# New Forum Suggestion, Part CCLXXIX **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [February 21, 2005, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-suggestion-part-cclxxix/291202 "2005-02-21T17:26:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![j\_sum1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@j\_sum1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_sum1)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-suggestion-part-cclxxix/291202/21 "2005-02-23T12:12:55Z")
I think it is possible to have more formal, more civil, more structured debates simply by having the OP outline the format in the first post and adding a note to the thread title. And there are a lot of different options and possibilities. If there is a move for the culture of the boards to change with respect to debating practice, then we should be able to pull it off. Consider these. **On the right to own a thingamie - FORMAL DEBATE** **DoperA** and **DoperB** over the next few posts will engage in a formal debate. The moot will be _Law-abiding Citizens should have the right to own and operate a thingamie without interference from state authorities._ **DoperA** will open with the affirmative argument. Both dopers will have three posts to state their arguments, a further two for rebuttal and one to summarise. These six posts will be done before 12:00 Wednesday EST. Before that time other dopers may feel free to ask questions for clarification or request cites where they are obviously needed. After that time the topic will be opened for general debate by all dopers. or perhaps this one… **US foreign policy and relations with Farwayplace - structured debate** This topic has been thrashed on these boards before and while there has been a wide range of opinions on the topic not all viewpoints have been developed and debated in a manner that befits the members of this community. Therefore I am proposing a more formal debate. I know that **DoperC** has a lot to say on this topic. While I tend to disagree with his proposal, I do not think he has disclosed all of the background information that he has and am interested to hear him justify his stance. On the other hand **DoperD** has an alternate view and I would like to hear that as well. Here is how it will work. Monday/Tuesday – Dopers have the chance to state their argument outlining the economic models they believe are in effect here and highlighting what they perceive to be the key issues underpinning the present conflict. Cites should be provided. Wednesday/Thursday/Friday – This is where you get to critique the arguments presented and point out flaws in the suggested models. Weekend discussion – This will focus on how to get from here to there – the obstacles to change and how to best implement the suggestions that have been made Next week – open debate on any related issues. further down… _I respectfully ignore post #137 and direct **DoperInflamatoryHijackingJerk** to re-read the format of this debate as outlined in the OP_ In other words, there is no need for a new forum, just for dopers who start threads to outline how they would prefer to have the debate proceed. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-suggestion-part-cclxxix/291202/22 "2005-02-23T14:27:39Z")
That could possilby work, J\_sum1, especially given your “further down…” posting. But without official sanction, what is to prevent \*\*DoperInflamatoryHijackingJerk \*\* from responding with… You’re not a mod, stop acting like one. This isn’t your board, and you don’t get to say who can post in what threads. ? ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-suggestion-part-cclxxix/291202/23 "2005-02-23T14:30:41Z")
Because we’re relying on the decency of the other posters to follow the spirit of the structured debate and ignore **DoperInflamatoryHijackingJerk**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-forum-suggestion-part-cclxxix/291202.md?page=1)