The Voice of Edwin

Early Summer 2008 - At Home and Abroad

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:40:13 -0400

BANGLADESH AND LAS VEGAS ARE ACTION STOPS FOR VERMONT DEBATE

May and June were busy months for the LDU, but the action was outside of Burlington, Vermont. The reach of the LDU is wide and these activities represented that.

| Tuna with Bangladesh female debaters | Champions from National Law School Bangalore India |

May 1-15 2008 LDU director Snider was in Dhaka, Bangladesh running the tab room for the 15th All Asians Debating Championship sponsored by North South University. 70 teams from 19 countries attended, debating in the English language and the Asian debate format. Two days before there was also a debate workshop for judges and debaters held by Snider and old LDU friend Jason Jarvis, now at the Korea Development Institute in Seoul, Korea.
Check out the photo album at:
http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/travelpix/Bangladesh.html
For news and results see:
http://globaldebateblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/national-law-school-bangalore-wins-all.html
http://globaldebateblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/more-from-15th-all-asians.html
For Tuna’s personal musings about the Bangladesh trip see:
http://alfredsnider.blogspot.com/2008/05/bangladesh-musings.html

| Elvis and Sarah Green | Martin Glendinning, Sarah Green, and Alfred Snider at NFL Nationals |

June 10-20 2008 the location was Las Vegas, Nevada and the National Forensic League’s national championship high school speech and debate tournament, with 3500 contestants and over 1800 judges at an event so huge it was held at six different sites. LDU dirfector Snider was, for the seventh year, the dirctor of tournament operations for the event. His organizational work he is joined by LDU alums Sarah Green (now at Kansas State) and Gordie Miller (now at Rochester) along with LDU friends Justin Green, Martin Glendinning and others. This is the largest speech and debate tournament in the world, and is a huge organizational task. However, it is a very exciting event and Las Vegas is a very interesting site for the tournament. Updates from the event can be found on GLOBAL DEBATE at
http://globaldebateblog.blogspot.com
==========================================
Tentative Travel Schedule for 2008-2009

SEPTEMBER 2008
27-28 Rochester - policy, world all

OCTOBER 2008
4-6 Las Vegas - policy 1-2
17-19 Hart House - world
25-26 West Conn - policy, world all

NOVEMBER 2008
1-3 Harvard - policy 1
22-23 Binghamton - policy, world all
15-17 Wake - policy 1-2
21-23 Queens, Canada - world 3-4
23-30 Intl Debate Academy Slovenia - world 2

DECEMBER 2008
13-17 WUPID-Malaysia - world 1
27-4 Cork WUDC - world 3

JANUARY 2009
3-6 UNorthTexas - policy 2
7-9 UTexasDallas - policy 2
31-1 Mass - policy, world all

FEBRUARY 2009
14-15 Cornell - policy, world all
28-1 Baruch - policy world all

MARCH 2009
6-8 CSU San Bernadino - world 1
20-25 CEDA Nats Idaho St - 2
27-30 NDT - 1

APRIL 2009
3-5 USU at UVM - world many all
10-11 Hobart Wm Smith - world 1

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FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 362 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Next taping: Sat. June 28. Please volunteer.  
More new shows coming soon for on-demand web viewing. New shows now available: 358 Democratic Train Wreck at http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/2008/03/358-democratic-train-wreck.html

============================================
ALUMNI NEWS

CARLOS VARELA
My name is Carlos Varela, and I graduated in May of 2005 from the University of Vermont. I
debated for three years, and help coach the novices as part of my senior thesis, "Debating
Environmental Issues". Debate has impacted my life in many levels. It gave me skills and
techniques for managing and utilizing data. It also served as a catalyst for converting
academic apathy into intellectual confidence. After graduation, it impacted me on another
level. It provided a job. I went from working in the LDU to working for the UDL. I now work
for the DC Urban Debate League, teaching competitive debate in inner-city schools. I help
teachers from 6th through 12th grade establish debate teams at their school. Former LDU
alum, Sarah Snider, held this position before me. After this job, I wish to attend law school to
eventually work in environmental law. I have been blessed with debate, and am dedicated to
put those skills to good use.

ABOUT MILDRED TRACHTENBURG (from NAN BERNSTEIN)
Tuna, I was passing on Jim Unger's obit (which occupied a significant amount of space today in the Washington Post) to some friends, and noticed links to debate I hadn't pursued in a (VERY LONG) while. I was a debater at Tufts (with a blind guy who was probably more memorable) in the early 70's (have a nice memento from Brown, actually, can't remember whether it is a gavel or punch bowl :-)) and later coached there in the late 70's, early 80's. But my mom was an early debater at UVM, Mildred Trachtenberg, who died when I was in pre-school. It was nice to see a picture of her on your debate web site, kind of a present from the past. Just thought I'd say thanks. It was really stunning to see a picture of her I had never seen before. Best regards. My friend over in Comm Dis, Barry Guitar, says you guys are still quite awesome and I would believe it.

JACKIE MASSEY
Now coach at the University of Oklahoma, the Office of the President has announced a major aumni gift that will endow the OU debate program much like the LDU. Great news!

FRITZ CHALEFF
Is now working for Congressman Tom Latham in Washington.

CHERYL (WILSON) FITZGERALD
How are you? I have news! I'm 13 weeks pregnant! We just saw the heartbeat and had an ultrasound! Things look good!
Hope everyone is well in the LDU community.

===========================================
ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!

Lawrence Debate Union Banquet Concludes Year

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:07:39 -0400

2007-2008 BANQUET PROGRAM:
Reception
Dinner
Welcome
Alumni Speech
Senior Speeches
Annual Prizes
Farewell

Edwin Lawrence wanted a banquet to be held at the end of each debate season to celebrate the forensic experience. Every spring we invite a few honored guests and all LDU parents to join us for a good time. A booklet about the year is prepared, seniors say good-bye, there is a minimum of oratory, and the various prizes for debate achievement may be distributed. Substantial cash awards accompany many of these prizes. These awards are distributed based on service to the LDU and others on the team, and achievement in representing the LDU and UVM in analysis and performance. A committee appointed by the coaches gives out these awards.

BRIEF HISTORY OF DEBATE AT UVM:
NOW 109 YEARS OLD

Intercollegiate debate at the University of Vermont began in 1899 when Edwin W. Lawrence '01 started the University of Vermont debate team. Throughout the early part of this century debate was a constant part of life at UVM. After the Second World War, a cohesive national level of debate competition began to take shape, and Vermont was an important force. Dr. Robert Huber came to UVM in the late 1940's, and throughout the 1950's and 1960's he led the Vermont debate team to national dominance, including national titles at all levels. During this time, Edwin W. Lawrence gave generously to the University to establish an endowment for the debate team and a professorial chair to teach forensics and work with the team —— which became the Lawrence Debate Union. The 1980's replaced the doldrums of the 1970's with a revitalized and successful debate team stressing education, competition, and service. Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s UVM has been a consistent top national competitor. Since the award was created five out of the eight East Region Debater of the Year awards have gone to UVM students. During this period UVM has national championships in Novice Debate. Junior varsity Debate, and Public Debate, and has placed as high as Third in Varsity Debate and as high as Fifth in the National Sweepstakes race. This is doubly impressive because the vast majority of our opponent schools have extensive scholarship programs for talented high school debaters and a substantially larger budget, while UVM has students with little or no high school experience and very high travel costs. Success in the 21st Century is possible through a community of students, staff, faculty, alumni volunteers, and friends.

ORGANIZATION OF THE LDU:

The LDU is an endowed, co-curricular program at the University of Vermont located within the Speech and Debate program of the Department of Theatre. It is directed by the Lawrence Professor of Forensics and coaches hired by the University.
Members of the LDU are UVM students enrolled in at least six hours of undergraduate study per semester and who are working toward a Bachelor's degree. Members are expected to attend meetings, participate meaningfully in one of the three LDU areas of emphasis, provide information to the coaching staff about academic schedules and standing, and follow through on voluntary verbal commitments.
The coaching staff is composed of debate experts who teach debate; explore issues, and coach students to win in competition and in life. They are overworked and underpaid.
The primary budget for the LDU is the income generated each year by the Lawrence Fund to Encourage and Develop Debating. It is our generous bequest from Mr. Lawrence, and as such, the LDU is responsible for the highest standards of good stewardship. It may or may not be completely spent in any given year, and unspent funds are rolled forward to the next year.
The Student Government Association also sponsors the LDU. A small sum of money each year is used to travel and to promote community debates. For these purposes, the LDU elects a student as S.G.A. Coordinator each year, and these funds are spent as directed by the S.G.A.

OUR ALUMNI SPEAKER - HE GAVE A SENIOR SPEECH 31 YEARS AGO

A. Gregory Rainville of St. Albans, Franklin County, was born in Burlington, Vermont in 1954. He graduated from Missisquoi Valley Union High School (Swanton, Vermont) in 1972. After earning a B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Vermont in 1977, he obtained his J.D. degree from the University of Toledo School of Law (Ohio) in 1980. While managing the family dairy farm he had purchased in 1981 (Franklin, Vermont), he entered private practice as a litigation associate with Tyler, Bruce and Brooks (St. Albans, Vermont) in 1984. In 1995, he established and managed Rainville & Associates, P.C., a civil litigation law firm (St. Albans, Vermont), until his appointment as District Court Judge on March 17, 2006. He served as an alternate member of the Vermont Environmental Board from 1999 to 2005.

