Round 2: nyk537 vs AllSeeingI - "Patriot Act"

The topic for this debate is "The Patriot Act should be permanently enacted.”

"nyk537" will be arguing the "Pro" position and begin the debate.
"AllSeeingI" will be arguing the "Con" position.


Each debater will have one opening statement each. This will be followed by 3 alternating replies each. There will then be one closing statement each and no rebuttal.

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I'll be opening my side of the debate by expending my extension early. This debate crept up on me.

The time for my opponent’s time extension period as passed. Therefore I will proceed with my opening statement…

The topic for this debate is "The Patriot Act should be permanently enacted.”

"nyk537" will be arguing the "Pro" position and begin the debate.
"AllSeeingI" will be arguing the "Con" position.

First I would like to clearly define the two key words which will shape our debate…

Permanent(ly):
–adjective
1. Existing perpetually; everlasting, esp. without significant change.
2. Intended to exist or function for a long, indefinite period without regard to unforeseeable conditions.
3. Long-lasting or nonfading: permanent pleating; permanent ink.
dictionary.reference.com: permanently

Enact(ed): (transitive, law) to make (a bill) into law
wikitionary: enact

What I must attempt to prove in this debate is that it would be improper and illogical to make the Patriot Act ‘everlasting’, ‘permanent’, ‘indefinite’, or ‘non-fading’.

The idea of making any law a permanent fixture of a governmental and societal structure is absurd. Any law enacted at a given time and place must be susceptible to the changing world and nation in regards to methodology, and changing opinion of the will of the people and the elected representing law-makers.

Laws can become obsolete for many reasons: their purpose fades or changes, the will of the people and representing officials changes, new methods or technologies become available which would require the change or ending of the old law.

By making the Patriot Act permanent we would be disabling the ability of future generations to make changes, edits, additions, or ending it’s existence regardless of changing times or political opinions.

All I must prove here is that making the Patriot Act permanent is wrong.
I am not here to argue the validity of the Patriot Act on a case by case basis, or whether , in its current form, it is a logical or proper law at the present time.

I will show in future posts during this debate that permanency of the Patriot Act is pure folly.

I will close now and await to see if my opponent will enter this debate.

1st Post...

I would like to make clear that I believe it is common knowledge that the nature of human civilization and its laws are constantly in a state of change and evolution. I would cite examples such as the issuing and repeal of alcohol prohibition, and any examples of new laws becoming required with discovery and use of new technologies.

Because of these examples I believe to make any law permanent is foolish and illogical. Over time some part of the proposed permanent Patriot Act would without a doubt come under debate for editing, addition, or elimination like all other laws based on the common knowledge of the nature of change and evolution of human civilization and its laws.

Socratic Questions:

#1: What would be the benefit of making a set of laws permanent and uneditable forever therefore denying future generations of the ability to choose to change or edit them in any way?

#2: Do you feel that laws created 1000, 100, 10, 1 year ago are as, and will be as complete and adequate in the future as they were when they were created?

2 posts have been missed, thus this debate ends in forfeiture.

AllSeeingI moves to the 3rd round.



(Note: I have been in communication with nyk537 regarding the issue of this debate and why he has not been able to participate. As he has taken the time to communicate with the organizers of the tournament, this forfeiture will not result in a 'suspension' from future tournaments.)