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Originally Posted by dc_dux
ace....I do understand that there are those who firmly believe that emotions should rule over objective judgments...and clouding the facts be damned.
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This is another example of my point. This comment implies that what has formed my core belief has no basis in facts and that I have no respect for facts. In my mind this comment sets the tone of what follows. I simply become more entrenched in my view. I perceive this as an attack on my view. And as roach's study suggests in my view when a conservative's core view is attacked that view becomes more entrenched. Given, the learning opportunity and given the number of times I have pointed this out to people here on TFP, I can only assume there really is no interest in increased understanding, perhaps only an attempt to score points and make others look irrational.
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Unfortunately, the result is often as ratbastid described it....attempts at discussions with such persons are "like trying to grab steam"... attempting to converse when the emotional "feeling" party will consistently "shift positions and side-step the corners" to avoid the facts...and then "deny any shift."
Perhaps that is why it is so humorous to some. 
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Not a personal attack...simply an observation of discussion styles.
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I rarely shift positions. Perhaps you folks should come up with a better way to describe what you mean.
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Also regarding "facts" - The Prof. Gates arrest proves interesting. There was only one set of facts, but given those facts - two people responded in very different ways - both with foundational legitimacy and both can be interpreted as being irrational.