Responding to irrationality

I asked Thomas Knapp to write a response to ESR's support of the war, while still claiming to believe in the non-aggression principle.

Tom graciously obliged me, responding much better than I ever could in these three posts:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

There were two principle reason for asking Thomas to do this, instead of doing it myself. First of all he is a much better write than I am, and therefore would do a more effective job. Secondly, words failed me. The illogic and anti-libertarian sentiment in ESR's posts, while still claiming to be libertarian, left me speechless. I suppose this really bothered me because ESR is someone I admire. Or used to admire. It is difficult when people we respect do something that forces you to change your opinion.

I can respect many arguments, even when I disagree with them, but that I cannot respect irrational positions. I cannot accept illogic. As Anthony Flew said: "To be illogical is to be stupid, or to be incoherent, or to be insufficiently concerned about truth, or all three together." The ESR I respected was none of these things. The argument presented in favor of the war was at least one of them.