"if people are in the mood for constructive discussion in the first place" Partially, yes. But even if they are in the mood, an antagonistic first comment can

"if people are in the mood for constructive discussion in the first place" Partially, yes. But even if they are in the mood, an antagonistic first comment can change the mood. Calling a preferred form of government "weak" can easily be seen as antagonistic, and it sets up the initial discussion to be about the correct term, rather than what you want it to be.