RPG OtakuBoards Survivor 4

[Ellerby]

[quote name='Sandy][FONT=Century Gothic][COLOR=Blue]The addition of music was a nice touch, although the pieces sounded more like game music, and thus were somewhat distracting.[/COLOR'][/FONT][/quote]
[COLOR=DimGray][FONT=Tahoma]Yeah, anything sounds like video game music when in MIDI form. I actually originally planned to use the FF battle theme for the final battle (just because I know you love FF ;)) but that idea was scrapped.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue] [quote name='Sandy][FONT=Century Gothic][COLOR=Blue]The vendetta I mentioned was pretty weird, though, since you couldn?t say that Ms. Beth and the kids were super[i]heroes[/i] ? they did nothing heroic during the movie, except maybe getting rid of a criminal mastermind. Sandy as the villain was oddly evil and lacked a motive, but perhaps he just wanted to wipe out the Titans until they would become too much of a threat. You should?ve described the infiltration of Sandy?s building instead of cutting to the climax all of a sudden, and the ending should?ve had a proper moral, instead of just ?evil gets its ass kicked?[/COLOR'] [/FONT][/quote]Sadly most of us had other things that kept us from truly getting this written out, and most of the flaws you mention come from presenting parts of the story that were still in a guideline format instead of a more finished product.

I was literally working with White to last night right before the deadline to get that in so we wouldn?t lose by default. I?m pleased that we actually won since I was worried that our lack of being able to finish things would do us in when we had a pretty good idea to begin with.

But yeah, originally there was suppose to be more behind it. So it would have a proper moral instead of the ?evil gets its ass kicked? type of deal that we ended up with. ^_~[/COLOR]

[Rachmaninoff]

Am I allowed to comment on this round? If not someone just shoot me okay? Because I just realized something?[quote name='BKstyles][FONT=Tahoma]As for the others, [color=darkred]The Mercenaries[/color] have been significantly wounded with the loss of arguably their strongest members in Gavin and their captain Crystia. With only 3 left, they are gonna be swinging for the fences to get on track.[/FONT][/QUOTE][QUOTE=SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue][B]EDIT:[/B'] Also even though the mercenaries are down to three members, it would be a mistake to underestimate them. Gavin and indifference may have been their oldest members, but I would argue that Aaryanna is equally if not stronger regardless of her age and Darren is showing quite a bit of determination as well. [/COLOR][/quote]I think I really did underestimate them. And seeing that they took first place I just want to say congratulations on a job well done. ;) Especially the ending of your dark thriller, I was expecting the usual killer that won't die ending so I rather liked that, even if it was on the gory side. o_O

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]The results of the [b]third Team Council[/b] are in.

The player leaving [color=DarkOrange]Team Argo[/color] today is [b]Ezekiel[/b] with two votes, whereas both Shy and Allamorph got one.

Evicted from [color=Green]The Laugh Out Louds[/color] is [b]Rachmaninoff[/b], who got three votes against Kitty's one.

Ezekiel, Rachmaninoff... Thank you both for playing, you made it quite far though. You can now post one more farewell post to this thread, if you so please.

As for the next challenge, the fourth, it'll begin soon, and boy are you in for a [i]twist[/i]. Meanwhile, the four teams can opt to change captains, if the current one isn't doing their job well.

See you soon, Survivors![/font]

[Rachmaninoff]

Not much to say other than it was fun while it lasted and to wish my former team the best of luck in the upcoming challenge.

[Ezekiel]

[SIZE=1]I was hoping it would be me, as no one else deserved to go. Well done everyone for all the hard work you put in, I'll be rooting for you guys until the end! Let's hope one of you comes out tops. <3[/SIZE]

[Sandy]

[B]Important:[/B] for the next challenge, I need [B]one volunteer from each team[/B]. Make the decision between your team and then the person volunteering should send me a PM about it.

After I get each team's volunteer, the fourth challenge will commence. ;D

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]A question if I may, does that include the Team Captain as well? Or does the volunteer have to be someone else? Because in light of this: [quote name='Sandy']As for the next challenge, the fourth, it'll begin soon, and boy are you in for a twist.[/quote]I am understandably nervous as to what you are up to. ^_~[/COLOR]

[Sandy]

[FONT=Century Gothic]This is it, the moment you've been waiting for with anxiety and suspicion for the last day or so. There are now fourteen players left in this game, and now it's time to mix, shake and stir things up a bit. Let the next challenge begin!

