http://www.debate.org/debates/?order=1&sort=&member=beem0r Customize this RSS feed by going to http://www.debate.org/rss/ en-us 2013-05-20T02:46:37-08:00 2013-05-20T02:46:37-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Really-what-is-the-truth-about-the-earth-and-how-we-got-here/1/ (Voting Period) 20 billion years ago. Nothingness. Then suddenly some unknown atom massed outwards into space, if only we could get our hands on this "atom", as there was space for this explosion to expand into there had to be time and existing matter there before. According to science outside the universe, it's a void where nothing can exist. So how did anything come together to begin with? So far I would say im being logical. Then the next part is chemical evolution, how and where did all these chemicals get here. Even though iron can't compose anything other than mixed elements other than the ones below it on the reactor chart. like gold silver copper. So as iron is the most reactorable metal how did all these chemicals other that Hydrogin and carbon doxide, iron can not react with anything else other than those two so where did all these other gasses and elements get here? This ruins the theory of the Big Bang, thats all what is here now couldnt have come from such a bang http://www.debate.org/debates/Really-what-is-the-truth-about-the-earth-and-how-we-got-here/1/comments/ 2008-10-14T11:47:43-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/There-should-not-be-a-mandatory-seatbelt-law/1/ (Post Voting Period) Hello, this is my first debate, online or in real life, so please forgive me if I don't follow proper protocol. Please inform me if I am messing something up, if you would be so kind, thank you. I am for the position that there should not be a mandatory seatbelt law. My reasons are: 1. It is a violation of a person's freedom. Seatbelts are there if a person chooses to wear one, and those who want to can wear their seatbelt, but those who don't want to shouldn't be forced to wear one. 2. It is an oppressive money generator, not for the purpose of keeping the people safe but rather for the purpose of supplementing revenues. 3. It is not reasonable, because there are some states that don't even require helmets to be worn when riding motorcycles. 4. In many accidents it is safer to not be wearing a seatbelt and so it should be left up to the individual to decide when and if to wear a seatbelt. I look forward to an interesting debate thank you! http://www.debate.org/debates/There-should-not-be-a-mandatory-seatbelt-law/1/comments/ 2009-02-23T23:40:00-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/The-need-for-Identity-Confirmation-with-a-phone-number-is-aburd./1/ (Voting Period) Debate is inextricably linked with journalism. Journalism ideally is the process of informing people so that they can make a legitimate decision. Debate is the discussion that hopefully precedes that decision. To levy such a heavy handed and draconian caveat to the freeness of speech such as any demand of absolute identification is a corruption of the entire ethic behind debate itself. This entire idea is disgustingly manipulative. Anonymity is a serious personal right, and the desire to remain anonymous does not strip one of his or her first amendment rights, which regardless of your country of origin should be seen as a human right. To counter with any variant on "It's a private page we can do as we like" Admit that the entire page is a sham. And beyond that your rights end when they begin to infringe on another, and making a page with such a lofty implied goal as sheltering general debate, you've passed form the private into the public domain. http://www.debate.org/debates/The-need-for-Identity-Confirmation-with-a-phone-number-is-aburd./1/comments/ 2008-09-23T12:43:54-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Assuming-an-endless-universe-there-are-as-many-Thursdays-as-there-are-days./1/ (Voting Period) Georg Cantor established the idea bijection to establish the relationship between the sets of infinite numbers and establishing that they were the same size. He famously derived the counter intuitive proof that there as many unit squares as items on the number line in his 1874 Crelle paper. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georg_Cantor Assuming the universe doesn't end and the word day still holds some meaning unto the infinite, then there are as many Thursdays as there are days in general. Today -> Next Thursday 1 day from now -> 1 week from next Thursday. 2 days from now -> 2 weeks from next Thursday. 3 days from now -> 3 weeks from next Thursday. 4 days from now -> 4 weeks from next Thursday. 5 days from now -> 5 weeks from next Thursday. 6 days from now -> 6 weeks from next Thursday. 7 days from now -> 7 weeks from next Thursday. 