In the world of debate, there are only three types of people.

1. Those who have pertinent, thoughtful answers. They may be right or wrong, but at least they have an honest response to the question posed. Lively debates can occur when two or more people of this type are involved.

2. Those who have no answers and keep quiet because they recognize that they don’t have answers. These people may be willing to listen to another point of view and change, then again maybe they aren’t.

3. Those who have no answers, but aren’t willing to keep quiet. Instead, they attempt to slander their opponent. Not only do these people refuse to admit they don’t have answers, but they aren’t willing to listen to anyone else who does. They are certain that they, and they alone, are right and that everyone who doesn’t agree with them is wrong. End of argument.

Long ago, Socrates said that, “When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.” That was true then and it is still valid today.