[way way waaay OT] Help me argue!

[Angcuru]

Here's the situation: On the 19th, my school's debate club is going to be competing at a Debate Competition at Rutgers Campus. The topic: Should the United States be subject to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court?

My friends and I have a pack of facts and arguments the equivalent of a LVL 99 Finger of Death spell supporting why the US should not. - Negative

Concerning why the US should, we have the equivalent of a deaf-mute quad-amputee kobold with terets . - Affirmative

The way the competition works: You show up, and they tell you 5 minutes before you start what position you have to take.

Affirmative = BAD! Negative = GOOD!



Pre-emptive apology to Mods: This thread is political to a fault, but I'm desperate!

 

[Umbran]

Okay, perhaps a first step - In a properly run formal debate emotional positions (like ones based upon national ego) are weak. So, identify all those arguments for the negative that are based upon the US being the biggest, proudest, most important kid on the block. Those are the ones you can perhaps turn around and use as an affirmative argument.

 

[Piratecat]

Despite all my instincts telling me to shut this down, I'm going to keep it open for now - mainly because I think it would be interesting to see a thread that talks about how to argue and debate. Unfortunately, if this strays into politics, it will be closed without warning. Thus, I'd certainly appreciate it if you keep the subject to the art of debating, and not discuss the political topic which Angcuru will have to face.

Angcuru, I know that this might not be as useful to you as a result, but it's the best I can do. If you wish to discuss the political aspect, please start a thread in Nutkinland's Church & state forum, and provide a link here.

Thanks for using good judgment, everyone!

 

[Piratecat]

Pre-emptive apology to Mods: This thread is political to a fault, but I'm desperate!

Hey, that's no reason to break the rules!

But you're clearly desperate, and I always feel so bad for you when someone misspells your name D), so I'll gladly help out. I'll close this; but please go to Church and State at Nutkinland and ask there. It's a forum for political discussion with no flaming allowed, and there are a lot of intelligent and well-spoken posters who will probably be pleased to debate the topic back and forth, up and down.

Good luck!