The Indian Point Debate is on!
HVDU announces
THE INDIAN POINT DEBATE
First in our Spring 2009 Season of 'Oxford-style' debates
Coming to Garnerville Monday 30 March 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patrick McGrath 845-429-3206
STONY POINT, NY (20 March 2009) – The first debate of the Spring 2009 season of the Hudson Valley Debate Union, held in the “Oxford” style, will take place on Monday March 30th, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m, at the Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library on Route 202 in Garnerville (near the Shop-Rite and CVS).
The motion for the debate will be, “This House urges the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to reject the license renewal application for Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 2 and 3.”
This debate is sponsored by the Hudson Valley Debate Union, which brings the interactive, face-to-face “Oxford” style of debate to Rockland County, the Hudson Valley, and beyond. The Debates of the Hudson Valley Debate Union are not sponsored or endorsed by the Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library and are free and open to the general public.
Scheduled to appear as Principal Speakers in favor of the motion are:
- Mr. Mark Jacobs of the Indian Point Safe Energy Council
- Ms. Marilyn Elie of the Westchester Citizens Awareness Network
- Mr. Gary Shaw of the Croton Close Indian Point Association
Scheduled to appear as Principal Speakers against the motion are:
- Mr. John Kelly, certified health physicist and retired director of licensing for Entergy Nuclear Northeast
- Ms. Diane Holland of the Town of Clarkstown Republican Committee
- A Principal Speaker to be named later
HVDU Founder and Executive Director Patrick McGrath comments, “Following the success of our Obama and McCain debates last fall, the HVDU now brings its attention to one of the Hudson Valley's most polarizing issues—Indian Point, which has been a point of contention ever since the reactors went on line. The plants' opponents believe that nuclear power generation is inherently unsafe, and that the Indian Point location in the Hudson Valley is specifically unsafe; the plants' operators and their supporters contend that the electricity it generates is critical to the economic life of the Hudson Valley and beyond, and that they operate the plant within safety standards.”
“The Oxford-style format,” McGrath continued, “allows the sides to confront their opponents directly, rather than through intermediaries. It will compel both sides to think on their feet and respond coherently to their opponents' questions.”
WHAT HAPPENS AT AN 'OXFORD STYLE' HUDSON VALLEY DEBATE UNION EVENT?
“Our debates are participatory debates, and the Voting Guests in the audience participate along with the Principal Speakers,” McGrath explained. “We use a modified version of the format used at the famous Debate Unions of Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England, and at many other debate societies.
“'It's more like an intellectual boxing match—or like tag-team wrestling—than the dog-and-pony shows that have passed for 'debate' in this country. What's even better—unlike a World Wrestling event, the audience can participate directly in the contest.
“Here's what happens: The six Principal Speakers at the debates will each get ten minutes for their speeches. The first two minutes and the last two minutes are 'protected'--but the middle six minutes are subject to Points of Information.
“During a Point of Information, anyone in the the audience can stand up, raise his or her hand, and shout out, 'Point of Information!' Nothing between you and the Principal Speaker—you just stand up, right from your chair—and rip it. Now, the Principal Speaker on the floor at the time has the right to refuse any and all Points of Information, but they are strongly urged to take at least one or two.
“And, when all of the Principal Speakers are finished, and the question is called, the audience will vote on the motion. We're doing this low-tech: we'll pass around the ballot box, the Voting Guests will drop in the poker chips we use as ballots – green for 'yea,' red for 'nay' – then we'll count the votes, announce the vote total and find out if the motion has passed. Now that's what I call participatory democracy,” McGrath said.
Further information about the Hudson Valley Debate Union can be found at the HVDU's Web site: www.hvdebateunion.org.
NOTICE TO EDITORS: A second HVDU debate has been scheduled for Wednesday 6 May 2009, also at the King's Daughters' Library in Garnerville. The debate topic has yet to be finalized.