Just a question

[quijote]

Well, for what it's worth, Brom....

I also thought the phrasing of your comments (and not necessarily their content) was a bit off-putting. This impression, I think, comes partly from your direct citation of Yabloka's comments within your very frank response; the use of quotation marks makes it seem like you're mocking her. Perhaps that was not your intention, but it's the sort of rhetoric one tends to find in heated political debate. (Example: "So just where are these 'weapons of mass destruction'?") As others here have said, your basic message is well taken, but how you say it can make a difference in tone.

I've noticed that you use direct citation quite a bit, but not always to support a key assertion or crucial stage in an argument. Overuse of direct citations in a medium such as a discussion forum may be seen as confrontational and/or mocking. If you tone that down and just respond by using your own words, maybe the intended gentleness and helpfulness of your response will be more evident.


[This message has been edited by quijote (edited 10-31-2003).]