While LOS' answer was direct, it was not really specifically responsive to the particular situation LRE raised (ie Allende) ... only generally responsive at the very best (which itself is arguable) IOW: it was a glib response.
You nay see it as glib, but LOS made a general comment about Marxism and similar systems, in respond to Opel2010's statement (which is an incorrect, BTW, as Marxism-Leninism was NOT "all about" using health care to control the people) and LRE wanted to change the topic to a
specific system which he apparently thinks is the exception which disproves the rule.
Looks to me more like an effort to avoid engaging in a detailed discussion where LOS' premise might be challenged.
Looks to me that way, too. This ain't the thread to engage in a detailed discussion where such a broad general statement should be challenged and discussed at length. If LRE wants to start another thread for that purpose, he knows how to do that.
In fact, IMO, the later "I won't play the rest of your game." LOS' part seems to confirm that.
I agree completely.
If LOS' premise is valid, then it ought to be a relatively simple matter for LOS to address how it is true and how it applies in the particular case of Allende/Chile specifically.
I would agree with that, as well. Just not in this thread.
The playing of the "I won't play the rest of your game." card does nothing to further a detailed discussion of the particular matter of Allende/Chile that some might find enlightening and educational ...
Again, on the nose.
I would think that someone with as strong feelings that LOS has on Marxism, would welcome the opportunity to enlighten everyone as to how what he asserted applies particularly to Allende/Chile.
He may very well might want to do that. Just not off-topic in this thread.
Failure to address the particular issue raised in a responsive manner, which addresses the specifics of that particular instance, may leave the observers on the sidelines wondering whether or not the one making the general/blanket assertion has the capacity or actual requisite knowledge to address the point he was challenged on.
I'm quite sure that at least some of those sideline observers can respect the decorum of at least attempting to stay on topic in a thread, or at least not intentionally let it go too far off topic with a discussion of detailed specifics of a broad statement.
I won't argue that ... but when one walks away from being challenged on a topic where one has made a general assertion, and simply refuses to address it, it smacks of something akin to a Press Release from WeSaySo Corporation ...
Good example of trying to move things to another topic. You quote me and say you won't argue what you just quoted, but instead you want to argue a completely different topic than what you just quoted.
If you or LRE want to discuss the virtues of Chilean Marxism, great, start a new thread. If you or LRE wants to use Chilean Marxism as a vehicle for some tacit agenda towards an EO member, than perhaps a discussion with that member via PM, or discussions at some other Web site might be the better way to proceed. You've gone to great lengths to wax poetic here to defend discussing the actions or inactions of a member, off-topic, in what appears to the the game playing of "set 'em up and knock 'em down." If someone truly wants to discuss Chilean Marxism, start a thread on it. If someone wants to play the "set 'am up and knock 'em down" game, they will find this site a disappointment for their folly. People can post whatever comments on a subject they like, including not posting any at all, and they should be able to do that without others attempting to besmirch them in any way. If you want to besmirch someone on the issues, great, but if you want to publicly postulate their motives for making a comment, or not making a comment, then you're off topic in most cases, this one in particular.