Minutes of the DLS: September 2, 1999

"Hall of Dreams"

It was off to Washington, Georgia, to visit the historic home of Robert Toombs, civil war statesman and great Demosthenian. Miss Moultrie, Mr. Slone, and a loyal few made the journey. Originally Mr. Slone had planned to drive, but was overruled when Mr. Pyrdum pointed out that no one wished to be in an accident that day. "But they weren't my fault!" whined Mr. Slone. Meanwhile Ms. Moultrie had called Mr. Wells, who quickly agreed to give everyone a lift in his magic van. "Besides," Ms. Moultrie said, "I thought he'd fit in since he's practically an ancient alum himself."

Soon after the drive began, Mr. Morgan began ranting, "Are you people crazy? Put up those windows and turn on the air conditioning -- do you think that I want wind-blown hair?!" Everyone obliged, mostly to shut him up. The Wells magic van continued to zoom along US 78.

Mr. Slone fumbled with a folding map, asking, "Ms Moultrie, shouldn't we be on Interstate 95? It looks to me like Washington is a ways up the coast."

Exasperated, she explained, "For the last time -- its Washington Georgia, not Washington DC."

"Oh yeah... well are we almost there yet?" Soon Ms Kravig, Mr. Goodhew, Mr. Morgan, and Mr. Pyrdum chimed in: "Are we there yet? I'm bored. Now are we there yet?" Mr. Wells ignored them, turning up the stereo until the Talking Heads drowned out the backseat whiners.

The meeting was called to order at 7:23pm. The society recognized 21 first-time guests. It then recognized 13 second- and third-time guests. Alumni Mr. Wildes c/o ‘92, Mr. Wells c/o ‘91, Mr. Head c/o ‘99, and Ms. Davis c/o ’99 were present. Mr. Pyrdum was appointed critic.

A motion was made and accepted to dispense with the normal order of business and move directly into new business.

Mr. Pyrdum questioned the lacking details in the explanation offered by evolution for the diversity of life, and noted that exact proof for the theory is lacking. He presented, Whereas the theory of evolution is as much an article of faith as creationism,

Be it hereby resolved, the theory of evolution should not be taught in US primary and secondary schools.

Respectfully,

Carl S Pyrdum III

Ms. Webb, guest, told the society that she is proud of her exposure to both theories before Kindergarten, and that we must teach both in schools or our children will suffer.

Mr. Rivner noted that for many subjects we count on as relative certainties we cannot be 100% sure of their truth. Following the resolution would lead to the elimination of most subjects in education.

Mr. Wilds quoted proverbs, stating that "the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge." Science and learning only create more questions, and faith is the only way to know the truth.

Mr. Gandy, guest, described his personal experience at a Catholic school that was open enough to teach all theories. He felt that openness in teaching and thought is the key to personal growth.

Mr. Onikoyi, guest, saw the creation story of Genesis and the theory of evolution as explaining each other, and that we ought to stop splitting them apart. Many of the stories in the Bible are not to be taken literally as they are fables we are to learn from.

Ms. Johnson, guest, felt that schools should not teach religious theory, and that our choice on the resolution was between an open-minded path in teaching evolution and a narrow-minded path in only teaching creationism.

Ms. Wilson told the society that we cannot be entirely sure of anythind in every field, including science, so we must teach evolution.

Ms. Krug, guest, said that for the freedom and education of America's youth, we owe them an open-minded education.

Mr. Hessick, guest, urged open mindedness for the benefit of our youth. Since religion and science have always been intertwined and will continue to be, we ought to concentrate on where we are rather than where we came from.

Ms. Johnson informed the society that the Europeans are laughing at us. She refuted the resolution, stating that Kansas is acting out of ignorance and fear.

Ms. McKinney described her personal experience of being unable to disprove an article of faith any more than her teacher had been able to prove it. Kansas does not have the right to favor the faith of the creationists.

Ms. Mikel refuted the resolution, stating that it would result in Americans uneducated in science, when we are already far behind other nations in science education.

Ms. Wood stated that the Constitution already prevents religion from being taught in school, and that we ought to teach evolution for the benefit of our students.

Mr. Crouse cited his personal background as both a Christian and a geographer. He described the different interpretations of "day" in ancient Judaism as an example of how the two need not be in conflict.

Mr. Butler pointed out that Kansas is not necessarily the center of the learned world, so we should not take our lead from it. He did not see a division between creationism and evolution, and stated that evolution should definitely be taught in schools.

Ms. Bean, guest, said that education is a fountain of knowledge, and that the school system functions to indoctrinate children, not teach them. Both evolution and creationism are "creation stories."

