The other day I was waiting for a guest to arrive at Dulles Airport (just outside of Washington, DC). Having a cup of coffee and a little nosh to pass the time. The elderly gentleman at the next table starts with a bit of chit-chat. The normal meaningless chatter between people stuck doing something they would rather not. After about 20-minutes he takes the conversation down a political side street.

After listening to him vent for a couple of minutes I courteously unfurl my political colors expecting a bit of friendly jousting. Instead he affects a disgruntled air, gathers up his coffee, sticky-bun, newspaper, and magazines and strides off. Not before throwing a last-word barb or two.

In this town when one makes political conversation in an open forum (such as an airport coffee shop) one should expect to find divergent views and be ready to exchange ideas; or at least arguments.

It reminds me of a couple of old sayings:
The first rule of gun fighting is: Bring a gun.
By corollary: The first rule of intellectual debate is: Bring an intellect.