Debate, Wednesday, September 7, 2016

[heroic_jawline]

Steve was up at the front of the room as usual, standing behind a star-spangled rostrum...which was new. "Hello, class."

He wore his spangles out of self defense, kids. It was purely out of self defense. Tony's version of that was a smile that leaned a little toward the plastic end of the sincerity spectrum. Which would be what he had going right now. Because apparently both of them were incapable of saying no to a challenging topic. "We're starting you off in the deep end of the debate pool now that introductions are over with."

Aren't you all lucky?

So lucky!

Steve squared his shoulders. "We decided who would argue each side through a coin flip," because a tickle fight was just undignified, "I am against. Tony is arguing pro. Today. As we mentioned before, arguing for a side you may not agree with can be helpful as well."

"It can cut down on some of the emotions involved when you feel strongly about a topic," Tony added. "It also prepares you for the ability to see an alternate point of view. You don't have to agree with it by the end of the class, but it can help you later on in formulating arguments."

Steve nodded. "We'll give you some time to get through the research on both sides, and then you get to debate with us. Should it be okay all the time? Some of the time? Only when the interrogation can't be traced back to you? How high would the stakes have to be on a scale of localized explosion to alien invasion?"

"Should there be rules? Is it a violation of international treaties? Does it work as a deterrent or encourage retaliation?" Tony chimed in. "We've provided tablets for you to do your research on. Please don't throw them at your teacher or anyone else you're debating, okay?"

Steve nodded. "We're starting with something important and controversial--" and painful for both teachers to talk about, honestly, "--because we think you can handle it. If it doesn't go well, we'll have to scale back to debating about the quality of food in the dorm fridges or something, and no one wants that."

Seriously, no one wanted to debate that.

"Keep it civil," Tony said because it hilarious without him realizing why.

Comments

Sign in 9/7

[heroic_jawline]

Your name, then heads or tails!

Re: Sign in 9/7

[teenagewarhead.livejournal.com]

Negasonic Teenage Warhead

Heads

Re: Sign in 9/7

[candycrushlove]

Maria DeLuca

Tails

Re: Sign in 9/7

[good_for_six]

Isabela

Heads

Re: Sign in 9/7

[not_every_mage]

Anders

Tails

Re: Sign in 9/7

[boneyard_girl]

Ada Miller
Heads

Re: Sign in 9/7

[halfaclink.livejournal.com]

Frank Doyle
Tails

Listen to the lecture

[heroic_jawline]

Look at how civil they are! Aww. Then do your research, thanks to Tony's helpful tablets. Heads are arguing in favor of enhanced interrogation tactics with Tony, Tails are arguing against it with Steve.

Re: Listen to the lecture

[candycrushlove]

When Steve mentioned interrogation topics and alien invasion in the same paragraph? Maria turned absolutely white.

Debate!

[heroic_jawline]

Plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world -- "No, YOU move.”

Too much? Probably a bit too much.

Re: Debate!

[teenagewarhead.livejournal.com]

Ugh. This debate? Not cool Especially the side she ended up on.

"Enhanced interrogation techniques save lives because you get answers faster," she said non-enthusiastically. To be fair she'd probably used the same tone for the Con side as well.

Re: Debate!

[heroic_jawline]

"But there's nothing to guarantee those answers are the true ones," Steve pointed out.

Re: Debate!

[teenagewarhead.livejournal.com]

She initially just shrugged as her response as if to say "So?"

Then realized she'd probably have to give an actual response.

"People are going to lie. You verify what they told you afterwards. That's how interrogation works whether you use enhanced techniques or not."

Re: Debate!

[heroic_jawline]

"But if they've lied, you still don't have any information and you haven't save the time," Steve said.

Re: Debate!

[teenagewarhead.livejournal.com]

"Actually I'll just go back and beat them up some more until they tell me some other line until I get another lie until eventually nothing matters and I get fired and everyone dies in a ball of fire.," Negasonic said rolling her eyes. "Or I stumble on the truth and save the world. It depends on who I'm questioning. Any interrogation has that risk. One gets us answers faster than the other."

Re: Debate!

[good_for_six]

Isabela's arguments were masterful, full of wordplay, and had nothing at all to do with the subject at hand.

If they weren't going to be straightforward about what they were debating, why should she?

Re: Debate!

[notamascot]

"You think that's bad?" Kaylin said. "Back home the Tha'alani will just rip answers from your mind."

Talk to Steve and Tony

[heroic_jawline]

Civilly!

Re: Talk to Steve and Tony

[imafuturist]

Tony was indeed there in case of questions or problems with the subject matter. Maybe looking ever so slightly strained about it himself.

Re: Talk to Steve and Tony

[heroic_jawline]

Steve handed him a cup of coffee. "Look like you can use it."

Because Tony could be in the middle of drinking a cup and still look like he could use another one.

Re: Talk to Steve and Tony

[imafuturist]

That was... pretty accurate, yes.

He perked up, accepting the coffee with a quick smile. "Thanks. Next time we debate what flavor of Dorito is superior," he joked.

Re: Talk to Steve and Tony

[heroic_jawline]

Steve laughed. "Original or nothin'."

Re: Talk to Steve and Tony

[imafuturist]

"Original taco or original nacho cheese?" Hey, this was a great topic for both their sanities!

Re: Talk to Steve and Tony

[heroic_jawline]

Steve was there, of course, behaving quite civilly. He'd brought coffee to share and everything!

OOC

[heroic_jawline]

My copy of Civil War can't get to Ghana fast enough, you guys.