Minutes of the DLS: August 26, 1999

"Hall of Dreams"

It was nearly midnight, time for the Demosthenian loyal to gather quietly in the dark, eerie atmosphere of the unlit upper chamber. Mr. Slone had forgotten his own mystical experience the day before, and gone to bed right after X-Files ended. Ms. Moultrie had had to go wake him up, and they arrived, Mr. Slone yawning and looking a bit confused.

Ms. Moultrie opened the doors to the chamber, announcing, "Hi everybody, sorry we're la--- Hey, where is everyone?"

"Why are we the only ones here?" asked a perplexed Mr. Slone, "They all heard my announcement, and I know no Demosthenian would ever just not show up for something. What do we do now?"

"Why are you asking me? You the one listening to voices." she replied, " <sigh> well, why don't we work on hand addressing dorm mailers for a while."

They had made it to the Russell Hall 700s when Mr. Slone through up his arms in disgust, "These are driving me crazy, besides the fact that we're still here alone. 'If you hold it, they will come' Well I did and they didn't"

"Shut up -- look at the doors" whispered Ms. Moultrie...

The translucent figure of a man filtered through the door, walking into the room and taking a seat. Several others followed him, beginning to fill the room.

The meeting was called to order at 7:19pm. There were fifteen first time guests. Alumni Mr. Bowman, Mr. Smiley, Mr. Choi, and Mr. Wells were also present. Mr. Cohoon was appointed critic. A motion was made to dispense with the normal order of business and move directly into new business.

Mr. Rivner took the floor and explained that graphic video games, media reporting, and movies are not the causes of youth violence. He presented:

Be it resolved: The current spate of school violence is due to the breakdown of parental oversite adn the family structure.

Respectfully,

Asher Rivner

Mr. Wells rose to disagree with the resolution, stating that adolescence is and has been a violent age, where people are cought between generations.

Ms. Johnson described her personal experience as a latch-key kid and refuted the resolution becasue society has always been violent and there are several cuases for the recent incidents.

Mr. Smiley pointed out that there is a myriad of factors in the actions of these individuals. Violence is in human nature, and our culture can push otherwise normal people over the edge.

Mr. Pyrdum acknowledged a myriad of factors but agreed with the resolution naming the big cause. The period of life labeled adolescence is undefined and uncertain, and uncertainty leads to chaos.

Ms. Zimchenko, guest, said that individualism and accessibility to guns are two aspects of American culture that help to explain why this sort of violence is a recent phenomenon of the United States.

Mr. Butler, guest, spoke against the resolutuion, pointing to the media as a key factor in fostering youth violence, and explained that this is the first generation growing up on the internet and video games.

Mr. Peterson, guest, said that the US should look at the lessons of the Roman Empire, its wealth, complacency, and outlets of violence.

Mr. Choi agreed with previous speakers in refuting the resolution, since inadequate gun control and overexposure to violence in the media make the job of parental control more difficult.

Ms. Smith, guest, described the traumatic experience of a shooting at her own high school, and that she saw the lack of parental supervision from a young age as the common thread through recent events.

Mr. Morgan stated that violent outbursts had multiple causes, that the resolution was simply another way of laying blame. He stated that individuals all must accept the blame for not intervening when others are ridiculed and ostracized.

Ms. Kravig told the society that there is not an epidemic of violence, but a handful of events out of the vast number of students and guns. The society would not get to the very root of violence in one night of debate.

Ms. Moultrie refuted the resolution, stating that the cause is within our culture, our lost sense of community and growing sense of isolation.

Ms. Mikel said that in her high school experience there had been preferential treatment for the so-called good kids, while less perfect or conformist students were ignored. There are consequences for choosing to associate with imperfect people.

The question was called, failing among the guests on a vote of 0 to 10, as well as among the membership on a vote of 2 to 13.

Mr. Cohoon took the floor to explain how the existence of the United States has left an indelible mark upon the world, specifically through its example as a viable democratic state. He presented,

Be it resolved: The United States' effect on human civilization has been overwhelmingly positive.

