Seawolf debaters succeed in California
by Kathleen McCoy |
The Seawolf Debate Team started its season right where it left off last season: winning. On Oct. 6 and 7, four UAA debaters traveled to southern California to kick off the squad's season at the U.S. Universities National Open hosted by the Claremont Colleges. Sixty-four debaters representing more than 10 colleges participated in the event.
These talented young men and women engaged one another in a number of public policy
topics, ranging from whether the media should be restricted during times of national
emergencies, whether we should encourage the international trade of nuclear energy
technology, and whether indigenous people should have exclusive control of their archeological
sites.
Both UAA teams in attendance represented Alaska extremely well, bringing home some
well-deserved hardware for the trophy case. Senior Mike Rose and junior Ben Ferguson
reached the semi-final round, placing them among the top eight teams at the tournament.
Meanwhile, senior David Childers and junior James Stinson joined three other teams
in the championship round of competition.
In the final debate, Childers and Stinson were assigned to defend the devaluation
of the American dollar. They assembled a case demonstrating how the subprime mortgage
crisis could be mitigated by a modest dollar devaluation; that a devalued dollar would
increase the export of American goods and services, thereby stimulating the U.S. economy;
and that a devalued dollar would boost both the Canadian and Mexican manufacturing
economies. In response to global, short-term economic concerns, they also argued
that China's growing economic power would stabilize the global economy while the U.S.
economy corrected itself.
The team next travels to Edmonton to compete in the Canadian championships held in
the style of debate practiced at the World Universities Debating Championships. The
team is focused on preparation for the eventual World Championships, to be held in
Bangkok over the holiday break. For more information contact Steve Johnson at 786-4391
or Shawn Briscoe at 786-4354.
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