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Chasing Squirrels The Squirrel Strategy Can I Use Squirrel Argument Recognizing A Squirrel Case How Do I Defeat A Squirrel Case

The Squirrel Strategy:

To initiate a squirrel chase, a debater presents a series of bogus arguments that have just a touch of truth and logic. The strategic value of a squirrel case is that you can chase the #@! thing all day long but you're never be able to catch it. Debaters will probably run into some sort of squirrel case in every debate tournament. Some Affirmative cases are 100% pure squirrel.

• These debaters win frequently because the negative can't find any counter-evidence and end up chasing the squirrel with a weird assortment of counter-arguments that do not make sense and make them look foolish. The most unusual squirrel case that I've heard consisted of an Affirmative team proposing to reduce worldwide pollution by changing incandescent light bulbs to mercury vapor bulbs. This would cut down on light pollution and had the advantage of allowing scientists to better study outerspace from their observatories here on Earth. The case, by the way, won the round.
• Some Affirmatives have one small squirrel provision that supplements a normal case. These debaters have found a weakness in a portion of their case, and instead of fixing the problem or developing a new case, they cover the problem with a squirrel provision. The most effective squirrel provision that I've heard consisted of an Affirmative moving enforcement of immigration laws from the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the Department of Labor. This provision was effective because the INS had severe internal problems and negative teams didn't have any evidence on the Department of Labor.
• Many Negatives use squirrel arguments in the 1NC. If a negative fills the 1NC with a number of squirrel arguments, the Affirmative will be tempted to use almost all of their prep time looking for evidence to use during the 2AC. The negative then uses the 2NC to present the real, significant negative attacks. Since the Affirmative has already used most of their prep time, they are crippled for the remainder of the debate and are unable to respond adequately to the 2NC attacks.

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Can I Use Squirrel Arguments:

As a debate coach who believes in benefits of actually debating over the thrill of victory, my response is no, but yes within a limited range. Shelbyville debaters may not use squirrel affirmatives or use squirrel provisions to cover affirmative weaknesses. They may not use purely bogus arguments to waste an opponent's prep time.

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How Do I Recognize A Squirrel Case:

For beginning debaters or early in a new season, it may be difficult to recognize an irrelevant case or argument. Generally, there are two tests: (1) If the case or argument attempts to sidestep the issue then it's a squirrel. or (2) If there is no evidence in your files, then it's a squirrel. Common sense is the best test.

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How Do I Defeat A Squirrel Case:

• Don't panic and try something strange. You'll only end up looking foolish. Don't chase the #@! thing. You won't be able to catch it. You won't have evidence to directly refute it and you'll waste valuable prep time looking.
• Do take a few minutes to determine what makes it a squirrel case. What is wrong with the argument or case? If it's an Affirmative case, why is it not in your debate briefs? If it's a Negative argument, why haven't you prepared for it?
• Do present arguments in your speeches explaining how the case or argument is bogus, irrelevant, or too strange to be considered. Instead of using evidence to prove that what they are saying is not true, use standards to demonstrate how it doesn't fulfill the resolution or how it doesn't affect your case. (see also: Non-representative Affirmatives, Topicality)
• Don't use bogus or irrelevant arguments in order to make your speeches longer. If the only thing you have to say about the case is that it is nontopical and you present a single, strong, well-developed topicality attack, then you've done all you can do - sit down!

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