re: #164 Anymouse

I mentioned the other day about my Government (civics) class in high school; the teacher was notoriously conservative and sharply attacked anyone who did not tow his opinions.

For a whole semester I would argue in class positions that were polar opposites of his, backed with facts culled from impeccable sources (Foreign Affairs, The Economist, &c). When the class was over he noted I was the first person he ever awarded an “A” to: Not because he thought I was correct, but because I came armed with facts and evidence to support them, and was willing to defend my positions against a person in power (the teacher).

I gained a lot of respect for that guy by the end of the class.

My professor for Constitutional Issues in Homeland Security said up-front that he would be a devil’s advocate during the class and he would argue the opposite of whatever point a student made. :)