As much as I agree with you I have to say that from what I have seen at work a good number are willing to listen to somebody that doesn't try to overpower their opinions. The tactic that is working for me is that I make it a challenge to prove me wrong with facts and not John Stewart reports but historic facts.
I suspect you are seeing false progress. They fundamentally don't like conflict, especially in conflicts where they are losing and being proven wrong. Maybe they are genuinely convinced for a time-- but its temporary. Their belief in their own superiority and rightness re-asserts and you have to start over ( usually from scratch) the next time. If you are in a position of authority or power, or simply in a position to make their lives miserable (especially if they are ideologically outnumbered) they start to fake civility and understanding, but they are just waiting for an opportunity to stick it to you in any way they can ( because they can't do it intellectually or by shaming you through peer pressure.) I really think this thing is genetic - or a function of genetics and environment that can't be altered past a certain age. .. A misguided conservative, once shown the error of his ways, isn't looking to prove you wrong, but to improve their own understanding. They are embarrassed. Chastened. They are not hostile toward you, but grateful.
The fact that your co-workers are treating it as a sort of game of stump the conservative-- means they aren't taking it seriously. These fascists reject the very idea of truth as absurd. Its this "postmodernism" that seems to be the popular term for it now. They think its funny you think there is such a thing as truth or fact. . They are looking ONLY for opportunities to catch you - with clever word play, or in just a simple mistake ( this is why you will so often see the logically cornered liberal strike out suddenly at your grammar or spelling) so they can dismiss you as stupid. So they will play this game with you- throwing something till it sticks , and they can dismiss you. Sort of like grade school bullies tossing insults to see what will and won't push your buttons. Probing for weakness. . (You are in the 7th grade and still like pokemon ?!? What a Baby!) Racism is just one of the (first) things they throw, almost as some sort of opening ritual ( I even got it from my own mother and sister who grew up in the same home and watched me deliberately choose to go to School in Harlem) .
Its all just a game for them, one where the object isn't to be right ( for what sort of fool believes in that sort of thing) but prove oneself more clever. They fundamentally don't care what the truth is, as long as they can feel superior to you. Its all emotion and ego driven. If You play defense (as it would appear you are doing) , and play it well, it will just make them mad enough to resort to childish pranks once they realize they can't best you on your own turf. Then they will play "holier than thou" and just refuse to engage on any topic, having proven they are smarter or better by letting the air out of your tires, or spilling a bucket of water on your head. They ARE emotionally and intellectually 5 years old. . They will always be that way. There is nothing you can do.