Respectfully,

Jack Cohoon

Mr. Bowman questioned whether our nation's impact on the native populations of Africa and Latin America has been particularly positive. He added that if the resolution had stated "European civilization" it might have been supportable.

Ms. Wilson tried to contain her cynicism, offering that America's impact has been neither overwhelmingly positive or negative. Other nations in history have had their turn at hegemony.

Mr. Pyrdum thought it absurd to disagree with the resolution. The United STates has taken the moral steps for the betterment of the world, promoting freedom and human rights.

Mr. Callahan said that the introduction of nuclear weapons into the world is such a powerful negative that the resolution could not possibly be true.

Mr. Rivner informed the society that the United States is number one at many things that are overwhelmingly negative, such as heart attacks and low voter turnout.

The question was called, passing 2 to 1 among the guests, and among the membership 8 to 7.

Seeing the jealous stares from the audience, Mr. Pyrdum told the society that he held a resolution so self-evident that it hardly need be said, and was above debate. He presented to history,

Be it resolved: You are all jealous of my beard.

Respectfully,

Carl Pyrdum

Sara Kravig

Mr. Rivner dismissed the childishness of Mr. Pyrdum's sentiments, and instead drew the attention of the society to the sad plight of the pygmie moth.

The question was called, failing 0 to 3 among guests and 4 to 10 among members.

Ms. Johnson took the floor to discuss her mother's opinion that people's lives remain in a state of flux until they reach age 25, and that during such a time one should not be held down to a partner. She presented

Be it resolved: You should not get married until you are 25 years old.

Respectfully,

Becky Johnson

Having thought on the topic much in his life, Mr. Callahan stated that it would be best for him to wait and marry just before running for the presidency. He warned members not to waste their young years on this love crap.

Ms. Wilson said that since she is getting married next summer, she doesn't beleive the arbitrary age of 25 designates whether or not one is ready for the committment and responsibility.

Mr. Morgan also stated that the number 25 seemed arbitrary. Marriage is a sacred institution, some young people are ready and some are not.

Mr. Crouse stated that it is not when one marries, but who and how one marries. He pointed to the benefits a young marriage brought Anna Nicole Smith as an example.

Mr. Miller discussed the different forms of corporate human relationships, and reflected that marriage was not a issue he personally anticipated in teh near future.

The question was called, failing 0 to 1 with teh guest, and 0 to 13 with the members.

The society then resumed the normal order of business. During programs Mr. Slone presented his Presidential goals for the fall. In committee reports, Mr. Rivner rose on behalf of the judicial council, Ms. Johnson for the library, and Ms. Frawley for Public Relations. Moving into and out of old business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15pm, subject to Mr. Cohoon's critics report.

"Oh my God, there are ghosts filling this room" croaked Mr. Slone

"I guess they are who we were waiting for," Ms. Moultrie continued to whisper.

"Huh? Who are they" he said.

"Don't you get it -- they are famous members from the society's history" She pointed around, "Thats DW Brooks, over there is Crawford Long, and look here's the Italian Count who invented the bikini"

Dr. Saye, the famed "silver toungued orator" walked over and introduced himself to the two current members, "We all sure appreciate you two openin' the Hall up for some old alumni. Most of us are pretty happy, but we all miss the ringing voices, the slam of the gavel, the thunderous yell of "MR. PRESIDENT" Its nice to have the chance to have it all back again."

Dumbfounded, Mr. Slone and Ms. Moultrie watched the alumni, most looking the way they probably had in their own college days, go on speaking for hours. As the spirits began drifting out the way they had come in, they all nodded or thanked them both. They sat there in awe, when Ms. Moultrie said, "Someone was missing."

"That's all you can say? We just saw the ghosts of two dozen long dead alumni hold their own meeting, and that's what you say?" replied Mr. Slone.

The voice spoke again, this time they both heard it, "Washington. If you go there, you will find him."

Respectfully submitted,

Kelly Frawley