A Master Debater

This month, C2 mag launches my monthly column featuring friendly debate and fodder for all. I go head to head, idea by idea, with fellow writer Frank Dunne. In this issue, we start by disagreeing about what to call the darn thing ... off to a great start aren't we?

Here's my opinion. You can read Frank's retort here.

I’m addicted to Chapstick. I deplore clip art. I wear flip flops once the weather clears 50 degrees. I love a good party, but not a Tea Party. I’m not a lawyer, but I like to play one in magazines. If I believe something or someone to be true and just, I will support that person, idea, organization, ‘til the cows come home or the margaritas run dry. I’ll study the opposition’s logic, mount a campaign and argue for what I believe. Almost every time.

Sometimes I will play devil’s advocate just for the heck of it. Because sometimes I love nothing more than getting a rise out of someone. I like to make people think (and get a little hot under the collar).

Let me give you an example. If you and I were dating and you were to reveal to me that you “have to look at online pornography,” I would --- 1. Walk out of the restaurant we were dining in. 2. Spend the next 24 hours, before dumping your behind, grilling you in an effort to understand exactly what you mean by “have to.” Oh yes, I’d ask that question 2,000 ways to Tuesday, to try to get a real understanding of what exactly it was you were telling me. (True story.) For me, it was about the choice of words and the non-existent-logic that followed said choice of words. Game was on!

So, when my worthy opponent, Frank, and I were approached with idea of a monthly duel of rhetoric, I was intrigued. I immediately began channeling my inner Jane Curtin ala Saturday Night Live, and pitched a name for this monthly masterpiece – Point/Counterpoint. Frank immediately disagreed with my suggestion (foreshadowing), and later sent a list of 100 other potential column names. All of which I dismissed.

Allow me to provide some reference, for our readers born after the creation of the internet. “Point / Counterpoint” was a segment on Saturday Night Live, in the late seventies. "Point / Counterpoint" featured Jane Curtin and Dan Aykroyd making personal attacks on each other's positions on a variety of topics. Aykroyd regularly began his reply with "Jane, you ignorant slut,” and Curtin frequently began her reply with "Dan, you pompous ass.”
Now, I’m not telling you this because I find Frank to be a pompous ass. (That may very well come with time …) Nor, do I consider myself ignorant or loose, however I do find the title – and the “historical” reference - to be significant because it suggests a certain sarcasm and levity, which allows two people to disagree on a topic, yet still have fun in the process. And if there are two things I love more than a debate, they are sarcasm and laughter.
Alas, here we are at our first column and we can’t even agree on what to call the dang thing. Frank will argue that the name Point/Counterpoint has been over-used, and frankly, I cannot disagree. But, that doesn’t make me like it any less.

I’m not going to fall on my sword for this one. There will be plenty of time for that.

This is where you come in. Help us pick a name for our monthly clash and if you’re up for it, go ahead and suggest some possible topics as well. Just don’t throw me any softballs like – paper vs. plastic, second-hand smoke, or dog poop scooping. Those answers are so obvious -- paper; kill yourself don’t kill me; and if I can do it, so can you.

I want a challenge.

Because let’s face it. I am a master –(de)bater. (Just like my ex-boyfriend.)