Are all of the topics discussed in Decorum in Debate (RONR, 11th ed., p. 391-94) rules and can they be enforced?
I am confused because the section begins with "The following practices and customs observed by speakers" which implies to me that they are mostly guidelines and not enforceable rules. Yet the wording used in the individual topics can be quite strong and "REFRAINING FROM DISTURBING THE ASSEMBLY" says "This rule" and discusses the feasibility of enforcement on page 394.
More specifically, I am curious about "REFRAINING FROM SPEAKING AGAINST ONE'S OWN MOTION" on page 393. Would it be out of order for the maker of a motion to argue against the motion as amended after an amendment was adopted that the maker disagreed with? Could that be enforced by the chair and can a point of order be made? As a rule it would stand out to me as possibly being too restrictive on the rights of a member considering that by the time of debate the motion technically "belongs" more to the assembly than the maker of the motion.