[center][size=5]Fourth Challenge: Controversy[/size][/center]

In this challenge, the four teams are pitted against each other in heated [B]debates[/B]. Because the team spirit is so strong in all teams, I got four players - one from each team - to volunteer for a little switch-around.

... Well, they didn't really know [I]what[/I] they were volunteering into, but now it's too late to back down. Starting from this challenge, these four volunteers will [B]switch teams[/B] and automatically become [B]captains[/B] of their new team. Here's how that is going to work.
[INDENT][COLOR=DarkRed][B]Aaryanna_Mom/Kathy[/B] is the new captain of The Mercenaries[/COLOR].
[COLOR=DarkOrange][B]Keyblade Wielder/Tiana[/B] is the new captain of Team Argo[/COLOR].
[COLOR=Green][B]Darren[/B] is the new captain of The Laugh Out Louds[/COLOR].
[COLOR=Blue][B]BKstyles[/B] is the new captain of The Titans[/COLOR].[/INDENT]
These four players are no longer allowed to post in their old Team Threads, and all the previous captains will lose their position. This change [B]stays in effect[/B] even after this challenge (although the title of the captain can be changed after it, like normally). Hope this is clear to everybody now.

Now, to the rules of the challenge.
[INDENT][B]1.[/B] There will be [B]six rounds of debates[/B] between two teams at a time about a specific subject given by me.
[B]2.[/B] Only [B]one player[/B] from both teams can participate in one round, and each player can only participate into one round. The [B]new captains[/B] of the teams will [B]choose[/B] the participants. Because [COLOR=Blue]The Titans[/COLOR] have two extra members, two players from that team won't be participating at all.
[B]3.[/B] Each round will consist from [B]opening statements[/B], free [B]argumentation[/B], and [B]closures[/B] from both sides - all posted to this thread. I will make sure that the debates won't last too long, and I will also judge each round based on the debater's performance, arguments and language they use.
[B]4.[/B] The [B]winning[/B] side gets [B]two[/B] points, or in the case of a clear [B]tie[/B], both sides get [B]one[/B] point.
[B]5.[/B] When all six rounds are over, the teams will be awarded for their points as such:
[INDENT][I]1st place:[/I] Team will get to [B]bring back[/B] one evicted player, or choose a new one from the [B]standby[/B] to join their team.
[I]2nd place:[/I] Team doesn't lose or gain any members.
[I]3rd place:[/I] Team goes to the [B]Team Council[/B] to evict one member, but gets to choose a new one from the [B]standby[/B] as a replace.
[I]4th place:[/I] Team votes off one member, but doesn't gain any new ones.[/INDENT]
These "rewards" should keep everybody motivated - especially the new captains.[/INDENT]

If more questions arise, don't hesitate to ask them! But now, let's move onto the first round of debates. We'll start with a simple one. [B]Survivors GO![/B]

---

[center][b]First Debate: Abortion[/b]
[COLOR=DarkRed]The Mercenaries[/COLOR](For) vs. [COLOR=DarkOrange]Team Argo[/COLOR](Against)[/center]

Kathy and Tiana, please choose the first participants from your new teams. Those two can then post their opening statements to this thread. Go go go![/FONT]

[Riku]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]Thank you so much, Sandy, for now pitting me against my team. I miss The Titans, but I shall root for Team Argo now. ; - ;

Anyway, as captain of my new team, I was wondering exactly when we had to choose our participants. Just wondering since I asked who wanted to do it and when this will actually start.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Sandy]

[QUOTE=Keyblade Wielder][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]
Anyway, as captain of my new team, I was wondering exactly when we had to choose our participants. Just wondering since I asked who wanted to do it and when this will actually start.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

[FONT=Century Gothic]As soon as possible, please. If you (and the other captains) are going to ask about everybody's opinions each round, we'll still be on this challenge in April. ;P Use the authority give to you, girl![/FONT]

[TheResplendent]

[FONT=Tahoma]I did have a feeling that a swap might have been a good possibility, but this is quite a twist with the whole new captains deal. I'm excited because it's something new and I'm being given a really big opportunity here, but also I will miss the LOLs very much, i've really gotten to know the members a ton more (especially my old captain) and it was really great while it lasted. I'm glad to have atleast enjoyed one victory along side you guys. So best of luck to you guys, but I won't be going easy on yas either :P.

