BeIR/webis-touche2020 huggingface dataset:
It's time to bring back the pillory

My opponent described at great length why the over-reliance upon prison sentences as a punishment is detrimental to society, and I agree with him. Furthermore, in addition to the reasons my opponent cited, rather than reforming inmates, prisons tend to serve as universities of crime where convicts swap tips on the best ways to commit offences with impunity. That's why the pillory system is such an attractive alternative to imprisonment. It not only saves taxpayers the huge cost of incarcerating convicts and avoids offenders becoming institutionalised criminals in the prison system, but it also punishes rich and poor alike in a way that fines don't. Regarding my opponent's objection relating to indoctrinating people to hate he is right, but only in the sense that it will teach the public to hate criminals and give them a properly organised forum in which to vent their anger at them. Clearly, a white racist dressed as Mexican is just that: a Caucasian in wearing a silly big hat and a blanket with a hole cut out of it; the crowd will vent their spleens at his racist attitudes and take pleasure in his humiliation. Similarly, a bloke in a fairy outfit is clearly not actually a fairy (either in the sense of an ethereal pixie or a bad thrower who enjoys looking at photographs of other men"s bottoms), just as the man being pushed about in a wheelchair is obviously not actually mentally or physically handicapped. Furthermore, there are added benefits to the economy of pillories. For example, stalls on pitches situated around the stocks could be rented out by the local authority to entrepreneurs selling drinks, snacks, souvenirs as well as buckets of sewerage and rotten food to throw over offenders. So, in conclusion, I have clearly demonstrated why it would be beneficial to bring back the pillory and I duly urge you to vote Pro. Thank you.
It's time to bring back the pillory

In times gone by, perpetrators of petty crimes, from all walks of life, were pilloried in public [1,2]. This involved the offender being restrained, often in prominently situated wooden stocks, and the public were invited to heap scorn and derision upon them. In addition, members of the public were also invited to pelt the incarcerated criminal with dog faeces and rotten food. I propose this form of punishment should be restored for petty crimes, such as comon assault, but also that the pillory should fit the crime. So, for example, if a man is convicted of an assault that was aggravated by homophobia, he should be put in the stocks dressed in a tutu, ballet shoes, fairy wings and a tiara with signs reading "I'M A SCREAMING HOMO"; "CAUTION: I'VE GOT AIDS" and "COME AND GET ME HORNY BIG BOYS" hung around him. If the assault was racially-aggravated, for example against a person of Hispanic descent, the offender should be put in the stocks wearing a poncho and sombrero with a sign reading "I'M A FILTHY, CASTANET-PLAYING, FLAMENCO-DANCING GREASER" hung around him. In cases where the victim of the assault suffered life-changing injuries, instead of being placed in the stocks, the offender should be put into a straight-jacket and pushed around town strapped into a wheelchair with a sign reading "I'M A TOTAL SPAZ" and "I'M SUCH A CRIPPLE MY MUM HAS TO WIPE MY ARSE" hung around him. This humiliating punishment would b e a far more effective deterrent than a fine, especially for rich offenders, and would also save taxpayers the cost of imprisonment in some of the more serious cases and that's why I duly assert that the perpetrators of minor assaults should pilloried and that this public punishment should fit the crime. Thank you. [1] http://www.merriam-webster.com... [2] http://www.medievality.com...
Homework should not be banned

Compared to the past, the amount of homework that schools assign for students became more and more. Some people argue that school should ban homework, but do homework really not have benefits? I think homework is necessary, and shouldn"t be banned. Homework is not only good for reviewing studies in the classes, but also can assess how well students understand and how well the teachers teach. Also, some people argue that the time students spend doing homework is a waste, but it"s not true. In fact, managing time for homework is a good preparation for the future. Firstly, reviewing the works in the classes can help students not forget what they learnt, and get high scores. When students learn new things in the school, they are lasted as short-term memory. By practice of information, which is homework we talk here, short-term memory is converted into long-term memory, so that students won"t forget after days. (Adult_brain_growth.ppt) Only if the students made the things they learnt into unforgettable information, would they not have to review all the things before tests, and get higher score in the tests. It"s actually much easier for students on the whole compared to doing great amount of revision just before the tests. According to the results of several studies, "the average homework completer had higher unit test scores than 73 percent of non-completers (Cooper, Robinson, & Patall, 2006)" (David J. Marks, PhD). This made evident that completing homework can truly higher students" test scores. Second, homework can help both students and teachers to assess their learning and teaching conditions in order to improve them. Students would be able to find the points they are confused about, or they are poor at. On the same breath, teachers can check if students really understand the lessons, and if the teaching methods are good fits for students. Lastly, doing homework could be a good preparation for future careers because people often have assignments even they grew up and are working. The article about spending time on homework is worth it says, "Having more meaningful homework assignments can help build management skills" (Jane Eyre), and "For high school students, doing assignments outside of the classroom get them interested in a career path." (Jane Eyre) This shows that doing homework is not only good for the academic studies students are studying now, but also good for future careers and life styles. To conclude, homework can help students with their studies, assessing, and careers in the future. So if schools ban homework, students would easily forget what they"ve learnt in class and have no idea about how well they are doing in the studies. Have students had whole afterschool time as free time, they wouldn"t be able to finish reading books or projects as well. Therefore, homework benefits students, and shouldn"t be banned by schools.
vegetarianism

