College students meet for debate
Julie Dahl
Issue date: 10/19/04 Section: News
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The presidential debate wasn't the only debate that took place last Wednesday night. Student Government sponsored a Presidential Debate Forum which included a student-run debate in CASL room 1030 before the broadcasting of the actual presidential debate.
Things became heated when students debated issues including the economy, the War in Iraq, foreign policy, health care, civil liberties, the environment, education and social issues. Both sides came ready to debate dressed in professional attire and armed with arguments.
The debate began with a coin toss resulting with the left speaking first for ninety seconds followed by an initial thirty second rebuttal by the right. Intervals of thirty second rebuttals between the two finished each topic discussed. Each side alternated in who spoke first for ninety seconds and two minutes were allowed for heavier issues like foreign policy and civil liberties.
At first, the debaters were unclear on how the timing worked and things seemed a little disorganized but after the first issue, the groups settled down.
The attendance of the event was decent with more than half of the seats filled by students and professors. The audience was not allowed to speak during the debate but with some issues they couldn't help but sigh and grunt in disapproval or mumble a yes in agreement.
Luckily, after the debate, they had their chance to speak. An open forum was held for audience members to voice their opinions and many of them did just that by challenging several debaters' arguments.
Unfortunately because of a member's early exit, the right wasn't able to defend themselves as well as the left.
All in all, both sides seemed strong with their points and arguments, and no clear winner of the debate could be crowned. Yet what was clear was the educational value of hearing out both sides and that each side passionately supports their candidate.
The moderator of the debate was Bilal Dabaja, and the debaters representing the left were Emily Brown, Tarek Baydoun and Melissa Brown. Greg Papas debated for the left although he is a supporter of the Green Party. The debaters representing the right were Joe Koss, Reni George, Lyz Moore and Mohammad Alsoraimi.
Things became heated when students debated issues including the economy, the War in Iraq, foreign policy, health care, civil liberties, the environment, education and social issues. Both sides came ready to debate dressed in professional attire and armed with arguments.
The debate began with a coin toss resulting with the left speaking first for ninety seconds followed by an initial thirty second rebuttal by the right. Intervals of thirty second rebuttals between the two finished each topic discussed. Each side alternated in who spoke first for ninety seconds and two minutes were allowed for heavier issues like foreign policy and civil liberties.
At first, the debaters were unclear on how the timing worked and things seemed a little disorganized but after the first issue, the groups settled down.
The attendance of the event was decent with more than half of the seats filled by students and professors. The audience was not allowed to speak during the debate but with some issues they couldn't help but sigh and grunt in disapproval or mumble a yes in agreement.
Luckily, after the debate, they had their chance to speak. An open forum was held for audience members to voice their opinions and many of them did just that by challenging several debaters' arguments.
Unfortunately because of a member's early exit, the right wasn't able to defend themselves as well as the left.
All in all, both sides seemed strong with their points and arguments, and no clear winner of the debate could be crowned. Yet what was clear was the educational value of hearing out both sides and that each side passionately supports their candidate.
The moderator of the debate was Bilal Dabaja, and the debaters representing the left were Emily Brown, Tarek Baydoun and Melissa Brown. Greg Papas debated for the left although he is a supporter of the Green Party. The debaters representing the right were Joe Koss, Reni George, Lyz Moore and Mohammad Alsoraimi.