2007-2008
DEBATERS

Carina Berg
Emily Barkdoll
Danielle Bauman
Julia Benjamin
Zach Burris
Lucas Caress
Nancy Fitzgerald
Mandy Frank
Kristance Harlow
Paul Heft
Ian Hochman-Reid
Arman Ismail
Jon Karlin
Stephanie Kimerer
Jacob Klein
Taylor Lalemand
Chris Lattuca
Candi Starr Marti
Madeline Murphy Hall
Sam Natale
Ethan Nelson
Karen Nelson
Hien Nguyen
Marnie Ritchie
Josid Ridolfo
Samuel Ricker
Jacqui Robbins
Alison Sheets
Joseph Torda
Chris Turgeon

COACHES

Nicole Colston, faculty
Jen Knops, alumna
Greta Lockwood, alumna
Helen Morgan Parmett, alumna
David Register, faculty
Alfred Snider, faculty
John Voight, faculty
…and others!
L. J. Palardy, Office Manager

2007-2008 TRAVEL

DEBATE TOURNAMENTS

UVM, Burlington, Vermont
UNLV, Las Vegas, Nevada
USMA, West Point, New York
Yale, New Haven, Connecticut
Wake Forest, Winston Salem, North Carolina
Univ. of Rochester, Rochester, New York
International Debate Academy, Slovenia
World Universities Peace Invitational Debates, Malaysia
Assumption University, Bangkok, Thailand
North Texas University, Denton, Texas
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
Baruch College, New York, New York
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York
Global Youth Debate Conclave, Bangalore, India
University of Miami, Miami, Florida
Towson University, Towson, Maryland
Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York
Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
Cape Cod College, Hyannis, Massachusetts
Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

MAJOR TEAM AWARDS

#1 Sweepstakes Winner
Northeast Universities 2007-2008 Sweepstakes

First Place – Frank & Murphy Hall
Cornell University

First Place – Turgeon & Barkdoll
Cape Cod College

Second Place – Caress & Latucca
Cape Cod College

Third Place – Ritchie & Heft
US Military Academy

Third Place – Latucca & Robbins
Cornell University

Third Place – Ricker & Klein
Cape Cod College

Fourth Place – Ritchie & Nelson
Cape Cod College

Fifth Place – Kimerer & Ritchie
Cornell University

Fifth Place – Ritchie & Latucca
Novice Nationals

Fifth Place – Ritchie & Harlow
Baruch College

Fifth Place – Karlin & Kimerer
University of Rochester

MAJOR INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

First Speaker – Lucas Caress
Global Youth Debate Conclave, Bangalore, India

First Speaker - Sam Natale
Northeast Regional Championship

First Speaker – Sam Ricker
Cape Cod College

First Speaker – Marnie Ritchie
Baruch College

Second Speaker – Sam Natale
Baruch College

Second Speaker – Lucas Caress
Northeast Regional Championships

Second Speaker – Jon Karlin
University of Rochester

Second Speaker – Stephanie Kimerer
Cornell University

Second Speaker – Kristance Harlow
Baruch College

Third Speaker – Jon Karlin
Huber Debates, University of Vermont

Third Speaker – Mandy Frank
Northeast Regional Championships

Third Speaker – Marnie Ritchie
Novice Nationals, Towson University

Third Speaker – Marnie Ritchie
Huber Debates, University of Vermont

Fourth Speaker – Madeline Murphy Hall
Baruch College

Fifth Speaker – Lucas Caress
Baruch College

Fifth Speaker – Madeline Murphy Hall
Northeast Regional Championships

Fifth Speaker – Amanda Frank
Cornell University

Fifth Speaker – Marnie Ritchie
US Military Academy

OTHER ACTIVITIES

FLASHPOINT
Weekly television show on Burlington Channel 15, Wed. 12:30 PM, Thur. 10:30 PM, Sat. 1 PM. 363 different shows so far. Now also available on the Internet.

WORLD DEBATE INSTITUTE
Four week intensive summer debate program held for over 20 summers.

DEBATE CENTRAL debate.uvm.edu
Rated #1 by Google! The Internet's largest and most complete resource for debate related instructional, theoretical, organizational, and reference material. 24,000 hits a day, used by 72 countries, at http://debate.uvm.edu/

THE VOICE OF EDWIN
Our weekly newsletter available to any and all. Let us know if you would like a mail or email subscription.

URBAN DEBATE LEAGUES
Working with 15 cities bringing debate teams to inner city high schools.

Thinking and Speaking a Better World
2nd International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment
Ljubljana, Slovenia. 80+ academic papers from 22 countries.

National Public Policy Forum
100+ high schools, national written and oral debate competition

International Debate Academy, Slovenia
One week debate camp, 21 countries in 2007

PARTNERSHIPS
Asian Studies Outreach Program, UVM
Cross Examination Debate Association
English Speaking Union, UK
Free Debate Club of Belgrade, Serbia
International Debate Education Association
Logos, Montenegro
National Debate Coaches Association
National Forensic League
Society of Associated Intertertiary Debaters, Singapore
Vermont Debate and Forensic League
Vermont Principals Association
World Debate Organization
Za in Proti, National Debate Program of Slovenia

FRIENDS OF THE LDU

Ken Barton, Thrifty Car Rental
Andrea Comtois, Theatre Dept.
Andrew Hendrickson, A&S Computing
Barbara Mercure, Facilities Scheduling
Jeff Modereger, Theatre Dept.
Wes Wright, CIT

PATRONS OF THE CAUSE
Andrea Amicangelo, PA
Sallie Chafer, WV
Mike Calore, CA
Nicholas Danigelis, UVM
Steve Dolley, DC
Glenn Ellingson, CA
Laura LaPierre Ellingson, CA
Aaron Fishbone, DC
Claudia Greenman, NJ
Matt Jokajtys, NY
Jethro Hayman & Cleopatra Jones, NY
Paul Kerr, DC
Erica Marthage, VT
John Meany, CA
Lindsey Melander, DC
Chuck Morton, MD
Col. Eric Nelson, VA
Kenan Osmanovic, NJ
Pam Peck, OR
David Poole, NY
Sam Press, VT
Jake Ricker-Gilbert, Washington, DC
Maxwell Schnurer, CA
Lori Sherman, Florida
Rae Lynn Schwartz, WA
Paula Skowron, RI
Bojana Skrt, Slovenia
Cheryl Wilson, VT
MANY OTHERS!

THANKS TO ALL THE ALUMNI WHO MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR FUND!

AWARDS

THE JACKSON SONNEBORN AWARD
Goes to the best first year student on the debate team. It recognizes an alumni whose dedication to debate even during his severe illness inspired the entire team.

Marnie Ritchie

THE EDWARD P. BUTLER PRIZES FOR ORATORY

Go to the students who have used their involvement in speech and debate activities to develop a personal voice and to change the world for the better.

Carina Berg
Taylor Lalemand
Chri Turgeon

THE ROBERT AND GEORGE LAWRENCE MEMORIAL PRIZES FOR DEBATING

Go to those students who have represented UVM in debate competition with distinction, and especially recognizes less experienced debaters who have achieved significant success.

Lucas Caress
Sam Natale
Sam Ricker
Joe Torda

THE ROBERT ASHTON LAWRENCE CLASS OF 1899 PRIZES FOR DEBATING

These prizes commemorate the founding of the UVM debate team in 1899 by Robert Ashton Lawrence, the brother of Edwin W. Lawrence. These prizes go to five debaters who have:
Represented UVM with distinction
Shown determination and hard work
Have helped others achieve success
The prizes are determined by a formula stipulated in the endowment

Amanda Frank
Stephanie Kimerer
Chris Latucca
Madeline Murphy Hall
Marnie Ritchie

WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER EDWIN LAWRENCE, WHO MADE WHAT WE DO A REALITY, ROBERT HUBER WHO COACHED FOR 49 YEARS AND TALKED LAWRENCE INTO IT AND TO ALL OF OUR ALUMNI WHO WE ARE VERY PROUD OF.

Alumni Support Humbles Students and Staff

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:36:52 -0400

ALUMNI LETTER CREATES RESULTS RIGHT AWAY

A few weeks ago at the Monday squad meeting the debaters were presented with several boxes of envelopes being sent out to alumni along with the latest alumni newsletter and a handy pledge card. The debaters went through and wrote a personal message on each one, thanking the alumni for creating the traditions we have and for remembering what debating has done for them. That personal touch seems to have helped in our attempts to reach out to alumni.

The response has been warming and impressive. I know that more notes and enclosures are on the way, and we appreciate that.

Why do we need alumni support? While we are proud of Edwin Lawrence’s support and the fact that the endowment he established will mean that there will always be a debate program at UVM, we have more opportunities and more challenges coming up. We now perform and compete on a global stage. We compete against the best in the world and we go to the hottest competitions in the world. It costs more to go to Oxford than to go to Philadelphia, but not that much more. A modest contribution will help a team debate at Oxford or other places. We also face rising costs, with airfares, gasoline, hotels and food all increasing in price. We have not increased our daily meal allowance in 25 years. We remain deply committed to policy debating and have a full slate of tournaments next year. Finally, with the College of Arts and Sciences no longer supporting a faculty position in Speech after next year, we need to begin putting together a funding plan for coaching and faculty presence as well. This will all take a lot of money, and we are humbled by you response so far. We promise to make every penny count, as we spend on the essentials and refuse to spend on luxuries.

Special thanks to Randy Wilson, senior development officer at UVM, for his hard work and support. For those of you considering a larger donation or a bequest, Randy is the guy to talk to at Randy.Wilson@uvm.edu .

==========================================
LDU Floats Tentative Travel Schedule for 2008-2009

The squad considered and approved an initial travel plan for 2008-2009. We may still add the WUPID in Malaysia and other local tournaments. The squad approved of not attending West Point because of their decision to not offer a worlds division and because of their lack of support for diverse formats. We want to attend regional tournaments where all of our students can go together.

SEPTEMBER 2008
27-28 Rochester policy, world all

OCTOBER 2008
4-6 Las Vegas policy 1-2
17-19 Hart House world
25-26 West Conn policy, world all

NOVEMBER 2008
1-3 Harvard policy 1
7-9 Oxford world 1
22-23 Binghamton policy, world all
15-17 Wake policy 1-2
14-15 Cambridge world 1 none
21-23 Queens, Canada world 3-4
23-30 Intl Debate Academy Slovenia world 2

DECEMBER 2008
5-7 Portland State world 1
27-4 Cork WUDC world 3

JANUARY 2009
3-6 UNorthTexas policy 2
7-9 UTexasDallas policy 2
31-1 Mass policy, world all

FEBRUARY 2009
14-15 Cornell policy, world all
28-1 Baruch policy world all

MARCH 2009
6-8 CSU San Bernadino world 1
CEDA Nats 2
27-30 NDT 1

APRIL 2009
3-5 USU at UVM world many all
10-11 Hobart Wm Smith world 1

==========================================
FROM THE SQUAD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
Banquet: April 27, early afternoon 1 PM. Waterman Manor is the preferred location. Stephanie wll coordinate the menu, Joe & Marnie will be hosts, Maddy-Karen-Marnie will do the collage, Tuna will do the banquet booklet. Menu was selected: chicken pesto, eggplant parmesan fruit salad, tomato mozarella salad, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli, and a cheesecake bar with fresh berries. Numbers in your party should be sent to Steffi on the debater listserv.
World Debate Institute: Students should make plans to attend the two week policy debate session and/or the one week worlds format session. No charge, but find your own housing. Dates: Policy workshop 24 July-August 7. Worlds workshop 27 July-August 2. Contact Tuna for details.
Phonathon: Planned for Friday MAY 2. More info to come.
Public Debate: This House regrets the Davis Center. April 24 7 PM. Posters coming. David & Nicole will coordinate.
Apparel: Candi showed a cool design and now we have two. Gather up your items to be printed. Cheao shirts and bags are available at Joanne Fabrics on Williston Road near the Grand Union.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK
WORLDS PREP:
Season is over.

