Absolutely Smashing:
International Debate Smack Down A Success
September 28, 2004
The Eagle Debate team and the TalkBack Society hosted the British National
Debate Team for four whirlwind days of sight seeing and public debates
from September 22 to 26 on the Northwest University campus in Kirkland.
The British students were true gentlemen who constantly impressed
us with their charm, humor and eagerness to learn about American ways.
These two men could not have represented their nation better, demonstrating
wit, intelligence and speaking skill in the three public debates that
we hosted.
Robert Marrs, 22, a recent graduate in Political Science from the University
of Glasgow, won top debate honors in the UK by reaching the Scottish
Mace Finals -- making him the top debater in Britain.
Aneurin "Nye" Brewer, 22, who graduated in Philosophy this
year from Bristol University, was crowned European Champion in 2003
and then reached the semi-finals of the World Championships in Singapore
in 2004.
The Brits competed for the honor and won a two month long tour of
American colleges and universities. The team is sponsored by the English
Speaking Union in the UK and the National Communication Association
in the US.
The men arrived Wednesday evening, were picked up at the airport by
Debating Society President Desiree Knemeyer and her VP Tania Fleming
who then drove them back through down town Seattle so the guests could
see the city at night.
The Marriott Redmond Town Center became our sponsor when they generously
agreed to provide a room as a means of supporting the academic community.
Ny and Rob remarked several times that the hotel was the nicest one
that they had ever stayed in, saying that the bed was so comfortable
they literally didn't want to get up. No wonder President Bush choose
to room there on his visit last month.
Thursday Professor Gary Gillespie and team members Evan Muxen and
Kortney Thoma became Seattle tour guides, leading the visitors through
Pike Street Market and the Seattle Aquarium before taking an hour long
harbor cruise of Elliott Bay. The sun came out to make for ideal sightseeing
weather. In the afternoon it was up to the top of the Space Needle for
sweeping views, then down to walk the halls of the Experience Music
Project.
Friday was set aside for debates, beginning at 12:30 PM for a debate
before three classes, Argumentation, Logic and International Relations.
Promising new team members Jordon Goddard and Johanna Burch debated
affirmative against the British on the topic: "The world would
be better off with four more years of President Bush."
Ny said that it was the most enjoyable debate up to that point in
the tour, which began in New York and then took them to Indiana and
California. The audience voted for the Brits.
Friday evening more than one hundred people gathered in Millard Hall
to watch team Captain Sara Boyd and Evan Muxen debate affirmative on
the topic "The war in Iraq was justified." In spite of a valiant
try by the Americans -- who used the parable of the Good Samaritan to
argue in favor of ending Saddam's human rights abuses -- both the audience
and the judging panel voted for the British team.
The judges agreed that the Northwest Team spoke persuasively and the
decision was hard to render.
Afterwards judges and debaters gathered in the coffee shop on campus
for a reception hosted by the TalkBack Society. Desiree and Tania worked
hard to provide an impressive spread of cheese cake, fruit, sandwiches,
punch and soft drinks.
The agenda Saturday morning included a hike to Snoqualmie Falls and
lunch at the Gillman Village in Issaquah. Evan then took the Brits to
the Boeing Flight Museum while the rest of the Northwest students welcomed
a second international team from the University of British Columbia.
Two officers in the UBC Debating Society also made the drive down across
the border for a 3 PM debate with Northwest alumni.
Former Northwest captain Dustin McClure and Nathan Novak represented
the alumni and top Canadian debaters Teddy Harrison and Spencer Keys
represented the UBC. Teddy and Spencer's debate successes make them
recognized as two of the best in the world.
The topic that afternoon was "The Olympic Games should be significantly
changed." Northwest argued the affirmative side and presented a
plan to end all restrictions on the use of sports enhancing drugs. The
audience voted in favor of the Canadians.
Saturday night featured the final debate of the weekend, with the
Canadians facing off against the British on the topic: "Canada
should remove the Queen from the loony." Both teams used humor
and salient arguments to defend their assigned positions. The audience
voted for the British, while the judging panel voted for the Canadians
-- making both teams winners.
The Canadians received golden Seattle key chains for a prize and the
British were given six inch native American totem poles to remember
their visit.
After another reception, this time for the entire audience, the tired
Brits returned to their hotel pleased by the hospitality and chance
to meet new friends. They left the next morning for Miami, Florida --
just missing a hurricane that passed by the day before. They are scheduled
to return to London mid November after visiting 24 American cities.
To help cover costs for the event the Northwest team received a grant
provided by the International Debate Education Association.
More international debates are planned in the future for the Northwest
debate students, including a trip to Vancouver, BC this February and
a possible trip to Ireland during Christmas break 2005.
