Blake Carothers

[kissmycls]

This is from the 2006 NPTE.

Blake Carothers
Texas Tech

Parli Debates judged this year: 100+
Non-Parli Debates judged this year: 0
Years Judging Debate: 1 year
Years Competed in Debate: 1 year CEDA/NDT 3 years Parli
What School Competed at: University of Wyoming

Making Decisions: 'My decision is based solely on how the debaters argue I should decide; I avoid using my own decision-making philosophy as much as possible. '

Decision-making Approach: 'I emphasize the rhetoric that the debaters use--which team s advocacy is best (least oppressive most effective in achieving its goals etc.) '

Assessing Arguments: 'I think line by line is equally as important as big picture. that is why we have constructives and rebutals so that we can have both. Dropped args will be weighed through whatever criteria is offered. If the criteria is net benefits and a team drops an argument that says the other teams policy makes baby ducks sad well thats probably not going to win you the round but it will be weighed.'

Presentational Aspects: 'I don t care how fast you go Justify your language when/if prompted to if you can t then that will be weighed however I am asked.'

Strong Viewpoints: 'No'

Cases, DAs, CPs, Ks, T, etc.: 'No'

Other Items to Note: 'I have always thought that judging philosophies were acts of rhetorical violence. Anything that a debater reads which affects their arguments or limits the exchange of ideas is a step backwards for this forum. I have always believed that the debate round is for the debaters not me as a judge. I will not tell you “don’t run T I hate it” or that I think only Counter Plan Disad debates are the best. As debaters you have a unique forum to educate me and everyone for that matter about what you want to educate us about. All I can say is to justify what you argue but I won’t tell you how to justify it. Everyone justifies speech acts in different ways tell me how you justify your speech act and I will evaluate that throughout the debate. Anything else would be inappropriate for me as a judge to dictate debaters to do.'

[kissmycls]

Blake Carothers - Texas Tech University
Debate Experience - 1 year CEDA/NDT. 3 years Parli all at the University of Wyoming
Judging Experience – This is my first year judging I have judged over a hundred rounds including prelims, out rounds,
and round robins. I have always thought that judging philosophies were acts of rhetorical violence. Anything that a
debater reads which affects their arguments or limits the exchange or ideas is a step backwards for this open forum. I
have always believed that the debate round is for the debaters, not me as a judge. I will not tell you “don’t run T I hate
it� or that I think only Counter Plan Disad debates are the best. As debaters you have a unique forum to educate me and
everyone for that matter about what you want to educate us about. All I can say is to justify what you argue but I won’t
tell you how to justify it. Everyone justifies speech acts in different ways tell me how you justify your speech act and I
will evaluate that throughout the debate. Anything else would be inappropriate for me as a judge to dictate to debaters.