POLICY PREP:
Season is over.

=======================================

FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 362 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Last taping: Saturday April 19. Topics: 361 21st Century Bullying; 362 Olympic Torch Goes to China. Thanks to Joe, Sam R, Steffi and Taylor.
Next taping: Sat. June 28. Please volunteer.  
More new shows coming soon for on-demand web viewing. New shows now available: 358 Democratic Train Wreck at http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/2008/03/358-democratic-train-wreck.html

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ALUMNI NEWS

SARAH LUNEAU
Time has passed and I still have not made our luncheon or a chat after the work day. I can take responsibility as I lost your business card with phone numbers.
I am interested in volunteering time to LDU. I am not sure what sort of jobs are help LDU might need but please keep me in mind. I would love to get involved.
Happy Earth Day.

MATT JOKAJTYS
I just wanted to drop you a quick note about the Pace Law First Year Moot Court Competition that took place today in White Plains. Out of 187 first year students in my class, I came in third! One of the most consistent comments I got from my judges was the question: "do you have some sort of professional speaking experience?" I was proud to tell them yes- I debated with the Lawrence Debate Union at the University of Vermont. Today made me stop and remember all the good times and I everything I learned from the LDU. I just wanted to say thanks.

ZOE ANDERSON
I hope you remember me, I've been thinking about you a lot lately.
I never said thank you for helping me buy my domain name, a week before I graduated. I doubt that you know what a profound difference that has made on what I've chosen to do.
Just that simple gesture, of showing me how easy it was to do that, had a snowball affect on everything else. I bought the domain name... didn't end up using that one in particular, but since you showed me how, I bought up a TON of them, one of which, SBXMagazine.com, turned out to be the new name of my business.
Yes... I am running a business now, a web-based magazine, with writers, photographers, artists, accountants, lawyers, you name it... we even have an INTERN!
Its been interesting to say the least. In one year, we've garnered a readership of 500, which ain't all bad. I'm now in the process of seeking big-time sponsorship for a documentary I plan to do on professional athletes on their way to the Olympics.
I never would have accomplished that without your help, and really, what I needed most was someone to show me that it could in fact be done.
I'm also working with Aspen Magazine as a freelance writer (just did an interview with a local, organic sorbet maker!)... and trying to get a job at as a financial services assistant to learn more about the financial side of running a business (lots to learn there).
My mother also asks of you every now and then and wonders if I keep in touch.
By the way, the new team looks like a great group of kids. Also, I heard that Ethan is going back to school for Speech Pathology! All good things!

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ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!

LDU is Busy Nine Time Zones Apart - From Europe to Oregon

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:50:13 -0400

UVM WINS BID TO HOLD 2009 US UNIVERSITIES DEBATE NATIONALS, ALL TEAMS BARELY MISS ELIMINATION ROUNDS, LDU HOSTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN EUROPE

Nine time zones apart, from Portland, Oregon to Ljubljana, Slovenia the LDU was busy last weekend in promoting debate and practicing the art of debating. As usual, there were some mixed results.

In Oregon the US Universities Debating Championship was held at Portland State University. Three teams entered the competition, including Lucas Caress and Joe Torda, Sam Natale and Sam Ricker as well as Madeline Murphy Hall and Mandy Frank. It was a “just missed” tournament for all of them. It took 11 points to reach the elimination rounds, and Lucas and Joe had 10 while the other two teams had 9. Lucas caress was the #11 speaker, just missing an award. The good news is that five of those six students will be back next year and will have a chance to make their mark. Special thanks go to Pam Peck who hosted the team, took them to a great Vietnamese restaurant and made them feel right at home. Pam was the first student recruited by Tuna at UVM and remains a solid bulwark of the program. The students commented that she fit in so well that it seemed like she never left. Because she hasn’t.

Good news from Portland was that UVM won the bid to host the 2009 US Universities Debating Championship. There was a very active competing bid from Colgate, but UVM pulled through after some vigorous deliberations. Thanks to everyone who supported us. We look forward to hosting this event in April of 2009. Our website is at http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/usu/Welcome.html

Meanwhile, another event was taking place in Europe. The Lawrence Debate Union and the World Debate Institute at UVM were one of the major organizers of the International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment, “Thinking and Speaking a Better World” held in Ljubljana, Slovenia on April 11-13 2008. Over 80 papers were presented by professionals and academics from over 22 countries. UVM has partnered with the Slovenian National Debate Program ZIP and their director Bojana Skrt, along with the National Institute of Education of the Republic of Slovenia. The conference had as patrons the president of Slovenia and the mayor of Ljubljana. The key note speakers included Frans van Eemeren of Amsterdam, the leading argumentation scholar in the world, Omar Salahuddin bin Abdullah of Malaysia, the father of Asian debating and Kate Shuster of Claremont Colleges, who is a leading pioneer in debate education and using active methods in the classroom.

One special feature was an all-star debate that took place after the closing ceremonies. The two government teams were composed of: 1st Sam Nelson of Cornell, Alex Just president of the Oxford Union UK, 2nd Alfred Snider, University of Vermont USA and Omar Salahuddin, Multimedi University Malaysia. The two opposition teams were composed of: 1st Candace WIlliams of Claremont, USA and Manolis Polychronides, Athens University Greece, 2nd Sam Greenland, University of Sydney Australia and Anna England Kerr, Ljubljana University Slovenia. The motion was, this House believes that testing is the enemy of learning. The video will be available soon.

The website is at http://debate.uvm.edu/betterworld.htm and full news, including the impressive program, can be found at http://betterworldconference.blogspot.com/ .

==========================================
FROM THE SQUAD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
Banquet: April 27, early afternoon. Waterman Manor is the preferred location. Stephanie wll coordinate the menu, Joe & Marnie will be hosts, Maddy-Karen-Marnie will do the collage, Tuna will do the banquet booklet. Menu was selected: chicken pesto, eggplant parmesan fruit salad, tomato mozarella salad, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli, and a cheesecake bar with fresh berries. Numbers in your party should be sent to Steffi on the debater listserv.
World Debate Institute: Students should make plans to attend the two week policy debate session and/or the one week worlds format session. No charge, but find your own housing. Dates: Policy workshop 24 July-August 7. Worlds workshop 27 July-August 2. Contact Tuna for details.
Phonathon: Planned for Friday MAY 2. More info to come.
Public Debate: This House regrets the Davis Center. April 24 7 PM. Posters coming. David & Nicole will coordinate.
Apparel: Candi showed a cool design and now we have two. Gather up your items to be printed. Cheao shirts and bags are available at Joanne Fabrics on Williston Road near the Grand Union.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK
WORLDS PREP:
Season is over, but there may be a practice debate anyway on Thursday at 6:15 PM.

POLICY PREP:
Season is over.

=======================================

FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 360 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Last taping: Saturday March 22 2 PM. Topics: 359 Kosovo independence; 360 National ID card. Panelists: Sam R, Tuna, Jacob.
Next taping: Sat. April 19. Plese volunteer. We have the studio from 3-5 PM. 
New shows now available: 358 Democratic Train Wreck at http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/2008/03/358-democratic-train-wreck.html

=======================================
LDU TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2007-2008

DATES TOURN FORMATS TEAMS
TRAVEL SCHEDULE NOW COMPLETED
============================================
ALUMNI NEWS

BOB SADDLER
Got the newsletter. Edwin would be proud! When are you going to be in miami are you going? If so when what date? Would like to see you if possible. Keep fighting the fight! You rock.

LAURA ELLINGSON
Proud of you and the squad! Loving my first sabbatical. Glenn is doing great. Please do not let them call me “Mrs. Glenn” - drives me nuts!

===========================================
ALL-STAR EXHIBITION DEBATE IN SLOVENIA | TUNA AND BOJANA WITH LJUBLJANA MAYOR

ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!

Team Gets Humbled at Hobart & William Smith Round Robin

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 09:54:53 -0400

DIFFICULT FIELD, YOUNG DEBATERS AND A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

The Hobart and William Smith Colleges round robin is only in its second year, but it is already a feature event in North American worlds format competition. Sixteen top teams were invited and a mighty debate struggle took place. The top teams were on hand and UVM was glad to be invited.
Representing were Sam Natale and Chris Turgeon. Because of academic and travel schedules other, more experienced, debaters could not attend, but the two put up a good fight and learned from the best. The hospitality was excellent, the food tasty and the arrangements were punctual and efficient. The judging pool was excellent. While Harvard and Claremont finished in the top two places, it was the strength of the Canadian and British teams that amazed everyone. After a clean sweep at Cape Cod this was a wake up call. In five preliminary debates the team finished third once and fourth four times. There were encouraging moments of interaction with judges, especially Ian Lising, that were excellent learning opportunities.
Congratulations to Sam and Chris for stepping up to the challenge.
SEE LDU PHOTOS AT http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/LDU/07-08_Photos.html

======================================
US UNIVERSITIES NATIONALS IN PORTLAND, OREGON IS NEXT

Nicole Colston and David Register will take three teams to Portland State this weekend. Madeline Murphy Hall and Amanda Frank, Sam Natale and Sam Ricker and Joe Torda and Lucas Caress will attend. The tournament will feature a public speaking contest, six prelim debates followed by quarterfinals, a reception and a dance. UVM hopes to do well n the debating part, but most certainly will triumph at the dance. Last year Shane Clark and Jake Meany reached the semifinals in debate.

