[eDebate] '04 OMNIBUS DEBATE BILL

[Jack Stroube]

ladies and gents,

the importance of debate in democracy has never been glaring 
than after the 9-11 attacks.    the bush administration under the 
guidance of karl rove has done everything possibe to belittle and 
intimidate dissent of its policies under the guise of patriotism.

former rhodes scholar and philosophy student, general wesley 
clark, has repeatedly emphasized the importance of dissent 
during an war and vital debate core of democracy.

his recently presented 20-year vision includes a transformation of 
education:

"Education is the key to a healthy democracy - to the creation of 
citizens who are informed and engaged, who will hold their 
leaders and one another accountable.  So the classroom should 
not simply be a place where students cram in knowledge to pass 
a test. It should be a place where they truly learn how to learn - and 
truly come to love learning for its own sake. A place where they 
develop judgment and a sense of responsibility toward their 
community and their country. A place where they come to 
understand our past and prepare to embrace our future."

as co-founder of debaters for clark, i am proud to introduce to you 
the 2004 Omnibus Debate Bill.   We all know that a high school or 
even middle school debate requirement for public education 
would significantly change the way students learn and give them 
educational advantages previously denied.  To this at least $1 
billion should be appropriated annually for the creation of new 
debate programs.   

Furthermore, the academic debate community is NOT an open 
society.   The playing field is not level and ELITE PROGRAMS have 
accrued anti-democratic advantages derived from a laissez-faire 
capitalist approach to program funding.   Pseudo-anarchist kritik 
arguments with no realistic praxis bolster the historical elitism of 
the community by denigrating any form of state intervention 
essentially amounting to a right-wing libertarianism and secretly 
promoting a law of the jungle where the fat cats keep getting fatter 
and repeating their national prowess.    Billionaire philanthropist 
George Soros began to address these inequities when he 
initiated the Urban Debate League movement to provide greater 
access to unique educational opportunities that debate training 
provides.   However, as everyone knows, UDLs have merely been 
a band aid and actually provided moral comfort to elite programs 
like emory and northwestern who have exorbitant budgets that 
skew their competitive success and at the same time have "given 
back" to the community.   I have no problem with giving back 
unless it becomes an excuse for an unregulated national 
competitive debate framework with the recurring domination of 
elite programs.    This, to put it bluntly, is a danger to democracy 
and a key factor in the recent rise of the far right.   No other factor 
than the inequitable distribution of funding narrows the viewpoints 
and restricts the voices of debaters in this country more.   Clear 
Channel Communications should NOT be the model for debate.   
Rich programs should NOT dominate impoverished programs on 
a regular basis reinforcing the idea that money can buy "better 
debate arguments".

This bill is not for Wesley Clark alone.   All candidates should 
endorse the proposal.    It is election time and like no other 
promises should be demanded.

The proposal would require public transparency of all debate 
budgets.  No more Harvard and Texas drug laundering through 
secret finances.   No more undisclosed six-figure annual 
Northwestern budgets.     A cap will be placed on budgets and the 
bill will provide the funding to level the playing field over 10 years.  
Tax credits will be given to debate program donors.   George 
Soros should be brought in for consultation on the legislation.  I 
am currently forming a national steering committee.  Anyone 
interested please backchannel me.

thank you and best wishes.   i hope my "ridiculous" endorsement 
of clark is clear.

Here's clark's 20 year vision announced today.

http://www.clark04.com/story/72/


A 20-Year Vision

The excitement surrounding Wes Clark's appearances in New 
Hampshire has been building all week. Clark capped the week by 
telling the 2004 College Convention about his vision for the next 20 
years. 

"I don't believe America's best days are behind us. I believe 
America's best days lie ahead of us," Clark told the Manchester 
audience, packed with students. "And that's why I'm running for 
president - to build a better future, not just for the next four years, or 
the next eight, but for the next generation." 

Clark presented his bold vision for what the world could be like in 
2024. 

Every American could be able to carry their genetic map in their 
pocket, making medical treatment much easier. Clark said, 
"doctors will be able to predict what diseases you are vulnerable to 
and take steps ahead of time to prevent them." 

New energy sources like wind power could electrify entire 
communities and hydrogen fuel cells could drive most cars, 
slowing global warming. Clark said, "with the right leadership, we 
can develop reliable and inexpensive energy sources to replace 
today's fossil fuels from the strife-ridden Middle East with cars 
driven by batteries on hydrogen fuel cells." 

"We'll move beyond the Space Shuttle and a few unmanned 
missions within the Solar System with more substantial efforts to 
help humanity explore the frontiers of space," Clark forecasted. 
"We'll do it with real programs designed to most efficiently and 
effectively generate the science skills and technology we need to 
meet what I believe will be our destiny." Within two decades, we 
could even land a man on Mars. 

Most importantly, Clark called for a world in which every individual 
fully recognizes that our differences are our greatest strength. 

"Education is the key to a healthy democracy - to the creation of 
citizens who are informed and engaged, who will hold their 
leaders and one another accountable," Clark reasoned. "So the 
classroom should not simply be a place where students cram in 
knowledge to pass a test. It should be a place where they truly 
learn how to learn - and truly come to love learning for its own 
sake. A place where they develop judgment and a sense of 
responsibility toward their community and their country. A place 
where they come to understand our past and prepare to embrace 
our future." 

He said building an educational system that truly unlocks 
children's highest potential, could transform human 
understanding and create a world that brings us all closer 
together. 

"I believe in an America that leads by caring and listening - in the 
America of the New Frontier, the New Deal, the Marshall Plan, and 
the moon shot," Clark said. "I believe in an America that is 
determined to do good and dares to be great. One that pushes the 
frontiers of human potential in the sciences and education, in 
health and the arts." 

http://www.ndtceda.com
Phallus Jerkins Dabait League




http://www.ndtceda.com
Phallus Jerkins Dabait League