If I might interject something here, I have something I wanted to post but couldn't find the right time or place. So here goes:
ADDRESSING CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECTS:
Let's face it, there are some things there's no way for everyone to agree on. But in my experience, there are four basic ways to disagree with someone.
1. Rude - You state your opinion with little or no regard for the other person's rights, thoughts, feelings, etc. Usually comes with a level of flaming that makes a dragon with bad allergies look like a burned-out match. Being rude is never neccessary, especially here. Example: THIS FANFIC IS SO STUPID, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD WRITE SOMETHING THIS LAME-O IT'S TOTALLY CHEESY...!
2. Blunt - Stating your opinion with one or two remarks that may get the point across a little too painfully. Not as bad as rude, and may sometimes be neccessary. Akin to being "brutally honest." Example: I hate to break it to you, but your writing is pathetic. Try playing the saxaphone or something.
3. Tactful - This method I recommend most. It states the truth politely, and in a way intended to be fully honest with minimal offense. A tactful person will generally try to dwell on the positive aspects of a comment ("The story was original...") while being constructive with the negative parts ("... but the spelling needs work."). My favorite example of tactfulness comes from a case where Abraham Lincoln was asked to read something a friend of his had written. Finding it not to his liking, he said that "For people who like that sort of thing, I think that would be the sort of thing they would like."
4. Politically correct - Basically going with whoever it seems most advantageous to agree with, regardless of what you believe is right. In a word, cowardice. People who are politically correct are easy to identify because they often contradict themselves, going whichever way the wind seems to blow at any given moment. Example: (When the Red Sox are winning) "Die, phony Yankees!" (when the Yankees are winning) "Bury those Red Sox!"
Hope this helps a few people.