==========================================
LDU PART OF ORGANIZING MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

The Lawrence Debate Union and the World Debate Institute at UVM will be an important organizer of the upcoming International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment, “Thinking and Speaking a Better World” to be held in Ljubljana, Slovenia on April 11-13 2008. Over 80 papers will be presented by professionals and academics from over 22 countries. UVM has partnered with the Slovenian National Debate Program ZIP and their director Bojana Skrt, along with the National Institute of Education of the Republic of Slovenia. The conference has as patrons the president of Slovenia and the mayor of Ljubljana. The key note speakers include Frans van Eemeren of Amsterdam, the leading argumentation scholar in the world, Omar Salahuddin bin Abdullah of Malaysia, the grandfather of Asian debating and Kate Shuster of Claremont Colleges, who is a leading pioneer in debate education and using active methods in the classroom.

The website is at http://debate.uvm.edu/betterworld.htm and full news, including the tentative program, can be found at http://betterworldconference.blogspot.com/ .

==========================================
FROM THE SQUAD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
Portland: Joe-Lucas, Maddy-Mandy, Sam R-Sam N, with Nicole and David. Flight details have been sent out. Leave from the office at 1 PM Thursday. Mandy will prepare a packet.
Banquet date set: April 27, early afternoon. Waterman Manor is the preferred location. Stephanie wll coordinate the menu, Joe & Marnie will be hosts, Maddy-Karen-Marnie will do the collage, Tuna will do the banquet booklet. Menu was selected: chicken pesto, eggplant parmesan fruit salad, tomato mozarella salad, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli, and a cheesecake bar with fresh berries. Numbers in your party should be sent to Steffi on the debater listserv.
World Debate Institute: Students should make plans to attend the two week policy debate session and/or the one week worlds format session. No charge, but find your own housing. Dates: Policy workshop 24 July-August 7. Worlds workshop 27 July-August 2. Contact Tuna for details.
Phonathon: Planned for Friday MAY 9. More info to come.
Public Debate: This House regrets the Davis Center. April 24 7 PM. Posters coming. David & Nicole will coordinate.
Other Events: Board of Trustees on socially responsible investment Thursday 3:30 Billings North Lounge, Karen is looking for Sudan activists, Emily has a rally for life she is involved in, Helen is involved in the Walk to End MS and is looking for sponsors, and Tuna became one.
Apparel: Candi showed a cool design and now we have two. Gather up your items to be printed. Cheao shirts and bags are available at Joanne Fabrics on Williston Road near the Grand Union.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK
WORLDS PREP:
Wednesday 8:15 PM Practice debate for those going to Portland for US Universities Nationals. Speak twice if possible.
Briefs due: Kenya-Carina, Mortgage bail-out-Sam N, Palestine Politics-Joe, Beijing human rights and Olympics, Corporate bail-outs-Sam R, Foreign aid good bad-Mandy.

POLICY PREP:
Season is over.

=======================================

FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 358 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Last taping: Saturday March 22 2 PM. Topics: 359 Kosovo independence; 360 National ID card. Panelists: Sam R, Tuna, Jacob.
Next taping: Sat. April 19. 
New shows now available: 358 Democratic Train Wreck at http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/2008/03/358-democratic-train-wreck.html

=======================================
LDU TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2007-2008

DATES TOURN FORMATS TEAMS
Apr 12-13 US Universities WF 3
============================================
ALUMNI NEWS

KENAN OSMANOVIC
Dropped by Huber House to let us know that he is finishing up med school and will be doing his residency in psychiatry at the Rutgers Medical Center in New Jersey. Congratulations, future doctor Osmanovic, and you look great!

LORI SHERMAN
Ok Its official I am finally coming home to Vermont. After not visiting for like 3 years... I will arrive June 26th I checked your calendar and there is nothing on it so far. So pencil me in for that day if possible

===========================================
CHRIS T & SAM N IN STYLE THIS WEEKEND | KENAN OSMANOVIC VISITS

ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!

Top Four Teams and Top Five Speakers at Cape Cod College

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 09:58:28 -0400

YOUNG DEBATERS LEAD THE WAY, SAM RICKER & LUCAS CARESS TOP TWO SPEAKERS

It was a small tournament and there were a lot of younger debaters there, but that was fine for the Vermont debaters, as the veterans led the way and the younger debaters took the challenge and brought home a victory. The green team was glad to visit Cape Cod College and show support for Lisa Heller Boragine, an LDU alumna, as she builds her program. Based on the reactions of the administration and the faculty to the tournament, there is building support for her efforts to field a bigger team.
The final round saw four UVM teams represented, the first clean sweep we have been involved with. Some joked that it almost seemed like a practice debate. After five preliminary rounds the top teams were first seed Lucas Caress & Chris Latucca, second seed Emily Barkdoll & Chris Turgeon, third seed Sam Ricker & Jacob Klein, and the fourth seed was Marnie Ritchie & Karen Nelson. In the finals it ended up with first place going to Emily & Chris, second to Lucas & Chris, third to Sam & Jacob and fourth to Marnie & Karen. Emily Barkdoll was a tournament champion at her first ever worlds format tournament and Chris Turgeon at his second worlds format tournament. Both had previously been to one policy tournament. Congratulations should also go to Chris Latucca and Marnie Ritchie on their success at their first ever worlds tournament, and Jacob Klein at only his second.
Speaker awards were another strong area for the LDU. The ever charming Sam Ricker walked away with the top speaker award, edging out Lucas Caress (second) who was recently top speaker at the Global Youth Debate Conclave in India. Chris Turgeon was the third speaker, Marnie Rithie the fourth and Emily Barkdoll the fifth. Jacob Klein was seventh and Chris Latucca eighth.
Jay Kim and Pat Gorman also were there to represent and had a learning experience. Mandy Frank went along to judge and provide moral support, and did it well. Marnie Ritchie also served as van driver for the weekend. Alfred Snider tabbed the tournament and cheered.
There was a demonstration debate in the beginning featuring students from Vermont, St. John’s NY and Cape Cod College, and even Tuna debated, on the motion “This House would abolish nuclear weapons.” Motions for the competition included the following topics:  This House would deny scarce medical resources to terminally ill patients.  This House believes that governments should never rescue failing private industry.  This House believes that the keeping of pets in private homes should be illegal.  This House would boycott the opening ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics. This House would permit the death penalty in some cases.  Finals: This House believes that civil disobedience is an important part of a democratic society.
You can see the demo debate at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1218208946020354847 You can see the final round at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-606056901394933838
SEE LDU PHOTOS AT http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/LDU/07-08_Photos.html

======================================
WATCH VERMONT DEBATE LIBERTY TUESDAY NIGHT

Madeline Murphy Hall and Sam Natale fly to Miami to participate in a global webcast at the University of Miami. The program is called “We the Students” and features debaters from all over the nation facing off on important issues. The website is http://ostnwethestudents.miami.edu/ . You might want to remember the website, because on April 1 you will be able, starting at 9 PM ET, to watch the debate live. The debate will involve Liberty University as our opponents and abortion as the topic. UVM will defend the pro-choice side of the issue. The program is sponsored by the University of Miami Ethics program and is funded by a grant from Adrienne Arsht.

Nicole Colston will host a viewing party in Lafayette 308 at 9 PM using the full screen projector.

==========================================
LDU PART OF ORGANIZING MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

The Lawrence Debate Union and the World Debate Institute at UVM will be an important organizer of the upcoming International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment, “Thinking and Speaking a Better World” to be held in Ljubljana, Slovenia on April 11-13 2008. Over 80 papers will be presented by professionals and academics from over 22 countries. UVM has partnered with the Slovenian National Debate Program ZIP and their director Bojana Skrt, along with the National Institute of Education of the Republic of Slovenia. The conference has as patrons the president of Slovenia and the mayor of Ljubljana. The key note speakers include Frans van Eemeren of Amsterdam, the leading argumentation scholar in the world, Omar Salahuddin bin Abdullah of Malaysia, the grandfather of Asian debating and Kate Shuster of Claremont Colleges, who is a leading pioneer in debate education and using active methods in the classroom.

The website is at http://debate.uvm.edu/betterworld.htm and full news, including the tentative program, can be found at http://betterworldconference.blogspot.com/ .

====================================== 

UVM JOINS TOP TEAMS AT HOBART & WILLIAM SMITH ROUND-ROBIN

Hobart and William Smith Colleges are once again holding their elite round robin tournament and have invited sixteen top international teams to debate in the worlds format, and for the first time Vermont is included. Held the first weekend in April, the plush tournament will feature strong competition and excellent hospitality. The list includes sixteen teams that will debate each other: Amherst College, The Claremont Colleges, Colgate University, Cornell University, Harvard University, McGill University, Oxford University, Portland State University, Queens University, Swarthmore College, University of Alaska, University of LaVerne, University of Toronto, University of Vermont, Vassar College and Yale University.

==========================================
FROM THE SQUAD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
Portland: Joe-Lucas, Maddy-Mandy, Sam R-Sam N, with Nicole and David. Flight details have been sent out.
Banquet date set: April 27, early afternoon. Waterman Manor is the preferred location. Stephanie wll coordinate the menu, Joe & Marnie will be hosts, Maddy-Karen-Marnie will do the collage, Tuna will do the banquet booklet.
World Debate Institute: Students should make plans to attend the two week policy debate session and/or the one week worlds format session. No charge, but find your own housing. Dates: Policy workshop 24 July-August 7. Worlds workshop 27 July-August 2. Contact Tuna for details.
Phonathon: Planned for Friday MAY 9. More info to come.
Public Debate: In April, on the Davis Center. Volunteers needed.
Other Events: Sudan Week March April 11, see Karen for details; Darfur Now film showing Tuesday at 9 PM in SIlver Maple Ballroom in David Center. Nicole is inviting people to come be audience critics for student environmental adocacy presentations Tuesday and Thursday at 11 AM in her class.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK
WORLDS PREP:
Thursday 6:15 PM Practice debate for those going to Portland for US Universities Nationals. Jacob and David will fill in.
Sunday 1 PM - debate speeches for anyone who shows up!
Briefs due: Kenya-Carina, Mortgage bail-out-Sam N, Palestine Politics-Joe, Beijing human rights and Olympics, Corporate bail-outs-Sam R, Foreign aid good bad-Mandy.

