Originally Posted by BigBen

... Your discounting Kerry as an imbicile shows contempt and frustration, but little else.

Your choice of words are also at fault here. Does Kerry fit the traditional definition of "idiot"? Of course not. Look what you have done in the second instance here. You have shown your audience that you do not choose your words carefully and are quick to use euphamisms. If your opponent then attacks your wording, you are left looking foolish. You can hide behind the excuse of common language, and "everyone knew what I meant", but the damage is done sir. Your words have been discounted from this point on...