), allow me to extend to a hearty “fuck you” to you. You manifest everything loathesome about “Ivy League” schools – an arrogant jerk who considers denigrating the educational opportunities enjoyed by others to be a legitimate way of winning an argument. Well, news flash: It’s not. I’ll put my education up against yours any day of the week and am happy to do so here and now. _I_ am a “real woman” from a “real” college, so if you want to attack the quality of my education, bring it on. If the quality of _your_ education is reflected by your pathetic user name (“johnnyharvard”? Please.) and your snide posts, your alma mater ought to be ashamed. IKE – I believe that’s “Assboink Community College and Laudromat;” they’re expanding their services to raise funds. ---
**Author:** ![ignatiusjreilly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@ignatiusjreilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ignatiusjreilly)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/13 "2000-05-11T20:49:49Z")
Ike, I know. I know. I know. That’s why you didn’t pick the name “Eli Ike” or something similar, right? (and I think I got the school affiliation right???) Gaudere asked me to take it to the pit, so I did. The little worm kept avoiding any kind of intelligent discussion and instead focused on trying to tell me how my position was coming from personal insecurity - how I was being rude out of some underlying hostility towards fat people and that I was “narrowminded” because I buy into that basic biology that losing weight is strictly a function of caloric intake and use. **I lost my temper and I apologize.** That doesn’t change the fact that she appears to be unable to carry a reasonable debate or think analytically without taking things personally - but I did lose my temper and kind of spaced out for a couple of hours this morning. This IS the Pit and it IS place after all where one is allowed to spout and get all of the negative juices out of one’s system. Right? I think I’ve explained this before but I’ll do it again - the origin of the name johnnyharvard comes from high school buddies, who, about 10 years ago, upon hearing that Harvard College was named after a man actually named “John Harvard” put 2 and 2 together (my first name is John) and gave me the moniker. I don’t use it as an attempt to be smug or cocky - it’s just a nickname to me and it’s the first thing that came to mind when I registered. Unfortunately in this place it’s becoming more of a cinder block tied to my ankle because whenever I get into a debate with someone, I get accused of being cocky and my username gets thrown back in my face. That’s what happened in this case (“You just think that because you went to Harvard that you’re so much smarter than everyone else” or something similar) and that’s what led to my regrettable comment up top. I didn’t bring it up, but I should have the sense to ignore it and not let it continue. As far as the “Kentucky, Montana, etc” comment, remember that this is the pit and I WAS angry. I’m sorry if I offended anyone - that wasn’t the point - well, it was the point because I was trying to offend Nacho, at least - but I think you all know what I mean. Fine - this is over. I think that **nacho4sara** is a reprehensible little inexperienced loudmouth who could stand to learn a few things - see Daniel’s comment about Newbies elsewhere in this forum - but for now I’ll just drop the matter as this whole thing is blowing up in my face. I don’t hate fat people - I never meant to insult fat people - I’m sorry if I ever offended any fat people - but I do think that certain parties herein need to grow a bit thicker skin or learn not to engage themselves in conversations where they may be unable to separate their personal feelings from rational thought. Myself included. 🙂 This is done. If everyone else wants to jump in a dress me up and down, then feel free, but as far as I’m concerned, I’m just gonna let it die out. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/14 "2000-05-11T20:52:47Z")
C’mon, **jodih,** join me in singing our beloved Alma Mater…{hummmmm} \*Here’s to dear old Assboink Our future’s ne’er looked brighter! We’ll stride the world with vig’rous step We’ll get your linens whiter! We Assboink grads think mighty thoughts One hundred for a dollar… We’ll save the world from ignorance And ring around the collar! Assboink men are just as pure As those from Eastern colleges… We’ll flush the stains from shallow brains And fluff and dry our knowledges\* ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/15 "2000-05-11T21:06:21Z")
Ike, I am in awe. Truly. The fact that an Easterner such as yourself would even _know_ the Assboink school song . . . _:: sniff ::_ It’s just so touching. Makes me want to wash myself in the crick, put on the shoes (if I can get them away from Pa), and head into town to catch the next stagecoach down to Assboink, to share this momentous occasion with the Assboink Alumni Association. Gosh, hope I spelled “momentous” right, in light of my “state” education. ---
**Author:** ![meara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@meara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meara)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/16 "2000-05-11T21:46:00Z")
(Sung to “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands”): \* Oh the freshman up at Yale get no tail Oh the freshman up at Yale get no tail So to curb their inclination, they resort to masturbation Oh the freshmen up at Yale get no tail Oh the sophomores up at Yale get no tail Oh the sophomores up at Yale get no tail So half the freshmen class Has to take it up the ass Oh the sophomores up at Yale get no tail Oh the juniors up at Yale get no tail Oh the juniors up at Yale get no tail So to satisfy their yen They go out with Harvard men Oh the juniors up at Yale get no tail Oh the seniors up at Yale, they get tail Oh the seniors up at Yale, they get tail For half a pint of Scotch Some poor Smithy spreads her crotch Oh the seniors up at Yale, they get tail Oh the TAs up at Yale, they get tail Oh the TAs up at Yale, they get tail If they see a piece of ass, They just keep it after class Oh the TAs up at Yale, they get tail Oh the chaplain up at Yale gets no tail Oh the chaplain up at Yale gets no tail His sex life is so bland, He asks God to lend a hand Oh the chaplain up at Yale gets no tail Oh the president up at Yale gets no tail Oh the president up at Yale gets no tail His wife is so damned frigid, he can hardly keep it rigid Oh the president up at Yale gets no tail Oh the team up at Yale’s a sorry tale Oh the team up at Yale’s a sorry tale When they satisfy their glands It’s called “illegal use of hands” Oh the team up at Yale’s a sorry tale Oh the Bulldog up at Yale, has no tail Oh the Bulldog up at Yale, has no tail After years behind those walls He is lucky to have balls Oh the Bulldog up at Yale, has no tail Oh the freshmen up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed (bothered) Oh the freshman up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed When a coed drops her pants They won’t take a second glance Oh the freshman