On the ethics of debate

Hi, Kel, in the hurly-burly of quick replies that happens from time to time here, an answer can get buried in the deluge. A couple of times I have gone away to find a reference (yes, there is life beyond Google), and when I returned, the topic had moved on so far, the answer had lost its relevance. Was I wrong not to reply?EvC has such a range of knowledge that it seems churlish just to win a point when that knowledge is being given freely.To interrupt the flow means the continuity and catalyst is diverted.Of course, we have posters who continue to broadcast propaganda and it used to irk me, till I realised it served the purpose of streamlining our own points. Next time that point arose, you could go straight to the heart of it.So, roll with the punch and realise we are talking to more than just posters. Many lurkers (as I was ) come in from the cold, better prepared from seeing our explanatory posts--------I hope