"There is intelligent opinion on both sides."

Granted. But we would both agree that not ALL opinions on both sides are intelligent?

"The elitist tendency of liberals to believe that anyone that disagrees with them is dumb is one of the main reasons that I usually prefer the other side."

Okay, well is it right or wrong to say that statements are either true or false or undecideable. And is it wrong or right to say that, for all statements, SOME statements are better supported than others.

And is it the case that, if we want to find the truthful or most supportable claim, that we have to test the reasoning and reasons behind those claims?

And if we DON'T discuss our political opinions in that fashion- then what the hell are we doing? Telling eachother fish-stories? Debating about what precise shade of blue the sky is today? Wondering aloud if your green is the same as MY green? Talking about if Space aliens drive cigar-shaped UFOs or Saucer shaped UFOs?

In otherwords- are we not just masturbating with words?

'ELITISM!!!' Is the cry of those who are put to task and asked to put up or shut up. It is the whimper of those who want to be taken seriously because they really feel they are right or really believe in what they are saying. If Elietism is your categorization for ANY argument that actually seeks to evaluate claims based on their truth or truth conditions, then William F. Buckley and George Will (and many other conservatives I respect and sometimes agree with) are just as Elitist as your average high-brow academic liberal.

I would say it is like the kitchen- if you can't stand the heat then get the hell out. And in the process, own up to the fact that your opinions are untested and are nothing better than faith and that you have no right to tell ANYONE else that they are wrong. Otherwise, lets throw-down and see why we should agree or disagree about some matter.

Just my 2 cents... my 'opinion' as such.

And Boy, am I sure I'm gonna hear it back from you ;-)

Davin L.