[color=blue]Titans[/color], my sincere apologies ahead of time if this decision is something that does not sit well with you all (especially you, Beth...heh), but there will be no wavering in my dedication and I hope to see the winning streak of the Titans continue on until the end. I'll continue in the team thread so Sandy doesn't get mad at me for taking up space here, hehe.[/FONT]

[Aaryanna_Mom]

This is for my previous team Sandy:[quote name='Allamorph][FONT=Arial][spoiler]I hear the sound of a paddle being unsheathed. (Equips Kathy with [U]Amulet of Pain[/U]: all spanks now deal +4 pain damage, and paddled target receives additional -1 repect points per spank.)[/spoiler'][/FONT][/quote]And I hope you'll forgive me Team Argo for now supporting my new team. Especially since Sandy put me on the same one as my own daughter.

And since we are debating against my former team now, as soon as I've had the chance to talk to both of them [my daughter still being in school at the moment] I'll let you know who will be debating this round.

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=DarkRed][U]All right here's my opening statement as to why I am for Abortion:[/U]

Like any difficult decision that one faces, choosing to have an abortion is not an easy task. One that is made harder by a society that would try to make that decision for you, regardless of the surrounding circumstances ignoring the very real issues of pregnancy that resulted from incest or rape as well as unplanned pregnancies.

The very phrase ?pro-choice? is often mistaken as a stance that favors abortion instead of pregnancy when in reality it?s all about respecting the rights of the individual to make the decision on whether or not they will use different methods to prevent pregnancy with abortion being one of those choices should a woman end up pregnant.

In a more perfect world we would have full support for a woman faced with such a terrible decision, but the reality is we do not. And in by insisting on forcing a woman to give birth to a child that they are not ready for is cruel and inhumane. Stripping her of her most fundamental right, choosing whether or not she should give birth to the baby that is starting to develop in her.

Government involvement in private medical and sexual decisions should not be an all or nothing type of deal. But a balanced one that gives options instead of locking a potential mother to be out of what ultimately is her choice. Whether to keep or abort the pregnancy she has.

We?ve come a long way in establishing our right to make our own choices and by making abortion illegal we would be taking a terrible step backwards when the better choice would be to pour funding into making a more comprehensive program to help those faced with the decision make the one that will best suit their mental health and well-being. Even if that choice is to abort the baby.[/COLOR]

[Riku]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma][U][B][CENTER]Okay, here's my opening statement for why I am against Abortion:[/CENTER][/B][/U]

Abortion is a controversial topic that has been argued extensively both before and since the Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade over issues encompassing a woman's right to privacy, the right to life of a fetus (including when a fetus should be called a human), and the government's right and ability to control the issue. When a woman is pregnant and has a living fetus growing inside of her womb, it is, rather, her choice to decide whether she wants to give birth to it or get it surgically or medically removed from her body. No matter what arguments the political government is saying, it is still the mother?s choice in her own matter, even if it is one of the biggest topics talked about most today.

But, because of what a grueling choice the mother must make, we also have to think about what kind of aftermath comes with getting an abortion.

First, what happens to the fetus if it gets aborted? There are many ways for this to happen: medically, surgically, etc. Basically, the most common way for removing the fetus in the first few weeks surgically is Electric Vacuum Aspiration, or EVA, which involves using an electric pump and inserting it into the mother. After starting it up, it continuously sucks out the unborn baby, body and all, until the womb is clean, then literally dumping the fetus into the trash and cleaning up the rest of the mess.

So, without even having another thought, the growing baby has now been aborted, not having a say in anything or not even being able to see the outside world. Basically, if one has guilt- free sex or is just having fun, and having a baby just doesn?t quite suit them, all they have to do is go to their nearby hospital and ask to have their baby removed because they don?t have the time to deal with the choice that they made.

Lastly, not only does it affect the baby, it also deeply affects the health of the mother. After one has an abortion, many things can go wrong with their body which causes them to have problems in the future. Some effects abortion can give is breast cancer, if the abortion happens too early in the fetus? birth time; fetal pain, which actually means that the fetus can feel pain during the first trimester; and mental health, causing some to have gruesome images, high stress and anxiety levels, and intense feelings of guilt. Abortion doesn?t only remove and destroy the baby, it also involves the mother in many other ways.

We [B]have[/B] come a long way into this era in order to establish and confirm to make our own choices, but we also take advantage of what we want. The fetus lives, grows inside of the womb, already potentially adapting to human life, but because that isn?t the choice that some want, we destroy it all by doing something society is okay with by killing one small life that doesn?t necessarily matter or doesn?t have a choice in the making.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]Okay, now Aaryanna and Tiana can start tackling into each other's arguments freely. I'll check tomorrow if they have debated enough, and if so, then they can post their closing statements, after which I judge their performance and we move onto the next round.

