My main conclusions are, oddly, enough, in the final section:

[paste]

I propose that the key elements of a rational conversation are (where "you" refers collectively to all participants):

• 1)you must use only documented reasoning processes: [1.1] using the best known process(es) for a given class of problem [1.2] stating clearly which particular process(es) you use [1.3] documenting any new processes you use
• 2) making every reasonable effort to verify that: [2.1] your inputs are reasonably accurate, and [2.2] there are no other reasoning processes which might be better suited to this class of problem, and [2.3] there are no significant flaws in in your application of the reasoning processes you are using, and [2.4] there are no significant inputs you are ignoring ... So... can we agree on this? [/paste]

P.S. The list refuses to format nicely in comment mode; I did what I could.