"Dwight Stewart" wrote in message
nk.net...
"Dee D. Flint" wrote:

No Kim it is not. He made a statement as
if it were fact rather than his personal opinion
that most people had had exposure to Morse
code. I challenged him to prove it. This is
standard operating procedure in debate.
Since he is the originator of the statement,
then in a debate, he must be prepared to
back it with facts. That the subject here is
Morse code does not negate debate
procedures even if he wishes it did.


This is a newsgroup, not a debating society, Dee. As such, there are no
debate procedures. Instead, simple common sense applies in newsgroup
discussions (as in most discussions). Since you're aware that nobody
collects such data, simple common sense should have prevented you from
even
asking for that.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/


Nope. I disagree, but only because I approach this venue exactly in the
same manner as Dee. I like debating and there are few people who can do it
artfully. But, I don't think I've ever expected anyone else to approach it
the same way I do. However, to engage one in discourse almost dictates that
you must be willing to communicate at their level and in their manner. For
example, Waddles is way down below my league, so I don't even get his posts
any more. Same for Dan. Larry's just fun...

Kim W5TIT

"Kim W5TIT" wrote:

Nope. I disagree, but only because I approach
this venue exactly in the same manner as Dee.
I like debating and there are few people who can
do it artfully. But, I don't think I've ever expected
anyone else to approach it the same way I do.
However, to engage one in discourse almost
dictates that you must be willing to communicate
at their level and in their manner. (snip)


Then we all need to get together and establish specific rules for debate
in this newsgroup. And everyone should be made aware of those rules to
insure an even playing field. Without that, screaming about rules and
procedures is a little absurd, don't you think? So lets talk about common
debate rules. Every debate I've seen allows for opinion - even opinions
about what is a fact when that is not clear. Since nobody gathers statistics
for what I said, there are no facts to prove or disprove my statement -
there is only opinion either way. Therefore, since everyone involved has now
admitted to knowing that nobody gathers such statistics, my statement would
be acceptable even under standard debate rules and any challenge following
that could only be interpreted as an attempt to sidetrack the debate (which,
I believe, is not proper debate procedure).


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/