You may notice that I'm a frequent critic of people, arguments, and political arrangements. Indeed, I'm quite happy to skewer someone if I think they're putting forward an argument that's off-base, sloppy, or just confused. I rather expect that people will do the same to me, and I track Technorati so that if someone does, I know about it.

But here's my pledge: when I quote someone on here, or when I attack someone for some reason, it will be for one of two reasons: (a) it's so patently ridiculous that it become unintentionally funny, or (b) it comes from a source that I either respect or is popularly respected. In the first case, I'm hoping to draw a laugh from you, my readers, and hopefully can do it in a lighthearted spirit. That was the original concept behind most of Ridiculous Bipartisanship, although it's turning into a web-critique column.

But on the second point: there's no point in taking on the marginal or ridiculous. It's worthwhile debating with those who you respect, because it hones your skills, and if you listen you'll learn something. And it's worth debating with those who are well-respected by others because it's often worth noting when the Emperor has no clothes.

What you will not find here is a detailed refutation of the idiotic. Morons exist on all sides of the political spectrum: hate, stupidity, and ignorance can be a remarkably bi-partisan political commodity. Simply put, I could trawl the web looking for someone who's posted something inane on the Kerry blog, or point out the many errors that some less-than-erudite Bushies make. But not only would such shots be cheap, they're too easy to be worthwhile. It's a lot more interesting--and exciting--to address an issue at a complex, nuanced level than to simply mock those who never bothered to learn better. And I'm unlikely to learn anything.

Remember: a man can be measured by the caliber of his enemies.

Let this just be a statement of reality: there's a lot of truly silly people out there. They're Democrats, they're Republicans, they're religious and their secularists. But for the most part, unless they're amusing, it's not worth taking the time for anyone.