This pattern is repeated in all of the rounds, so this challenge could take a while. Feel free to make up some own entertainment for your teams in the Team Threads meanwhile.

But now it's time to get aggressive, girls! Just remember the Golden Rule of debating: it's the issues that argue, not the people.[/font]

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=DarkRed][QUOTE=Keyblade Wielder][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]
When a woman is pregnant and has a living fetus growing inside of her womb, it is, rather, her choice to decide whether she wants to give birth to it or get it surgically or medically removed from her body. No matter what arguments the political government is saying, it is still the mother?s choice in her own matter, even if it is one of the biggest topics talked about most today.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]Actually, part of the problem with claiming this is just the mother?s choice is that so many other choices are socially considered unacceptable. In 1968, Pope Paul VI issued his landmark encyclical letter Humanae Vitae, which reemphasized the Church?s constant teaching that it is always intrinsically wrong to use contraception to prevent new human beings from coming into existence. If a woman follows this then her only choice to avoid becoming pregnant is to have no sex with her own husband. And yet I was raised to believe that between a married man and a woman, such a thing was supposed to be a special expression of the love they have for one another. By having such a restricting view on things it locks the mother into making other choices should she face the issue of not being able to afford another child. And then we turn around and make her seem heartless when she makes an even more difficult choice, to abort her unborn child.

Another example of how a mother?s choice is influenced is how one woman sued her employer the Bartell Drug Co. for not providing coverage for contraceptives like the Pill. Something that was done since taking something like the pill can run around $360 a year. A stance that is not only discriminatory but economically short-sighted as well since Contraception is far cheaper than the cost of either a pregnancy or an abortion. And the battle to make such coverage is far from over, some companies have finally agreed to it and yet others still refuse to cover such a simple cost. This legal battle started within the past decade and is not finished. Even paying for prenatal care was something that insurance companies only agreed to pay for in just the last 30 years. It was not a cost that use to be covered. [QUOTE=Keyblade Wielder][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]First, what happens to the fetus if it gets aborted? There are many ways for this to happen: medically, surgically, etc. Basically, the most common way for removing the fetus in the first few weeks surgically is Electric Vacuum Aspiration, or EVA, which involves using an electric pump and inserting it into the mother. After starting it up, it continuously sucks out the unborn baby, body and all, until the womb is clean, then literally dumping the fetus into the trash and cleaning up the rest of the mess.

So, without even having another thought, the growing baby has now been aborted, not having a say in anything or not even being able to see the outside world. Basically, if one has guilt- free sex or is just having fun, and having a baby just doesn?t quite suit them, all they have to do is go to their nearby hospital and ask to have their baby removed because they don?t have the time to deal with the choice that they made.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]There is no getting around the fact that destruction of any type of life is not pretty. Whether we are talking about a human child that has not been born yet or the practice of putting abandoned animals to sleep. Naturally it?s going to seem more inhumane that a developing baby was destroyed before it could become a human capable of living outside the mother?s womb. But that argument is flawed. Because we are assuming that the baby can indeed think and that even if they are not developed well enough to survive outside their mother's womb, we are in fact murders. [B]Not so[/B]. In spite of our medical knowledge this is not something that can be completely proven.

And the assumption that an abortion comes from people simply having guilt-free sex or just having fun is to be blunt a generalization that paints such women as being uncaring and heartless. It ignores how society makes having more options available to prevent pregnancy in the first place difficult or shames women into thinking they are somehow heartless if they do not want to have a child.

Taking away a woman's choice to not have a baby they are not prepared for is inhumane; especially when a woman did take steps to prevent the pregnancy and make responsible choices. And in the end we are placing all of the blame on the woman. Let's face it women [B]ARE [/B]considered more responsible then men when it comes to an abortion. Men do not have any legal responsibility if an abortion takes place. And yet a woman can't get pregnant without their help. And even more cruel is how often they are pressured into getting an abortion: [URL=http://www.abortionconcern.org/stories/stories.php][COLOR=DarkRed][U][B]Coercion[/B][/U][/COLOR][/URL] And then they are blamed by society for making what they thought was the best choice, a choice they should have the right to make.[QUOTE=Keyblade Wielder][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma] Lastly, not only does it affect the baby, it also deeply affects the health of the mother. After one has an abortion, many things can go wrong with their body which causes them to have problems in the future. Some effects abortion can give is breast cancer, if the abortion happens too early in the fetus? birth time; fetal pain, which actually means that the fetus can feel pain during the first trimester; and mental health, causing some to have gruesome images, high stress and anxiety levels, and intense feelings of guilt. Abortion doesn?t only remove and destroy the baby, it also involves the mother in many other ways.

