""I just wish we could drop most of the partisan stuff which gets in the way of open debate.""

People don't all have the same opinion about almost any subject that you can name. That is a given!

Debate is about discussion of those differing opinions, by both sides, or even numerous sides. That too is a given!

Whenever I see a post like the one above from Ake, I know that I am dealing with someone who wishes only to "debate" with those who share his opinion, and that is an oxymoron.

Debate is a partisan activity, or it is not debate.

It need not be nasty (though sometimes one is dealing with people whose opinions are despicable), but it is always partisan, which incentally is not a dirty word.

Don T.