Debate Cowardice

 I am going to reflect back to my high school days when being in a debate class taught you how to speak about a topic with clarity.  It taught you to research both sides, in order to be prepared, and taught you to respect the point of view of the other person.

I miss the concept of 'Point and Counter Point', which would at minimum afford me the opportunity to hear the other side.  To listen in a respectful manner in line with our excellent 1st amendment.

I don't know how I feel about those who choose not to debate.  Are they too cowardly and insecure to face their opponents? Or even worse... are they so arrogant? I wonder how people would feel if last year's Superbowl champions, or World Series Champions, decided that they were so good they just don't need to compete the following year?

Debates are supposed to provide clarity on the presenter's perspective and ideally be supported by sourced facts.  This would provide the viewers with a broadened perspective from which they could make their informed choice of who to support.  But today debates are often sleight of hand responses, avoiding a direct answer. All too often turning to personal attacks. They no longer convey what the one individual may support and on what they base their views. Today's debates are an assault on their opponent. Today's debates are no longer: "This is who I am and what I believe." but rather "Look how terrible they are.", or worse - I don't need to debate anyone because I am already the best "Just accept that".

I want to hear where people are on the issues.  I want to vote for someone who so believes in what they value AND is able to defend their position with facts instead of snarky comments and verbal sleight of hand.  I want to see a debate not a 3rd grade skirmish where the commentary is of the level... "I'm rubber your glue..."