ORIGINAL: HansBolter
ORIGINAL: Capt Henry
Terminus has it right, time to move on. Japan is just baiting the forum at this point. He's expressed his view, others have expressed theirs, and we're going to need to agree to disagree.
That's just exactly the problem. Those who would rather trash Japan can't seem to agree to disagree. They would rather be free to attempt to get away with categorical statements that he is incorrect, like you have just done, than agree to disagree.
Japan has perfectly valid points in the way he defines Soviet "victory" (not that I necessarily agree with him). Real gentlemen would acknowledge his points and THEN point out that they disagree with them, NOT dismiss them as INCORRECT. The REAL problem here is the lack of gentlemen [:-]
I disagreed with Japan's statement, but offered no arguements, because I had no wish to attempt to change his mind. He can believe what he wants.
However, I disagree with your statement, but this time I will offer a rebuttal since you seem to imply that not offering a rebuttal is "ungentlemanly".
The only purpose for a person to "acknowledge his points" is to attempt to persuade someone to reevaluate their point of view and/or change their minds. If that person is from a different culture and/or is stubborn, all that the "acknowledge his points" usually achieves is a flamewar. It is not rude or "ungentlemanly" to dismiss someone as being INCORRECT. It is my belief and I have a right to it. It does not mean that I am correct, it just means that I believe something different. If I felt the topic and/or arguement was important enough, then I would provide agrument points...as I have just done. Everything does NOT have to be a debate.[:-]