We [B]have[/B] come a long way into this era in order to establish and confirm to make our own choices, but we also take advantage of what we want. The fetus lives, grows inside of the womb, already potentially adapting to human life, but because that isn?t the choice that some want, we destroy it all by doing something society is okay with by killing one small life that doesn?t necessarily matter or doesn?t have a choice in the making.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]Any medical procedure can have a negative effect on one?s health. No medical procedure is 100% safe. The only difference is that another potential life is not involved.

We have come a long way and instead of taking those choices that were fought so hard for, we need to not only protect a woman?s right to abort a child, but to give her even more rights so that she can make an informed choice when it comes to deciding whether or not to have a baby. A choice that includes preventive measures, putting them up for adoption or aborting them if that is what they decide is best. [/COLOR]

[Riku]

[quote name='Aaryanna][COLOR=DarkRed']In 1968, Pope Paul VI issued his landmark encyclical letter Humanae Vitae, which reemphasized the Church?s constant teaching that it is always intrinsically wrong to use contraception to prevent new human beings from coming into existence. If a woman follows this then her only choice to avoid becoming pregnant is to have no sex with her own husband. And yet I was raised to believe that between a married man and a woman, such a thing was supposed to be a special expression of the love they have for one another.[/COLOR][/quote][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]Ahh, but see, that's only one point of view in today's society; saying that having sex period is wrong and is not what I'm actually saying. I'm not saying that sex with a married partner is bad, it's actually a blessing, a gift that someone gives to the other in order to seal the marriage bond they have just made. Couples who are married automatically know that when they have sex, it eventually leads them into having a baby, and that is basically what they want. Almost all abortions that happen often revolve around women who aren't married that had sex without realizing the consequences, or even actually realizing what they're doing, knowing that the abortion surgery is already there and can basically do whatever they want with the baby growing in them. That doesn't seem right to me: people having sex, knowing that they will probably have a baby and will probably just abort it later on.

Having sex should be a good thing, something that should stay pure and innocent. But instead, you hear of people getting raped or just having sex everyday... which is showing what this generation has deteriorated to.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[quote name='Aaryanna][COLOR=DarkRed']And the assumption that an abortion comes from people simply having guilt-free sex or just having fun is to be blunt a generalization that paints such women as being uncaring and heartless. It ignores how society makes having more options available to prevent pregnancy in the first place difficult or shames women into thinking they are somehow heartless if they do not want to have a child.[/COLOR][/quote][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]Yes, but as you stated before, not all options work 100%. Basically, all medical procedures and medicines have flaws and can't be equally depended on. Pills, surgery, condoms are all basic options that any woman can have to try and reduce the chance of them having a baby, but, instead of just putting all their hope into these, they should also remember that there are some instances where the sperm can get around these walls, thus entering the woman's body. Usually, women entirely depend on these, but they forget that having sex eventually leads into consequences, having a baby when they actually don't really want one.

I'm not saying that no one should have sex because it's bad and that nothing actually works. You hardly ever hear of a condom not really working, or a birth control pill that didn't help; all I'm saying is that one should think rationally in case it does fall through instead of just becoming surprised and automatically want an abortion. Use your mind and [B]think.[/B][/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[quote name='Aaryanna][COLOR=DarkRed]Taking away a woman's choice to not have a baby they are not prepared for is inhumane; especially when a woman did take steps to prevent the pregnancy and make responsible choices. And in the end we are placing all of the blame on the woman. Let's face it women [B]ARE [/B']considered more responsible then men when it comes to an abortion. Men do not have any legal responsibility if an abortion takes place.[/COLOR][/quote][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]True, that is exactly what today's society is blaming abortions on, because it's the woman's fault for being the one who has to carry the baby. I'm not blaming it all on the woman; it's not her fault that she was the person who has to go around with a child in her womb. I'm a girl, too, and I totally understand and am aware that it is not only my decision, but the man's also. Which is why society today is wrong; we should also involve the man into this situation as well, not leaving the woman to defend for herself.

