Two monumental moments in political history took place this week - last Tuesday, US President Barack Obama was inaugurated - the first African American in history to be bestowed with that honour - and on Friday, it was announced that On That Point...'s regular contributor James Bartle had been re-elected to the UK Youth Parliament. Everyone is thrilled at the Society, and his big work load has meant that was again unable to blog for us all this week. He even missed his first debate for months!
And, looking to this week's debate, which was on sex education, you can grab the full low-down in our newsletter The Weekly Conversation; but one piece of information you can't get from that particular publication is that whilst James maintains a healthy lead on the league table, our previous holder of second place, Chris Redfearn, has freefallen to fourth. Despite winning a relatively low proportion of his debates, David Larke now occupies the second place slot, whilst TJ is up to third. Chris will be hoping to restore himself in a debate on the Church of England next week. With a bit of luck, James'll bring you news of that in On That Point... next week.
I certainly won't be here so until the next time...bye!
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
New Year, new look, news!
James is taking a well-earned break from the blog this week - in the midst of examinations and feeling the pressure of awaiting the result of his recent campaign to be re-elected to the UK Youth Parliament. So this week, it's me, Laurie, in the hot seat, with the latest live news from the Heaton Manor Union Society.
If you haven't yet visited our new-look site, please do so now. You can give your opinions on this by taking part in our online survey. For the low-down on this week's debate, please see our newsletter, The Weekly Conversation.
Well, that's about it for this week! Remember, James normally posts a blog here prior to each debate. Hopefully, his quick wit will return to On That Point... next week. If not, you'll be stuck with me again! Bye!
If you haven't yet visited our new-look site, please do so now. You can give your opinions on this by taking part in our online survey. For the low-down on this week's debate, please see our newsletter, The Weekly Conversation.
Well, that's about it for this week! Remember, James normally posts a blog here prior to each debate. Hopefully, his quick wit will return to On That Point... next week. If not, you'll be stuck with me again! Bye!
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Christmas will soon be upon us
Tuesday saw our final debate for 2008 bringing an end to our debates for the Autumn Term. Whether it's Nintendos, who should be the next US President, gay adoption or football we've covered more of a range than usual this term and a good thing that is too.
This Tuesday sees the party's Christmas get together which promises to be a lively affair complete with music (provided by Laurie Dudley), a quiz and of course sausage rolls. All members and friends of the society are welcome, the party is always a nice way to celebrate a year of debating.
Other notices worth mentioning are; a group of members will represent the society at Heaton Manor's school carol service on Thursday at Holy Trinity Church Jesmond; the Board are looking to put together a team to enter ICYD 2009, more details to come in the New Year; and finally the President's message will be published later this week and promises to be a reasoned and thoughtful reflection on the past year.
So don't forget to be good boys and girls for Santa Clause or you'll get coal this Christmas!
This Tuesday sees the party's Christmas get together which promises to be a lively affair complete with music (provided by Laurie Dudley), a quiz and of course sausage rolls. All members and friends of the society are welcome, the party is always a nice way to celebrate a year of debating.
Other notices worth mentioning are; a group of members will represent the society at Heaton Manor's school carol service on Thursday at Holy Trinity Church Jesmond; the Board are looking to put together a team to enter ICYD 2009, more details to come in the New Year; and finally the President's message will be published later this week and promises to be a reasoned and thoughtful reflection on the past year.
So don't forget to be good boys and girls for Santa Clause or you'll get coal this Christmas!
Friday, 28 November 2008
Football
Who would have thought it, the Heaton Manor Union Society holding a debate on football, especially following he infamy of the 'Football Thread'. But next Tuesday's debate will indeed be on the issue of whether the Premiership season should be extended include a 39th game to be played overseas.
