Debate.

Tomorrow, I am going to watch the Varsity debaters compete. Although I am not on varsity, it is interesting to observe their talent. Hopefully, after observing them, my debate skills will burgeon. In debate, there are two teams - the affirmative and the negative. The affirmative team has the responsibility of creating a plan that suits the resolved topic. This year, the resolve states "the United States federal government should substantially increase alternate energy incentives in the United States." The affirmative team has the burden of proving their plan to be feasible, desirable, and attainable. The negative team, on the other hand, needs to disparage the plan by deprecating it. Each team is equipped with multiple dossiers, called "squirrel killers." These collections are filled with arguments for and against any plan imaginable. It is important to maintain a sang-froid throughout the debate. Otherwise, you look vulnerable and maladroit. If the negative team can successfully castigate the affirmative plan, then the affirmative team should go back and edit there plan. This helps to avoid future hectoring.