Looks like this massive conspiracy may have cost me a friendship, though I've told him I'd just as easily have a beer with him as argue with him.
On May 11th I received an email from him entitled Confronting The Evidence--The 9--11 Truth Movement in which, at great length, he described the far-reaching government conspiracy of 911, mentioned Loose Change, made reference to the Reichstag fire, Pearl Harbour, The Project for a New American Century, and the New World Order, and encouraged me to check out links supporting the 911 conspiracy.
He was not amused when I responded with a list of links supporting the 'official' story, or debunking the contents of the links he had provided to me.
In an apparent appeal to authority, he tossed the names Steven Jones and Barry Zwicker at me, as though they have a monopoly on the truth. He became increasingly upset that I was unimpressed by their qualifications.
We corresponded back and forth via email, him getting increasingly emotional, me standing firm in my demand for evidence. Him resorting to name-calling and more emotional outbursts, me asking repeatedly for irrefutable evidence.
I told him I hadn't resorted to name-calling, or outright dismissal, I was "waiting for some FACTS to surface that show an elaborate conspiracy involving literally thousands of government employees, in dozens of government and civilian agencies, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent people. Never mind the links to opinions, conjecture, speculation, or wishful-thinking, give me some MEAT. Give me even one name of a conspirator, or one document showing this elaborate scheme. Rumors, and claims by unqualified individuals just aren't convincing."
He became increasingly irrate.
A few minutes ago I received his latest email, filled with more emotional gems, heightened name-calling, and a plea I not send him any more on the matter lest he vomit (apparently because I've insulted his intelligence).
Too bad really, I've had some pretty interesting discussions with him in the past about topics suited for this message forum. He's not a bad guy, and it's really sad he's resorting to temper tantrums as impressive as anything my 11 kids have produced.
Reminds me of the Elbert Hubbard quote -- "If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names." --
Anyone else lose a friend over this?
RayG