POLICY PREP:
Season is over.

=======================================

FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 358 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Last taping: Saturday March 22 2 PM. Topics: 359 Kosovo independence; 360 National ID card. Panelists: Sam R, Tuna, Jacob.
Next taping: Sat. April 19. 
New shows now available: 358 Democratic Train Wreck at http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/2008/03/358-democratic-train-wreck.html

=======================================
LDU TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2007-2008

DATES TOURN FORMATS TEAMS
Aoril 1 Miami Internet Debate 1
APR 5-6 Hobart & Wm. Smith WF 1
Apr 12-13 US Universities WF 3
============================================
ALUMNI NEWS

LISA HELLER BORAGINE
Reports that she is expecting her second child in September.

MATT MANDEL AND WIFE TIA SHOW OFF OFFSPRING
Tia and I had a baby girl (well, mainly Tia) in December - Hannah Miriam Mandel - photo attached.

===========================================

MATT, TIA & HANNAH MANDEL | VERMONT DEBATERS WAIT FOR DECISION AT CAPE COD

ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!

Policy Season Ends at CEDA Nationals

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:23:37 -0400

MISSING ELIM ROUNDS, BUT PAVING THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE

Two teams went with David Register and Nicole Colston to Wichita State University in Kansas. Although the tournament has been shrinking in terms of size and the number of schools attending, 185 teams were there this time for quite a spirited contest.
As in any year following the graduation of eight seniors, this year’s team at CEDA did have a young look to it. Senior Stephanie Kimerer led the team in experience this time, and put in a strong performance. Debating with novice Chris Latucca, at his first varsity tournament, they finished 4-4 and out of the running, but felt good about their performance. The all-novice team of Marnie Ritchie and Kristance Harlow had an incredibly difficult draw and finished 2-6, but felt good about their performances if not so good about two of the decisions by judges, but that comes with the territory. The younger debaters watched the elimination rounds and emerged excited and ready for the challenges of next year, with a new topic and new arguments.
“The debaters all showed a lot of focus and a thirst for learning,” said David Register, “and I know that Nicole and I are excited about coaching them next year to what we feel will be a much better record. The point is that they came here to learn and they did so. I was especially pleased by Chris’ performance.”
Pictures will be coming later.
SEE LDU PHOTOS AT http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/LDU/07-08_Photos.html

======================================

LDU PART OF ORGANIZING MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

The Lawrence Debate Union and the World Debate Institute at UVM will be an important organizer of the upcoming International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment, “Thinking and Speaking a Better World” to be held in Ljubljana, Slovenia on April 11-13 2008. Over 80 papers will be presented by professionals and academics from over 22 countries. UVM has partnered with the Slovenian National Debate Program ZIP and their director Bojana Skrt, along with the National Institute of Education of the Republic of Slovenia. The conference has as patrons the president of Slovenia and the mayor of Ljubljana. The key note speakers include Frans van Eemeren of Amsterdam, the leading argumentation scholar in the world, Omar Salahuddin bin Abdullah of Malaysia, the grandfather of Asian debating and Kate Shuster of Claremont Colleges, who is a leading pioneer in debate education and using active methods in the classroom.

The website is at http://debate.uvm.edu/betterworld.htm and full news, including the tentative program, can be found at http://betterworldconference.blogspot.com/ .

======================================  TEAM PREPARES FOR MIAMI INTERNET DEBATE

Madeline Murphy Hall and Sam Natale will fly to Miami at the end of the month to participate in a global webcast at the University of Miami. The program is called “We the Students” and features debaters from all over the nation facing off on important issues. The website is http://ostnwethestudents.miami.edu/ . You might want to remember the website, because on April 1 you will be able, starting at 9 PM ET, to watch the debate live. The debate will involve Liberty University as our opponents and abortion as the topic. UVM will defend the pro-choice side of the issue. The program is sponsored by the University of Miami Ethics program and is funded by a grant from Adrienne Arsht.

==========================================

UVM JOINS TOP TEAMS AT HOBART & WILLIAM SMITH ROUND-ROBIN

Hobart and William Smith Colleges are once again holding their elite round robin tournament and have invited sixteen top international teams to debate in the worlds format, and for the first time Vermont is included. Held the first weekend in April, the plush tournament will feature strong competition and excellent hospitality. The list includes sixteen teams that will debate each other: Amherst College, The Claremont Colleges, Colgate University, Cornell University, Harvard University, McGill University, Oxford University, Portland State University, Queens University, Swarthmore College, University of Alaska, University of LaVerne, University of Toronto, University of Vermont, Vassar College and Yale University.

==========================================

FROM THE SQUAD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
SGA PRESIDENT: Mike Glynne dropped by to campaign for LDU student votes and answered questions.
Cape Cod: Marnie & Karen, Sam R Jacob, Chris T & Emily, Chris L & Lucas. Mandy will go to judge. Leave the debate office at 4 PM Friday. .
Portland: Joe-Lucas, Maddy-Mandy, Sam R-Sam N, with Nicole and David. Flight details have been sent out.
Miami: Maddy & Sam N meet with Tuna about arguments 5 PM Thursday.
Banquet date set: April 27, early afternoon. Waterman Manor is the preferred location. Stephanie wll coordinate the menu, Joe & Marnie will be hosts, Maddy-Karen-Marnie will do the collage, Tuna will do the banquet booklet.
World Debate Institute: Students should make plans to attend the two week policy debate session and/or the one week worlds format session. No charge, but find your own housing. Dates: Policy workshop 24 July-August 7. Worlds workshop 27 July-August 2. Contact Tuna for details.
Phonathon: Planned for Friday April 18. More info to come.
Public Debate: In April, on the David Center. Volunteers needed.
Other Events: Sudan Week March April 11, see Karen for details; Failing States Conference Thursday John Dewey Lounge, What USA Can Learn from Finland, with US Senator Sanders, Monday 31 March 10:30 AM Memorial Lounge.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK
WORLDS PREP:
Thursday 6:15 PM drills
Briefs due next Monday: Kenya-Carina, Mortgage bail-out-Sam N, Palestine Politics-Joe, Beijing human rights and Olympics, Corporate bail-outs-Sam R, National ID-Emily, Foreign aid good bad-Mandy, National medical & college coverage-Karen.

POLICY PREP:
Season is over.

=======================================

FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 358 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Last taping: Saturday March 22 2 PM. Topics: 359 Kosovo independence; 360 National ID card. Panelists: Sam R, Tuna, Jacob.
Next taping: Sat. April 19. 
New shows now available: 358 Democratic Train Wreck at http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/2008/03/358-democratic-train-wreck.html

=======================================
LDU TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2007-2008

DATES TOURN FORMATS TEAMS
Mar 29-30 Cape Cod WF 3-4
Aoril 1 Miami Internet Debate 1
APR 5-6 Hobart & Wm. Smith WF 1
Apr 12-13 US Universities WF 1-2
============================================
ALUMNI NEWS

JILL WITNEY
Was in town to introduce us to Fredrik, her fiance. See picture below.
I want to thank you - it was wonderful to spend time with you last Tuesday. I've missed you! I'm so glad you had an open spot in your schedule. Fredrik just headed back to Stockholm - I am so glad he got to meet you. He always listens to my stories about you, and now he knows why I like you so much. You're so great, Tuna! I admire how you find a balance of everything in your life.
And, ps, I've attached a picture of us, Fredrik thought it looks very "Dr.Who". (We're at the ice bar in Stockholm, but could be outer space.)
Have a wonderful exciting busy April, and a wonderful trip to Bangladesh.

NICK LANDSMAN-ROOS AND LESLIE KELLER
Nick has been hanging out in Burlington during his spring break. He loves that open wifi at Huber House! He and Leslie say hello to everyone! See picture below.

MAXWELL SCHNURER
Is going up for tenure next year and fels good about it, at Humboldt State in California.

===========================================

Jill Witney with fiance Fredrik | Leslie Keller & Nick Landsman-Roos

ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!

Vermont Team Top Performers in India

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 07:35:46 -0400

LUCAS CARESS TOP SPEAKER, TEAM IMPRESSES WORLD FIELD

They came from all over the world to India. From Afghanistan, from Cambridge, from Slovakia, from Africa, from the Czech Republic from all over India, and many points in between. They had all come to Bangalore, India to take part in the Global Youth Debate Conclave 2008 held at the Indian Institute on Planning and Management. But the big dog was from little Burlington, Vermont, from a place called Huber House and an organization known worldwide in the last few years - the Lawrence Debate Union. Lucas Caress was the crowd and judge favorite and was named top speaker at the event.
Joseph Torda and Lucas Caress represented the USA and the LDU. They took part in three days of debating in formats that were new to them and in surroundings that were strange to them, but the debating is still the same -- make arguments, answer arguments, persuade the audience and the judges. And they did that. With the theme of the event being climate change, the debaters arrived having completed rigorous preparation and reading voluminously on the long flights that took them more than half-way around the world.
The pair engaged in three different types of competitions, got to tour and experience this beautiful part of India and made many friends among the global attendees. They report that the debates are spirited, the students very intelligent and that the social life is active and fun. They also claim to be the best dancers among the attendees, but no formal competition was held in that event.
Joe and Lucas entertained the Monday night squad meeting with their stories of their trip and will have more to report later, but it was obviously a life-changing journey and one that they emerged from feeling a lot of pride in their performances.
SEE LDU PHOTOS AT http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/LDU/07-08_Photos.html

======================================

POLICY TEAM PREPARES TO FINISH SEASON AT CEDA NATIONALS

The policy debaters are getting ready for their season ending trip to Wichita, Kansas to attend the Cross Examination Debate Association National Championship Tournament this weekend. The event will feature about 190 teams from all over America in what has become one of the biggest debate weekends of any year.

David Register and Nicole Colston will be leading two teams into the fray, Stephanie Kimerer and Chris Lattuca along with Marnie Ritchie and Kristance Harlow. They leave on Thursday and return next Monday. All squad members will be fueling the good vibes during the weekend as well as being on standby for urgent research assistance.

