Alexandra Bracken Quotes

If you want to give me a good faceful for one of my political positions, I can take it.

If you don't agree, present what you think is a better way.

I'm opposed to censure, .. Whether or not one will be permitted, it's under discussion. It isn't ruled out, but it's not a dead-bang certainty either.

Whatever I do becomes controversial.

Everything I say, I expect backlash from it.

I was on the debate team.

I'm a fan of robust debate, and I'm not averse to engaging in the odd ad hominem attack myself.

When people agree with you, they'll just like it and keep it moving, but when people don't agree with you, that's when they come for your whole neck.

I tend to solicit opinions from all those around me. I like to hear opinions and the rationale behind it from everybody in the room. Perhaps it's the result of going to law school and using the Socratic method.

I understand and accept criticisms of my work, provided they are done with professional criteria and arguments.

I like debating policy.

I don't do commentaries; I can't listen to them, either.

I am one of the most attacked persons.

As a politician, I should expect sharp challenge from those who disagree with my decisions.

There are always more people to prove wrong.

Any time you make a big statement about something in the world, you are bound to ruffle some feathers.

If you can make someone laugh about something that your opponent or your opposition thinks, that means you've done a really good job of highlighting what's wrong with their argument or their position.

One-hundred facts about Vietnam and we studied the fact sheet and got in to these arguments and it was fantastic, and I remember one moment when we heard two students saying don't talk to those guys, meaning my brother and me. They've just memorized that stupid fact sheet. And we thought, gosh do we sound that good? It didn't seem possible. But that was my introduction to politics.

I'll argue anyone into the dust when it comes to facts.

Don't take my criticisms as iron-clad rules but more as suggestions.

The chief effect of talk on any subject is to strengthen one's own opinions, and, in fact, one never knows exactly what he does believe until he is warmed into conviction by the heat of attack and defence.

To me, the fun part of both jobs is to always try to push the discussion and debate forward in some way. The most fun part of being a theater critic for the Times was always to try and champion something that maybe other people didn't like, or that was produced under obscure circumstances or had to fight for its life. And I would say in the column what I try to do is in some ways related in that I'm trying to fight for a point of view. I'm not trying to be a kingmaker in either job, and don't want to be, and shouldn't be.

Parliament is for discussion. Parliament is to show dissent. Parliament is to give an argument for one's opposition, to present an argument when they support. To uphold this basic spirit of Parliament, is the responsibility of every person who values democracy. It is the responsibility of those present in the Parliament and those outside. It is the responsibility of those in power and those not in power. This is a matter of spirit and it should be followed.

I don't like debates anyway. I have never debated anyone, I think they're a very masculine form - like an intellectual prizefight. They let you know who the better debater is but they don't really tell you about the issue. It's all heat, but no light.

Argument, as usually managed, is the worst sort of conversation, as it is generally in books the worst sort of reading.