Hi Bart..........You said:

That is one reason why I don't particularly enjoy the "parsing" of postings and point-by-point rebuttal (except when John the Skeptic does it, he tends to lend support to my position). Lately I see too many discussions (not only here; this happens on news shows, talk shows, and in debates) get lost in minutiae and semantics.

Yeah it is a pain in the ass ain't it? LOL.......Really, it does take so much away from an idea when everything is picked to death. It seems that every word is under scrutiny and can become fair game. I notice though that in many cases, the idea is NOT refuted by the pedantia........Kinda' like winning the battles and losing the war.

BTW, since you posted an opinion/observation about the fact we are giving opinions about opinions, and since I have now pointed out your opinion on opinions on opinions, I'd like to say that I think we can now go on to expressing an opinion regarding someone who voices an opinion about the opinions being given about opinions. Are we at Tier Four thinking yet? And if so, can I now discuss passing gas as Jeri suggests so Alex can argue about the smell?

Spaw