The motion will be 'This house believes the Premier League should add a 39th game to be played abroad' the debate will take place on Tuesday 2nd December at 2.45pm in L7. Speaking in proposition will be the Chair of last year's grand final, Jake Robinson who will be partnering David Larke, ICYD finalist 2008. On the opposition bench will be the Society President and former team mate of David Larke, James Bartle and Chris Redfearn who is already making an impression on the society since his arrival at the start of the year.
The motion will be 'This house believes the Premier League should add a 39th game to be played abroad' the debate will take place on Tuesday 2nd December at 2.45pm in L7. Speaking in proposition will be the Chair of last year's grand final, Jake Robinson who will be partnering David Larke, ICYD finalist 2008. On the opposition bench will be the Society President and former team mate of David Larke, James Bartle and Chris Redfearn who is already making an impression on the society since his arrival at the start of the year.
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Debates unveiled
Hello, there. Perhaps you're still revelling, like many members of the Heaton Manor Union Society, in the delight that the United States of America elected its first African-American President this month. Well, as James has outlined, we celebrated in style with a Sixth Form Vs. Lower School extravaganza. And, two weeks, later, we have now organised our debates for the forthcoming season. Although these debates are subject to change, they're included here as a guide.
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
This House believes that CCTV is restricting our freedom.
SPEAKER: David Lowes
PROPOSITION: Willem Evans & David Larke
OPPOSITION: Sahan Bentotage & Keir Mochrie
JUDGES: Miss M. Murphy, Laurie J. Dudley & Ben Wallace
Tuesday, 02 December 2008
This House believes that the Premiership League should add a 39th game, to be played abroad.
SPEAKER: Keir Mochrie
PROPOSITION: David Larke & Jake Robinson
OPPOSITION: James Bartle MYP & Chris Redfearn
JUDGES: Mrs M. Robinson, Laurie J. Dudley & Saskia Neibig
Tuesday, 09 December 2008
This House believes that religion is preventing world peace.
SPEAKER: David Larke
PROPOSITION: Ewan Gibson & David Lowes
OPPOSITION: TJ Bentotage & Andrew Burdis
JUDGES: Laurie J. Dudley, Miss M. Murphy & Willem Evans
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
This House believes that the media is unfairly demonising children.
SPEAKER: Andrew Burdis
PROPOSITION: Sophie Barker & Saskia Neibig
OPPOSITION: Chris Redfearn & Jake Robinson
JUDGES: Mrs M. Robinson, Laurie J. Dudley & Ewan Gibson
Please follow our 'Forthcoming debates' page at heatonmanorunion.org.uk for up-to-the-minute information. This will be an exciting few weeks at the Society.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
US Election - reflections
Congratulations to Mr Obama. If I am pleased about nothing else today, I am pleased that America has stood up to the racists within its borders and has shown it can elect a black man as President. It is a shame however the America people fell for his empty rhetoric and threw away the chance of electing one of the most experienced Presidential candidates the country has ever had the choice of electing (my own opinion of course).
But as the campaign is written in to the history books and Mr Obama prepares for inauguration day, it is nice to look back on what a gripping campaign this has been. Once again Britons have proven they seem to care more about an election state-side than we do about our own elections here, showing there is so much we can learn from the American electoral system.
For the society, the campaign has prompted 1077 views (at the last count) of our discussion on the issue and nearly 300 posts. In looking back on the past six months of campaign here are some of the highlights of our discussion:
"Although I quite agree with you that (apart from Afghanistan) Bush's response to the Twin Towers disaster was very good."
Laurie Dudley
"A far better way to diminish the capabilities of the Taliban would have been to use a controlled, small, nuclear explosion in the mountainous/hilly areas where the Taliban was known to be based."
James R Bartle
"I don't think TRUE Republicans can be very 'nice' in any sense really..."
David Lowes
"OBAMA FTW OKAY?"
David Shepherd
"I know that they [conservatives] are complete racist and sexist pigs, so they won't vote for Obama and Clinton, they might just not vote at all!"
David Lowes
"It's not age that's the issue; it's experience. Obama was only sworn in as a Senator in 2005."