Women [B]should not[/B] be pressured into having abortions, but because some of the family members and husbands don't know how to deal with it, they just automatically choose abortion because they think it will be easier. It's the woman's body, it's her choice. Being pressured is a problem today, allowing poor decisions without any thought to it being made. One should clearly think about what will happen to her and her child and what will happen in the future, us hoping and willing she will be happy with whatever choice she comes up with.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[quote name='Aaryanna][COLOR=DarkRed']We have come a long way and instead of taking those choices that were fought so hard for, we need to not only protect a woman?s right to abort a child, but to give her even more rights so that she can make an informed choice when it comes to deciding whether or not to have a baby. A choice that includes preventive measures, putting them up for adoption or aborting them if that is what they decide is best. [/COLOR][/quote][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma]Yes, and I totally agree with you. But probably one of the reasons most have abortions is because they actually don't really know what's going on... all they know is that it can help get rid of the baby. Whatever choice one makes will affect them in the present and future. I can only hope that they make a right choice and not something that they didn't clearly think through.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]Okay, it is time for your closing statements, where you get one final chance to compile your arguments and make your point. I know it's quick, heh, but consider these as miniature debates. ;D[/font]

[Aaryanna]

[COLOR=DarkRed]I?d like to close by going over some of the facts and myths surrounding abortion, because part of the problem of being against abortion is ignorance stemming from arguments that are out of date and incorrect.

A big myth is that abortion is related to a higher risk of getting breast cancer. Something that pro-life still claims is true, when in March of 2003 the National Cancer Institute stated that ?newer studies consistently showed no association between induced and spontaneous abortions and breast cancer risk.? [URL=http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/abortion-miscarriage][COLOR=DarkRed][U][B]Breast Cancer Myth[/B][/U][/COLOR][/URL]

Another myth is the belief that women suffer from post-abortion syndrome something that was being compared to post traumatic stress disorder and yet when the American Psychological Association reviewed the data it was found that the time of greatest distress is likely to be before the abortion and that negative issues after an abortion are rare. [URL=http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/myths/post_abortion_syndrome.html][COLOR=DarkRed][U][B]American Psychological Association[/B][/U][/COLOR][/URL]

A really big one is that women have sex without any regards to the consequences and that since they know they can abort the baby they don?t care. That they use abortion as a method of birth control. The truth is that half of all women who get an abortion say that some form of contraception was used during the month they became pregnant. Some of them found out that they had not used the method correctly some it was because they had missed some of the pill for that month and then there were some that even with the contraceptive it still did not prevent a pregnancy.

Or how about the one that women only have abortions for selfish or frivolous reasons? When about 13,000 women each year have abortions because they became pregnant due to being raped or to incest. And for most the decision to have an abortion is not easy. There are often several factors involved such as lack of money or they are not ready to start a family or expand the family they already have as it?s estimated that 60% of abortions are women who have already had one or more children. Unmarried does not mean someone is not living with someone in a state of common marriage with kids. [URL=http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/facts/women_who.html][COLOR=DarkRed][U][B]The Facts[/B][/U][/COLOR][/URL]

Also there are health issues to keep in mind when considering taking away a woman?s right to have an abortion legally. It?s easy for us to forget (many of us hadn't even been born yet) since the days when Illegal abortion was a problem, between the 1880?s and 1973, it was not unusual for women to show up into emergency rooms with serious complications caused by a attempted abortions. And even today it?s estimated that in other countries where abortion is illegal around 68,000 women die each year from complications due to having an illegal abortion incorrectly performed.

And in countries such as the U.S. the medical procedures are far safer since they have become legal. Abortions performed in a safe environment have less than a 0.5% rate of serious complications occurring. This information was published in 2006 and in the past five years only six women have died from toxic shock, a reaction that has been found to occur when the medical abortion was done with mifepristone and misoprostol. [URL=http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/facts/safety_of_abortion.html][COLOR=DarkRed][U][B]Health Concerns[/B][/U][/COLOR][/URL]

Take the time to read through the data and you will find that the stance that abortion is dangerous is a myth as well. If done correctly it is no more dangerous than a lot of other medical procedures performed. The real danger would be to take legal abortion away and put women back into the position of risking everything like they did before it was made legal.

Another myth is that removing a woman?s ability to get an abortion will prevent more babies from being killed. But the sad truth is far from that. A good example would be teen pregnancies. In American about one million teenagers become pregnant every year. However teens in other developed countries receive a lot more education and have better access to contraception. As a result, in the Netherlands where teenagers are considered to be about the same as the U.S. as far as sexuality goes has a teen pregnancy rate that is only 1/9th of what happens in the U.S.

