The Debate Forum use

I loath using the mod tags as I think most are intelligent enough to tell when I am speaking as member versus speaking as a staffer. But I want no mistake as this not being official or that it is even being looked at but wanted to address a few things to clear them up. Because it has been a long time since this was a thing.

1) Driveby trolling, political or otherwise. Doesn’t happen often as in order to post in the debate forum you need Fighter Status. Problem posters will not have the Fighter tag and can lose it rather quickly if there is a problem.

2) Debates generally fall into tournament style on various topics. Want a good “political” debate? “Who should Pelosi name to chair the Committee on Oversight and Reform due to the passing of Elijah Cummings?”

3) Sometimes debate topics are tossed out or just approved for entertainment (non tournament) purposes to keep Fighters in practice, forge deeper respect for one another, bragging rights, etc.

4) Debates are typically formatted as Socratic debates. Freeform mudslinging like within the Mudpit is not the accepted format. I personally like the freeform take on all comers style of the Pit, but there tends to be more mudslinging than actual debate there. Which is why I declined invitation to have the Fighter tag years ago. And that answer was respected. To each their own.

5) Given the above, if the debate forum was to return would I help run or judge debates/tournaments? That is a good question that depends on a few factors such as other staffers level of desire to participate and in what capacity.

6) But if it did happen and I did get involved, how would you be assured unbiased fairness given my participation in numerous political threads. Well as with any other part of the site, the staff conform to the T&C and specific special rules of special forums. We often recuse ourselves for various reasons including actual bias but more often than not, perceived bias. So if I am in it, you have my word that I am good.