I got assigned to a group to debate the issue of same-sex unions

[LaraMN]

for my persuasion and argumentation class.

We had group time yesterday, and our professor instructed us to find our "points of contention" within the group on our given issue, and build a structure for debate based around these contradictions of opinion.

Of the six people in my group, NO ONE was remotely opposed to same-sex unions.
Everyone was appalled at the thought of arguing against them, which kind of warmed my heart.

SOMEONE is going to have to do it, though. Ugh.

[eyesroll]

1. Good luck!

I find it kind of fun to advocate for a position I can't stand. (I'll have to do that quite a bit if I go into, say, criminal defense and have to defend a rapist, or into government law and I have to argue against same-sex marriage because that's what the state requires.)

[LaraMN]

2. At least I'm aware of the counter-arguments and their origins.

But it would be painful to get up and argue them, convincingly.
Everybody in class knows I'm a raging Liberal; it's not like they'd think I really held the position of being anti- s/s unions.

I should probably do it for "personal growth" purposes, eh? Yuck.

[LSK]

3. just pretend you are Stephen Colbert

And go over the top.

[LaraMN]

4. Ohhh, that would be fun!

I don't think my professor would dig it, though.
She's very much a stickler for following structural guidelines, and I'm pretty certain that forming a legitmate, convincing position of argument is one of them.

[Pacifist Patriot]

5. Hold on a minute.

Are you suggesting Colbert does not form legitmate, convincing positions of argument? ;)

Good luck on the project!

[LaraMN]

6. Lol!

Not "convincing" in the manner in which I would be forced to represent THAT side of the issue.
:P

[LSK]

7. well...

Is George W Bush a great President?
or
Is he the greatest President?

:D

[bicentennial_baby]

8. I had to debate in favor of the war on terra last year

I just channeled FauxNews...Got an A on it too :D

If I can do that, you can do this... :loveya:

[LaraMN]

10. I'll just put on my theater hat.

All the h.s./community theater experience ought to come in handy, if I just pretend in my own mind that I'm someone else.
:P

[skygazer]

9. Nice to know that no one in the group really is opposed

That's pretty cool. I guess you just have to approach it as an intellectual exercise but take a long, hot shower afterwards!

[LaraMN]

11. Yeah, like a decontamination rinse, huh?

Too bad I'll be unable to cleanse my mind. :P

[PVnRT]

12. First, lobotomize yourself

Then you should have no problem coming up with "opposition" arguments.

[unpossibles]

13. don't forget: logic, fairness, common sense, Constitutional Rights

all those have to go out the window.

You could do a funny one by pointing out all of the people who have "fallen by the wayside" because of gay rights - such as Ted Haggard, and about half of the RNC - but it would suck if someone took you seriously.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

14. i once had to debate AGAINST being pro-choice. hardest thing ever.

glad everyone in your group believes in equal rights.

[hunter]

15. Maybe you can debate how other races are inferior to whites too.

Or how certain woman are "asking for it" when they get raped.

Stuff like this just pisses me off.

There are certain arguments you just can't open the door to, even to hone your debating skills. If these arguments try to break in, meet them with a shotgun.

Organize the six people in your group against the assignment. Say "we all support gay marriage, and we won't debate against it, end of story, the ball's in your court, Professor."

Of course, I was asked to leave college twice because I couldn't get along with people... but eventually I did graduate.

[Xithras]

16. I always hated that sort of thing.

When I was a student, I was once asked to debate western imperialism, from the perspective of someone who supported it because it improved the lives of the uneducated indigenous people in the regions being colonized. While I despised the position, I did my research, I read books by people who actually supported that position, and when debate day came around I did my assignment excellently. Too excellently. Apparently I was so convincing that several of the people in the class actually thought I BELIEVED what I was saying. I never did entirely erase that smear with a few of them, but the semester was almost over so I didn't sweat it too much.