[V__]

If we look back at my example. Would you say the same thing to the Ukrainian making that point? If not, we agree that there is a line at which politics end and extremism begins, that is not an extreme political position.

This also doesn't mean, one shouldn't try to discuss or interact with them, but be wary of what the reality is.

[geraldwhen]

Politics is politics.

A religious person who believes absolutely in no murder might think that Ukrainians have a duty to retreat; land isn’t worth the price of a single life. Many others feel differently.

But how personal ethics and belief tie into law and governance IS politics.

[V__]

I understand your viewpoint, but can't agree with you. Dismissing everything as just politics and giving every viewpoint the same validity would mean that "rape should be legal" and "raising the tax by 1%" are equally valid positions or opinions to hold. Sure, there may be people which would agree with that assessment and calling one viewpoint extreme might seem be divisive to you or ignoring that it's just politics. But I can't agree with you. I find that notion absurd.

[geraldwhen]

A non straw man of your first argument would be the definition of “rape.” Most people believe forced sex should be illegal.

But rape also means consent, in America, so you get “statutory” rape, and Romeo and Juliet laws, and different handling of intoxication all over the world. If two people are black out drunk, can either rape the other if they ostensibly agreed while intoxicated? Does it matter the sex of the participants?

Look no further than any Reddit post and you will see that at least some people think a 17 year old male having sex with a 25 year old female teacher should not be considered rape.

The definition of rape is unequivocally political.

[V__]

Absolutely, there are lines and some are blurry and worthy of discussion. I'm not trying to deny that. I just wanted to exaggerate an example to get my point across. I could have said "forced sex of a one-year-old by a sane adult" but that's not what I tried to convey.

I try to state that some positions are so out-there (I'm sorry for a lack of a better term) that they are extreme and not part of sane or normal (for a lack of a better term) political discourse. That doesn't mean that one shouldn't try to talk with these people or shun them. Just that pretending they are normal is dangerous. Politicians insisting 1+1 equals 3 is extreme but maybe not harmful, someone insisting Jews are not people got 6 million killed. That's why I can't agree that it's just politics, if such a position can have real dangerous and harmful implications. I hope I could make my point more clear.