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Clackamas Print
N
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
Political forum educates studen
with facts to help the crowd
understand. He also used
humor to get his ideas across,
such as an anecdote of an epi F8
The Clackamas Print
sode of “The Simpsons.”
“All the greatest philosophy
is in cartoons,” said Darris,
More than 150 students referring to the political sat
gathered in front of the Bill ire in the episode featuring
Brod Community Center yes Homer’s abduction by aliens
terday to listen to four speech just prior to the Clinton-Dole
team members and one fac presidential election in 1996.
Ki
He also stated that the elec
ulty member discuss the fac
tual sides of the political cam tion is about more than just
the presidency, with impor
paign*
Speech instructor Kerrie tant races in Congress and the
Hughes, along with Associated various state legislatures.
However, it was obvious
Student Government, political
science instructor Dean Darris that his greatest goal was to
and the Clackamas Speech and get people thinking and ques
Debate team hosted a two- tioning politics on their own.
“With education and clar
hour event dedicated to edu-
ity comes knowl
eating and moti
edge,”
said
vating students in
Darris.
the current politi
“I turn on
Students’opin
cal election. The
ions were mixed,
the T.V. and
goal was to help
with some show
students
under
get the same
ing more enthusi
stand both the
B.
informa
asm than others.
Republican and
grw
“I was tired
Democratic politi
tion, only
of watching the
cal platforms.
with a big
presidential
“I have been
involved in poli-
debates because
ger crowd
tics for the last
all
they do is slan
cheering.”
der each other.
few years,” said
Jay Sabin, one of
That’s no real
Dave Ross
way to debate,”
the. Democratic
Student
said
student
debaters. “I feel
Daniel Birch.
that when I’m
The
overall
more
involved,
attitude of the
I’m more motivat
event was best
ed. (Politicians)
speak in languages we don’t summed up by Birch when
understand. I wanted to speak he shared his desire to learn
in a language we (students) more.
“I wish they would actu-
understand.”
The event began with the ally teach (politics) in the
four debaters — two represent classes,” said Birch. “Not
ing the Republicans and two only do the homework, but
representing the Democrats go. online and do the research.
A group of students sits and listens as the debaters discuss which tax plan will aff
— explaining both platforms This is your future.
of the presidential candidates
Republican John McCain and
Democrat Barack Obama.
Sabin and Taylor Hamann
formed the Democratic panel
while Byron Bartlett and
Stephanie Bacheoder repre
sented the Republican side.
The
discussion
included
the current economic crisis,
taxes, health care, education
and defense spending.
However, some students
felt that the debate team was
just restating the same infor
mation in the same manner as
the televised debates.
“I turn on the T.V. and get
the same things, only with a
bigger crowd cheering,” said
first-term student Dave Ross.
Between the debate and
the forum, Hughes stated
the importance of students
researching on their own,
voting and feeding into their
desire to learn more.
In the second portion, Darris
led a question and answer
session for anyone present.
Students fielded questions
regarding nonpartisan voting,
national debt and campaign LEFT: Speech and Debate Team members, Taylor Hamann and Jay Sabin wait for their turn to speak about Demoa
spending. Darris fired back on education. RIGHT: Instructor Dean Darris answers a student’s question on defense spending.
Lydia Emily Bashaw
MatÔstergren
■
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The
Clackamas Print
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