[andyfox]

People are hesitant to concede even small points. They feel like once you use the words "tiny babies" or "mild sexual deviation" you've given away too much--both in terms of winning your argument or (for politicians) in catering to your constituency.

If your point is that not giving an inch is a bad way to argue, I agree with you. No argument worth debating features the opposite side without any merit at all. Better, I think, to concede the merit and show why your argument is better. Very fews issues that are controversial are completely black and white.