i m fine with it, i think it should stay;
our lifes are affected by politics one way or other, hence we should be able to debate it;
and as Dr Baldhead above points out it does help with language too (I for one try to follow (read and understand) arguments in russian to improve my language comprehension skills).
obviously it would be desirable if commentators could keep with common courtesy and refrain from getting involved in personal attacks; however better some degree of over-the-top debate than none (or a restricted one) at all