I know this is unrealistic, but what really gets me in political debate is that we can't debate and disagree about these matters without demonizing the opponents of our views. It's easy to call names in the heat of it but at the end of the day why not consider that your opponent has their view in good faith?

It's true that we tend to adopt "our" side's rhetoric and it becomes "we rule, you drool". Fine for the sake of a vigorous debate, but a little mutual respect also goes a long way.

Clockwork, maybe your viewpoint won't change with time just because mine did. On the other hand, youi're 24. It's naive for you to be so sure that time won't change your views either. You said I don't know you other than your age. True, and you don't know me either. Your statements indicate that you think you're superior to me because you feel that you, unlike me, won't change. So, little as you know me, why do you feel superior to me?

My views and statements are informed by my experience. I've been an adult for slightly longer than you've been alive, and I came of age in 1976. I grew up hating the Vietnam War and having a lot of idealism. 19 years in Los Angeles tempered that naivete with some ugly realities. Not that I didn't love it there, but you adapt to survive.

So you may or may not change your views over time, but don't dub yourself superior. You don't know what's ahead. Sure your friends probably laugh at your witty contemptuous barbs, but are you trying to be sincere, or just funny? Or orthodox to your chosen peer group?

If you really want to be open-minded, don't close your mind with knee-jerk reactions. Dogma is dogma, whether religious or secular. Don't get caught up in dogmatic thinking. I disagree with you on this issue but I'm not calling you a traitor; I just think your POV is wrong. So disagree with me, but save the racist stuff so it has a punch when it actually applies.