I'd also like to read a comprehensive non-partisan discussion on the matter. HN is one of the more intelligent forums I'm aware of, yet on certain topics like this, I assert that it is plagued by the same one dimensional, emotional, absolutist thinking we accuse others of on other topics.

I strongly believe, and constantly test this theory as I am reading the news and forum discussions, that if there is an aspect of gender, sexuality, race, culture, and probably a few others involved in a given scenario, there are very strong subconscious mental processes that interfere with the thought processes of otherwise very logical and perfectly well-intentioned people.