Union Society

So part of being in OPUS automatically includes us into the Union Society, which is one of the premiere debating clubs here. They invite famous politicians, actors, CEO's, etc and let them argue a case.

Yesterday I attended the "This House has no confidence in Her Majesty's government"

way to title the debate.

i thoroughly enjoyed the actual debate...HOWEVER, can i just say what a piss waste of time the student debaters were? i think american debating skills (minus the republican party) are light years ahead of these children (i sincerely hope that no oxford students ever read this).

First of all, the debaters themselves are allowed to be interrupted by other union members aka "the honourable member" as you are supposed to address them. The idea in theory is wonderful, until you get to the conclusion that when someone is trying to make a case, and someone else is doggedly ready to refute them with contradicting facts, the debater turns into the biggest jerk b/c he has to then continually say "no thank you" to every "point of order" or "point of information" that is thrown at him.

One of the student debaters actually was a total jerk b/c he just about insulted everyone in the room (a v. big hall indeed) and proceeded to recite some distasteful jokes, then told every "point of order" to shut up. how rude!

Secondly, students are allowed to raise their hands and either oppose or propose the argument. So these intrepid and courageous students go up, ready with papers in hand, or facts in their minds, and proceed to argue the case.

This is where it becomes painful...b/c the students seem to think that if they recite the same facts, same points, and same incidents with their own twist; it will be a more effective arguement than the last one.

NO IT WILL NOT. so shut up unless you have something more qualitative, quantitative, and more interesting to say.

not to mention, several of the students were worse public speakers than elmer fudd.

anyway, i hope that i see better presentation as well as substance the next time around.

posted by chungy @ 11:47 AM