Ignorance is alive and well

First, let me begin by saying that this is NOT aimed at any one person. It is aimed at everyone who, when asked why they were so determined to argue (translation=beat a dead horse) has said "I was on the debate team in high school".

Unfortunately, there seem to be a lot of people out there who like to argue about something and then claim "I was on the debate team." To this I say "BIG F***ING DEAL."

You were on the debate team in high school. Congratulations. I went to law school. Now that we've cleared up which of us has more 'education' on debating...

Welcome to the real world. Leave your silly little rules about how to debate outside. Rules on how to debate a subject are only for those who lack the passion of their convictions and therefore cannot build a good argument. In high school, you were told what side of the argument to debate. You're a grown up now, chose your own damn topic. If you really believe in it, and if your belief is based on facts, research and experience, and not just because it's what your political party of choice has told you to believe, then you'll be able to make a convincing argument. If not, you'll sound like an ignorant, closed-minded fool trying to make points on the playground.

And don't expect that you're going to change anyone's mind, because most likely you are arguing with the person BECAUSE of the passion that they have for the subject. You have as much chance of getting the other person to throw up their hands and say "You're right, what was I thinking? Oh thank you!" as you do of converting a Hindu to Catholicism. The best that you can hope for is to get the other side to agree that you have some valid points.

(BTW, no, I didn't not go on to become an attorney so yes, I am still a member of the human race)