I have wanted to write this column for a while and I just never seemed to get all my ducks in a row and also get my old notes on debating together. I also wanted to look over other people’s ideas of modern debate and how and if the Internet had made any changes to the old rules. I became pretty fascinated by how through the years we have always ended up coming back to the original rules of debate that have served us well for hundreds of years.

The reason I have wanted to write this column is that our comments section has concerned me. On one hand I really wanted to have good, honest debate about the stories and people that touch your lives, and on the other hand I really hate it when people resort to posting un-truths, innuendo and name calling.

I want our comments section to bring our community together and to have the mayor, city manager, as well as other city and county leaders make comments about what is going on.

With all of that said, I will now list some rules that I think are good ones to base debate as well as your comments on.

Debate rules to help when making comments in AlbertLeaTribune.com:

Attack the idea not the person.

Avoid exaggeration.

If it is just an opinion, admit it.

 Do not present opinion as facts.

 Avoid bickering, quarreling, and fighting.

Those five I think are the biggest problems that we as a community need to fix.

Here are more tips:

Avoid the use of never.

 Avoid the use of always.

 Don’t disagree with obvious truths.

 Quote sources and numbers.

 Stress the positive.

Concede minor or trivial points.

 Keep your perspective — You’re just debating.

How to strongly agree with someone:

“I couldn’t agree more!”

“Absolutely!”

“I agree with your point.”

“That’s just what I was thinking.”

“That’s exactly what I think.”

“That’s a good point.”

“That’s just how I see it.”

“That’s exactly my opinion.”

How to half agree with someone:

“Yes, perhaps, however, …”

“Well, yes, but …”

“Yes, I agree up to a point, however …”

“Well, you have a point there, but …”

“I guess you could be right, but …”

“Yes, I suppose so, however, …”

How to disagree politely with an opinion:

“I am not so sure.”

“Do you think so?”

“Well, it depends.”

“Well, I’m not so sure about that.”

“Hmm, I’m not sure you’re right.”

“I’m inclined to disagree with that.”

“No, I don’t think so.’

How to disagree strongly with an opinion:

“I disagree.”

“I disagree with your idea.”

“I’m afraid I don’t agree.”

“I can’t agree with you.”

“I couldn’t accept that for a minute.”

“You can’t actually mean that.”

“I wouldn’t go along with you there.”

“You can’t be serious about that.”

“You must be joking.”

I really hope you will read through these rules and tips and keep them near your computers as a reference guide as you look to make comments in the future.

The last rule that I really think is important in commenting and e-mails is the 24-hour rule. If something really gets under your skin and you are hopping mad, wait 24 hours before sending out an e-mail or making a comment. If you stop and think, it becomes much easier to calmly and constructively make your point without causing greater problems down the road.

Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer’s column appears every Thursday.