You get what you give is a nice thought, but it is not always the case. I avoid ad hominem attacks like the plague in debate yet I am the target of ad hominem attacks on a regular basis.
Does not that leave you open to manipulation? If the flow of our conversation is based upon how I treat you, then does not that give me great power over you, or at least how you will respond to me?
Its a waste of time arguing back and forth, but I think its normal for arguments to go sour once in awhile. Getting to the truth, yet alone changing things is a process. It would be nice if the crooks would get out of the way...but it wont happen.
You are correct. It could happen. Usually those in this forum that insult me are just plain stupid, uninformed, and I drop the conversation after a while.
When someone is spewing venom in your direction it's hard to avoid fighting fire with fire. I have resolved to try and clean up my act.
Since I am bigoted against such bigots I treat them as they treat the subjects of their bigotries. Think of it like matching contempt with contempt.