Shame mockery and ridicule are potent weapons and have their place in society and in the contest of ideas, values and philosophy. There are certain ideas and concepts, values and philosophies that must be shunned, as must the people and groups that support, promote and espouse them. We as a society, as a culture, as a group identity determine what those things are. When a contest of ideas and debate of those ideas passes a certain point, where one side is no longer grounded in reality, or is so extreme in its position that meaningful debate is no longer possible, then mockery and ridicule become the most effective method of response. This is especially true when there is a real, tangible threat being imposed by said ideas. Those ideas, concepts and values must be shunned, they must be driven into hiding. Human nature compels those ideas to exist. Human decency and compassion compels us to shun them.
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