This house believes that marriage is an outdated institution

POINTS AGAINST
COUNTRY

Removes the transient and casual aspects of a monogamous relationship, thus giving a
child a far more stable environment.

Marriage promotes a better way to raise children

The principle of marriage has always been to provide a stable home life for the
rearing of children. Psychologically scientific studies have found that co-habitation
does not lend itself to as much psychological stability for a child. Regardless of the
level of commitment between a couple, society still recognises marriage as an
institution where most stability is gained. This is not to discredit single parent families
or divorced parents, but to acknowledge the institute of marriage as the ideal
outcome of a loving relationship and desire for a family.

Marriage represents a legal bond which protects both parties in a relationship

Legally, marriage represents a more solid and protected base for both parties. In
addition to protecting against inheritance disputes, loss of belongings etc. if the
couple break up, it also may provide a stopcheck for separated couples who may
decide to work harder at the relationship, being bound together by a legal contract as
well as an emotional one.

Marriage is an important institution to religious people and a majority of the society

Marriage as a religious institution still retains its validity in a country whose main
state religion is Christianity. For atheists, marriage need not represent religious
bonding, but may still be a socially recognised approval and public avowal of love
and commitment.

Marriage is still important in society as a rational view of what a loving committed

relationship actually is: if love is so transient in society it is important to have a
foundation to hold couples together to realise that friendship, support, trust and
commitment are more important. We cannot encourage couples to live a more
relaxed relationship when as parents they are responsible for a child’s welfare.
This house regrets the PG-13 label for professional wrestling.

1. Professional wrestling is a source of inspiration for kids.

For many adults fans, pro wrestling was a huge part of their childhood. We looked up to
these larger-than-life Superstars as our superheroes.

Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, Randy Savage, Andre The Giant and The Road Warriors
drew us into the shows and made us believe people could be anything they wanted.

Whether you were a jock, a goth, the class clown or the nerdy kid in the corner, pro
wrestling had a character you could relate to and idolize.

1. There is no entitlement in wrestling.

 It doesn’t matter where you are ranked or whether or not your coach likes you, your value as a
wrestler depends on your most recent performance on the mat. Last year, I watched a wrestler,
who spent most of the season ranked #2, lose two tough matches in the district tournament and
fail to qualify for the state tournament. He was a senior who had placed at the state tournament
the previous year, but that and his ranking didn’t matter – only what happened on the mat. In a
matter of minutes, his season was over. In wrestling, you must constantly earn what you get.
2. Wrestling teaches toughness.
 In wrestling, we have “blood time.” Wrestlers get their mouths smashed, their noses bloodied,
their eyes blackened and their joints twisted. Wrestling teaches athletes how to work through
pain and discomfort. Wrestling teaches toughness.
3. Wrestling teaches discipline. 
Because they have to make weight and need to be in superb shape to succeed, successful
wrestlers maintain their bodies like finely tuned machines. Even away from practice and
competition, they can’t forget that they are wrestlers. When their friends are feasting on fast food
and sodas or staying up too late, wrestlers have to make decisions that will help them on the mat.
They know that slipping on discipline will have negative consequences on the mat.
4. Wrestling instills confidence.
 It takes courage to walk out onto the mat. Once you overcome the fear of competition and the
loneliness of being on the mat, everything else in life seems easier. Famous collegiate and
Olympic wrestler Dan Gable says that 80% of wrestling matches are decided before the first
whistle blows. “One competitor already knows he’s going to win, and the other knows he’s going
to lose before either steps onto the mat,” he says. Once wrestlers develop confidence, they learn
how to use it to give themselves a competitive edge.
5. Wrestling teaches self-reliance
. Too many kids look outward for blame when they experience failure. When you are on the mat,
no one is going to come save you. You have to decide how hard you are going to fight to win. If
you fail, you have no one else to blame. You can’t blame your teammates, your coach’s play-
calling or officiating. You win or lose on your own.
The Arms Trade Treaty
In April 2013, Amnesty celebrated one of our most significant victories in decades. In
a UN General Assembly vote on Tuesday the 2 April we finally achieved a robust
Arms Trade Treaty that will help stop the irresponsible arms transfers that cause the
deaths of millions and fuel conflict and widespread human rights abuse.

