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You are assuming that the flamed party goes away from the process adopting the views of the prevailing party. I fail to see that this is the case. When I have been flamed, I don't walk away agreeing with the battle-tested approach. That's because I don't walk in lock-step with the parties that flame me. You are reaching dirtboy!

Sorry, but I have learned quite a bit in the flame wars I have been engaged in, as well as the more calm debates. Anyone who is unwilling to defend their opinion against the opposition here will be unable to properly defend their opinion out in the real world, where libs are even more adept at the sucker punch and the time-honored propaganda techniques.

My only point is that too many folks on FR attack other conservatives as idiots, kooks, commies etc. because they have a take on conservativism that flows out of a different philosophical foundation. We should defend our views, but one does not automatically become an enemy because there is some slight deviation in philosophy. For example, many Christian conservatives get bashed by the libertarians because of their views. Such wars are pointless and serve no purpose. A Christian will never drop their view if they are based on their faith.