One And Only k-ss – Episode 28 – 29

One And Only k-ss
© Oyebamiji Samuel
Episode 28
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Theme: This debate is hot
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Friday
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Every student sat comfortably at the chairs that are well set in the assembly hall
Crowds of students sat down hoping for the debate to commence.
The panel of judges were sitting on the high table. The representatives of the ministry of education were also sitting at the high table
Bella and Owen sat on a chair with a locker in front at the left side , their big framed picture was also posted at the left side for everyone to have a clear view of who the debaters are
Feathers and Mary whose heart were beating fast, hoping they win. They were sitting at the right side. Their big picture was also right behind them
“Students of Kingston high school, we welcome you all to these debate org-nized by this wonderful school and sponsored by the ministry of education, let’s maintain the decorum please.
I highly welcome the representatives of the ministry of education to this wonderful event. I specially salute the Principal of this glorious school, I welcome and honour the panel of judges as well and our lovely debaters , without any ambiguity, we are pleased to inform you that the debate starts now. Thanks” The secretary to the principal said on the podium and left for his sit .
The judges sitting down at the high panel had a head. He is a light skinned man with pointed nose, he was putting on a yellow T shirt and a blue jeans. Microphones were set on the table and directed to their mouth in such a way that when they speak, their voice goes directly into the mic and gets produced by the loud speaker that has being well set in every corner of the hall.
The name of the head of the judge is Mr. Faraday
“We welcome you all once again” Mr. Faraday’s bass thick voice penetrated into the mic and gets produced by the speaker , every student wondered how a man’s voice can be so thick and deep
“The topic of our debate is ‘Should death sentence be abolished’
“Our debaters who are supporting the notions are Bella and Owen, kindly put your hands together for them” Mr. Faraday said and every student clapped for them.
Owen and Bella stood up and bowed their head slightly to honour the judges then they sat down
“Our other debaters who are against the notions are Feathers and Mary, kindly put your hands together for them” Mr. Faraday said
Everyone clapped for Feathers and Owen. They both stood up, bowed their head slightly to the judges and sat
“Thanks, now let’s commence, I’m starting from my left side, Can any of you stand up and give us a reasonable reason why you think death sentence should not be abolished, why should it continue ?” Mr Faraday asked
Owen stood up, all this while , Owen had texted if he could speak since he woke up on Friday, that same day. In the morning, he realized he can speak but he didn’t communicate with anyone. But he is certain that he can speak at least for that day.
Owen who had read and was fully prepared, held the microphone and spoke into it
“Good day Head of judges, the judges, representatives of the ministry of education , my co debaters and my colleagues, My name is Owen. I am in support of the notion that says Death penalty should be allowed’
First of all what is death penalty?
Death penalty, also called capital punishment, is when a government or state executes (kills) someone, usually but not always because they have committed a serious crime. … Executions in most countries have become rarer in recent centuries
Firstly, The death penalty should be allowed, and I think, should be used more often. The Bible says that the government doesn’t bear the sword in vain and it is its right and duty to punish felons.
I think the U.S. government today is not feared enough by criminals because the penalty for certain serious crimes is not severe enough.
Secondly, The death penalty should be allowed, because it’s an effective way to ban criminals. Criminals would think twice before committing their crimes if death penalty exists. If they know they may face death for what they do, they may change their minds and give up on committing any crime.
With these two points, I believe I’m at the verge at getting you convinced, I will allow my partner give her points and conclude. Thanks ” Owen said and sat
Every student clapped at Owen reasonable proves.
“Thanks, before your partner conclude, let me hear from your opponent as well” Mr. Faraday said and faced Feathers and Mary.
Feathers stood up and handled the microphone
“I highly welcome the head of the judge, the judges , the representatives of the ministry of education , my co debaters and my fellow students. My name is Feathers. I’m supporting the notion that says ‘ Death penalty should not be allowed’
I will start by defining what Death penalty actually is
Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, is a government-sanctioned practice whereby a person is killed by the state as a punishment for a crime. The sentence that someone be punished in such a manner is referred to as a death sentence, whereas the act of carrying out the sentence is known as an execution
My first reason as to why death penalty should be banned is that 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.
Secondly, It doesn’t deter criminals
There is no credible evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than a prison term. In fact, evidence reveals the opposite.
