Debate

There are two viewpoints represented in a decent debate--the right one and the wrong one.  It depends on where you are sitting at the moment.

I would hope my friend is still a friend after our spirited discussion.  One of us may win, but I doubt it. Neither of us have control over the topic.  So far, no one else has chimed in to contradict us.  We must be doing a good job.

Debate is a useful tool.  It's a learning mechanism and an opportunity.  The trick is to talk without tearing down your opponent's personal belief.  Agree to disagree.  I probably shouldn't have called him irrational.  I will apologize for that later.

Another trick is to watch that very fine line between discussion and argument.  It doesn't have to be raised voices (or all capital letters) to make a point.  By our respective ages, we must have learned some civility.  You can respect another's point of view without agreeing with it.

I am hyped over this debate.  My opponent is intelligent and a little...uh...misguided.  As I read his words, I am beginning to understand where he is coming from.  My desire is not to change his mind (that won't happen; trust me) but to make him think about his rationale.   He believes what he says and will defend it without name-calling or cheap shots.  Politicians could learn a lot by listening to how we are handling this.

Much argument could be avoided if people would come to the table with ideas instead if  prejudice, loud voices and self-centeredness.  Why is your own opinion so much more valid than another's?  You know what they say about opinions. Everybody has one--a polite version of the quote.  If you have chosen  a side, defend yourself with some semblance of dignity and intellectual comment.  If you've not decided where you stand, listen and learn.

This debate isn't over yet.  I hope there will be many more like it.