======================================  TEAM PREPARES FOR MIAMI INTERNET DEBATE

Madeline Murphy Hall and Sam Natale will fly to Miami at the end of the month to participate in a global webcast at the University of Miami. The program is called “We the Students” and features debaters from all over the nation facing off on important issues. The website is http://ostnwethestudents.miami.edu/ . You might want to remember the website, because on April 1 you will be able, starting at 9 PM ET, to watch the debate live. The debate will involve Liberty University as our opponents and abortion as the topic. UVM will defend the pro-choice side of the issue. The program is sponsored by the University of Miami Ethics program and is funded by a grant from Adrienne Arsht.

==========================================

UVM JOINS TOP TEAMS AT HOBART & WILLIAM SMITH ROUND-ROBIN

Hobart and William Smith Colleges are once again holding their elite round robin tournament and have invited sixteen top international teams to debate in the worlds format, and for the first time Vermont is included. Held the first weekend in April, the plush tournament will feature strong competition and excellent hospitality. UVM will be represented by Mandy Frank (Cornell tournament champion) and Sam Natale (second speaker at Baruch, top speaker at Northeast Debating Championships). The list includes sixteen teams that will debate each other: Amherst College, The Claremont Colleges, Colgate University, Cornell University, Harvard University, McGill University, Oxford University, Portland State University, Queens University, Swarthmore College, University of Alaska, University of LaVerne, University of Toronto, University of Vermont, Vassar College and Yale University.

==========================================

FROM THE SQUAD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
CEDA Nats: Nicole, David, Kristance & Marnie depart Thursday morning from the office at 7:30 AM. Chris and Steffi depart at 10:30 AM. All will return together. Make sure your judge prefs are properly done.
Cape Cod: Lucas, Joe, Karen, Marnie, Sam R, Carina, Chris T, Jacob, Emily and Mandy want to go.
Portland: Joe-Lucas, Maddy-Mandy, Sam R-Sam N, with Nicole and David. Flight details have been sent out.
Banquet date set: April 27, early afternoon. Waterman Manor is the preferred location. Stephanie wll coordinate the menu, Joe & Marnie will be hosts, Maddy-Karen-Marnie will do the collage, Tuna will do the banquet booklet.
World Debate Institute: Students should make plans to attend the two week policy debate session and/or the one week worlds format session. No charge, but find your own housing.
Phonathon: Planned for Friday April 18. More info to come.
Public Debate: In April, on the David Center. Volunteers needed.
Endorsement: No SGA president candidate was endorsed. We hope the other candidate will visit.
Sudan Week: March April 11, see Karen for details.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK
WORLDS PREP:
Thursday 6:15 PM practice debate

POLICY PREP:
Tuesday 12:30-5:30 visit Nicole
Wednesday 6 and on with David & Nicole

=======================================

FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 358 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Next taping: Saturday March 22 2 PM. Topics: Kosovo independence; National ID card. Panelists: Sam R, Tuna, Jacob, Joe, maybes are Taylor & Sam N. Meet at Huber House at 1:30 PM.  
New shows now available: 358 Democratic Train Wreck at http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/2008/03/358-democratic-train-wreck.html

=======================================
LDU TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2007-2008

DATES TOURN FORMATS TEAMS
Mar 20-24 CEDA Nats Wichita CEDA 2
Mar 29-30 Cape Cod WF 3-4
Aoril 1 Miami Internet Debate 1
APR 5-6 Hobart & Wm. Smith WF 1
Apr 12-13 US Universities WF 1-2
============================================
ALUMNI NEWS

SARAH GREEN
Her son Jackson Matthew Green was born 6:50 PM Friday March 7 and weighed in at 6 pounds 15.5 ounces. The whole family is at home doing well. Sarah writes: “I pushed him out WITHOUT an epidural! It was CRAZY!” See picture below, one of which includes Alumna Megan Harlow, now a Kansas State coach.

JILL WITNEY
I miss you.
I'm coming to town with my fiance - I'd really like to introduce him to you.
And it's been way too long - I want to hear all about your South Asia trip. And I bet there's lots of other tales I'd love to hear.

NICK LANDSMAN-ROOS
Is coming to town and wants to visit and talk about the future (which is a very big place).

JUDGE GREGORY RAINVILLE
Thanks for your generous donation to the LDU!

MATTHEW JOKAJTYS
I've been getting all the Voice of Edwin emails and I am glad to hear about the LDU's recent success in India. I certainly miss the LDU- staying home every weekend and writing briefs is not nearly as exciting as braving snow storms in vans and competing across the Northeast. I'm actually also in the process of applying for summer internships.

RAE LYNN SCHWARTZ-DUPRE
Is involved in the Women’s Debate Institute. See http://www.womensdebateinstitute.org/ .

===========================================

Alfred Snider, Megan Harlow, Sarah Green with Jackson | Sarah Green with Jackson

ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!

Third Speaker, Fifth Place at Novice Nationals

Tue, 4 Mar 2008 07:57:16 -0500

TOUGH ROAD TRIP, BUT POLICY PROGRAM SHOWS ITS STUFF

It is a long drive to Baltimore from Burlington, and many generations of Vermont debaters have made that drive, because at the end of it is the policy debate Junior Varsity and Novice National Championships held this year (as they often have been) at Towson University. In at least six of those trips the LDU has won a national title, but it was not to be this year. But, we always seem to be in the running.
However, it must be recognized that the squad had an excellent performance once again. With three teams entered in the novice division, with coaches Nicole Colston and David Register along, and with experienced debaters Stephanie Kimerer and Josid Ridolfo along as support, the group posted a good performance. The top team of Marnie Ritchie and Chris Latucca posted a 5-2 record and Marnie was recognized as the #3 novice debater in the nation, even after one judge took points off of her score for “beating the other team too much.” Marnie joins a long list of outstanding LDU debaters who have placed in the top five at the tournament in the past, including top speakers Giacomo Landi and Lindsey Melander. They received a bye through the double octafinal round. In the octafinals they debated Liberty University and came away with a 3-0 victory. Unfortunately, they lost in the quarterfinals (this time to eventual national champion Liberty BW) on a 3-0 decision based on topicality. While disappointed, the two students were happy with what they did. Chris Latucca especially showed excellence since he has only been involved in the team for this semester. For other teams it was a learning experience. Kristance Harlow debated with raw beginner Karen Nelson and went 2-5. Two new debaters, in their first policy tournament ever, Chris Turgeon and Emily Barkdoll, fought hard and represented ... and they will get them next time!
Special thanks to everlasting LDU supporter Sallie Chafer who brought her famous chocolate angel food cake with Bailey’s Irish Creme frosting to the needy students. It may be the best cake in the world. Even in darkest Baltimore the light of friendship shines on Vermont debate.
We also want to give thanks for the safe return from this long trip. It is so difficult to leave a tough elimination round day and then drive eleven hours back to Vermont, but it was done and done safely. Fortunately weather was not a problem.

SEE MANY PHOTOS AT http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/LDU/07-08_Photos.html

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JOE AND LUCAS GO TO INDIA
Joe Torda and Lucas Caress have left for Bangalore, India. They will attend the Global Youth Debate Conclave, a three-day event at the Indian Institute for Planning and Management. Here is the weather forecast for Bangalore provided by host Ninfa Chacko, “Weather: Bangalore weather currently is pleasant with a high of 30 degrees C and a low of 16 degrees C with mostly clear skies and low humidity. Light clothing should be fine. Please carry a pair of formals for the debate conclave.” Joe confesses that he went down to the thrift store and bought some excellent clothing for his formal attire.
Lucas and Joe have prepared for debating the following topics:
E-waste is a global challenge and it requires global solutions
Bio fuel is the best answer to a greener planet
Ocean Desalination can solve the world's fresh water shortage
Economic growth at the expense of environmental damage is justified by the need to feed the rising world population
Tax incentives should be given for green living
They will have a full report with pictures when they return.

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UVM JOINS TOP INTERNATIONAL TEAMS AT HOBART & WILLIAM SMITH ROUND-ROBIN

Hobart and William Smith Colleges are once again holding their elite round robin tournament and have invited sixteen top international teams to debate in the worlds format, and for the first time Vermont is included. Held the first weekend in April, the plush tournament will feature strong competition and excellent hospitality. UVM will be represented by Mandy Frank (Cornell tournament champion) and Sam Natale (second speaker at Baruch, top speaker at Northeast Debating Championships). The list includes sixteen teams that will debate each other: Amherst College, The Claremont Colleges, Colgate University, Cornell University, Harvard University, McGill University, Oxford University, Portland State University, Queens University, Swarthmore College, University of Alaska, University of LaVerne, University of Toronto, University of Vermont, Vassar College and Yale University. 
FROM THE SQUAD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
James Taylor, candidate for SGA president came to seek our support. It was decided to invite the other candidate to come to our first meeting after break. Representatives of GATHERING OF THE MINDS dropped in to thank the LDU for support of their activities to raise awareness about UVM investments in war profiteering companies and livable wages for UVM employees. They invited people to come to the John Dewey Lounge Thursday at 7 PM to meet with members of the board of trustees. LDU director Snider has also assisted them in putting together a listserv to keep the momentum going.
LDU APPAREL NEWS: With free printing, people should buy their own items and then give them to Carina for printing. Thanks to Kayce Massey for helping out on this project.
GOING TO CAPE COD: LDU alumna Lisa Boragine is hosting a worlds format tournament and we are going! Younger debaters especially are encouraged to go!

MEETINGS THIS WEEK
WORLDS PREP:
Thursday 6:15 PM exercise and drill with Tuna

POLICY PREP:
Takes the week off in order to catch up on academics.

=======================================

FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 357 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Next taping: Saturday March 8 3 PM. Topics: Kosovo independence; TBA. Panelists: Sam R, Tuna and TBA.  
New shows now available: 356 - Putin - Person of the Year? also 357 - Race, Gender and the Election

=======================================
LDU TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2007-2008

DATES TOURN FORMATS TEAMS
Mar 6-7 IIPM Bangalore India WF 1
Mar 20-24 CEDA Nats Wichita CEDA 2
Mar 29-30 Cape Cod WF 3-4
APR 5-6 Hobart & Wm. Smith WF 1
Apr 12-13 US Universities WF 1-2
============================================
ALUMNI NEWS

JESSICA ATKINS
I'm getting married in May to a navy officer! I just quit my job and, after 10 years practicing law (at firms and in-house) in NYC, I'm moving back to Washington, D.C. I should be moving there around the last week in March. I'm taking off the rest of the time before the wedding, I'll start looking for work after the honeymoon.
The ironic thing is that I met him at the wedding of my former roommate from the UVM dorms! Life is funny . . .
Do you know any former Edwinites that are in DC these days?
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India bound - Lucas Caress & Joe Torda | Fifth in the nation - Marnie Ritchie & Chris Latucca with pal

ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!