My opponent did not offer any arguments for rebuttal but I will note that meat is one of the most nutritious substances on the planet. Unprocessed, cooked beef contains large amounts of vitamin B12, B3 (Niacin), B6, Iron, Zinc, Selenium as well as Creatine, Carnosine, DHA and EPA. Eating meat increases bone density and muscle mass. There are no valid studies that prove abstaining from meat consumption is beneficial in any way.
vegetarianism

As my opponent forfeited this round I have nothing to offer rebuttal to but will make a few points. Meat is a food source that supports us physically. It creates energy reserves in both muscle and brain tissue. The human digest tract is clearly that of an omnivore. We are designed to eat both animal and plant based food. Grain is often the center of a vegetarians died and the insoluble fiber contained therein, can be difficult for a person to digest and may cause cramping or other types of digestive distress and discomfort. Meat contains B-12 which helps build healthy nerve cells. Meat contains carnosine which is an anti-oxidant that protects against degeneration. These are just a few points in favor of eating meat. True, a diet composed entirely of meat would not get good but a diet composed of no meat is not good either. Eating a balanced diet is vital to our health and should not be taken lightly. Eating some meat, in addition to fruits and vegetables is necessary for our health and well being.
the orthodox church is not the true church

This will be an interesting and difficult debate due to the fact that both the eastern orthodox and roman catholic church share the same apostolic traditions and teachings and are both generally considered the same church... I guess the point that i will attempt to make in this debate is the roman catholic church's progressive abandoning of their ancient roots. Through pointing this out, i hope to prove that the eastern orthodox church is the true church. dairygirl4u2c, i'm very open minded and your opinions are important to me. Thank you for the challenge, and i am excited to accept it! I may be slow to reply at times because i am in the U.S. Navy. I have been busy as of lately... I will leave it to my oppenent to take her first shot at trying to prove that the eastern orthodox church is not the true church... Remember that we are all God's children! Good luck and God bless!
Why should we vote for Trump

My opponent says that, "I wanted to do a speech on why we should vote for trump, so please give me your opinion." I am Con, so I have to argue that we should not vote for Trump. My opponent has to affirm that we should vote for Trump. I do not need to give a reason why we should vote for Trump, because it is in my opponent's side, and it doesn't have to do with my burden, only making my burden negative. So I will give my opinion, and reason on why we should not vote Trump, because that is my burden.With that, challenge accepted. Ready to get goin*
Southeastern China should put more resources into developing heavy industries than light.

Thank you for the challenge. I hope this will be a fruitful debate. First, I would like to dispute the definitions my opponent provides: Southeast China, in my opinion, should include Guangdong and Fujian, but should also contain Jiangxi, Hunan and Guangxi province. The definition of heavy Industry PRO provides is vague. It should be revised to mean businesses characterized by high capital costs (capital-intensive), high barriers to entry, and low transportability which sell their products mainly to other businesses as opposed to consumers [1]. Examples of light industry include steel and chemicals, among many others. Similarly, the definition of light industry is also vague. It should revised to mean business characterized by labor intensity, low barriers to entry, and higher transportability which sell their products mainly to consumers. Examples include consumer electronics and clothing among many others. Second: as this debate may require heavy use of statistical data, the Chinese Statistical Yearbook as published by the National Bureau of Statistics of China should be used as a standard set of data. While it is true that many economists dispute the accuracy of the data, the argument over whether or not the data is accurate would be a debate in itself. The most recent year book can be found here: http://www.stats.gov.cn.... Any debate over data should be in favor of the data found in the Statistical Yearbook. I look forward to the debate. [1] http://www.investopedia.com...
Southeastern China should put more resources into developing heavy industries than light.