8 days from now -> 8 weeks from next Thursday. ... For each day you site in the first set of days in general the http://www.debate.org/debates/Assuming-an-endless-universe-there-are-as-many-Thursdays-as-there-are-days./1/comments/ 2008-09-22T20:42:02-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Catholicism-is-more-morally-admirable-than-Protestantism/1/ (Post Voting Period) I will argue here that Catholicism is more morally admirable than Protestantism, as a whole. In the tenets in which the two differ, Catholicism is more admirable. It is more consistent in its stances, preaches better morals, and its principles have more positive ramifications than those of Protestantism. I will go into more detail in the next rounds. My opponent must debate that Protestantism is more morally admirable than Catholicism. Thank you to whomever accepts this challenge. http://www.debate.org/debates/Catholicism-is-more-morally-admirable-than-Protestantism/1/comments/ 2009-05-06T05:07:37-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Scooby-Doo-Encourages-Drug-Addiction/1/ (Post Voting Period) (Originally from my blog: http://musingsofjoe.wordpress.com) I've always known the show insulted intelligence. The conclusions given to the mysteries were always flamboyantly fallacious. The dialogues, in an attempt to be both witty and profound, were laughable in their stupidity. What was worse: A talking dog, with the vocabulary of a Pokémon, always ended up saving the day for completely unknown and erroneous reasons. I abhorred the show. Bored of the indolent animation and bored of the contrived story lines though, I've since given up on the show. As the epiphany hit my six-year-old head over, I realized Scooby-Doo was, um, lame. I remembered today my days squatted in front of my television set eagerly waiting for the next episodes. What shame! If only I had the powerful analytical skills I have today. Sigh. I have a point though. Not only do I realize the idiocy of the show, I now know the true intent of its creators: To get kids addicted to mar http://www.debate.org/debates/Scooby-Doo-Encourages-Drug-Addiction/1/comments/ 2008-12-05T13:51:38-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Homosexuality-is-natural-and-morally-correct.-Homophobia-is-morallly-incorrect./1/ (Voting Period) I. I am gay. I was made a certain way and never had a choice. I am really outraged by the many prejudice things I have read on this website. I hope to change somebody's mind on homosexuality with this debate, although, it is unlikely that they will stop being prejudice. It was important for me to use many sources and ALL ARE SCIENTIFICALLY BASED. I know how easy it is to find a non-scientific biased site, but all of my sources are scientific. +++ Homosexuality is natural. It is not a choice. Nobody would choose homosexuality if it was a choice. Homosexuality is a natural occurence in animals and in environments without contact from other societies. [http:// www. msnbc. msn. com/ id/15750604/] [http:// www. pureintimacy. org/ gr/ homosexuality/a0000058. cfm] [http:// www. apa. org/ topics/sorientation. html] [Alfred C. Kinsey, Wardell B. Pomeroy and Clyde E. Martin, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 1948 http://www.debate.org/debates/Homosexuality-is-natural-and-morally-correct.-Homophobia-is-morallly-incorrect./1/comments/ 2008-06-02T01:50:17-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/I-CAN-HOLD-A-WHOLE-CHICKEN-WITH-MY-BUTT/1/ (Voting Period) I CAN HOLD A WHOLE CHICKEN WITH MY BUTT. ITS BEST IF YOU HOLD ON TO ONE OF THE LEGS BUT PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY GOOD AT IT CAN HOLD IT BY JUST 1 WING. TURKEYS DUCKS AND GOOSES ARE HARDER TO HOLD BECAUSE THEY WEIGH MORE. http://www.debate.org/debates/I-CAN-HOLD-A-WHOLE-CHICKEN-WITH-MY-BUTT/1/comments/ 2008-02-22T10:15:42-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/The-Problem-of-Existential-Import-Presents-a-Counter-Factual-Problem-for-Logical-Solutions/1/ (Voting Period) This is supposed to be a fun debate about a serious topic... a topic that you should have taken a course in logic to understand properly. We are NOT debating practical problem-solving, but rather the technical logical aspect of it, which is why this is only two rounds. I'm curious if there are any opposing viewpoints out there. In layman's terms, existential import is the notion that when someone claims "Some P is a Q" they assume that at least one P exists. For example, one claims "Some pens are pens that write green," this presumes that there in fact exist one or more pens. A counter-factual is a "what if" argument. A good example would be the argument that "If Nazi Germany had won WWII, Jews would still be egregiously persecuted." While the argument is valid, it is not sound because it has a false premise. It would even most likely be a correct argument, given that the premise were true. Thus, we have a problem: to introduce abstract principles lik http://www.debate.org/debates/The-Problem-of-Existential-Import-Presents-a-Counter-Factual-Problem-for-Logical-Solutions/1/comments/ 2008-12-11T19:46:46-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Campaign-Ethics/1/ (Post Voting Period) I feel that we need to reform our campaign ethics. If we as Americans ever expect to get out of debt we need to put our money towards worthy causes. Too much of this elections money was wasted on campaigns. That money could have gone toward getting the American people out of debt. http://www.debate.org/debates/Campaign-Ethics/1/comments/ 2008-11-07T12:19:06-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/4b.