AIBU to live in hope that even controversial threads can avoid personal abuse?

All of us see posts which we consider dumb, naive or just WRONG. And we can point out the errors. But it's totally POINTLESS to tell that person of an opposite mindset that they (not their idea) are evil, stupid etc. That certainly won't make them recant. It'll probably set them more firmly than ever in their beliefs.
Thus one can only say that ranting, abusive types are innately immature and stupid. Not necessarily uneducated (I've seen clever folk do it too!) but lacking a calm, measured response. And MAYBE not totally sure of what they're saying- when you KNOW you're right, you donb't need to scream and shout. If others disagree you shrug - their loss! But if your argument's not hitting home, if you're being asked questions you can't convincingly answer...then I think that's when people throw a tantrum!

Always best to challenge the concept/idea/ opinion with some fact /evidence. Slamming the individual poster or being 'snide' does not progress an argument.

PECS I agree although challenging the concept/idea/opinion with fact/evidence just does not work with posters who are unable to see beyond their own version of reality.

Well I agree that is a problem! But at least we have tried to rebutt assumptions with factual evidence and not one anecdotal incident!

In order to develop a reasoned argument, we need to progress mindless sloganising.

Progress beyond mindless sloganising

PECS