What this interminable thread has demonstrated so clearly is how dangerous firmly-held principles can be to the intellect. Of course racism is an evil ~~ I am sure we all agree about that. But just note how the whiff of it, and the terror of being possibly associated with its remotest manifestation, can rob intelligent men like Steve & Don {not to mention the vain, fatuous, priggish, self-regarding GolidLox, whom it robs also of all his manners and his sense of proportion} of the wee-bit sense they had, rendering them absolutely impervious to the reception, or even the contemplation, of what are demonstrably incontrovertible facts, in the defence of their deeply-held beliefs. Of such insistent obstinacy is dangerous fanaticism made.

Sincerely

~Michael~

Oh, give over, Michael. No-one is disputing incontrovertible facts. We're disputing the use to which certain disingenuous people with suspect motivations are putting them. There is a difference, you know. You are confusing facts with opinions, like the Daily Mail always does, and calling people nitwits who don't happen to share yours.