-Campaign-Finance-Reform/1/ (Voting Period) A campaign lives and dies by money and it's getting worse and worse every election cycle. When money is more important than votes, we find that anybody we need to elect is going to be far more indebted to the money than the people. The current system is a legal nightmare, a joke, and an albatross around the necks of everybody in politics. I don't know what the solutions to the problems are, but I do know that the problems are not going to be solved by doing nothing. We need to reform the system because the current system is categorically broken. 1) Politicians are indebted to the money. 2) The superwealthy rather than the most qualified can most easily seek office. 3) To comply with the current system you need an army of lawyers. 4) The 3rd party candidates cannot afford an army of lawyers and thus are forbade. 5) The rules are seemingly random and makeshift as to what is an isn't acceptable. 6) Campaign rules at present violate freedom of speech dic http://www.debate.org/debates/4b.-Campaign-Finance-Reform/1/comments/ 2008-10-22T20:48:23-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/1a.-Abortion/1/ (Voting Period) Abortion may be an issue of some contention, but that should not allow one to take a worse position for what amount to very poor reasons. 1) Abortions are a necessity. 2) Medical decisions are sacrosanct. 3) Forced birthing is far worse than any abortions. 4) Carrying a pregnancy to term is dangerous. 5) Abortions are often medically necessitated. 1) Women get abortions if not legally then illegally. There was a time in this country when women would come into the emergency room with a prolapsed uterus and end up dying of an infection because she got an abortion from a shady-poorly trained individual with a coathanger. In the Dominican Republic where the Catholic church has a significant amount of clout if a women comes into the emergency room with uterus problems she is handcuffed to her bed and becomes a crime scene and often faces decades of incarceration because she didn't want to give birth to the child conceived via a violent rape. 2) It is no http://www.debate.org/debates/1a.-Abortion/1/comments/ 2008-10-01T18:05:32-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Agnosticism-Is-A-Meaningless-Position/1/ (Voting Period) [Definition - Agnostic] 1. A person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience. 2. A person who denies or doubts the possibility of ultimate knowledge in some area of study. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/agnostic I affirm the resolution that Agnosticism is a meaningless position, for the main reason that it is applicable to everyone in the world. Agnosticism is a position about knowledge, not belief. Other positions, such as theism and atheism, are positions about belief. This is where you get terms such as agnostic atheist and agnostic theist, which basically translates to a person who holds that God exists/doesn't exist but does not know for certain. To make my argument more clear, I will argue that in essence, an agnostic atheist is really just an atheist, the agnostic addition is meaningless. [Definitio http://www.debate.org/debates/Agnosticism-Is-A-Meaningless-Position/1/comments/ 2008-09-15T23:11:34-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Miles-Edgeworth-was-actually-a-better-lawyer-than-Phoenix-Wright./1/ (Voting Period) Assuming you are willing to accept this challenge, I thank you for taking the time to debate. In today's debate, I intend to prove beyond the notion of a doubt that the main protagonist of the Phoenix Wright series was not actually the best lawyer in the games. For those not familiar with the series, you're free to check it out here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Wright:_Ace_Attorney I'll make my opening argument brief by listing the advantages Edgeworth has over Wright. Experience: Edgeworth became a prosecutor at the age of 20 and had managed to have a flawless winning streak up until his first case against Phoenix. In the third game of the series, we find out that he travels across the world becoming familiar with at least 5 different legal systems as well as 5 different languages (not to mention that he mastered both). Intelligence: He was considered a prodigy even before first entering the court room at a young age. And whenever in c http://www.debate.org/debates/Miles-Edgeworth-was-actually-a-better-lawyer-than-Phoenix-Wright./1/comments/ 2008-02-16T22:35:43-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/.-.-.-Ha-YOURE-GOING-DOWN-BEEM0R/1/ (Voting Period) RESOLVED: It is impossible not to consciously act (perform an action) without self interest being involved. I saw your previous debate and figure I shall be your opponent. Ladies and gentleman, sufficiently upholding the resolution shall be rather simple as the claim being made is easily true and just as easy to prove. I see no reason to provide any definitions as I believe the topic to be quite clear. In addition, I reserve the right to disagree with any definitions which my opponent may provide (although knowing me, I'd probably argue the topic in favor of AND against my opponent's definitions if this debate does indeed flow in that path). To start this debate off, I shall provide merely one contention: ARGUMENT:When one consciously performs a conscious action, one has control over himself/herself. When one is in control of himself/herself, their actions are based on their wishes /interests of their mind. Ergo, itt is impossible not to act (pe http://www.debate.org/debates/.