They are very intelligent, politically astute and have a facility with words. Joe Meerts of this debate. And they are not appealing to you, but rather directly to the public. This is a good point. In my opinion the most important task for scientists in a public discussion like this board is to explain why science is more than just a bunch of theories.
Most science is directed towards practical results.
In a colloquial sense you are quite correct about 'theories'. Science has very specific requirements for a theory and since you seem to agree that this has now been elevated to the status of a scientific theory, the onus falls on you to describe why it deserves this status. I do agree with you that the scientific community has formal requirements for theories. Many creationists, like those on this board, have what they believe to be legitimate empirical questions about the sufficiency of evolution in explaining all facets of the development of life, from non-life to humans. But truth be told, Joe, I'm not sure if attempts will be made to formalize it or not.