BeIR/webis-touche2020 huggingface dataset:
The "FAIR"TAX

The idea of a fairtax, or a national sales tax, has been kicked around by politicians, most notably Mike Huckabee. The concept seems simple enough. Tax consumption and not productivity. Encourage people to produce and invest, rather than penalizing good behavior. However, a deeper look tells us that this "FAIR"TAX is possibly the least fair system possible. Think about the percentage of a paycheck that a poor person spends versus a rich person. A poor person, living near or below the poverty level spends a FAR greater piece of his paycheck than rich people do. Rich people spend more money on the whole, but on a percentage basis, poor people would be tormented by this. Poor people spend nearly all of what they have making ends meet and are most commonly the ones who borrow or spend beyond their means. Rich people, on the other hand, invest, save, and spend when they need to, which is far less then the poor. So, this fairtax would tax nearly every cent the poor person spends, while the rich persons savings and investments go untaxed. Talk about placing the burden on the lower class.
Islam is a religion of peace

As salaamu alaikum To my respected opponent and audience. As indicated by my opponent's post above, Islam is indeed a religion of peace. My opponent has already copied and pasted my actual rebuttal to his claim that the Qur'an verses mentioned show that islam is not a religion of peace, so there would be no need for me to repeat my claim until my opponent provides a rebuttal. I would also like to add, that the teachings of islam are derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). Therefore, it is the responsibility of my opponent to show islam as not a religion of peace from these sources. So to reiterate, the Qur'an says in verse 9:4, "Except those of the disbelievers with whom you have entered into a treaty and who have not subsequently failed you in anything nor aided anyone against you.So fulfill to these the treaty you have made with them til their term. Surely, Allah loves those who are righteous." Verse 13 of the same chapter states: "Will you not fight a people who have broken their oaths, and who plotted to turn out the Messenger and they were first to commence hostilities against you? Do you fear them? Nay, Allah is most worthy that you should fear Him, if you are believers" Verse 8:61 also states: "And if they incline towards peace, incline thou also towards peace, and put thy trust in Allah. Surely, it is He who is all-hearing and all-knowing". Above we see that muslims are not to fight those who incline to peace and to obey any peace treaty by not fighting. Yet we also see that the non-muslims attacked first in 9:13. Thus verse 9:5 refers to self-defense fighting by muslims who were attacked first. Thus the evidence is clear from the very text and context of the verses that the order to fight is on the basis of self-defense, and not a command for muslims to attack first and against people who do not attack them and are peaceful.
Resources are for Man

On the off chance that god is real and DID create resources for man, should we not take care of our environment and not needlessly use them 'all we want'? Animals NEED those resources to live, and to have habitats. Without those habitats, there is less oxygen, the animals die and we inevitably run out of those very resources. Thats if god IS real. I don't mean to turn this into a religion debate, but there is a LOT of evidence that our 'resources' (trees, animals, minerals, etc) were created through evolution and other means then a god. In which case, they are NOT ours alone to use. We are only animals and we may only take what we need. As I said above, animals require those resources and for us to use them all we want is selfish and disgusting, and will ruin the planet.
Women belong in the kitchen

In the last round, my opponent concedes his BoP, saying women "quitting their jobs would become chaos. " I am not misrepresenting his argument, but I rather made a BoP by definition, and took the title literally. If anything, my opponent should've either changed the title or made the BoP clear in the first round. I do not have anything to refute, as my opponent pretty much told me everything he meant (saving it for the last round instead of the second round. ) My opponent did not uphold his BoP, and thus he can not win.
Women belong in the kitchen

Ok it seems like you are intentionally misinterpreting the things I say. I know I'm being brief to save time but if I say "women should stay in the kitchen" I obviously don't mean that they should stay in the kitchen and never come out, it simply means they should be stay at home moms. I also didn't say that all women should quit real estate positions, I said all women should quit, leading to the drop in real estate prices. I also didn't say that EVERYTHING should go back to how it was I was just saying that it should go back to how it was in terms of the balance in money making in a family where the man brings home the dough. I can rebut the economic argument because I agree that if women quit very suddenly it would cause chaos that's why this will be a slow process where almost all women (except the few who are very intelligent) quit and become stay at home moms
Women belong in the kitchen

