Why I like C-SPAN

Bruce Bartlett makes a good case for the current (poor) state of public discourse in American society. Such is why I enjoy taking the time now and then to watch a real debate on C-SPAN. 30 minutes or more to lay the groundwork for one's complex ideas is essential for any reasonable counter-arguments to be made. Until society reboots and at least some of us return to a slower, more reasoned posture toward public discourse, Bartlett suggests the following:

One reform I would propose is to cut back on contrived debates. Why not interview those with opposing views separately, and give each more than a minute or two to make their point without having to respond to another person's debating tactics? And how about encouraging interviewers to intervene when blatant errors or falsehoods are offered as facts?

I think these reforms would raise the level of discourse and the quality of those willing to appear on cable programs by weeding out some of the hacks whose only knowledge on a subject comes from their party's talking points.