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Minutes for March 13th, 2003 Well, I’ve been hearing
that some of you aren’t happy with the way the minutes were read
last week. Listen to me carefully: I DON’T CARE.
Carl Pyrdum did his minutes one just like I did my minutes last
week and probably for about the same reason: He was just plain busy.
I’m sorry that I was too busy to write the minutes that you all
want me to write, but they were written this way for about the first
150 years or so and it seemed to work out fine.
Anyway, now that that’s over:
We had 1 first time guest and 1 returning guest.
Ms. D’Andrea was appointed critic and it is noted that A) Mr.
Peery was wearing a tweed jacket and that B) Ms. Duncan was dressed
"appropriately"
In committee reports, Ms. Hines said we’re painting this week.
Mr. Lerner mentioned the viola, but it turns out Mr. Kennedy
owned it, therefore it’s probably worthess.
Ms. Ramsay accidently paid for something which she was supposed
to pay for, she just forgot to tell us. Eh, if you have to ask the
price, you can’t afford it…
So Bobby went on and on about his stupid racquetball playing
thing. Yes, I’m sure it’s fun, but why did you all play into Bobby’s
plan? He’s only adequate on the court and he had to show that
somewhere on this planet, he did something well. Well, Bobs, I hope
you’re happy.
In old business, Mr. Lerner’s amendment was untabled and
presented again. The resolution calls for the phrase "that by these
means we may aquire benefits, and contract friendships which shall
not be forgotten when we meet again in the serious business of
life," to be added back into the constitution.
Mr. Lewis wondered where we were going to insert it. Todd, I’ll
tell you where you can put it!
Mr. Miller told us that the phrase made us a frat.
Ms. Webb said that friendship isn’t the main goal of this
society. No problem, Ms. Webb. See how many of us show up to your
graduation now!
Then The Resident Frat Boy stood and said that we can be friends,
but that the amendment made us into a "good ole boys club".
Mr. Lerner announced that he’d changed his mind and the
resolution failed 7-16
In new business, Mr. Lewis presented the resolution that the
debate team will be debating in a few short weeks:
BIR: The commonweal is better served by direct democracy than by
representative democracy.
Doesn’t anyone know what on Earth the commonweal is? Apparently
MS Word does because suggested I change the spelling.
Mr. Bogue said that the people just aren’t well enough informed
to vote but that representatives do vote their own interests.
Mr. Gallagher said that a representative democracy is better
economically because it sets up a better division of labor.
Mr. Kennedy brought up how the digital divide would keep people
from voting.
Mr. Miller said that direct democracy has worked for the Greeks
and maybe it can work for us.
Mr. Mathis said that the resolution was poppy cock in the old
words of Mr. Lewis. He said there were people who worked full-time
in D.C. to vote for us.
Ms. Winchell spoke against the resolution because she said it was
too complicated and that people just won’t vote.
I said that people don’t vote because the feel that their votes
don’t count, so maybe if they were voting directly, people would be
more interested and more educated about voting.
Mr. Wesley said that a direct democracy is no better – we would
simply form a coalition government; Right now, at least people can
be voted out of office for not voting how their constituents want
them to vote.
Mr. Cull said that a direct democracy never really existed
because there needs to always been someone in charge
Mr. Levinton said that individual freedom is the goal of
democracy
Mr. Sloan (?) said that he supports the resolution for it’s
ideals, but said that it wouldn’t work in the United States.
Bummer….
Mr. Peery also basically said that direct democracy just isn’t
practical.
Mr. Moulds said that we are too large a country to have direct
democracy work; also because people don’t know what ‘s going on .
Mr. Grosse said direct democracy couldn’t work because of the
rich and politicians who are currently in power and what not
Mr. Theiss said that direct democracy wouldn’t allow
organizations like the CIA to function and dir dem is inefficient
Mr. Lewis rose again to say that people would participate when
they needed to and thus a direct democracy wouldn’t work.
Representative dem has worked fairly well for the country and thus
we should keep doing it.
Mr. Peery said something about the debate being grounded in
reality and thus representative democracy wins out. If the debate is
fake, then direct democracy
The resolution was voted down 3-17
Ms. Duncan presented a resolution on the plight of native
Americans, who are suffering and need to federal government to step
in and provide better drug and alcohol education for Native
Americans as well educate the U.S. population about Native American
history and culture.
Mr. Lewis said that money given to the Native Americans would be
wasted and said not to vote for the resolution.
Ms. Skrmetti said other groups are treated badly as well
Ms. Parker said we can help all people as we usually do…
Mr. Kennedy suggested upping funds through congress
Mr. Miller said that while all tribes are not the same, many are
like third world countries inside of the United States
Mr. Moulds noted something at this point, but I can’t tell. Maybe
somebody in 50 years will figure it out.
I said that Native Americans had not asked for money and that
they should use the media if they really want some
Ms. Webb said that this is starting a system based on ethnicity
and that’s wrong. Sure Mary. Sure. This is what you get for not
wanting to be friends anymore
Mr. Theiss says that Mr. Lewis’ statements were stupid and that
the Romans (which I don’t remember Todd referring to) weren’t as
great as we think they are. I can’t WAIT for you to meet Ann Graham,
John!
The resolution failed 6-8, which, again, doesn’t sound like
quorum, Bobby. Maybe you should hit balls at people!
Respectfully submitted,
Amish Trivedi |
University of Georgia 