Please understand that these rules are NOT intended to be mean, harsh, or totalitarian. These are set in place to protect our members from getting their feelings hurt or being verbally bashed by another member. We want you guys to have fun with these debates, and therefore I have made these rules in order to protect you all.

1. No flaming eachother. Yes, you may disagree with their point, but you're disagreeing with their POINT. Look at the difference:

"You're ridiculous!" vs. "Your point is ridiculous"

That makes a HUGE difference and can determine the difference between flaming a person and disagreeing with their opinion. It is VERY important that anyone choosing to participate in this class makes a distinction between those two. Anyone caught flaming will be taken out of the debate for it's remainder and may try again with the next debate. Flame in the next debate? Wait until the debate AFTER the next debate. Third strike? You're out and will no longer be able to participate in the class for a time to be decided by the staff. Please understand that it could be that you are not allowed to participate.

2. One-liners will be deleted unless they add something more to the conversation than "I agree with you."

3. The moderators have the authority to end the debate at any time, so don't question it. They are instructed to monitor the debates, but if they feel that it is a) straying off topic, B) a battle of wits, or c) begging the question, then the debate will be terminated, points will be awarded and we will all move on to the next debate.

I know and I am confident that every member on this board is going to be able to have fun and be mature about this , but, like I said, these rules are here to protect you all.


Happy Debating!