up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed Oh the sophomores up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed Oh the sophomores up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed They would rather fuck than jerk But it takes them from their work Oh the sophomores up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed Oh the juniors up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed Oh the juniors up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed Like the juniors up at Yale They take pleasure from a male Oh the juniors up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed Oh the seniors up at Hahvahd can be bahthahed Oh the seniors up at Hahvahd can be bahthahed But although they’re so inclined A willing partner’s hard to find Oh the seniors up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed Oh the president up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed Oh the president up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed It’s been so long now He cannot remember how Oh the president up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed Oh the Crimson up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed Oh the Crimson up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed What it is is not quite clear, But we know it can’t have sex or beer Oh the Crimson up at Hahvahd can’t be bahthahed \* [Forgive the long post, but it’s a classic!] ---
**Author:** ![meara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@meara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meara)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/17 "2000-05-11T22:05:03Z")
Okay, with that little bit of college immaturity out of my system… 🙂 JohnnyHarvard, I don’t think you have a leg to stand on here. While Nacho tried to explain her position, you did your best to be a condescending prick (as others have already noted in as many words). You accused her of being too emotional and then insisted on taking all of her comments personally, reading things like “your attitude on this subject offends me” as “JohnnyHarvard is a bigoted asswipe.” As for your post above, what the hell? Do you two have some history I don’t know about? Nothing in that weight thread deserved such a vitriolic response. Perhaps you should clam up before you further embarrass whatever college you did attend. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/18 "2000-05-11T22:19:00Z")
I agree that johnnyharvard demonstrated egregious arrogant prick-ness in the OP and later posts. But, please don’t assume that all Ivy League graduates are arrogant pricks. A lot of them are, but a lot of them aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![sdimbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sdimbert/32/20204_2.png) [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/19 "2000-05-11T22:23:37Z")
**Ike** : I just have to tell you - your song almost got me _fired_! Now I have to figure out a way to get the snotty diet coke off my monitor! 😃 It was genius - **jodih** added “And Laundymat” at 3:18, and you posted the complete song at 3:52. Incredible! ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2000, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238/20 "2000-05-11T22:40:04Z")
johnnyharvard, Face it. **You lost the argument and then moved into inappropriate _ad hominem_ attacks.** In the GD thread, you conceeded the primary point and accepted stalemate on the side issue. > [@](#): > > Look Nacho, we’ve debated the OP and I will concede the point that Quicksilver’s premise is wrong. We’ve debated whether or not losing weight is easy and we’ve come to a stalemate - I guess the conclusion is that yes it’s easy from a biological standpoint, but no it’s harder when other factors are considered. Fine. After giving up the argument, you launched into an attack on Nacho4Sara’s debating style. In so doing, you committed your own logical fallacy. You defended your agrument techniques and denigrated Nacho4Sara’s **because she was a newbie.** Aside from being pompous and patronizing, your criticism of Nacho was **wrong**. > [@](#): > > I’m really not interested in debating your own debating skills or whether we should be debating them in the first place. You’re new here and you’ll learn the right way to do things and the right way to make arguments and the right way to conduct yourself at SDMB. I’m simply pointing out those flaws because I want to have a debate, but it’s difficult when the other person doesn’t do it correctly. Personal anecdote doesn’t work as an effective debate tactic nor does feigning personal offense when your position is contradicted by the other side. Whether or not I feel bad about myself - or whether or not you feel insulted by my views - is not the point of the debate. It’s a blurry line indeed, but it’s not that hard to stay on the right side of it. Personal anecdote can work as an appropriate debate technique when the topic at issue is people’s personal reactions to, in this instance, mass media images. Admittedly, if there is some scientific survey which gauges people’s reactions, that is more persuasive evidence than one individual’s personal reaction, _but_ in the absence of such survey evidence, personal reactions of posters are the only real-world evidence at hand. Where, as here, several posters who have struggled with weight issues all have negative personal reactions to the overwhelming preponderance of thin images in the media, it becomes quite persuasive _in the absence of alternative evidence._ Likewise, it is proper for a debater to take offense at a inapproprpriately overbroad and stereotypical example you used in support of your argument. Quite clearly Nacho was not “avoiding any kind of intelligent discussion.” More important, if you read the thread, it is clear she was not “focused on trying to tell me how my position was coming from personal insecurity.” Yes, she did suggest that you might be suffering some personal insecurity about the issue, but that was not the focus of her argument, but rather an aside she made somewhat late in the game. Indeed, the extent to which such a comment set you off (along with your somewhat excessive concern with the supposed superiority of your educational background) may be taken as evidence of the insecurity she identified. Finally, yes, this is the Pit, the place to blow off steam. However, it is not an appropriate forum (nor is there one on the SDMB) for personal attacks, particularly when those attacks are based on irrelevant critera like educational history or post count, nor is it appropriate anywhere to post in an offensive manner, whether unthinking or otherwise. **Johnny, you lost fair and square on the fields of debate. Denigrating Nacho4Sara on the basis of her education or the short time she has been with us will not change that, nor will it ultimately assuage your personal insecurities. Face up to it and quit whining. Or go away. Either way, there is no reason for your personal, and unwarranted, potshots at Nacho4Sara.** [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-nacho4sara-here-i-am-bring-it-on/19238.md?page=2)