Excellent post, and your last sentence, especially, is spot on. I believe it is the only purpose that O’Rielly serves; to demonstrate how not to engage in debate. I can’t watch him any more because he is incapable of learning anything from a guest. He goes into every interview KNOWING exactly what he believes is 100% correct.
The best illustration is his interview with Wafa Sultan about her book, A God Who Hates. This Muslim woman, born and raised in Syria, tried to explain that hatred of Jews and abuse of women are cultural and faith-based beliefs, supported by the Koran. BOR told her she was wrong. He is neither Muslim, a woman, nor raised in an Islamic country, but HE knows what Islamic religion and culture teach. Unbelievable....I haven’t watched him since that interview except to see Dennis Miller.