"Before the debate, not-a-crisis got 30 percent of the vote. After, the number rose to 46 percent. The is-a-crisis tally dropped from 57 to 42. The undecideds dipped slightly, from 13 to 12.

Was it Crichton's star power? Was it manic energy of the arm-waving Stott? Or was there something in the argument, the crowd or the before-and-after ballot?

Either way, Rosenkranz was sounding like a proud papa as he reviewed the night.

"This was a thrilling thing to see," he said. "To me, it just really showed we were doing what we'd set out to do, which is create an environment where people at least develop respect for the opposing view. If they change their minds, that is even greater. It shows a terrific degree of open-mindedness and thoughtfulness about these various issues. But even if we can just increase the humility we have about our own views and our respect for those with opposing views - what's wrong with that?" "

http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-nyhen165132423mar16,0,5083109.column?coll=ny-news-columnists

Linked from http://www.junkscience.com/

And in a blue state, New York.