Someone posted a comment on Facebook to the effect that there is no point to debating issues we face today because everyone’s mind is “made up.” This implies a narrow purpose to debate, one of winning or losing in a competition. [FN1] Election campaigns deluge us w/info. 1/11

We see & hear candidates for office. Some candidates lie. When their lies go unchallenged, there is a greater probability of those candidates taking office. Because debate is adversarial, it has a greater probability of challenging lies. There’s no record Hitler debated anyone. And... 2/11

That brings me to IN magaGOP nominee for Lt Gov, Micah Beckwith. In 2020, Beckwith trolled me on (then-) Twitter. [FN2] I replied that I construed the comments as a challenge to debate. S/he never disputed that construction. As much as I pressed, there never was a debate. 3/11

When I told John Schmitz that I no longer would do a weekly spot on his podcast “Mouthwash,” John said that Beckwith has done a debate for this election cycle, the Lt Gov debate 9/23. That was not a “debate.” Members of the press posed questions to Lt Gov nominees. 4/11

Elements of a debate: 1) Specific topic; 2) Opportunity for each side to speak & 3) Cross-ex.
We’ve been told for decades that the next election is the most important ever, just like a new flavor of soda pop is revolutionary. [FN3] This time it’s real. 5/11

The 2024 elections could be our last. The nominee for Pres of the former “party of Lincoln” has vowed to be a dictator. Beckwith has said that, if elected, s/he’ll fire anyone who uses pronouns in ways s/he does not like. I’ll debate Beckwith. It’s his challenge, almost 5 tears old. 6/11

For a topic, how about “Resolved: the United States was founded as a Christian nation”? Each side has 5-minute constructive speeches, chance for cross-ex and rebuttal. Here’s a comparison: Hitler had only one testicle. Beckwith is such a coward, I doubt he has any. 7/

People can listen to others’ viewpoints. Walled off from info, those people for once will hear cogent argument supported by authorities. Then they’ll hear Beckwith. Remember to follow Cassie Jackson on Facebook. #BrainsNotBraun 8/11

Footnotes:
FN1. I debated in high school and college. I coached intercollegiate debate for four years. I do not like to lose. 9/11

Footnotes:
FN2. “The Democrats called. They want their taking (sic) points back. You’re in the wrong primary! But I’m glad you decided to fake it in the GOP primary. I’m gonna have a lot fun dismantling the stupidity of your progressive ideology. 10/11

Footnotes:
FN2a. Can’t wait to see you on the campaign trail!”
FN3. E.g., McGinniss, Joe, “The Selling of the President, 1968,” details the successful campaign for President of Richard Nixon and the role of advertising. 11/11