GTown, Day Three

So basically we're all screwed.

I mean, I've got summer assignments from my school, notes to take from Dr. Sheffer, library stuff to research briefs and Supreme Court cases, blogging, working out to get ridiculously buff, I mean, it's tough stuff!

I don't have too much to say besides the fact that I've already been in the library when we're supposed to go on a mandatory tour or something, but I will take handy notes during the class for the day.

Today was pretty sihk, I mean, it's not every day that you go to D.C. to hear congressional committee meetings on the BP oil disaster. But at the same token, I realize that anyone can be a news reporter like CSPAN and just go to one of the meetings in the public section. But, then again, if all 30 people do an opening speech of 3-5 minutes, I think I'd pass on that endeavour. I didn't get to go to any of the Senator or Representative offices due to hanging with all the NES awesome kids, but I think I'll just do that Thursday.

Didn't go to the White House (Eisenhower Office) on my own accord because some year round JSR's were asked not to go so that they could do the maximum 150 kids when there were only 180, so I just chilled and finished the notes from the earlier post, and now some notes on Parliamentary debate done today.

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Notes on Parliamentary Style Debate in JSA Georgetown Session II, 2010 – Dr. DuBerry 07/20/10

Argumentation is about reason giving.

Compromise doesn't actually solve a problem because it is simply the selfish act of humans who cede some aspects to gain others in an action.

The best speech is not one that puts reason or logic into the heads of the listeners, but rather encourages the listeners to use their own logic and arrive at the same conclusion as the speaker.

I. Main Basic Parliamentary Debate Rules, Regulation, and Flow

a. The moderator calls the session to order, introduces the resolution (or what is being debated), and introduces the affirmative main speaker and the negative main speaker.

b. The main affirmative speaker proceeds to deliver his speech, questioning, and cross-referencing.
i. Speaker may not speak for more than six (6) minutes and in JSA Summer Academy is required a minimum of four (4) speaking minutes. Once the speech is done, the speaker motions one of two:
1. “I now yield my time to the chair.” –remaining time is absorbed by the chair and the moderator proceeds to the cross examination.
2. “I now yield my time to questions.” –remaining time is used by questioners, whose questions are counted in the remaining time. Once this remaining time is exhausted, the moderator moves on to cross examination.
ii. Cross examination of the main affirmative speaker commences, in which the main negative speaker questions the main affirmative speaker for a maximum of two (2) minutes. The same process of subsection Ib. repeats vice versa for the main negative speaker.

c. The moderator proceeds to request for any affirmative subsequent speeches.

d. The affirmative subsequent speaker proceeds to deliver his speech and questioning.
i. Speaker may not speak for more than three (3) minutes and in JSA Summer Academy is required a minimum of one (1) minute. Once the speech is done, the speaker motions one of two:
1. “I now yield my time to the chair.” –remaining time is absorbed by the chair and the moderator proceeds to the cross examination.
2. “I now yield my time to questions.” –remaining time is used by questioners, whose questions are counted in the remaining time. Once this remaining time is exhausted, the moderator moves on to cross examination.
ii. The same process of section I., subsection d. repeats vice versa for the subsequent negative speaker. This process repeats itself indefinitely until the amount of time allotted for the debate is approaching exhaustion.

e. Once all subsequent speakers have gone, or the time remaining for the debate is near exhaustion, the moderator moves to the final vote on the resolution. The resolution is read again, and the members who vote affirmative either raise their hands or stand waiting to be counted, the same process for the negative sympathizers, and any members who abstained from voting. The tallies are accounted for and the announcement is made whether the resolution passes or fails. The moderator then adjourns the debate.

f. At any time during the debate, not including during ongoing speeches where noted, any member on the floor may raise his hand for the moderator to acknowledge and motion for one of these. Some require another member on the floor to second the notion after it is made, and some require a vote of “yay” or “nay”, ½ or 2/3:
1. “Motion to previous question.” – immediately ends the cycle of speeches and the final vote is conducted. Requires a second, and 2/3 vote.
2. “Rise to point of order.” – can only be made during speeches, is a correction by a member of the floor to an incorrect fact. Requires no second or vote.
3. “Rise to point of personal privilege.” – polite and quiet request of a member of the floor to be excused to use the “necessities”. Requires no second or vote.
4. “Rise to point of parliamentary procedure.” – can only be made during the orders of the moderator, is a correction of moderation procedure by a member of the floor. Requires no second or vote.
5. “Motion to adjourn.” – moderator adjourns the debate without voting. Requires second and 2/3 vote.
6. “Motion to recess.” – moderator excuses the floor to recess for a period of five (5) minutes. Requires a second and ½ vote.
7. “Move to caucus.” – moderator allows for the collaboration of floor members for five (5) minutes when a side of the resolution is obviously not equally represented. For example, three subsequent affirmative speeches are made, and time for the debate has not expired. Requires second and ½ vote.
8. “Motion to suspend the rules.” – moderator allows for a suspension of the rules. Requires no second or vote. Of the many possible suspensions, this is the most common.
i. “Motion to suspend the speaker’s time by thirty (30) seconds/one (1) minute.” – In JSA Summer Academy, this suspension is prohibited for any portion of the main speaker’s phase, and can only be applied to the subsequent speakers.



II. Speech Types
a. Main – puts for the main arguments of the resolution affirmative or negative. Must be well prepared and appropriately timed.
b. Subsequent – purposes include to expand on main argument, or to bring in a new argument. The subsequent speech does not require prior preparation.
c. Closing – summary of both points brought forth by speeches, yet delivers an evaluation of which side (affirmative/negative) in their mind is the best argument.
d. Question – while not orthodox, there is a lot to be said of speeches being buttressed or undermined due to questions. In fact, main or subsequent speeches may be elaborated questions.



III. Briefs
a. Heading – Name, House Number, Resolution Number, Resident Assistant
b. Single paragraph delivering a brief history of the major challenges of the resolution. Biased or unbiased is without preference.
c. Notes that outline the argument.
i. All-encompassing less than a page.

“You want to deliver a speech like you’re making out.” – Dr. DuBerry

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Until tomorrow's real notes, peace.
Chris Carl

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