I was invited to debate the Iraq War on the air by a local

[Pacifist Patriot]

radio personality. He's a Republican right wing shill and acts like a ten year old. When he sent me the invitation he included the phrase, "if you have the guts." He also insists on addressing me as "Rev Firstname" rather than simply using my first name or "Rev Lastname." The way in which he does it leaves me wondering whether it is my gender or my title that amuses him more. He's a condescending prick.

While I'd be more than happy to discuss the Iraq War in a neutral venue there is not a snowball's chance in hell I'm going to provide him with verbal cannon fodder for his and his listener's perverse jollies. So yes, I'm intimidated and he can feel as smug about it as he wants.

I'll debate him just as soon as he let's Randi Rhodes have a go at him. ;)

[Mutley]

1. I think you should do it.

We can give you all sorts of ammunition. How fun!

[SunDrop23]

Yes, go for it!

[katinmn]

2. Well, you could set some rules for the debate and if he doesn't

follow them, make a a strong statement and hang up. That could be memorable!

I've been reading your posts for a year and you can hold your own, Peace Patriot. Just think of it as practice for a wider audience!

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. Writing is a whole different ball game.

Here I have time to collect my thoughts, research, edit, etc.

[FreedomAngel82]

9. Good idea

George Bush made a huge book of rules for the 2004 debate. I'm sure Kerry had a few in there but I could be wrong since he actually wanted more debates but of course Bush was a coward and wouldn't debate him.

[electropop]

3. Meanwhile, debate him in print, where you have time

to compose clear and pointed thoughts.

[kikiek]

5. If you get to control the on and off switch on the mikes.

[ewagner]

6. An old rule of thumb

that is used in the political arena is:

Don't argue with a newspaper editor because he buys his ink by the barrel!

That can, of course, be extrapolated to radio. These guys are radio "pros" and you're not. They own the microphone and the engineers/directors/producers on the other side of the glass are on their side. It's a setup.

They have no interest in an honest debate or a fair fight. It's not good for ratings...

[FreedomAngel82]

10. This is what they are trying to do

They're wanting to be big and prove the liberals wrong about war. All he wants to do is prove his audience their brainwashing is right and he's a big man. :eyes:

[Pacifist Patriot]

14. My thoughts exactly!

[smoogatz]

7. There's a clear-cut strategy these people use; it's simple and it works

You need three or four basic talking points, and some stats to back them up. Stick to them no matter what. Don't take the bait if he syas inflammatory things (he will), questions your patriotism (he will), or accuses you of being a Bush hater and a troop hater (he will). You know what to say: Bush lied about his reasons for going to war (he'll say Bush got bad intel, you'll say if he went to war based on bad intel, he's incompetent--where does the buck stop in this country?). Everything Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Wolfie/Rice have said about Iraq has been wrong or a lie. Why should we believe anything they say now? Iraq is going to dissolve into civil war whether our troops are there or not--by staying, aren't we just going to get a lot more of our people killed? Etc. Go for it!

[cantstandbush]

12. Great points. There is so much to use against them I think he is the fool

for asking you to debate. I really think you can handle it.

[katinmn]

13. Yup. Good strategy!

[mnmoderatedem]

18. simple

have him view Dead Wrong, or read The WMD Mirage before the debate. Ask him if he believes that cherry picking intelligence that makes the case for war and ignoring all intelligence that doesn't support the case for war, rather than looking at all the intelligence as a whole equates to lying.

I'd love to hear his response.

[FreedomAngel82]

8. LOL yeah really

He wants to pick on someone who is weak in debating. I would like him to argue Rhandi, George Galloway, Mike Malloy. Any of them. I bet he wouldn't do it. And ooo "if you have the guts." :eyes: What a dork. These people are big bullies and need to seriously grow up. My ten year old cousin acts better then they do. That's pretty sad. Heck, my four year old cousin acts better! We all know all he'd do is yell and scream and be loud like Bill O'Reilly and use the talking points. Even once you disbute the talking points they'll just repeat them and shout and scream.

[FreedomAngel82]

11. Why does he want to debate you??

:shrug: Why not a local progressive radio host? Why you?

[Pacifist Patriot]

15. As I said. He wants cannon fodder.

He's looking for a political activist with no radio experience that he can trash on the air for his own vindictive satisfaction.