Since abolishing the death penalty in 1976, Canada’s murder rate has steadily declined and as of 2016 was at its lowest since 1966
With this two points , I believe I’ve almost convince you all that death penalty should be banned in our states, my partner here is going to say her point and conclude ” Feathers said and a thunderous clap sounded in the crowd
“Wao! I’m amazed at your various points, I’ve awarded your marks already based on standard, let us go for a short break, when we resume, we gonna hear from the ladies and finally announce the winner.” Mr Faraday said.
Episode 29
Theme: They Won
“We welcome you all from the short break, now we gonna hear from the ladies mouth” Mr. Faraday said and gazed his attention at Bella
Bella stood up and held the microphone
“Good day Head of Judge, the judges, the representatives of the ministry of Education , my co debaters and colleagues.
My name is Bella and I’m here to support the notion that says ‘Death penalty should be allowed’
My partner here has given the definition of what death penalty is and two solid points that proves that death penalty should be allowed.
My first point is this, The death penalty should be applied, because it is a just punishment for horrific crimes. The Christian Bible has the solution, “an eye for an eye”. Let the punishment fit the crime. If you take a life, you forfeit your life.
Some criminals are so far beyond any hope of redemption that the only way to control them is to terminate their life.
If a terrorist is sentenced to life in prison, he will only recruit more terrorists from the prison population.
Executing the terrorist would be a nice way of saying, “mass murder is not acceptable in our society”.
Secondly, If someone murders someone else, they have given up their human rights, including the one to stay alive themselves
The punishment should ‘fit the crime’ – if you have killed someone, you should be killed too
Giving a killer the death sentence will stop them – and others – doing it again
The very small chance of executing the wrong person is balanced by the benefits to society of putting off other murderers
With this four points that my partner and I had listed, we hope that we have successfully convince you that death penalty should be allowed. Thanks” Bella said and sat.
The crowds of student clapped and cheered her
“Fantastic” Mr Faraday said and scribbled the points she got based on standard
“Alright, let’s hear from this side as well” The principal said facing Mary
Mary had being scared all this while, she was hoping that she would not fumble, her heart was heavy.
She stood up and handled the microphone, her hand was literally shaking. She closed her eye tight and exhaled heavily .
“Good day head of Judge, Judges, representatives of the ministry of education, co debaters and colleague.
My name is Mary and I’m against the notion that death penalty should be allowed
My partner has precisely described what death penalty is and gave us two strong points to back up the notion we are against
The first reason why I think death penalty should not be allowed is this;
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.
Secondly, 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.
With these four points that my partner and I had stated, we hope that we had convinced you that death penalty should be banned in the society”
Mary said and sat
Their was a loud cheers from the audience, louder than that of Bella. Majority of the crowd love the precise points of Mary than that of Bella
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have come to the end of the long anticipated debate between Class 8 and Class 7, let’s listen attentively as I announce the individual scores of the winner
Without bias, and with strict standard of measuring who won this fierce debate between class 8 and Class 7. I am pleased to announce that;
Owen who was the first to deliver his speech had 63 points
The multitudes of students clapped for Owen
Feathers who spoke against the notion that Owen support had 75 points
The multitudes of student clapped loudly for Feathers
Bella who was the first to speak amidst the ladies, she had 55 points
Many of the students clapped gently
Mary who is a partner of Feathers and is also against the notion that death penalty should be allowed , she had 93 points
Everyone stood up and started shouting, hailing her and praising she and Feathers
Mary blushed and bowed her head gently. Feathers looked at her and smiled . Feathers covered his face with his two palms and exhaled, he was so happy that they won and made their class proud
After few seconds
“Thanks you, kindly have your sit” Mr. Faraday announced and every student were beginning to sit down one after the other
“Ladies and gentlemen , The total point for Owen and Bella is 118 points
While the total point for Feathers and Mary is 168 points
The winner of this hot debate is Feathers and Mary
Many students that are in support of Mary and Feathers stood up again and rejoiced .
The few students who wanted Bella and Owen to win just sat down silently watching others rejoice
Bella felt disgraced, she bowed her head slightly, Owen felt bad that their team loss.
He felt sad that he couldn’t make their class proud.
The representatives of the ministry of education stepped down from the podium to congratulate the winner which are Feathers and Mary.
The head of judge and other judges also stepped down to congratulate Feathers and Mary
They were awarded and praised.
After the org-nizers of the programmes had left, many students rushed to hug Mary and Feathers
Owen walked sluggishly outside, Bella followed behind
” Owen, It’s time to fulfil your promise” Bella said to Owen
To be continued