WRITERS: Try this instead

I frequently read the opinion page. There is a recurring tactic used by too many letter writers that poisons any hope of useful conversation. This tactic is commonly referred to as the “straw man argument.” It involves putting forth a distorted view of another person’s position for the purpose of tearing down the distortion, which is meant to tear down the actual position or person.

This can happen honestly when a letter writer just has bad information. But too frequently it is used by intelligent people who know exactly what they are doing. It’s time we quit doing that.

Being confident in one’s view is not the same as being correct in one’s view. One of the biggest impediments to learning is the belief that you already know. We can solve problems best by acknowledging the legitimate concerns we share, which always cut across party lines.

STEPHEN D. BRUNO

Dalton Gardens