The Roadkills-R-Us 21st Century Debate Format

I have a great idea for future debates. This would keep things more on track.

Put a panel of three high school debate teachers on the stage. Each has two Big Red Buttons and two Big Green Buttons in front of them.

Above each candidate's head is a flat panel with a big, red letter grade. Each candidate starts with an "A+". (We could start with a 100, but there's an advantage to the letter.)

When a candidate breaks the rules of the debate (goes over time, fails to obey the moderator, etc), a debate judge can hit that candidate's Big Red Button. At that point that candidate's grade drops a mark (A+ to A to A- to B+ to B, etc.) Unless both the other judges press that candidate's Big Green Buttons within, say, 10 seconds, the drop stays. Once a candidate hits "F" the debate is over and they have officially LOST.

Using letters keeps the range short and sweet. Twelve dings is more than enough.

Under this system a candidate would be penalized the same for refusing to stop when the time was up, interrupting, or running across the stage and taking out their opponent with a flying tackle the way CONTROL's Chief attacked the Vice President in the Get Smart movie. I think we could use more of that. Not enough to bump it up a mark, although that's tempting...

There you have it: the Roadkills-R-Us 21st Century Debate format. Please write everyone you can think of in the media, blogosphere, Congress, or United Nations and demand this be used from now on (for UN debates as well!)

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