This was the culmination of a 20 year campaign and an endeavour that would not
have been possible without the amazing support of our donors, members and
activists.

Every day, millions of people suffer from the direct and indirect consequences of the
irresponsible arms trade: thousands are killed, others are injured, many are raped, and/or forced
to flee from their homes, while many others have to live under constant threat of weapons.

The poorly regulated global trade in conventional arms and ammunition fuels conflict, poverty
and human rights abuses. The problems are compounded by the increasing globalization of the
arms trade – components being sourced from across the world, and production and assembly in
different countries, sometimes with little controls. Domestic regulation of the arms trade has
failed to adapt to these changes. 

While existing national and regional controls are important, these are not enough to stop
irresponsible transfers of arms and ammunition between countries.

This is why Oxfam called on the member states of the United Nations to deliver a strong and
effective Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to help save lives, prevent human rights abuses, and protect
the livelihoods of people around the world.

After more than 10 years of campaigning, the first international Arms Trade Treaty has
become a reality. The next step is to make sure it is properly implemented to reduce the human
cost associated with the uncontrolled trade in conventional weapons and ammunition.

Death Penalty
The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. It is
irrevocable and can be inflicted on the innocent. It has never been shown to deter
crime more effectively than other punishments. When Amnesty began our campaign,
a mere 16 countries had abolished the death penalty in law or in practise – today,
that number has exceeded 100.

On Friday 15 March 2013, Maryland became the latest American state pass a death
penalty repeal bill. It is the 18th state to abolish the death penalty - and the sixth
state in six years. We are very proud that the momentum in the USA is towards
abolition, but will not stop campaigning until this cruel punishment is a thing of the
past.

1. You can’t take it back

The death penalty is irreversible. Absolute judgments may lead to

people paying for crimes they did not commit. Texas
man Cameron Todd Willingham was executed in Texas in
2004 for allegedly setting a fire that killed his three daughters.
Following his execution, further evidence revealed that Willingham
did not set the fire that caused their deaths. But it came too late.

3. There’s no ‘humane’ way to kill

The 2006 execution of Angel Nieves Diaz, by a so-called ‘humane’

lethal injection, took 34 minutes and required two doses. Doctors
have said that it is likely Diaz’ death was painful.
Other brutal methods of execution used around the world include
hanging, shooting and beheading. The nature of these deaths only
continues to perpetuate the cycle of violence and may not
alleviate the pain already suffered by the victims’
family.

4. It makes a public spectacle of an individual’s death

Executions are often undertaken in an extremely public manner,

with public hangings in Iran or live broadcasts of lethal injections in
the US. According to UN human rights experts, executions in public
serve no legitimate purpose and only increase the cruel, inhuman
and degrading nature of this punishment.

“All executions violate the right to life. Those carried out publicly are
a gross affront to human dignity which cannot be tolerated,” said
Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for
the Middle East and North Africa.
“All executions violate the right to life. Those carried out publicly
are a gross affront to human dignity which cannot be tolerated.”

HASSIBA HADJ SAHRAOUI

Individuals At Risk
We have campaigned on behalf of thousands of individuals, families and
communities at risk. We achieve positive change in approximately one third of those
cases. Even where we are unable to effect direct change, we hear first-hand from
those we help how much our messages of solidarity and support have lifted their
spirits and offered them hope.
'I received with much joy and emotion the beautiful cards and your encouraging
messages of solidarity...Thank you very much'
Elmer Salvador Gutierrez Vasquez, Prisoner of Conscience, Peru

Establishment of the International Criminal Court

In 1998, The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was adopted
following Amnesty International’s longstanding campaign. This meant that warlords
and dictators committing crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes and crime
of aggression, could be held to justice.

