Roger Ebert about pundits negative effects on orderly and constructive disscusions

[a completely inoffensive name]

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009...procedure.html

Do you think Ebert's point about aggressive pundits such as O Reilly and Obermann really replacing and destroying calm rational and respectful discussion in America due to their high ratings is true?
Do you think such discussions are already extinct?
Do you think that such aggressiveness is actually beneficial?