It’s Never the Ship; It’s the Flag

When someone makes an argument,
Over drinks or in an essay,
Chances are good the audience

Evaluates that argument
Quite carefully and thoroughly,
Not to consider its logic

Or to weigh its evidence, but
To ascertain whether or not
It fits their prior convictions.

People spy any attempt
To persuade them to change their minds.
Is this argument friend or foe?

Once they’ve decided, they nod, or
Fire back with their own arguments.