Here is another approach I find helpful when assaulted by a liberal. When hit with a ridiculous liberal talking point, the natural tendency is to argue the point. That is usually a waste of time and it can be very intimidating to respond unless you have a lot of experience in public argumentation. Instead, when hit with the usual emotional and senseless statement, come back with a question that challenges the intelligence of your opponent. It doesn’t have to have anything to do with the topic presented. Keep three responses ready at all times. For example, in a friendly voice (that’s important), “Where did you go to school?” That throws them off their feat, gives you a moment to think, and amplifies their anxiety that they might have to prove they are intelligent as part of their argument. You can sometimes take command of the situation from that point. Alternatively, you can start asking logical questions that are simply statements of your point of view. You can ask, “Have you ever been to the Balkans?” That can channel the situation toward justifying their intelligence, in a subtle way. I then continue with, “I had a friend who traveled there in the early 90’s. She was pulled off a train by armed locals.” I then drive them down a road where they must justify not only their point of view but their intelligence. It is what they implicitly try to do to conservatives but are rarely logical enough to do it. It works better with the insecure, emotional leftists (most of them are).
“Instead, when hit with the usual emotional and senseless statement, come back with a question that challenges the intelligence of your opponent. It doesn’t have to have anything to do with the topic presented. Keep three responses ready at all times. For example, in a friendly voice (that’s important), “Where did you go to school?” “
Very cool. This is actually a technique used in pickpocketing, called a “pattern interrupt.” It is funny to me you instinctively perceived its utility.
For more see:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/01/07/130107fa_fact_green?currentPage=all