Though it is a difficult process of confrontation, and sometimes of accusation and counter-accusation, it still bears fruit.

Even if, in the middle of heated debate, it seems that no one's mind or position is influenced by his debating opponents, it can still....in the honest mind...produce thoughtful reflection afterwards.

AD has been researching 9/11. I don't know where his research has led him to this point. But it is a good thing, regardless. Czuch I'm not sure about, although I hope he is at least considering the possibility that handouts to banks & corporations is at least as detrimental to liberty as handouts to the poor.

As for myself, I've been forced to look more closely at the global warming issue, and more generally & importantly, I've been forced to examine my opinions on Individualism vs. Collectivism...to delve more deeply...and I've arrived at some different conclusions than I previously held in my arguments on this board.

Specifically, I discovered the inconsistency of my position, that handouts to the poor are ok, whereas handouts to the rich is not ok. What I learned is that it is the same mechanism at work. The government that has the power to favor certain classes of individuals, be they poor or rich, also has the power to destroy individuals.

(V) and I have generally supported each other, though we certainly don't agree on everything. It is his willingness to examine the issues that most impresses me, and his willingness to enter the fray.

The point of this post is that, debate is a good thing. Discussion is a good thing. Feedback is a good thing. The more of it, the better for all of us.