I'm fortunate to be included in electronic distribution lists with thoughtful individuals from every corner of this country and beyond our shores. That most of the participants in these groups are far from shy is important. Robust discussions involving disagreement are frequent. Do strong feelings and the occasional angry word appear? Yes. Passion is passion after all.

Of late, much has been written and spoken about Americans' seeming inability to disagree with each other in civil and intelligent terms. I can't tell you how often folks remind me of the relationship between Tip and the Gipper.

The other evening, an acquaintance whose political views differ from mine expressed how he missed the days when President Ronald Reagan and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill vigorously expressed their disparate views in the most passionate of terms and somehow managed to go out for dinner and drinks later to calm the political seas. This gentleman and I see very little the same way, so why do we enjoy coffee and conversation every now and then?

Good question. I'm sure my discussion partner wants to metaphorically strangle me at times. And I know there are occasions when I can barely hold back my anger, but then I step back and wonder if everyone else experiences what we do. Perhaps my acquaintance and I are just ordinary.

Some time ago, I wrote a column about using the time-honored debate framework to........

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