I watch in fascination two twitter lists I've created - labeled for better or worse, "left" and "right". I routinely see both braindead namecalling and extremely well constructed arguments on both lists. And yet, the most fascinating aspect is that the authors almost invariably choose to ignore a well constructed argument against their point of view and choose to respond vocally and loudly to namecalling.
Perhaps it's not that there aren't worthy opponents, but that we deliberately choose to ignore them, because it's much easier to portray yourself as a paragon of virtue fighting against uncivilized, uncouth barbarians.
That's pretty much what I see on both sides these days. The idea that someone could hold differing views is no longer seen as disagreement but being actively evil or, at best, stupid.
...which is ok. I mean, you're perfectly entitled to see me as or call me evil or stupid. But when you ignore a 2-page rebuttal of your opinion, and only respond to someone who called you names as an "example" of the abuse being thrown about by the opposition, that's just hypocrisy.
Perhaps it's not that there aren't worthy opponents, but that we deliberately choose to ignore them, because it's much easier to portray yourself as a paragon of virtue fighting against uncivilized, uncouth barbarians.