THEBOMB approached me about doing China debates, and we both agreed that this would be a worthwhile venture. We hope this will be an interesting and fruitful debate.ResolutionThe full resolution is as follows: 'Resolved: Southeastern China should devote more resources into developing heavy industries than into light industries.'Definitions Southeast China: Fujian and Guangdong, excluding Hainan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and MacauHeavy industries: Industries with bulky and heavy inputs and outputs.Light industries: Industries with smaller and lighter inputs and outputs.Rules1. Debate structure:R1: Con acceptsR2: Pro presents opening arguments, Con presents opening arguments and rebuttalsR3: Both sides present new arguments (if necessary) and rebuttals.R4: Pro presents rebuttals and conclusion, Con presents conclusion.ORR1: Con acceptsR2: Both sides present opening arguments.R3: Both sides present new arguments (if necessary) and rebuttals.R4: Both sides present conclusions.3. In general, all arguments should be posted inside the debate, but if you are really busy or there is a bug on DDO, I will accept arguments posted in the comments shortly after your forfeiture of the round.4. BOP is shared. I will prove that SE China should put more into heavy than light, and THEBOMB will prove that SE China should put more into light than heavy.Good luck!
Animal testing should be kept (medical reasons)

I disagree, many of them are trash. Regardless, the same argument defeats animal testing. Mice are living too. They have brains that think and feel. They can experience pain. Every mouse used in a laboratory is a mouse that doesn't get to live a full life. Those mice never get a choice. They can't refuse to be experimented on because they can't talk. Students can, however. They can understand the risks and make an informed decision. If some of them are dumb enough to take lethal drugs, that's their fault. Or more, it's a typical Friday night. 1. Scientists are idealistic. 2 and 3. I repeat, if they're dumb enough to take the drugs then it's their own fault. Besides, the world has enough lawyers. Your argument defeats basic animal rights. A living creature is harmed either way, so why not skip step 2 and test on consenting humans instead? I know plenty of students who would take drugs for chocolate bars. They'd just be annoyed that the drugs weren't IN the chocolate bars.
Animal testing should be kept (medical reasons)

Firstly I do not find torture in students the slightest bit amusing. "No big loss" imagine the heart torn parents of these students, these are people, not trash. Secondly they do already test on humans, adult volunteers, who get payed ALOT. First they test on human cells (giving them the basic idea that the chemical would work) Then on Animals (mainly rats as they are similar to the human structure, organs and ECT) Then on healthy volunteers (to check for symptoms) And finally on the sick (to cure the patient) When you say the testing on mice is 'lousy', they test the same drug on thousands of mice and other animals such as dogs and rats. The testing on mice isn't infact lousy, it only certifies that little bit extra that the drug works. "Students are everywhere and contribute to overpopulation and destruction of the environment. If a few of them die during the trials, it's no big loss." 1. If the world was overpopulated then they wouldn't be looking for a cure to save them. 2. Pretty much everyone contributes to the destruction of the environment. Some students are looking into ways to REDUCE the destruction of the environment. 3. Some of these students could be training to be a surgeon or a lawyer perhaps which you surely wouldn't just want to through away? Your debate defeats basic human rights & I don't think you would find many students willing to be tested with a deadly chemical for a chocolate bar or vouchers.
Animal testing should be kept (medical reasons)

Firstly, the fact that animal testing has been used successfully in the past doesn't mean we should continue to use it. Secondly, mice are a lousy animal to experiment on. We should use university students instead. I'm very serious. Here are the reasons this is better than animal experimentation: 1. Students can understand and consent to treatment, while animals can't. 2. Students are better models for how drugs, etc, affect humans. 3. Animals have to be bred, fed and housed in cages. Students require no keeping and can be paid with food vouchers or chocolate bars. Or, if you're really mean, just credit it towards one of their courses. 4. Students are generally impoverished and need the handouts. Using them as test subjects helps student poverty. 5. Students are everywhere and contribute to overpopulation and destruction of the environment. If a few of them die during the trials, it's no big loss. 6. Cruelty to animals is horrible. Cruelty to students is hilarious.
Animal testing should be kept (medical reasons)

Antibiotics, insulin, vaccines for polio and cervical cancer, organ transplantation, HIV treatments, heart-bypass surgery - it reads like an A to Z of medical progress. But these major advances have something in common: they were all developed and tested using animals. Animal experimentation is a contentious issue. It works. Some would have you believe there are alternatives for all animal research, or that animal testing is always misleading and unsafe. These are fallacies. Where there are reliable alternatives, of course, we use them - that's what the law demands. Magnetic resonance imaging, computer models and work on isolated tissues and cell cultures can be useful; but they cannot provide the answers that animal research can. No one chooses to use animals where there is no need. It gives no one any pleasure, and it is time consuming, expensive and - quite rightly - subject to layers of regulation. Yet it is still the best way of finding out what causes disease, and of knowing whether new treatments will be safe and effective. Biologically, we are similar to species such as mice and rats, because we have practically the same set of genes. Their bodies respond to disease and treatments much as ours do. If a genetically modified "purple tomato" can fight cancer in mice, as announced yesterday, it might work for humans, too. This could be the beginning of the cure for cancer.
I am manlier than you

