I think there’s a point where an outright excuse and a fair and sound justification only becomes explanation but not justification, and then after that can even become manipulation.

It’s impossible to ever really know intent, but we can certainly try to deduce consistencies in somebody else’s psyche. The problem arises when you encounter not knowing if somebody is truly stupid or if it is out of fear, hatred, and/or malice.

Alas, if you step back, does it even really matter? Whose fault is somebody else’s ignorance? Certainly not my own, right?