Seawolf debaters succeed in California

The Seawolf Debate Team started its season right where it left off last season: winning. On Oct. 6 and 7, four UAA debaters traveled to southern California to kick off the squad's season at the U.S. Universities National Open hosted by the Claremont Colleges.  Sixty-four debaters representing more than 10 colleges participated in the event.

 

These talented young men and women engaged one another in a number of public policy topics, ranging from whether the media should be restricted during times of national emergencies, whether we should encourage the international trade of nuclear energy technology, and whether indigenous people should have exclusive control of their archeological sites.

Both UAA teams in attendance represented Alaska extremely well, bringing home some well-deserved hardware for the trophy case.  Senior Mike Rose and junior Ben Ferguson reached the semi-final round, placing them among the top eight teams at the tournament.  Meanwhile, senior David Childers and junior James Stinson joined three other teams in the championship round of competition.

In the final debate, Childers and Stinson were assigned to defend the devaluation of the American dollar.  They assembled a case demonstrating how the subprime mortgage crisis could be mitigated by a modest dollar devaluation; that a devalued dollar would increase the export of American goods and services, thereby stimulating the U.S. economy; and that a devalued dollar would boost both the Canadian and Mexican manufacturing economies.  In response to global, short-term economic concerns, they also argued that China's growing economic power would stabilize the global economy while the U.S. economy corrected itself.

The team next travels to Edmonton to compete in the Canadian championships held in the style of debate practiced at the World Universities Debating Championships.  The team is focused on preparation for the eventual World Championships, to be held in Bangkok over the holiday break.  For more information contact Steve Johnson at 786-4391 or Shawn Briscoe at 786-4354.