1. It is a Global Court for the powerless - Around the

globe, victims of genocide, crimes against humanity and
war crimes are demanding justice and redress. By
making the ICC and Rome Statute system of
international justice truly GLOBAL, individuals suspected
of committing these universally abhored crimes can be
held to account in courts of law around the world.
2. It is a Court of last resort - The ICC prosecutes
individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and
genocide. But only if governments don't do so first.
3. It gives us a path to global peace - Grave crimes
threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.
4. It is a symbol of hope – Throughout history, millions of
children, women and men have been victims of
unimaginable atrocities. In the 20th century alone, an
estimated 200 million people died as a result of conflict,
massacres and oppression. That’s around 1 in every 27
deaths. 
5. It is independent and impartial - One of the main
achievements and pillars of the Rome Statute is the
independence of the ICC, including the prosecutor and
judges, from governments and from the United Nations
Security Council. The ICC Rome Statute carries with it
safeguards against politically motivated investigations
and prosecution.
6. It is mandated by the international community -  By
existing, the ICC is implementing its mandate as laid out
in the Rome Statute, bravely fought for by the likeminde
group of states. This is one of the most remarkable
human rights and diplomatic achievements in history.
124 states are now members of the Assembly of States
Parties. They must continue to defend the Court and
provide it with support in difficult times. 
7. It is supported states and civil society – The push for
the ICC was driven by a ground-breaking alliance
between states and civil society around the world. This
is a movement to end impunity that has defied all the
odds.
8. It is making progress - The ICC has made significant
progress in holding high-level suspected perpetrators of
atrocities to account. The Court has issued its first
verdicts and thousands of victims are receiving
reparations. It is true that the Court is not there yet - but
it was only set up in 2002. We believe that by making
the ICC stronger and ensuring states can fairly and
genuinely investigate and prosecute crimes in their own
courts.
9. It is a court for future generations - The ICC may
stumble, but its full potential will be realized in the
generation of our children.
10. It can contribute to preventing crimes - ICC
investigations and prosecutions can contribute to a
global effort to prevent genocide, crimes against
humanity and war crimes from happening in the first
place. 
11. It stands for equality of all before the law - Because
of the cornerstone Rome Statute prohibition of immunity,
for the first time in history, we can bring all individuals -
including presidents, generals and rebel leaders - to
justice for grave international crimes.
12. It is a victim-centered Court - Victims of grave crimes
are the reason the ICC exists. In this unique system,
they can participate in ICC proceedings and receive
reparations, including through the Trust Fund for
Victims, to help rebuild their lives.
13. It is responding to the calls of victims - Victims of
grave crimes have said time and again they want justice,
either through national judicial systems or through the
ICC.
14. It sets justice standards – Through fair, effective and
independent justice, the ICC’s investigations, trials and
staff must set the standard for justice for grave crimes.
15. It protects women and advances gender justice
– The ICC is leading efforts to develop an international
framework to prosecute those responsible for horrific
sexual and gender-based crimes around the world. 
16. It protects children and advances justice for children
- Children suffer terribly by crimes under ICC jurisdiction.
Hundreds of thousands of children are also forced to
take part in these wars. The ICC's very first verdict was
against Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga for
enlisting and recruiting children under the age of 15
to actively participate in hostilities. 
17. It is a sound investment in peace – International
justice is certainly not cheap in a world of ever rising
prices. But consider this: the ICC $170 million yearly
budget is a fraction of the costs of the conflicts that
make justice and redress necessary. In 2015,
governments spent $14 trillion on war.
18. It builds stable societies – Ratifying the Rome
Statute brings states into a framework of international
support to develop national laws and capacities to
prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against
humanity.
19. It increases access to justice – Access to justice is
goal 16 of the new United Nations Global Goals, agreed
to by all UN member states.
20. It involves states in its governance – Through its
governing body, the Assembly of States Parties, the ICC
provides forum for states to shape the future of
international criminal justice and to advocate for reform.
Each state has one equal vote.

Convention Against Torture

In 1984, following Amnesty International’s campaign, the Convention against Torture

and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was adopted by
the UN General Assembly. This meant that states were now required in International
Law to take effective measures in the prevention of torture within their borders, as
well as forbidding them to send people to any country where there is reason to
believe that they will be tortured.
THBT the quest for democracy is overrated

Democracy- a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and
exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually
involving periodically held free elections.