WOW! Vermont Wins Season Worlds Sweepstakes, Many Awards

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:31:55 -0500

BINGHAMTON TOURNAMENT FULL OF MANY ADVENTURES

It was a weekend of adventures, triumphs and challenges as Vermont debate attended the Northeast Championships at Binghamton University. It was a challenge for everyone as the crew set out (once again) in the middle of a snowstorm for a long drive through the heart of the blizzard. No doubt many alumni reading this can remember similar white-knuckled trips during their time. The solution was to drive slowly and with caution and both vans made it safely. It was an adventure at the tournament more for some than others, especially Josid Ridolfo. He started experiencing extreme intestinal pain during the day on Saturday and it only got worse. He debated all five rounds and then had to be taken to the hospital. He was examined and stayed the night, but was released on Sunday with a diagnosis for further treatment when he reached home. Josid gave new meaning to the expression “playing with pain.” Big thanks to Helen Morgan Parmett for doing extra duty with Josid.
At the tournament after an exciting night at the Skylark (ultimate low-cost motel in Binghamton) the team got down to business. In the worlds division it was a truly outstanding performance. Of the five teams entered three teams reached the semifinals, including top seed Joe Torda and Lucas Caress, third seed Mandy Frank and Madeline Murphy Hall, and the new team of Sam Natale and Sam Ricker. Sam and Sam advanced to the final round where they finished a disappointing third in a very tough debate. UVM dominated the speaker awards with Sam Natale as a runaway first speaker, Lucas Caress as second, Mandy Frank as third, Madeline Murphy Hall as fifth and Sam Ricker as seventh, for five of the top ten speakers. Karen Nelson, Jacob Klein and Ian Hochman-Reid attended their first tournament in this event and did well, showing considerable promise.
At the end of the tournament the results were announced for the season-long Northeast Universities Debating Sweepstakes, charting results at all tournaments in this format. Here, UVM came through as first, with the top five being: 1. University of Vermont 2. Hobart & WIlliam Smith College 3. St John’s University 4. Cornell University 5. University of Rochester
In policy debate there was a health situation as Josid struggled to debate and do well, but ultimately was felled by his physical condition and had to withdraw. Josid’s partner, Taylor, fought on and even debated one round by herself. These two showed great determination. The novice team of Chris Latucca and Kristance Harlow debated well, but lost a hotly contested elimination round decision to the University of Massachusetts. As first-time partners their performance was excellent.
A UVM alumna won an impressive honor. Jillian Marty, now coaching at the University of Massachusetts, was named the Northeast region “Coach of the Year” for her efforts at starting, leading, nurturing and the now successful performance of her UMass teams. Congratulations to Jillian.
Special thanks go to mathematics professor John Voight, who debated successfully at Gonzaga University and now is a UVM professor. John went along and judged and said he found it to be both a rewarding and difficult (five rounds in one day) weekend. His judging assistance helped make it possible. Big thanks also go to Nicole Colston and David Register for doing their normal excellent coaching job. Helen Morgan Parmett was a wonderful addition this weekend, providing great pre-round coaching and showing great care in taking care of Josid at the hospital.
Our readers have indicated an interest in the topics debated in the worlds division, so here they are: This House believes that the World Trade Organization should be disbanded. This House believes that nations should not recognize the independence of Kosovo. This House believes the military should replace all human soldiers with robots. This House believes that western powers should end their favoritism towards Israel. This House would disclose the presence of extra-terrestrial beings. This House believes that non-human animals should have the same rights as other animals. This House believes the economic embargo on Cuba should be lifted. This House believes it is time to retire the nation-state system.

SEE MANY PHOTOS AT http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/LDU/07-08_Photos.html

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JOE AND LUCAS GO TO INDIA
The long awaited plane tickets arrived. Joe Torda and Lucas Caress, fresh off being top seed at the Northeast regional championships, are on their way next week to Bangalore, India to represent UVM at the Indian Institute for Public Management to attend the Global Youth Debate Conclave. They depart next Tuesday and return early next week. We want to thank IIPM Bangalore for sponsoring our team with plane tickets and local accommodations. The will be debating the following topics:
E-waste is a global challenge and it requires global solutions
Bio fuel is the best answer to a greener planet
Ocean Desalination can solve the world's fresh water shortage
Economic growth at the expense of environmental damage is justified by the need to feed the rising world population
Tax incentives should be given for green living
They will have a full report with pictures when they return.  
FROM THE SQUAD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
TOWSON JV/NOVICE NATIONALS DETAILS: LEAVE FRIDAY AT 6 AM
Teams: Marnie & Kristance, Chris L & Karen, Emily & Chris T.
Judges/coches: David, Nicole, Josid, Steffi.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK
WORLDS PREP:
Thursday 6:15 PM Framing the debate exercise

POLICY PREP:
Tuesday 8 PM Chris L.-Karen vs. Emily-Chris T with Marnie, Josid, Steffi is the judge
Wednesday 12:30 PM Chris L drills with Nicole
Wednesday 3:30 PM Karen drills with Nicole
Wednesday night 6 PM General argument prep with David
Thursday 6:30-9:30 PM Argument and strategy prep with David & Nicole

=======================================

FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 357 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Next taping: Saturday March 8. Topic to be announced.  
New shows now available: 356 - Putin - Person of the Year? also 357 - Race, Gender and the Election

=======================================
LDU TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2007-2008

DATES TOURN FORMATS TEAMS
Mar 1-3 Nov-JV Nats Towson CEDA Lots
Mar 6-7 IIPM Bangalore India WF 1
Mar 20-24 CEDA Nats Wichita CEDA 2
Mar 28-31 NDT, Anaheim CEDA ??
Mar 29-30 Cape Cod WF 3-4
APR 5-6 Hobart & Wm. Smith WF 1
Apr 12-13 US Universities WF 1-2
============================================
ALUMNI NEWS

PAULA SKOWRON
Is currently an senior business analyst for Mohegan Sun Casino, but looks to be moving up in the world soon. Stay tuned for more details.
TUNA QUOTED IN THE PRESS (AGAIN) See the article about the Obama-Clinton debate in Ohio with Tuna’s comments on how to watch such a debate. http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/02/26/debate_primer.ART_ART_02-26-08_A1_459FAIO.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
DAWN (RABINOWITZ) NORRIS Now does animal photography and is involved with a contest about animal rescue stories. She should get together with Andrea (Looby) Amicangelo! Keep up the good work.
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Snowy driving to Binghamton | Edwin’s kids wait for the awards

ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!

Lawrence Debate Union Gets Busy All Over the World

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:41:19 -0500

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS LOOM

The LDU spent a busy week and off weekend preparing for a rugged end of the season. Friday a big group is off to Binghamton to do what we can to represent. There will be regional championships in novice and junior varsity policy debate as well as one division in worlds format. And we have the qualifying tournament for the NDT. The office has been buzzing with work and voices, practicing, discussing arguments as well as enjoying each other. Presidents’ Day was hardly a holiday at the LDU, as debaters and coaches worked all day and into the evening. “Good preparation can mean good performance,” said LDU director Snider, “so I am optimistic.”

LUCAS AND JOE PREPARE TO GO TO INDIA

The airline tickets have yet to arrive, but we hear they are on the way. Joe Torda and Lucas Caress have a spot in Bangalore, India at the Global Youth Debate Conclave. They will debate against other students from around the world on climate change and other environmental topics. They will be going by themselves, but will be warmly welcomed by their hosts. The LDU is excited to receive external funding for a trip like this, and we know Joe and Lucas will represent us well.

CLASH WITH LIBERTY ON ABORTION TO BE WEBCAST FROM MIAMI

Two LDU debaters, stars Sam Natale and Madeline Murphy Hall, will be flying down to Miami to debate against our arch foe Liberty University. The LDU will be pro-choice and Liberty will be pro-life. Here are some details, from the organizer Brett Smith:
I am writing to invite two members of your debate team to the University of Miami on April 1st to participate in an innovative television program. Yours will be part of a series of online, interactive, 25-minute-long episodes featuring top college debaters from across the country. The series is made possible by a grant to our university television program -- "We the Students" -- from the UM Ethics Programs with a gift from philanthropist Adrienne Arsht to support work on "ethics and community."
“We the Students” is streamed live on our interactive website (www.wethestudents.tv). In addition, the Open Student Television Network (OSTN) and CBS U-Wire, leading national distributors of student television programming, will be streaming the show live on their national networks. Any student can be a part of the show by signing on to our website using their name and academic institution. Audience members who sign on will be encouraged to participate in this national chat room with other university students by discussing the issues presented live on the show. The online audience will also be able to ask their own questions for the debaters and the moderator to discuss live.
Your team will be reimbursed for airfare, a one night stay at the Holiday Inn and any transportation costs. Our April 1st episode will cover the topic of Abortion and you will be competing against the Liberty University debate team. “We The Students” will provide national attention to your team and help facilitate a nation-wide student discussion on topical subjects.
Our show is a change of pace from the many formal debates you have participated in and I encourage you to log on to our website to view a sample episode at http://ostnwethestudents.miami.edu/pastepisodes.aspx#

