Debate team comprised of NY inmates defeats prestigious Harvard and West Point Military Academy. What does this mean?

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 20:42:30 -0400

Harvard's team won the national title this year and the world championship in 2014. But the inmates are building a reputation, too. The club has notched victories against teams from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the University of Vermont.
Against Harvard, the NY inmates were tasked with defending the position that public schools should be allowed to turn away students whose parents came to the U.S. illegally. Harvard's team responded, but a panel of neutral judges declared the inmates victorious.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/10/06/harvard-prestigious-debate-team-loses-to-ny-inmates/?intcmp=hpbt3

Harvard's prestigious debate team loses to NY inmates

A group of New York inmates has toppled Harvard's prestigious debate team.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 8:55 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 20:55:21 -0400

Goes to show you that if you put faith into someone and they put faith into themselves they can do things.

Wait a few years for the movie.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Oct 6 at 2015 9:10 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 21:10:01 -0400

Well, at least USNA and USAFA are still undefeated against NYDoC! I'll take my tongue out of my cheek now... Seriously, this is a testament to some young men who have made the best out of their "time." As a constituent and future-fellow-citizen of the soon-to-be parolees, I'll build my house next to a man who has turned himself around.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 9:13 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 21:13:14 -0400

This proves that most will assume because they're inmates that they are not intellectually gifted, as evidenced by the fact that this is news. Honestly, I think it's pretty awesome. Great break to the stereotype that inmates are all idiots.

The truth is, there are many, many, incredibly smart people in prison - locked up due to poor choices. And yes, you can be incredibly smart and still make poor choices.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Oct 7 at 2015 6:41 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 06:41:45 -0400

It is good to see the inmates putting the time and resources they have been provided by the taxpayers of NY to good use. I mean that sincerely. They could have just as easily done little or nothing constructive with the time.

Having said that, winning/losing debates can be a little subjective. Sometimes when you argue the side most of the judges agree with you get a lot of points even for poorly made arguments. Not saying that was the case here but this could just as easily be one of those "let's make a feel good story" by having the inmates win. Regardless of the win or loss it is good to see constructive use of their time.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2015 10:09 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:09:57 -0400

For an inmate to step out in the open and compete with Harvard like team, they already won in the motivation part of it. second, debate not win only by logic, it also the way you present it. A debater must be passion and logic all together. I know which part they break the other team. BOTH. The reason are they are not indoctrinated by books for first, second they are out of the box already, consider they are inmate.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Oct 8 at 2015 10:10 AM

1LT Aaron Barr — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 10:10:55 -0400

I can't help but wonder if these students brought their 'A' game to this. No offense to the prisoners who obviously put in a lot of effort but I can't imagine Harvard's debate team preparing for this with the same diligence they would were they debating Yale.