It is my understanding that the debate forums were created in order to keep prolonged debate and contentiousness out of the support forum. I can see how they perform a useful function by providing an outlet for debate - and the merits of some topics are certainly worthy of being debated. However, I cannot agree that individual debate forums should be conducted as public trash can forums or worse.
There is simply no need or justification for name calling and personal attacks in debate. And certainly not at a website which, other than noted, I otherwise love and whose stated purpose I believe in wholeheartedly.