How do you balance skepticism with not wanting to come off as callous and dismissive?

In my last question, I made reference to the fact that the appeal to the tragedy of 9/11 helped lead to certain foreign and domestic policy blunders (like the invasion of Iraq) that we now look back on negatively. I remember when it was the case that anyone who opposed the invasion of Iraq “hated America”.

Likewise, with the #MeToo movement, it’s clear that a lot of creeps and rapists (especially those in a position of power) were rightfully exposed and brought down. But it’s also the case that some allegations are more heinous than others and some are less credible than others. But to even suggest that is to risk being seen as a defender of rapists or a misogynist.

Yet again with child trafficking and pedophilia. Child trafficking is a real problem. But I have encountered many issues with inflated statistics and misguided safeguards (like Apple’s new policy of scanning personal photos). But if you question any of it, you might be labeled a pedophile or a pedophile sympathizer.

How do you navigate being skeptical or questioning of something without seeming to dismiss the issue at hand? How do you avoid letting the emotional appeal drown out reasonable criticism? “Too soon” and “not the time” may be ways to spare our feelings, but they’re also ways to shut down discussion and critical analysis.