I would agree with you @Titusfrost, that a spirited debate is necessary over many things in our society today. It's needed to fix societies ills! I enjoy it a lot!!!

Unfortunately... I've given up on trying to debate most people. They're so indoctrinated, and wrapped up in cognitive dissonance that a decent debate is almost impossible. If someone can effectively debate an issue, and teach me some facts that I'm not aware of, I can change my position. What most people do is ignore facts, resort to denigration and name calling. They'll turn to racial, nationalistic, or religious excuses on a dime.

Right from birth, they've had a tidy little box built for them, and they only feel comfortable inside of it. They refuse to venture outside.