In our educational system, debate must become a required course.

Yes, every student should be taught the principles of debate, the first of which is understanding both sides of an argument or proposition. Both sides. Both.

Debate requires listening without preconditions.

In youthful zeal we frequently buy into one side of an argument or the other. Very seldom do we bother to explore both sides of any issue. Ego, self-preservation, what we have learned from parents and teachers and how our views align with friends all combine to determine the positions we take.

Then, sadly, as we become more mature, we develop firm and semi-firm positions on almost everything. Then some among us actually become too right about almost everything.

And then, in advanced age, we create hardened positions and do not wish to be confused with the facts. Change is resisted.

Your author is convinced, after a gazillion political discussions, that one-sided arguments are normative. We choose to be either donkeys or elephants and rarely the twain shall meet. (Note: Your author claims to be a centrist independent who leans right.}

Now then, when it comes........

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