There are much more effective ways of setting a boundary than that. In this case, Person A (or anyone who is criticizing, name-calling, etc) is unconscious and is not open to hearing or responding to what Person B does or says.
Unconscious? This is what you think is going on?
If the person is "unconscious" enough to hurl abuse at their spouse what on earth makes you think that anything that is said will make a dent...?
If they are this bad I think the text advocates using actions not words...
Validate? I really can't imagine anything that can be said that would make much difference if things have gotten as bad as the example above.
What makes you think they are any more likley to hear something when its delivered warmly when they are hurling abuse at you?
When people get this hostile you usually get laughed at...
I really don't see the point in saying much of anything.
