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[the__lord]

The Rules

Each week, debates will be posted according to the schedule, on Mondays at approximately Noon EST. Over the course of the season, each participant will debate the eight general topics, along with four current event debates. The topic for the current event debates will be assigned during the week prior to those debates. The topics will

Comments

[the_lance]

If the home participant doesn't post an opening comment and the away participant is waiting, what should be done?

[the__lord]

It will be up to the home participant each week to post the opening comment. If the home participant never opens, it will count as a forfeit, and the away participant wins.

[skaloop]

How much freedom does the home person have in framing the debate? Say the topic is immigration, could the home person frame the debate as: "Be it resolved that all applicants for immigration should be shot on sight. I will argue against, my opponent will argue for."

Not only does that put the away person in an almost unwinnable position, but it is also not a debate on the real issues of immigration.

Just curious.

[the__lord]

I'll let everyone use their judgement, but all debates should be framed in a way so that reasonable people can disagree. The council has the final say on who wins each debate, and I certainly won't look favorably on painting someone into a corner that no reasonable person could argue their way out of. As for addressing the real issues, whatever they may be, I'm more open on that. You can choose to debate the overall issue, or pick up a smaller issue that's closely related and go into more detail on that. As long as it stays within the scope of the general topic, it's fine.

[skaloop]

All right then.

Also, I should probably mention now that I am going to be on vacation from April 24 to May 4. That's at least one full week when I won't be able to participate. But that will be at the end of the regular season anyway, so even if I miss, we should probably already know if I am in the playoffs.

[the__lord]

That's fine. We're probably going to have an extra week between the regular season and playoffs for makeup debates and tiebreakers, so if you end up missing an important debate, you'll be able to make it up.

Thanks for letting me know in advance.

[ex_brainles]

So wait, I force the other person to a side if I post first? I'd feel badly for forcing chuck to argue in favor of extraordinary rendition.

[the__lord]

Yes, but keep my reply to skaloop in mind. Present an argument that a reasonable person can disagree with.

[meredith_mae]

If the debate begins with the 'home' participant posting an opening comment, with no response from the 'away' participant, the 'home' participant wins by default. Forfeits count in the standings as regular wins and losses

Anyone familiar with e-bay should know that the home participant could wait until 11:58am EST on Saturday to post their opening argument, at which point they would win by default.

[the__lord]

I don't think that will be an issue with this group, but if I catch anyone doing that, they're out.