So when it comes down to it, the real issue isn?t to remove abortion or to make it illegal, but to improve the choices women have so that abortion becomes the very last option. Including better education instead of placing the blame on them for getting pregnant, especially teenagers who live in states that don't do much in the way of sex education. If I were to include all the data showing just how hard it is for women to even get the support they need when considering an abortion or having sex using methods to prevent pregnancy, I would be writing here for days, so instead I challenge you to take a look at the information for your self as most of the information I have presented came from this very site: [URL=http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/facts/index.html][COLOR=DarkRed][U][B]National Abortion Federation[/B][/U][/COLOR][/URL]

This site has provided references to everything they have stated and is not just an emotional reasoning as why abortion shouldn?t be allowed or should be allowed. Just as deciding to have an abortion shouldn?t be a quick choice, neither should the attempt to make that choice for them by making abortion illegal.

The truth is I wish abortion wasn?t necessary, that every child was wanted, that every woman who became pregnant could afford to have a child or wasn?t having one due to being raped. But realistically I know that?s not possible and the very last thing I want to do is to make it even harder by not giving the woman every option available. Outlawing abortion isn't the issue, the real issue is how society has failed these women in so many ways, from lack of education, to a lack of funding to help them prevent pregnancy and even more cruel, trying to take away their choice to decide to keep or abort the child when the circumstance leading to that situation is far more than a simple sexual encounter. [/COLOR]

[Riku]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][SIZE=1][FONT=Tahoma][B]Well, here goes my last statement in the Abortion Debate.[/B]

In closing, I would like to say that sex [B]is not[/B] a bad thing, but is something that one should think carefully about before making love to another person. In my belief, I have learned that having sex should only be done until a couple is actually married, then open themselves to one another in order to seal the bond that is made between them. But, because our generation is deteriorating quickly, that sacred bond is basically being broken because some can't wait that long enough to fine the right person, they want to feel loved and a lot of other reasons why people like having sex. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing because we're all human beings, we all want to be loved by someone for ourselves and we want others to notice us. All I'm really saying is that everyone should think about the consequences at hand and about what will happen with the decisions they've made.

Another thing that I have been thinking about for awhile now is about what scientists say about the baby not actually being "alive" when they are in the womb. I know you, Aaryanna, have told me in your very thought- out statements that it can't be proven that the baby can actually think or feel while they are inside the mother's womb, but let me ask you this: Why do a lot of mothers read to their unborn child even if they are not born into this world yet? Why do some feel excited and happy when they feel their child kick or move around in their bellies? And why do they put speakers/ microphones on their bellies and play soft music? Because they believe that the baby is actually [B]alive[/B], that he/ she can actually learn things even if they're not of this world yet. Even if it can't be proven, people actually believe that the baby can actually learn when certain things are done and said to the womb. Actually, studies have shown that certain music and activities can be taught to the unborn child, affecting how fast they learn and how quickly they can adapt.

A child is a special gift that is born into a person, a small life- form that is closely connected to a mother's heart and soul. It isn't just something that should be created out of carelessness; everyone is special in their own way... even if they aren't technically "alive" yet. No woman who has an abortion is a bad person because that was their decision, but next time, they should remember what the possibility rate for having a child is the next time they decide to have sex.

Here's something to think about: What if you were aborted? What if your mother decided they couldn't handle the pressure of having you as a child and decided to have that procedure? It's just something to think about, not actually having a chance to learn and adapt to the outside world.

This generation needs to think more instead of just relying on what the world thinks and says. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of my closing statement.



But, lastly, I would just like to say congratulations for being a very, very firm debater, Aaryanna. You have made me think about this topic a lot more now then I ever had to before, thus causing me to go digging up some information and to have faith in what I believe in. Your pro- choice belief may not be something that I agree with, but I still commend you for your strong- will and your hard work. *shakes your hand excitedly*

Also, I would just like to say that this was my first debate ever, but it was actually really great either way. Even if I don't win, I just hope that people will be able to understand why I'm saying this and that my point has come across many peoples views. If either one wins, I will be very happy and will become more involved in what I believe in.

Good luck to both of us, Aaryanna. *smiles and nods*[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]Okay, girls, I'm not going to go to specific details about this, but I wanted to say that both of you were good debaters. You had many arguments, and what's more important, you grasped into each other's points. Nevertheless, the other of you two clearly outshone the other in bringing up different arguments, while the other one was put more in the defensive stance.

Congratulations, [B]Aaryanna[/B], you earned your team 2 points! Also, you and Tiana have now done your share for the challenge, so you cannot participate to the future rounds, no matter what the subject is.

Here are the scores after the first round:

[color=DarkRed]The Mercenaries:[/color] 2
[color=DarkOrange]Team Argo:[/color] 0
[color=Green]The Laugh Out Louds:[/color] 0
[color=Blue]The Titans:[/color] 0

And now we move on.