Laurie Dudley
"As I said ages ago, Hillary Clinton lights up the stage. Barack Obama just drones on about change in America. Snore."
Laurie Dudley
"A flu virus is more intelligent than an American."
David Lowes
"The notion that Hillary wants someone to assassinate Barack is the biggest joke I've ever heard."
Laurie Dudley
"She can't and won't win now, so the longer the [expletive deleted] fight amongst each other Republicans can win votes!"
James Bartle
"I would like to congratulate the Democratic Party on handing the Republican Party victory in this year's General Election. On behalf of the Heaton Manor Republican Supporters Association can I thank the Democratic Party and its supporters most sincerely. You have no assured us that we won't have a President come inauguration day who wants to end free-trade, negotiate with Iran and leave Iraq in the lurch."
Anon
"It's (and I quote) "too socialist" for the Americans, and, according to some, it's not in their constituents best interests, so, what they're saying is that mass unemployment is in the best interests of the people."
David Lowes
But as the campaign is written in to the history books and Mr Obama prepares for inauguration day, it is nice to look back on what a gripping campaign this has been. Once again Britons have proven they seem to care more about an election state-side than we do about our own elections here, showing there is so much we can learn from the American electoral system.
For the society, the campaign has prompted 1077 views (at the last count) of our discussion on the issue and nearly 300 posts. In looking back on the past six months of campaign here are some of the highlights of our discussion:
"Although I quite agree with you that (apart from Afghanistan) Bush's response to the Twin Towers disaster was very good."
Laurie Dudley
"A far better way to diminish the capabilities of the Taliban would have been to use a controlled, small, nuclear explosion in the mountainous/hilly areas where the Taliban was known to be based."
James R Bartle
"I don't think TRUE Republicans can be very 'nice' in any sense really..."
David Lowes
"OBAMA FTW OKAY?"
David Shepherd
"I know that they [conservatives] are complete racist and sexist pigs, so they won't vote for Obama and Clinton, they might just not vote at all!"
David Lowes
"It's not age that's the issue; it's experience. Obama was only sworn in as a Senator in 2005."
Laurie Dudley
"As I said ages ago, Hillary Clinton lights up the stage. Barack Obama just drones on about change in America. Snore."
Laurie Dudley
"A flu virus is more intelligent than an American."
David Lowes
"The notion that Hillary wants someone to assassinate Barack is the biggest joke I've ever heard."
Laurie Dudley
"She can't and won't win now, so the longer the [expletive deleted] fight amongst each other Republicans can win votes!"
James Bartle
"I would like to congratulate the Democratic Party on handing the Republican Party victory in this year's General Election. On behalf of the Heaton Manor Republican Supporters Association can I thank the Democratic Party and its supporters most sincerely. You have no assured us that we won't have a President come inauguration day who wants to end free-trade, negotiate with Iran and leave Iraq in the lurch."
Anon
"It's (and I quote) "too socialist" for the Americans, and, according to some, it's not in their constituents best interests, so, what they're saying is that mass unemployment is in the best interests of the people."
David Lowes
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
US Election
Did Heaton Manor vote the same way as the American people in our US election special debate this afternoon? Well we'll have to wait until tomorrow to know, but it was (as somewhat expected) victory for Team Obama in today's debate.
By Team McCain's own admission we simply didn't do the old man justice and looks like his own campaign team state-side will be guilty of the same. As a declared McCain supporter my tissues are at the ready and I'm looking forward to a miserable day tomorrow as the scale of the defeat becomes clear. Our Chair, Director of Communications and indeed most of the Society can celebrate victory for their candidate tomorrow.
By Team McCain's own admission we simply didn't do the old man justice and looks like his own campaign team state-side will be guilty of the same. As a declared McCain supporter my tissues are at the ready and I'm looking forward to a miserable day tomorrow as the scale of the defeat becomes clear. Our Chair, Director of Communications and indeed most of the Society can celebrate victory for their candidate tomorrow.
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