-.-.-Ha-YOURE-GOING-DOWN-BEEM0R/1/comments/ 2009-02-14T19:42:47-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Biphasic-should-replace-Monophasic-Defibrillators/1/ (Post Voting Period) My position is that biphasic defibrillators are more beneficial to the patient, are more efficient, and provide more reliable technology than do monophasic defibrillators. Definitions Biphasic: having two distinct phases, as in a waveform Monophasic: consisting of one phase in a waveform Biphasic defibrillation has been proven to cardiovert a patient from ventricular fibrillation at higher rates at lower dosages than monophasic defibrillation. Biphasic defibrillation at 120J-200J is as efficient and effective, if not more, than monophasic defibrillation at 360J. http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/full/120/3/948 American Heart Association http://www.debate.org/debates/Biphasic-should-replace-Monophasic-Defibrillators/1/comments/ 2008-12-29T01:08:54-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/2a.-Affirmative-Action/1/ (Voting Period) Affirmative action can be defined as helping disadvantaged groups of people to gain education and jobs. Now I know what most of you are thinking. You are probably thinking that this is some sort of 'reverse racism.' Forget these preconceived notions. That's one of my rules. Now then, let me first address the most common argument against affirmative action. Affirmative action is viewed as some government-imposed anomaly that is not present in a free society. Fortunately, this is not further from the truth. An extremely large part of affirmative action takes place in the form of private entities giving out scholarships that target generally disadvantaged racial groups. Though my opponent will try to convince you otherwise, there is nothing wrong with this. A private entity should be able to give scholarships to anyone they want based on any criteria. Just as an employer should be able to hire anyone they want. However, this brings me to the other major part http://www.debate.org/debates/2a.-Affirmative-Action/1/comments/ 2008-10-03T00:50:35-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Libertarians-are-right-on-crime-No-gun-control-laws-an-no-victimless-crimes/1/ (Voting Period) Gun control laws do not work because criminals will prey on citizens because criminals will be armed while citizens are defenseless. In Florida, the murder rate dropped 20% after gun control was abolished. Criminals fear armed suspects. My dad is a cop he knows that the main reason people think twice about robberies is because the may be armed. Our Constitution says, "The right to bear arms shall not be infringed." Gun control laws are unconstitutional. Our police spend a lot of their time fighting victimless crimes like prostitution, gambling, and drugs. No body is hurt but the police are being overstretched for these crimes. Our jails are filled with drug users, drug sellers, prostitutes and gamblers. Parole allows criminals to leave prison because the jail is overcrowded. If the jails were less crowded with victimless criminals, then violent criminals would not be back on the streets so quickly and people would not expect to get parolled and would b http://www.debate.org/debates/Libertarians-are-right-on-crime-No-gun-control-laws-an-no-victimless-crimes/1/comments/ 2008-05-29T11:01:09-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Nintendo-is-the-greatest-developer-in-the-world/1/ (Voting Period) When someone first thinks of videogames, they might think of Halo or GTA but what really comes universally to everyones minds is Mario. He has graced nintendo consoles since the 80's and with the release of Super Mario Galaxy, he has shown the world that he is still on top. Sure, Rockstar has made Grand Theft Auto and Bungie made Halo but what other great games have they made? Nintendo has created so many different franchises that are still considered great today. Some examples would be Metroid, Donkey Kong, Super Smash Bros., and of course Zelda. They also have the current slots for the best video games of all time which are generally Zelda Ocarina Of Time and Super Mario Brothers. There has never been a single developer to accomplish so much. Along with this evey single game that nintendo has put out has always been considered very good or great (exception being Mario Party). Nintendo is the pinnacle achievement of the gaming industry. http://www.debate.org/debates/Nintendo-is-the-greatest-developer-in-the-world/1/comments/ 2008-05-19T14:24:21-08:00 http://www.debate.org/debates/Bill-O-Reilly-is-neither-fair-nor-balanced./1/ (Voting Period) I started this debate with another member and he never posted an argument. I am a conservative, yet I am fair minded and believe that Bill O'Reilly is a hippocrite when he attacks other networks for being biased. He is neither fair nor balanced. http://www.debate.org/debates/Bill-O-Reilly-is-neither-fair-nor-balanced./1/comments/ 2008-03-06T15:56:56-08:00