Overrated- have a higher opinion of (someone or something) than is deserved

Quest- a long or difficult search for something

Status quo: Democracy is an illusion as the people never really possess any political power
and political leaders never fulfil any of their promises.

Democracy enables the advancements of

personal agenda

This is not a specific flaw of democracy, and in fact it can be argued that
democracy tends to be less prone to corruption than other systems, since it
leaves open the possibility of ejecting someone from office. But that
possibility also favors a very specific kind of corruption: machine politics, a
political organization in which the bosses dole out rewards in exchange for
the vote.
It can be as simple as paying money to someone in exchange for their
vote, or giving someone a job in the office of the politician who commands
the machine. A softer form of machine politics (or “clientelism”) involves the
earmarking of federal funds for certain districts or states, so that
Representatives and Senators vote for the programs those funds are
allocated to.
Stakeholders are both parties
“Let’s assume you’re going on a plane but before you fly, you and the other
passengers must democratically elect a captain. So you get 2 candidates. The
first one says if you elect me captain, I will abide by international laws of
aviation and fly at 30,000 feet. But the second one says if you let me fly the
plane, you can sit in business class. And in today’s world, the average person
votes based on emotions and lack of information. So naturally they will vote
for the person that promises them a business class.”

8
Tribal Mentality

Let’s be honest here: mankind has not evolved much since the Stone Age.
Yes, we have tamed the forces of nature and discovered a lot of things—
and this Internet business is amazing. But human nature remains the
same, more or less. We still think in tribal terms, “my people vs. your
people”. Call it class struggle, xenophobia, nationalism, or whatever you
like—the thing is that most of us identify with one group or another, and
almost every meaningful group has alliances or enmities with other groups.
This is part of human nature, and can work peacefully . . . or not.

In a democracy, tribal mentality is very dangerous, because it will make you

vote “for your team” instead of voting according to issues. That means that
whoever leads “your team” can rest assured that they have your vote, and
instead of focusing on your interests, they can proceed to deal with their
own. Unfair legislation can be passed if there are vocal groups in the
majority (by oppressing the minority) or in the minorities (by entitling them
to privileges that the majority can’t enjoy).

Populism

A common criticism of democracy is that in the end it devolves into a

popularity contest. Polls don’t decide who is right—that’s simply decided by
whoever is most willing to say what people like to hear. As a result, many
candidates to political office resort to populism, pursuing policies that focus
on the immediate satisfaction of whims instead of long-term improvements.
Populist leaders focus on emotion before reason and “common sense” over
more academic wisdom, which often produces bad ideas that will be
defended with the stubbornness of a mule, regardless of whether they are
good or bad.

- Leaders feel pressured to make political decisions that will enable

them to stay in power instead of decisions that will lead to the
betterment of the country
- Citizens lack concrete political knowledge. Hence, they are easily
swayed by politicians who make empty promises and are popular.

5
Mob Rule

An unrestricted democracy means that the majority decides over the

minority. This leaves the minority relatively powerless—and the smaller it
is, the less power it wields. Which means that the smallest minority of all—
the individual—is effectively depending on his agreement with the majority.

To account for this problem, mature democracies have developed a set of

checks and balances in an attempt to make sure that it doesn’t happen;
chief among these is the separation of the powers of the State. But this
actually makes a system less democratic, since it interferes with the
principle of “people’s power.”
THIS HOUSE REGRETS GETTING THIS BREAD

Getting this bread- lets get this money

Parameter:

Motivation of hustlers is mainly money

If your goal is just to hustle, at the end of the day your quality of life still affected
negatively.

Getting this bread will make you lose track of whats important in life.
 Getting this bread will make you not be involved in the things that really
matter.
 Neglect family friends fitness and most importantly happiness
 You realise when its too late and regret but you cant go back in time anymore

Getting this bread makes people feel tempted to perform evil and immoral
deeds
Money is the root of all evil
After getting money you will have ample resources to commit evil
Before getting money all you want is money…youll do anything for it

Getting this bread makes you materialistic

Tend to associate happiness and identity with money
If/when you lose money, you lose your sole source of happinessLead to you feeling
like you don’t have anything meaningful left to live for