First, I would like to ask my opponent why women are of a lower status than men, or not equal, in his mind.My opponent tried to change the BoP to something that gives him a much wider platform to argue on. This is after I presented my arguments. May I remind him that my decision of the BoP in the first round stands because he did not present a BoP. By definition, your "second round" BoP is incorrect and the first one stands. I advise a loss of conduct on my opponent's part for trying to change the BoP after we have presented our arguments.Around 100 years ago, blacks were discriminated against, gays weren't seen as humans, most people still believed in creationism, and the world was just about to head into the Great Depression. If you want those circumstances, be my guest. If all families only had the male working, prices would shoot up because of the new demand of things. Say the price of getting an object for food is $5.00. The companies need to make a profit, so the selling price to the people who make food becomes $6.00. The people who make the food need to make a profit, so selling it to the market becomes $6.50. The market, realizing the increasing demand, rises the price to $8.00. The point is, prices will not drop very much because the people need the food. It will rise so the companies will make more money. Haven't we learned that in the past?If all women quit the real estate, there would be a major job shortage. However, I do not understand what my opponent is saying and I ask him to make it more clear before I effectively refute it.Your last statement is just... come on, man. You show no evidence or studies of your claim that women distract men. At least, the "distractions" have had no notable effect on overall employee productivity and is thus not a problem. Also, why do men think they are superior? I as hell sure don't. The only way we can change the minds of these men is if we let the women have a higher status so that the men can see the women are of equality to them. Your last sentences are just not suitable for a debate.You state that men would not have to worry about distractions in a workplace. However, I have shown that men would have much bigger problems if your idea is presented (i.e extra chores, significantly downgrading economy, etc.) And what about the women that are of a good influence to men? If a women is confined solely to a kitchen, then male performance would downgrade, not upgrade.Thanks, and I await my opponent's rebuttals!
Women belong in the kitchen

First of I should have specified that by women being in the kitchen I mean a stay at home mom, shopping and doing all the things around the house, not strictly restraining her in a kitchen for the rest of her life. Just only around 100 years ago most women were stay at home moms with an occasional few that were smart enough to handle certain positions. I believe that life should go back to how it was 100 years ago where most of the cash flow came through the male. If the majority of families only had a male working, then the income issue you mentioned would not occur because the prices of things would shoot down because if almost all women quit then real estate would have to decrease in price to keep the economy balanced and to keep people in homes. In work places if men are under women leadership their performance would typically decline as men think they are superior and don't think they should be controlled by a women. Women can also be a distraction to men if that man dreams of caressing her nipples or possibly sticking his pole inside her anal or vaginal area to pleasure his spidey senses. If women stayed at home cooked and shopped then men wouldn't have to worry about these problems
Composition Battle

http://kleinoakorch.charms.noteflight.com... There is my piece. To listen, click the "play" button in the bottom left. Yes, the work must be YOUR OWN. As you can see, I wrote every single note from scratch. In comments, my opponent provided Youtube links to several pieces, but I believe none of those are his. 1) They are all from different Youtube users. 2) One of them is from a game called "Antichristum" 3) Another is all in Chinese (or other Asian language, I do not mean to offend anybody, I just can't tell the difference between the Asian languages). 4) The last is the traditional marching song of British and Canadian military units. I'm sure my opponent did not create this. I would also like to note that all of the songs my opponent provided are over 45 seconds.
Composition Battle

