I Resent That Question!

* From “The A**HOLE’S Guide To Arguing (Or, How To Succeed In Politics)”

Acting offended, claiming moral outrage and refusing to answer, are just ways of trying to shift the blame and make yourself look like the victim. Share on X

If an opponent in a debate tries this, you have hit a nerve. Unless you have accused your opponent of being a swinging necrophile that eats live chickens for breakfast, then these kinds of responses are not warranted.

“Jackson, is it true that six million dollars went missing during your watch and that you have no idea where it went?”
“I resent that question. I am not even going to dignify that with a response.”
“Well, I think that it is a perfectly reasonable question. The money went missing on your watch, the one person who should know where it went is you. I’m starting to think that you do know, but that you don’t want to tell us. Did you embezzle that money?”
“This is an outrage! Never in my life have I taken anything that did not belong to me. Never! I am not a thief. How could you even suggest such a thing? I am deeply offended.”

This type of defence can be tricky to get around. There is a fine line here between being determined and being ruthless, and if you are perceived as crossing it, you may lose.

Even if you are right, people often side with the underdog.
Dirty, mangy and rabid ones included.

© Merlyn Gabriel Miller