Sentence:  Ordinary politeness may have <WSD>militated</WSD> against this opinion being stated so badly but anyone with a wide acquaintance in both groups and who has sat through the many round tables , workshops or panel discussions - whatever they are called - on this subject will recognize that the final , boiled down crux of the matter is education . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  have force or influence; bring about an effect or change