Once in a while, I get accused of uncharitable reading. Once in a while, the accusation is right on the money.
On the other hand, I will assert that, any time an article or column or post starts with the five words used as the title for this post:
- The writer is itching for a fight.
- The writer is not interested in logical argument.
- The writer is likely to be wrong–unless, of course, the writer gets to decide who’s sane and who isn’t.
Heck, “I think most sensible people would agree” may be strong, but it’s in a whole different ballpark.
The particular story that prompted this mini-post? Not important. I didn’t read the whole thing. Why bother? The first sentence told me that the writer considers me to be insane or deluded.
And if that’s uncharitable reading, so be it. When faced with uncharitable writing–with monolithic, “my way or the asylum” statements, I’ll go for fisking and lack of charity.