I can knock you out with just one thump you are not strong all you are is another chump You aint a beast your short and you middle name is dive i am 5`10 you are only 5`5 5 inches make a big difference when you talk about skill You live in loser life while i can pay my own bills I can kill 100000 deer with only using 2 shotgun shells when we play call of duty i get way more kills since this is my last verse i thought id make an insult I cant get beat by a guy who dosent even use mouth wash Dont steal my car or i'll murder you with a baby shoe like Liam Neeson said from "taken" "i will find you, and i will kill you"
I am manlier than you

You can't call me ugly when you have a sister who when she plays soccer she looks like a mister flat chest like the great plains of Africa And butt the size of my thumb yea now i told you Nobody will know you No-one will see you when you sneeze no-one will say bless you your anonymous that means your a mystery guy no-one will remeber you but your wolf mommy but she gonna die Dogs live for 10 years she probably dead already so go mourn your dirty hairy animal who would make a great teddy like that one would slept with for 5 years when i threw it away all i saw from you were tears
I am manlier than you

I gonna keep it straight and simple your whole face is a pimple at least i got a girl friend all you got is your pillow Your argument is invalid Wheres my book oh here i have it You need new management here are my commandments and it reads: number 1 Thou shall not use My name in vain for Thou is a mother fu**** who lacks game number 2 Tank people who think they are the law are as straight as a super huge bendy swirly straw(if you know what i mean) Number 3 Thou shall not call ME a butt sniffer Or thou shall go to jail, drop the soap and get fingered you want to talk about fashion well ill talk and we can all see that ugly starts with "u" and awesome ends with "me"
I am manlier than you

I can open a pickle jar with using one hand I can open a girls legs with using one bar (if you know what i mean) I can fly a plane with no wings and even make it land I can steal and run you over with your own car You can't stop people admiring my fame and fashion You think your car is good it only takes 2 miles to the gallon compact cars are way super better than jeeps you ever see Donald trump ride hummers down the street your car, your hair, and your manliness sucks I've seen animals with much bigger bucks (if you know what i mean) Everyone here agrees its not up for debate when people see your face they want to regurgitate
I am manlier than you

At least i am in a group even if they are wolfs i don't care You belong in a dumpster getting eaten by a bear I can't fall to my death at all i actually fly you see my wings made out of kryptonite I can be underwater and hold my breath for over an hour I go to a deadly rain forest to take a shower I don't need to wash my clothes that's what tsunamis are for Tornadoes press my cloths and clean my car I revive people from the dead just by saying their names If you dont listen to me i'll hit you with my pimp cane so go back to your house and continue watching honey boo boo I'll kick these raps in your a** until your dust on my leather boots
I am manlier than you

okay you beast with fleas i get your point now go back to your pack and sniff each others butt joint you cant be better than me when you see girls that cheat and leave your privits bleeding while you cry in a cornor tell yourself to jump of a bridge and die you elf wish you would jump off the edge my firend i'll miss you but will fu** your sister to death Then you wont be alone for long ill be happy singing my song I would jump with you but i would survive cause falls dont kill me but ur face can take my life.
I am manlier than you

you cant bench press 200 you cant even bench the bar I have a hummer you don't even have a car I have manly skills that would make the hulk really jealous I may smell but my physical appearance is embellished Whenever i say something people will never say i lie Your so ugly when hello kitty sees you she says goodbye I tamed a tiger just by petting its head with my hand I walk into burning buildings just so i can get a tan I once saved someones life by just touching their head I can go fasting for years and still look greatly feed i was raised with wolves and learned their language WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (translation: now little girl go over there and make me a sandwhich)
I am manlier than you

we decided to make this a rap battle to so: I can bench press over 200 with both hands and not even break a sweat I can watch the movie "I am legend" and not cry at the dog's death With one hand i can make a pizza while making an orgami fold Please Anon show me how to knit a sweater tell you that you just got told Try and make me care about your story about how you fix your hair I get a razor cut it off and present you on the next loser fair You see im like Freddy kruger haunting all your dreams Then i'll cut your head and all of your limbs with an ax or 2 or 3 I am so manly it hurts but i dont feel the pain Your so girly at sports you dont deserve fame I think betty white has a better chance than you to join the NFL Im the tanked juggernaut your only manliness you have is your smell
Abortion

Now in some cases I can agree, for instance if the baby is going to be born as what is called a "vegetable" (a person who can not think, eat, move or feel). Other than that I don't believe a person should get an abortion. It may not be a fully developed human and to some it isn't one. The earliest developed unborn child is known as an embryo, while it is still small it does indeed still have a heart beat. There are also options of adoption as an alternative because what you are doing is killing and innocent embryo that will be in about eight months, a fetus (final developed stage of a child before being born). You are killing it before it could ever have a chance to truly live a life. You are practically showing that you would sacrifice a life for your own happiness. They may call themselves people still after the abortion but they are not human. Because humans feel the life that is growing in them, they would do anything to protect the child. https://prolifeacrossamerica.org...