posted on Aug, 8 2003 @ 11:01 PM
Hmmnn,
I want to talk about this issue, but don't know how I can do so without sounding like a jerk...
1. I, at first, didn't want to get into the tournament because I didn't feel like I had the time to keep up with the schedule. However, once I was
in, I stayed up every night to get my well-researched replies in on time. Though I was not in the first round, I believe that all of my subsequent
posts were of reasonably high quality. In the same light, I believe many of the other challengers worked hard to get their arguments together.
...So, just because some participants were thrown out of ATS doesn't mean that all the work everyone else did should be nullified.
2. I was not a substitute because AV 'defaulted'. AV specifically said that he would not debate D-R because he thought the topics were rigged, that
D-R was unbeatable, and that, as an abductee, that he could never feel right 'disproving' aliens. As such, he withdrew from the contest, D-R ASKED
for an opponent, and I entered the race (keep in mind that I believe that I had a CE3 experience myself, as a child).
3. The 'core' of D-R's argument from the first round was carried over into our match. As such, I feel that I not only debated D-R on the question
at hand, but on the previous, first-round one.
4.If I were to be granted the 'prize', either by default or some new 'lightning round'... I would use my new website to launch a publication
dedicated to promoting the exchange of ideas among researchers and college students. My site, as it were, wouldn't be about my day at the park... It
would, in some ways, carry on ATS' mission.
...Ok... These points are in no particular order, but i just wanted everyone to consider them before making a judgement. Personally, I would,
obviously, be happy if I was considered the debate 'winner'... But I would also accept a system wherein all the debate participants voted on whether
or not I earned the title (and the prize). Anyways, I hope I don't sound brash... as I am trying to be honest and forthright,
Jim, AKA 'OIMD'