This one actually goes beyond even empathy. I mean, empathy wouldn't help. xyzelement sounded literally insane in that comment. Like the Iraqi information minister telling the press of the imminent defeat of the Americans with American tanks rolling through the streets behind him.
Guys, if you want to debate, feel free. But try never to get into a rhetorical situation where you're fighting a rear guard action against the facts. People just look at each other while you're talking and say, "Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot." Never lose the audience that badly.
xyzelement's comment is an example of that dynamic.