This will be a battle of musical composition. Me and my opponent will both compose a small piece and the voters will listen and decide which they think is best. Rules: 1. The composition cannot be longer than 45 seconds. 2. My opponent can write music for any instrument(s) (I will be writing for string orchestra) 3. My opponent can use just about any tool to write his music (I will be using noteflight) 4. The piece must be YOUR OWN. Any questions will be answered in the comments. Round 1 is for acceptance, in Round 2 we will give a link to our pieces and the voters may decide. May the best Mozart win!
Nobody should be above the law

Isn't that already the case? Well, in America (where I know most Debate.Org members live) that may well be the current situation but here in England the Queen can do whatever she likes with absolute impunity. For example, say the Queen goes into a charity shop and slyly conceals a secondhand Mills and Boon novel under her crown and walks out, but the security guards surround her as she leaves and they wrestle her to the ground, she can turn round to them and say: "Unhand me this instance you filthy little oiks. Do you know who I am? Do you know who I f@cking am? Well, I'll tell you. I'm the f@cking Queen and that means I can do what I f@cking like". And she'd be right and they'd have to let her go. Now that's not right, is it?
Rap Battle

I believe you may have got the wrong impression A white trash punk? That's up to your own discretion But I know my opponent hangs out with arrogant pri**s And he's just jealous that guys like me Can get all the chicks Listen man, even your mom thinks your a tool And if you decide to actually vote for this priss You're a total fool With all these insults, I know you must hate this But that's okay I'm about to put you in a two by two matrix My opponent is lie, like Santa Claus And if you plan to vote for him I urge you to pause and ask why Pro takes his inspiration from iamadragon But as it turns out He's on the Wal-Mart welcome wagon While my opponent can be pompous and flamboyant Let me tell you He's far from clairvoyant When my gang succeeds, And there's a gun to your head We ain't gonna hear your pleads Sure, you might be on top of the world now But I'll still be popping bloods Way after you settle down and marry a fat cow In the machine, my opponent is just another cog While he may have gone to school He still ain't my dog!
Rap Battle

Enough with your insults, your a subordinate and a knave, and my rhymes will destroy you like tomahawks thrown by an Indian brave. Your the kind of rapper obsessed with the trivial like nice cars and grills, but the best disses you can throw out involve cell phone bills? You're nothing but but a punk, a lowlife, and a wangster, Al Capone and Johnny Dillinger were actually gangsters. You say you've got cash, crystal, and chicks, But really, you just live in a mobile home with some other hicks. Come on, you're nothing, just a pawn in the game, A total imbecile, jealous of my all reaching power and fame. Come on, my opponent, the truth you must face, Your only real friends are spam accounts on Myspace. I'll reduce you to rubble, like the Soviets did to Berlin, You better watch out for my curses, they're deadlier than Merlin's! This war's not finished, but the battle's already over, Your fate is doomed, like the Bf-109s over the cliffs of Dover! Come on give up already, this battling you is really a simple affair, You may beg to the Gods, but they'll just laugh and won't answer your prayer.
Rap Battle

A man of wealth and class? Psh My a** Let me tell you a tale About my opponent The weak and frail The bouncer down at One Oak looked at him sideways He said "Go back to your roots son There's no line at TGI Fridays. " You can't stand the recession, you know this. Tell me, what's the DOW at? Still bigger than your bonus. Let up this facade Your the exodus pharaoh And son, I'm god I'm cool because I use the three C's. Chicks cash crystal That's my only strategy Free on nights and weekends, no discernible skills Sir, you're a luckless bum Or my cell phone bill Anyway, in conclusion, Pretty boy here ain't so pretty Don't fall for the illusion I'm the one you want I'm the one you can trust I'm the one who can dish some mad taunts Prissy demeanor? Cultural references? Oscar Wilde, knock it off Go find your sexual preferences.
Rap Battle

Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste And I leave all my opponents defeated, fleeing in great haste I've been destined for greatness ever since I was a fetus Being the one true descendant of the legendary Romulus and Remus I am descended from the great goddess Venus And thus I lay claim to a superior Genus You are lower than the lowest of the plebs and of the proles, And I'lll launch more lyrical arrows at you than a tribe of Seminoles. You'll gape at my infinite and all reaching prowess And observe my flow is a delicate, deadly, and accurate process I've been sent by the Gods with all their clout I'm here to end this intelligence drought Our forces will battle like William's and Harold's And quickly your poorly constructed army unfolds You'll fall for my diversion as I go in for a deadly blow to the chest It'll be a silent and quick ambush like Teutoberg Forest You see me lyrically slay you with your eye Your rhymes have failed so you might as well retry This battle's near end as I go in for the critical blow Your fate is doomed like the Gaillard Chateau You'll stand in fear of the grandeur that was Rome Octavian's my name and my legacy's set in stone.
Rap Battle

The thing about rap is you have to remember the beat But I hope you can see That a chill guy like me would rather whack his meat Really, that's okay, I'll rap with you son Just remember my rule This here debate is one on one Not that I would ever even think to suggest That a cool dude like you Would be stealin' raps from the best Anyway, I'm A-Dawg, the number one rapping dude As a rule of thumb I like money, b****es, and eating food While my raps may be quite inconsistent You must understand I'm incredibly insult resistant So, I am inclined to believe that it is your turn Try to bust a phat ryhme Or I'll give you a sick burn
Rap Battle

Verdant, it's the word of the day And if you guys are cool I'll have my way My rap draws to a close And now I'm gonna go home And go into a crank induced doze But first, let me finish With every passing round My opponents ego is diminished As for girls, I don't care You can take your stuck up women You guys make a great pare And a lowlife I am not Say it to me again And I'll pop you on the spot Please don't insult my grammer Cause it don't matter Not when I was in the slammer You're not hardcore More than anything else Rapping you was a chore You fail to see That compared to yours, my life is a challenge But that's okay, you can go knock balls off tees. As for me, I'm gonna be popping Crips You can read your books As I watch a strippers hips You ain't never been to jail You ain't never had to beg for bail Good sir, you fail You think it's hard on the ninth hole? Try doing meth While you're on parole Anyway, vote for me Because you're not a cultured pr*** A gangsta is what you wanna be
Rap Battle

In conclusion, I'd like to state a few facts, That is, before my opponent completely cracks. My opponent threw out some "mad" attacks, Comparing me to Santa Claus, when all he needs to do is relax. You think you're a made man with everything in the world, But you watched as all your insults and rhymes unfurled. This battle's already over, as I decimated you on the mic, Destroyed in one swift blow, just like the Third Reich. Lyrically, I have repeatedly struck you down, And unmasked you as a wannabe cocky clown. Let's face the truth, your rhymes are shallow and dead, And you thought for a moment you could rhyme pleads and head? As for you thinking you'll get all the chicks, Women generally don't think being a lowlife and pompous are a good mix. As for saying that I'm copying dragon, you're sniffing the wrong scent, And don't pretend for a minute you don't copy from Eminem and 50 Cent. As for all the bloods you'll be popping, that'll be with a squirt gun, While I'll be resting well knowing I'm the most powerful man under the sun. So just give up already, I'm sick of this easy slaughter, Your rhymes flow like rusty rocks while mine flow like water.
was Alexander the great was the most influential person throughout history