[KharmaTrain]

16. Ye Who Controls The Mike...

A little note from one who used to host talk shows...if you haven't done this type of venue before or are in control of it, I'd be very leery in getting involved...especially if I haven't debated regularly in a forum like this before.

Remember, this is HIS show, this he sets the schedule and the topics. He gets the first and the last word. He determines who talks and for how long. He also has the chance to return tomorrow and the day after to re-state and replay bits to make him look good and, from what I can see, you as a fool.

Personally, I'd love taking on this goon, but it'd be at my timing, not his. My fun is to sneak past the phone screener (if the show has one), butter up the host for a few minutes, then blind side them when they start spewing the talking points. The game is to get them to shut up...take them off their points and make them lose their consentration (a gap of silence is always my tip-off). Once that happens, the fun really begins as he now has to struggle to regain control.

If he truly wants to debate...I would suggest doing it in a public setting. See if he'll arrange a remote broadcast at a local school...a public place where anyone can attend and watch the debate. Or to debate on someone elses' show...where there's a more level playing field.

Good luck...

[Pacifist Patriot]

19. Oh I have no intention of doing it.

I'd like to see a professional take him on.

[KharmaTrain]

20. What City Are You In?

Also, whose the host? I'm curious to find out who this guy is...might be fun to play with.

The marvels of the internet is most talk stations can be listened to and it's fun being able to pop into a local talk fest and turn a flying monkey's head around. I call it "truth squadding".

[Zynx]

17. Debate him, but have your facts down cold.

One thing Republicans love is when you remember a fact wrong so they can jump down your throat over that and never let go of it. They don't care if the basic premise is correct or not. They just like the idea of jumping down your throat to distract people from the true debate.

[JNelson6563]

21. Do it, I've done it

and it was great!! Get your facts in order and let 'em have it.

Julie

[sweetheart]

22. brilliant

bring 'em on. I debated a bush 1 undersecretary of defense on live
british radio 5 live in a heated call-in, right before the iraq war.

At first, he was taken aback to hear an american accent on british
BBC call in, and then he invited me to stay in britain, because my
kind was not wanted "over here". He lost the debate in that first
bungle. He was rude and uncivil, breathtakingly ignorant. He used
the "wmd" card as a trump in the debate, because he had secret knowledge
that i didn't have.

You can debate him by following macnamara's rule: Don't answer the
question you are asked, answer the one you want to be asked. In other
words, talk about goodwill, that war stomps on people, that violence
is no solution, and that this adventurism abroad is costing billions
while our schools crumble for lack of funds.

Talk about peace with a good heart. Show him you are not afraid, and
that fearlessness in the face of a hate media person, will inspire all
the listeners to respect you. Then they will respect your values, and
see the attackers as rude filth no matter how they edit the cut.

[seabeyond]

23. it isnt intimidation, in my thinking. do it if you dare. firstly

as an adult i say, huh. if i dare. i didnt do dares when i was a kid. knew how stupid i dare you is. not going to start making decisions off a dare

secondly, right there is an example of WHY you arent going to do it. you know there isnt respect, nor maturity, nor intellectual, reasonable, or logical thinking going on from a person that still uses if you dare

what a waste of time. you know anything you said is not going ot be listened to, or thought about.... what a waste of time

if you have the guts. this person is telling you, up front, it is going to be battle. personally i am tired of battle. repug has to define everything in battle. the male. they are capable of nothing else. they are not comfortable with anything else. here you are pacifist patriot, a reverand? i am assuming. being asked to go into battle. condradictive to you seeing how you are adult. especially as adult and with children i have SO learned, easiest to get my way if i am NOT in battle. most productive. so
you are adult
a reverand
a pacifist
a democrat

being asked not to resolve an issue, battle does not. but to fight an issue

here is an understanding that this repug doesnt have a clue
again,.....waste of time

so really, i am not seeing it a matter of intimidated. i just dont see it as good sense

why would you make a poor decision, because someone dares you

remember bush,..... bring it on

[lateo]

24. Go for it but be prepared to shout him down.

[Deb]

25. Good for you

It's obvious he has no respect for you or your position.

Let him know you'll pray for the kindness and love Jesus (?) taught us to enter his heart and that you respectfully decline his offer to debate until that prayer has been answered.

He really does need you on so many levels.

[Pacifist Patriot]

26. LOL! Love it.