[jonathankoren]

Uncharitable? Please. We both know what the idiom means. Now you may think there you’re being even handed or something, but you’re not. It’s a tactic that’s used to dismiss criticism. Whether you intended to do it or not, that’s exactly what you did. It’s a baseless accusation that only serves to protect the abuser and discredit the victims.

It’s no different than saying that regular health screenings for preventable diseases are encouraged by doctors, but doctors have a profit motive, so maybe you shouldn’t, but definitely don’t talk to any doctors, because they might be lying to you for money. Or that the idea that smoke detectors should be placed outside of every bedroom is a plot by Big Smoke Detector to sell more smoke detectors.

[lhorie]

Oh, so you just object to the specific idiom I happened to use? Ok then. Just assume I meant to use one that doesn't trigger you but still conveys the intention I explained above. I believe I was crystal clear that I don't approve of the decision/actions that led to the various scandals and that I sympathize with the victims, and I'll reiterate that I'm cautioning specifically against falling prey to gell-mann amnesia and then ending up getting all worked up in dumb flaming arguments w/ randos online on stuff that is inconsequential to your life and off-topic here to boot.

If you want to insist on thinking that I'm trying to gaslight you or whatever, you're ignoring the forum guidelines ("assume good faith") to the detriment of your HN experience and that's your problem, not mine. I'm going to go touch some grass now, I hope you do too. Cheers.