I didn't think I was trying to debate anybody.
I was merely providing a bit of context for the rhetoric bouncing around.
Not every conversation needs to turn into a point-counterpoint debate.
And I would hope that not every idea that offends us needs to be eradicated root and file and that not every person that displeases us needs to be ground into dust.
I for one don't mind having my views challenged anymore than I mind exploring offensive ideas. As long as they stay in the realm of ideas.
As a matter of principle, I find troublesome attempts to muzzle ideas or retaliate against people for expressing them. And for similar reasons I try to keep narratives and their ideas independent from their originator and I prefer to take stories at face value; I'm more interested in what *I* get out of a book than who created it or what *they* hoped I get from it.
In my reading world it's all about the book and *me*.
