Can you handle a debate?

I had my first time experience commenting to a post that I strongly disagree, and it ends up that the author is not as open minded as I thought she was. I thought that she respected my opinion because she replied nicely, and I accepted it wholeheartedly. But the thing was, when another person commented and agreed with her ( and obviously disagreed with me ) she said sarcastically that “… you must keep it to yourself because someone might get upset”.

I believe in the freedom of speech and democracy, so why will you ask someone to keep his/her mouth shut if she want something to say. If you don’t want somebody to disagree with you then why don’t you just say so, so that others who have different opinions will not waste their time in commenting to your post.

I looked up to her so much, sometimes I even envied her achievements in her career. I really adore her blog and my day wasn’t complete if I would not visit and read her new posts. But because of this incidence I am very much disappointed. I thought that smart women are open to criticism and opinions from others. But I think because she knows she’s smart enough she don’t want anybody to disagree with her.

Have you experienced the same thing my dear readers? so how did you handle it?