i think my opponent didn't read my argument, i NEVER said that he was the "son of God" i don't believe that at all, I'm not a Christian, I'm far from it, i don't think God even has children, because then he wouldn't be a God. What I said was that Jesus INFLUENCED and won HEARTS and MINDS of people, and how people RESPECTED him and how he's the most REMEMBERED. Jumping to conclusions invalidates your point. i also think Jesus was loved for his kindness, and he also suffered along with his people, and most people of Jesus's time were also barbaric and uncivilized. Also, Alexander didn't say to give the land to his "strongest", all the land was divided up into regions where generals, or his heirs, controlled, like a bureaucracy, and from that, they broke up because they recognized themselves separate from the others. Meaning; instead of one big empire, all the generals rather control their area instead of answering to a king after Alex died. I also find it invalid to use what he was LIKE during his LIFETIME to determine if he was the MOST INFLUENTIAL throughout all of HISTORY. his lifetime was such a small amount of history, that it doesn't have much of an impact. Like, many things about him are uncertain, because there wasn't much solid information written about the B.C.E time. So small details about how "people found it almost intoxicating to be under the rule of such a great man" is purely biased, you couldn't get something accurate like that from LEGITIMATE history. I can't sit there and talk about Jesus was such an amazing and kind man, because every source is bias... i said he influenced people based on what people think of him TODAY, meaning, throughout history, this is how he was remembered, thus, the topic of the debate... so if it was during his time, that doesn't consist of history, so it's invalid... this is the last rebuttal, i just want to add in, this was pretty fun, and i appreciate your views, i have nothing against your views, and thanks for the opportunity for me to express mine :)
was Alexander the great was the most influential person throughout history

the lands split up because different people were fighting over who will rule the empire. on Alex death bed they asked to whom do you leave the your throne and he said "to the strongest". so naturally every one wanted to take his place. Jesus shouldn't even be mentioned in this because he is the "son of God" so of course you would say he had a more influence. but Alexander didn't didn't just unite the people physically he did mentally too. people loved Alexander for his kindness and power to win over men, people found it almost intoxicating to be under the rule of such a great man. his soldiers loved him because every time they suffered he suffered right along with them, the people in his empire were barbaric uncivilized people with no meaning and he changed them to people who actually mattered, as Alexander's army they could accomplish the impossible. my opponent mentions Jesus alot but that completely biased because Jesus "created" Alexander.
was Alexander the great was the most influential person throughout history

So what if Alex was before Jesus?, that doesn't determine anything, besides that information about him is harder to find... and Alex didn't "unite" the lands, he just conquered them, keep in mind that the lands he "united" were Alex's enemies, like the Persian Empire. And I'm sure the Persians would rather become independent. The lands were actually not very stable, because even though the Greek empire, (sorry, 'roman empire' was a typo from before) was expanding, the people considered themselves part of other empires, so that's why after Alex died, the regions split up, therefore he didn't really unite lands. On the other hand, Jesus united lands AND minds, people truly followed him to this day. To be influential, you have to be CONVINCING, and not under force using swords. And keep in mind, according to history, Jesus started becoming INFLUENTIAL at BIRTH (when he could talk even though he was a baby)... so I'm sure that beats age 33... and he isn't the only ruler in history that used imperialism to try to rule the world, there's been many such as; Japan, the roman empire, the British empire (whom conquered much more than Alex ever did), the Spanish empire, and many more. Just because he accomplished much in conquering other people's lands, it didn't last, because the Hellenistic period just ruined his "united land", And just because his "people" didn't come close to what he accomplished, it doesn't mean other historical figures hadn't. Jesus has remained the most remembered historical figure, who united many minds and countries, just like what Mohammad did for the Arabs, who created a huge Islamic empire. Both Mohammad and Jesus didn't just unite LANDS, they also united HEARTS and MINDS... which was MUCH more influential
was Alexander the great was the most influential person throughout history

Alexander was before Jesus time yes Jesus established the Christian church but Alexander united lands! Alexander conquered the Ashamed Persian Empire, including Anatolia, Syria, Phoenicia, Judea, Gaza, Egypt, Bactria, and Mesopotamia, and extended the boundaries of his own empire as far as Punjab, India. Prior to his death, Alexander had already made plans for military and mercantile expansions into to the Arabian peninsula, after which he was to turn his armies to the west and (Carthage, Rome, and the Iberian Peninsula). His original vision had been to the east, though, to the ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea, as described by his boyhood tutor Aristotle. he was truly influential because even people after him wanted to be like him people after him cried they couldn't even come close to what he accomplished. and he was only 33.