"I really don't think metal detecting can possibly be a good thing, no matter how many artifacts are unearthed by it. In fact, the more things that are found, the more our historical heritage is destroyed. By taking finds from their original setting without a proper archeological dig is just appalling. "

Succinctly put!
May I quote you? ;)

The apologists for metal detecting will say the finds mostly come from disturbed ploughsoil and are therefore contextless. It's a self-serving lie. They are part of horizontal scatters.

"It really should be illegal."

Which is why it IS in every civilised country on earth except this one!