VERMONT DEBATE SPONSORS MAJOR GLOBAL CONFERENCE IN EUROPE

The World Debate Institute at the University of Vermont USA, the National Education Institute of the Republic of Slovenia and ZIP, Za in proti, zavod za kulturo dialoga/ Pro et contra Institute for culture of dialogue Slovenia invite all scholars and practitioners of argumentation, rhetoric, debate, and educators using deliberative education methodologies to the International Conference on Argumentation, Rhetoric, Debate and the Pedagogy of Empowerment -- THINKING AND SPEAKING A BETTER WORLD, 11-13 April 2008, Ljubljana, Slovenia The conference will welcome scholars and educators from diverse fields for vigorous dialogue and exchange. This conference will unite scholars of argumentation and rhetoric, teachers, and organizers of local, national and international debating networks to discuss critical thinking and advocacy discourse through pedagogy. We intend for the conference to welcome all who are involved in public discussions and debates about different issues. This conference is extremely timely. A global information society which seeks reasoned solutions to problems through broad citizen involvement needs to develop and refine techniques for criticizing and validating ideas through discourse and then impart these to new generations of citizens if we are to create a better future and avoid looming crises. This conference represents a unique opportunity to share ideas, network and cross-fertilize with global critical thinkers. The conference will generate a proceedings volume in the form of a book with completed papers. Submissions will be selected from the papers available at the conference.  KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Argumentation - Frans van Eemeren, University of Amsterdam Debate - Omar Salahuddin bin Abdullah, Multi-Media University, Malaysia Pedagogy - Kate Shuster, Claremont Graduate School, California, USA More at the website http://debate.uvm.edu/betterworld.htm
MORE TOURNAMENTS
Towson JV/Novice Nationals in Baltimore March 1-3 (3-4 teams policy) CEDA Nationals in Wichita March 20-24 (1-3 teams policy) HW Smith Round Robin April 5-6 (1 team worlds) US Universities in Portland, Oregon April 11-13 (1-3 teams worlds) Cape Cod March 29-30 (4 teams worlds)
BIG AUDIENCE SEES PUBLIC DEBATE
About 90 people crowded into Waterman 413 last Tuesday night to see a public debate on the topic, Terrorism is largely a mirage. Debaters included the proposition team of Sam Natale, Joe Torda, Alfred SNider and Maja Cimerman and the opposition team of Chris Latucca, Chris Turgeon, Filip Dobranic and David Register. The debate was spirited and all did an outstanding job, especially the two newest debaters Chris and Chris. The visiting Slovenian team did a great job, as usual. The audience loved it and has asked for more public debates in the future.
SEE MANY PHOTOS AT http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/LDU/07-08_Photos.html

======================================

FROM THE SQUAD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
BINGHAMTON DETAILS: LEAVE FRIDAY
Teams: Policy - Marnie & Steffi, Taylor & Josid, Chris L & Kristance; Worlds - Joe & Lucas, Maddy & Mandy, Sam & Sam, Ian & Chris T, Karen & Jacob.
Judges/coches: Tuna, David, Nicole, Jon, and Helen.
Van #1 1:30 PM: David, Nicole, Steffi, Marnie, Chris L, Josid, Kristance, Sam N, Helen.
Van #2: 3:30 PM: Tuna, Lucas, Sam R, Taylor, Maddy, Karen, Jacob, Mandy Jon V.
Still to be placed: Chris T, Ian, Joe.
BRING IN SONGS FOR THE PLAYLIST NICOLE IS PUTTING TOGETHER.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK
WORLDS PREP:
Issue briefs due by Thursday
Tuesday 3 PM Karen meets with Tuna
Thursday 7 PM Practice debate

POLICY PREP:
Tues 4 PM Taylor with Tuna
Wed 1 PM Research & briefing
Thursday 12:15 Research and briefing
Thursday 7:30 Practice debate Chris L & Kristance vs. TBA with David

=======================================

FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 357 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Next taping: Saturday March 1. Topic to be announced.  
New shows now available: 356 - Putin - Person of the Year? also 357 - Race, Gender and the Election

=======================================
LDU TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2007-2008

DATES TOURN FORMATS TEAMS
Feb 23-24 Binghamton CEDA-WF All
Mar 1-3 Nov-JV Nats Towson CEDA Lots
Mar 6-7 IIPM Bangalore India WF 1
Mar 20-24 CEDA Nats Wichita CEDA 2
Mar 28-31 NDT, Anaheim CEDA ??
Mar 29-30 Cape Cod WF 3-4
APR 5-6 Hobart & Wm. Smith WF 1
Apr 12-13 US Universities WF 1-2
============================================
ALUMNI NEWS

MIKE CALORE GETS TUNA PUBLISHED
Mike is still writing for WIRED magazine and has background video about reggae to share with Tuna. He also hooked Tuna up with an interview with WIRED for an upcoming Doctor Who story. To see the story, go to http://debate.uvm.edu/dcpdf/wired_14feb2008_tuna_doctorwho
SARAH (SNIDER) GREEN Sarah’s due date is in the middle of March. She is getting big and a little tired of waddling, but all seems to be going well. Stand by for the news. See picture below. More at her blog http://sarahjustinandbabygreen.blogspot.com/
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Huber House work | Justin & Sarah’s hands, Sarah’s tummy with baby inside

ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!

Cornell Tournament Success - First Place, Many Awards

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:46:29 -0500

The success of Spring 2008 continued at Cornell University’s tournament as both the Worlds format and the Policy format teams scored impressive victories. The tournament was hosted by the Cornell Forensics Society, directed by Sam Nelson, who is a former University of Vermont coach and has risen to achieve international renown. The hospitality was excellent and the weather was cold, but the debating was hot.

In the Worlds format it was finally time for Madeline Murphy Hall and Amanda Frank to pull everything into place. Having been to two international tournaments and debated the best in the world they have, so to speak, paid their dues. This tournament featured better competition than at Baruch in New York City, but that did not stop them. They debated strong in the preliminary rounds and emerged as the third seed. Amanda, who is also LDU treasurer, was the fifth overall speaker and Madeline, who is also LDU president, was seventh. In the semifinals they debated St. John’s, Bard College and international team Slovenia. They advanced to the finals along with Slovenia. In the finals Hobart and William Smith College and Rochester Institute of Technology joined them. The RIT team had been very impressive in prelims and had been the top two individual speakers. Both have substantial experience and are graduate students. The judges took over thirty minutes to make a decision and announced that it was the best debate they had seen in many a day, with all four teams doing very well. RIT was fourth, Slovenia third, Smith second and the University of Vermont first, winning a lovely silver plate and the applause of the audience. Lucas Caress also represented UVM debating with rookie Chris Turgeon. They had some tough sledding but did well and Chris grew and improved each round.

The topics debated in the Worlds division included:
This House would require doctors to report all cases of suspected domestic violence.
This House would subject foreign political campaign contributions to greater restrictions than domestic contributions.
This House believes that governments in the developing world should invest in sex tourism.
This House believes that in the post Cold War world NATO has lost its relevance.
This House would partition Iraq.
This House believes that every criminal defendant should be required to use a government provided defense lawyer.
Semifinal - This House believes that Hugo Chavez has failed.
Final – This House believes that all public restrooms should be unisex.

In the Policy format there was also a lot of success to go around. Two of the three teams reached the elimination rounds and three debaters won individual speaker awards. The team of Stephanie Kimerer, squad captain, was the second best speaker in the open division. She and Marnie Ritchie, a phenomenal first year debater now debating in the open division, were 4-2 and then lost their quarterfinal debate 2-1. In the novice division the team of Chris Latucca and Jacqui Robbins were 5-1 in prelim rounds and then lost their semifinal debate 2-1. Chris was the third overall speaker and Jacquie, at her first ever tournament, was tenth. Huge congratulations to Jacqui for doing so well at her first tournament ever! The team of Taylor Lalemand and Josid Ridolfo were in junior varsity and finished with a 2-4 record.

“Two great tournaments in a row, and now let’s go for three,” said LDU director Snider. “I really have to attribute it to the hard work by the debaters in the last few weeks as well as the outstanding coaching by Nicole Colston and David Register. These are the two ingredients that will carry us far!”

SEE MANY PHOTOS AT http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/LDU/07-08_Photos.html

======================================

FROM THE SQUAD MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
BINGHAMTON DETAILS:
Teams: Policy - Marnie & Steffi, Taylor & Josid, Chris L & Jacqui, Karen & Kristance (?); Worlds - Joe & Lucas, Maddy & Mandy, Sam & Sam, Arman & Danielle, Chris & Jacob (?).
Judges/coches: Tuna, David, Nicole, Jen, and Helen (?).
PUBLIC DEBATE - Tues Feb 12 7 PM, Waterman 413. This House believes that the threat of terrorism is largely a mirage. Prop team: Joe, Sam, Maja, Tuna; Opp team: Chris, TBA, David, Filip. Moderator is Karen. Refreshments Steffi & Joe.
POTLUCK DINNER: Friday 7:30 PM 140 Colchester Ave.
Guest judges in Nicole’s class: Thurs 1 AM Maddy, Tues 11 AM Karen.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK
WORLDS PREP:
Issue briefs due by Friday
Thursday 6 PM practice debate
Friday 5:30 PM Prep with Joe & Lucas
1 PM Sunday Drills with Tuna (bring your laptop)

POLICY PREP:
5 PM Tuesday research meeting
6-9 PM Thursday policy prep
3:30 PM Sunday practice debate
Fri-Sat-Sun daytimes prep with Steffi

=======================================

FLASHPOINT TELEVISION

Now with 357 episodes, this television program is shown on Burlington’s Channel 15 VCAM, and is always listed in the television directory. It is also available for on demand viewing at our Flashpoint website http://flashpointtv.blogspot.com/

Next taping: Saturday March 1. Topic to be announced.  
New shows now available: 356 - Putin - Person of the Year? also 357 - Race, Gender and the Election

=======================================
LDU TRAVEL SCHEDULE FOR 2007-2008

DATES TOURN FORMATS TEAMS
Feb 23-24 Binghamton CEDA-WF All
Mar 1-3 Nov-JV Nats Towson CEDA Lots
Mar 6-7 IIPM Bangalore India WF 1
Mar 20-24 CEDA Nats Wichita CEDA 2
Mar 28-31 NDT, Anaheim CEDA ??
APR 5-6 Hobart & Wm. Smith WF 1
Apr 12-13 US Universities WF 1-2
============================================
ALUMNI NEWS

ANDREA (LOOBY) AMICANGELO, GORDIE MILLER, BRADY FLETCHER, JEN KNOPS
Had a meeting at the Cornell tournament. Andrea dropped by and brought cookies that the debaters inhaled for a mid-afternoon energy boost, while the others were there judging. See a fetching photo at the photo page http://debate.uvm.edu/debateblog/LDU/07-08_Photos.html near the bottom.

MIKE CALORE
Mike is still writing for WIRED magazine and has background video about reggae to share with Tuna. He also hooked Tuna up with an interview with WIRED for an upcoming Doctor Who story.
===========================================

Marnie & Steffi | Jacqui & Chris

ALWAYS CALL IT HUBER HOUSE!