Verbal aggression, speaking generally, is a good thing, especially as an alternative to physical aggression. The general rule about verbal aggression – satire, snark, ridicule, obscenity – is: punch up, not down.
A rule is one thing, its application another. How apply the Stoned Philosopher's rule? Suppose I ridicule Nancy Pelosi. Am I punching up or down? Arguably down inasmuch as she is an obviously stupid woman who is also vile. She is my intellectual and moral inferior. So I am punching down.
I will be told that I am punching up inasmuch as she has wealth and power far in excess of mine, and that therefore my verbal aggression is justified.
Whatever you say. The main thing is to keep up the verbal punching against our domestic enemies.
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