#debate #abortion #prolife #prochoice #politics

Last week, a YouTuber named Alec Gunter ( @AlecGunterTTV ) reached out to me with interest to debate the abortion topic. Before the debate, we agreed to a typical debate format (5 minute opening statement, 10 minute cross-examination, 20 minute open-discussion and a 5 minute closing statement). Nathan from @SawyerStudios was the moderator.

Here are my thoughts after watching the debate back:

1. I was absolutely way too nice throughout the open conversation. Multiple times I had his argument dismantled, but then he pivoted. Optically, this hurt me. I should have been more clear in acknowledging a pivot was occurring and/or contains the debate to just a single aspect.

2. I should have never accepted his analogy where he magically becomes connected to a female uterus. Simply, because this is not possible. I said this in the debate but I shouldn't have followed him there. The irony about this is that he claimed my "woman in the cabin" analogy does not happen, therefore, should not be considered. But of course my analogy IS possible and his was not. Therefore, mine is usable and his is not.

3. My cross-examination was fairly weak. Not necessarily because of the questions (some of his responses were fascinating) but because I barely used those responses. I should have asked fewer questions and focused more on certain practical situations to expose silliness behind the bodily autonomy stance.

4. For my first scheduled debate, I think I did very well. However, I think there is a lot of room to improve.

That is how I think it went.

But, let me know what you think in the comment section below.

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All of my links: https://linktr.ee/JamesWeigel

Alec Gunter: @AlecGunterTTV

Nathan (Moderator): @SawyerStudios