The question was called. The resolution failed 1 to 26 among the guests, and failed 1 to 12 among the members. A motion was made to recess for ten minutes for refreshment.

Ms. Frawley rose to discuss several fertilization treatments whose consequences seem unexamined. She questioned the motives of couples ignoring these consequences and presented:

Be it Resolved, People's desire to have a biological child at all costs is both selfish and irresponsible.

Respectfully,

Kelly Frawley

Mr. Goodhew informed the society about the facts surrounding the use of fetus ovaries, and hoped that fertility treatment centers would provide information about alternatives. We shouldn't limit ourselves from further innovation.

Ms. Jelic, guest, stated that we cannot judge the mindset of people who would want biological children so badly, not until we have been in their shoes.

Mr. Cohoon thought that the presenter had no right to make such a moral judgment. He reflected that life is a tough trial, one must win and pass on their genes.

Mr. Gandy, guest, described his personal experience of a close friend who has little chance for childbirth and feels an overwhelming sense of despair, and whose only hope lies in science.

Mr. Morgan ranted that everything we do is selfish and irresponsible, and following the slippery slope argument, stated that we might one day form the society in Huxley's "Brave New World"

Ms. Wilson informed the society that parenting is not about genes and a bloodline, its about love and connection to a life, and cited her experience with an adoptive father. People should think about the consequences of treatments.

Ms. Visser questioned why society should pass judgment on people who need help having kids or having so many at once. She agreed with the previous speakers' slippery slope argument.

Mr. Miller thought that the resolution revealed an underlying theme of antagonism to individual heroics, to the idea of giving anything to attain one's goal.

Ms. Moultrie agreed that we are selfish and irresponsible creatures and stated that the resolution is irrefutable since it does not state that this is wrong.

Ms. Mikel explained that parents live on through their children and that maybe selfish. She also pointed out that adoption in reality is not as easy as it is in theory.

The question was called, passing 6 to 5 among the guests and failing 7 to 9 among the membership.

Mr. Cohoon took the floor to describe the generous donation from Dr. Logue and presented,

Be it resolved, that the secretary compose a letter to Dr. Calvin Logue thanking him for his generous donation of books to our library.

Sincerely,

Jack Cohoon

Jeffery Callahan

Becky Johnson.

The question was called and the resolution was accepted by acclamation.

The society reconvened the normal order of business. During committee reports Ms. Kravig rose for programs, Mr. Rivner for judicial council, and Ms. Frawley for Public Relations. After reports, the society adjourned at 10:45pm subject to Mr. Pyrdum's critics report.

Finally the van pulled to a stop, the troop rolled out and wandered around, waiting for something mystical and exciting to happen. They turned the corner of the house and saw someone wandering around the grounds, a large, older man, dressed in 19th century costume.

"Well hello there, I don’t believe that I was expecting any company. " he said.

"Robert Toombs! Um, I’m Mr. Slone, and this is going to sound odd but…"

"Oh yes, you young Demosthenians, I knew you would be coming. Wait a second, Mr. Pyrdum? Didn’t you join the society when I was there?"

"Uh, no, it was just a few years after. But I think Mr. Wells did join then." He added, as Mr. Wells threw a cold glare in his direction.

"Anyway, I know y’all are here to bring me back to the hall with you. But I’m not going with you. That all was a long time ago, some of my favorite memories, but I don’t want to leave my home." The disappointed and confused travelers piled back into the van. "Can someone explain to me what the point of that trip was if he didn’t come back with us?" whined Mr. Pyrdam. "I don’t know, but maybe that’s not the end" offered Mr. Slone.

The magic van roared off for home. Suddenly a purple bra flew through the air as a feeble and distinctly British "oops… sorry about that" was uttered. Mr. Wells adjusted the rear view mirror and shouted "Oh please, can you just get a room? That’s the last time Ms Kravig and Mr. Goodhew get in the backseat." In the excitement he almost missed the young man walking on the side of the road, but did manage to pull over and offer him a ride.

"Why are you offering him a ride? What if he’s crazy?" hissed Mr. Slone. "Oh, and you’re not?" replied Ms Moultrie, "Where are you heading?" she called out the window, "can we give you a lift?"

"I’m going to Athens, a place called Demosthenian Hall, if you can help me out," said the svelte, young college boy. "My name’s Bob Toombs by the way."

"Get in!" everyone coursed. Unfortunately the van was already crowded, so Mr. Slone was left by the side of the road to make room. "Come back!" he called after, but the magic van was already out of sight.

Respectfully submitted,

Kelly Frawley