---

[center][B]Second Debate: Legalizing Cannabis[/B]
[color=Green]The Laugh Out Louds[/color] (for) vs. [color=Blue]The Titans[/color] (against)[/center]

BKstyles and Darren, please choose your debaters.[/font]

[SunfallE]

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]I do not support making Cannabis/Marijuana legal for a number of reasons. For starters it helps to understand just what this substance does to the body. The active ingredient is tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. When introduced to the body it has a wide range of effects that include a sense of well being, relaxation, enhanced sociability, difficulty concentrating, distortions in sense of time, vision and hearing and at high doses, auditory and visual hallucinations. It also increases the heart rate, causes reddening of the eyes, sedation, and increased appetite and decreased muscle tone.

As a result problems from using this substance include:

[INDENT]~Impaired memory and ability to learn.
~Difficulty thinking and problem solving.
~Anxiety attacks or feelings of paranoia.
~Impaired muscle coordination and judgment.
~Increased susceptibility to infections.
~Dangerous impairment of driving skills. Studies show that it impairs braking time, attention to traffic signals and other driving behaviors.
~Cardiac problems for people with heart disease or high blood pressure, because marijuana increases the heart rate.[/INDENT]
In short the push to make this legal on the basis that it is harmless is a myth. Cannabis/Marijuana is harmful in many ways from memory loss to distorted perceptions, to trouble with thinking and problem solving, young kids and students are the most vulnerable to the damaging effects of using it. It?s one thing to make it legal for legitimate medical purposes, but to make it legal for everyone would be irresponsible and dangerous to society as a whole. [/COLOR]

[Darren]

Cannabis is a type of flowering plant that can be found across the globe. Its common name is hemp, but there are several types of cannabis that produce compounds called cannabinoids. These types often produce mental and/or physiological effects when consumed. Many jump to the conclusion that cannabinoids are harmful to the system, but what they fail to take into account is that Cannabis/Marijuana can be a powerful medical drug, and if it were legalized, research has shown that it can be useful for many things without the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on the system.

We all know that marijuana is a powerful pain killer, but what about its other treatments? What would normally be viewed as harmful, such as lowering blood pressure, is the preferred treatment of Glaucoma patients for its ability to lower pressure to the eye. Also, Cannabis has been proven to help with analgesia, neurological and movement disorders, cancer-related disorders, and cachexia among others.

However, THC is what is causing such a problem for many people across the world. THC is the main ingredient that causes such an extreme euphoria for marijuana users, but scientists have stated that should marijuana be legalized, they would have complete access to study the plant and its genetic make-up. Scientists believe that many of the negative effects of cannabis could be avoided, especially in the medical field, if they were allowed to study it better and discover just what was causing all these side-effects, since THC is only responsible for neurological symptoms.

Lastly, research has shown that many of the effects of THC occurs when taken for the first time, or in excessive quantities. Cannabis is just like every other prescription drug out there in that you shouldn?t operate a car or do heavy lifting until you know how the drug affects you. Dr. Andrew Weil solidifies this statement in his book, [U]The Natural Mind[/U].

[SIZE=1]?There are three conditions under which marijuana can be shown to impair general psychological performance in users. They are:
1. By giving it to people who have never had it before;
2. By giving people very high doses that they are not used to (or giving it orally to people used to smoking it); and
3. By giving people very hard things to do, especially things that they have never had a chance to practice while under the influence of the drug.?[/SIZE]

Dr. Weil goes on to say that cannabis/marijuana is only tested on subjects that fall into these three categories, and that, in fact, many users get used to the psychological effects after two or three times. Also, taking the right dosage and not smoking cannabis plays a key role in preventing negative side-effects.

In conclusion, marijuana is used illegally across the globe, and it still hasn?t even gotten close to the death rate of alcohol or other prescription medication, such as sleeping pills or muscle relaxers. If we?re worried about the effects of Cannabis, why don?t we make everything that impairs our judgment illegal? Taking alcohol out of the picture would certainly lower the deaths on the road. What?s so horrible about this double standard is that Cannabis is actually potentially helpful on many levels besides pain, and as the researchers say, there are many things about cannabis, besides THC, that could help if they were only allowed to study it more. In no way am I suggesting that we legalize cannabis on a large scale, making it available for everyone. I?m simply pointing out that for the benefit of health and medicine, as well as the people, it would greatly improve our society to legalize cannabis/marijuana for prescription medical purposes.

[Sandy]

[font=Century Gothic]You know what to do now, Beth and Darren. [I]Attack![/I][/font]