In the words of the great President Drew, Thursday was a triumphant night for the Philodemic.  The Society gathered with many welcomed guests for the debate “Resolved: The States Should Legalize Same-Sex Marriage.”  On the affirmation, the superbly dressed Corina Kwami framed the debate in terms of equal protection and benefits.  Marriage is an exchange between different members of the community that carries certain rights and privileges, and Miss Kwami argued passionately that the state plays an essential role in extending equality to all.  On the negation, Drew Peterson unleashed legal fire, arguing that the propagative purpose of heterosexual relationships marks them as crucially distinct in the legal discourse on rights.  Mr. Peterson showed with characteristic clarity that states have no particular interest in regulating homosexual relationships, so they have no legal obligation to support or oppose gay marriages.   After the opening keynotes, the Society heard some of the best floor speeches of the year – members and guests alike spoke with passion and respect.  Many on the affirmation argued that distinct categories for different types of relationships marginalize groups.  On the other hand, many negation speakers argued against the regulation of marriage itself – as Mr. Brian Harbour so eloquently put it, “It’s not eHarmony.gov.”  On the whole, the debate was thoughtful and entertaining – a true testament to the best abilities of the Society.

Many thanks to all who came to the debate, but a special thanks to the members of GU Pride, who worked with the Society on the topic and made a strong showing on Thursday evening.  The Philodemic appreciates contributions from all parts of the campus community, and we hope to continue our growing relationship with new friends at Pride.

After a great night, this resolution was heartily affirmed, 30-15-2.  All in attendance marched merrily to the apartment of Dustin Walker and Philofriends, where a fabulously fun Philoparty made for a great conclusion to the night.  Please join us next week for the final regular debate of the season (before the legendary Christmas Debate, that is!) – “Resolved: Hamlet was mad.”

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The Society met on Thursday to discuss “Resolved: The Global War on Terror has been a Failure.”  Starting out the evening on the affirmation, Mr. Alex Henderson outlined efforts of the United States in Afghanistan, arguing that Afghanistan is the War on Terror and has been a monumental failure.  Debuting before the Society in her induction keynote, Miss Claire McCarthy countered this claim fiercely.  She argued that our intelligence capabilities have improved drastically, reducing the number of isolated terrorist cells worldwide and preventing attacks on American soil.  Also joining us for his induction keynote, Mr. César López eloquently argued that terrorist groups have actually become stronger since 2001 because of the polarizing actions of the United States.  Finishing off the opening keynotes on the negation, Mr. Silvio Gutierrez gave an entertaining but thoughtful speech, arguing that we must construct an ideology of tolerance and justice that can compete with extremism.

Floor speeches for the evening went well, although as Mr. Desnick kindly reminded us, “they can’t all be gems, folks.”  The non-members who spoke this evening did a particularly excellent job of keeping the debate focused and engaging.  After four wonderful closing keynotes, the Society divided the room to pass judgment on the defining American foreign policy agenda of this century.  In a cuttingly close decision, this resolution was negated, 16-15-2.  Miss McCarthy and Mr. López were inducted with cheer – the Society is grateful to add them to our ranks.

Please join us next week for what will surely be the defining debate of the fall season: “Resolved: The states ought to legalize gay marriage.”

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Fierce competition brought the Philodemic Room to life this week as the Philodemic Society took on George Washington’s Enosinian Society in the second annual Columbia Cup competition!  Our two Societies went head to head in the debate, “Resolved: The death penalty should be abolished.”  Using eloquence in defense of liberty on the affirmation were Mr. Will Downes and Mr. Dustin Walker of the Philodemic.  Using passionate speech in defense of the death penalty on the negation were Mr. Sean Peerenboom and Mr. Alex Shoucair of the Enosinian.  Both sides delivered convincing arguments flawlessly, debating the concept of justice, the possibility of deterrence, and the fallibility of the justice system.  Following the opening keynotes, floor speakers added fire to the debate, questioning cultural relativity, the right to take another’s life, and what it means to deserve to die.  All speakers were excellent, including many friends from the Enosinian Society.

After thought-provoking closing keynotes, the results of the debate and the competition were announced.  The room was divided, and this resolution was affirmed, 35-18.  As for the competition itself, two alumni, Mr. Aaron Connelly (GW ‘08) and Mr. Alex Sanjenis (GU ‘03)  were kind enough to serve as judges and weigh the merits of the four keynoters.  After some intense deliberation, the Philodemic Society was named victorious, winning the Columbia Cup once again.

Thank you to all who came to the debate, and special thanks to our two judges.  The Philodemic Society had an excellent time debating the Enosinian, and we look forward to much future fun.  To one and all – please join us this Thursday for a nice dose of International Relations in “Resolved: The Global War on Terror has been a Failure.”

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The Society gathered on Thursday to discuss “Resolved: President Obama deserved the Nobel Peace Prize.”  This controversial topic drew numerous new faces to the Philodemic Room, and the Society was delighted to see and hear from so many esteemed guests.  On the affirmation, Miss Allison Wagner spoke eloquently of the responsibility for the future President Obama has shouldered.  His Nobel Peace Prize was a call to action and an affirmation of his multilateral approach to diplomacy.  Mr. Peter Grace challenged this claim cleverly, reading a list of President Obama’s past accomplishments in all offices to demonstrate just how little the President has done.  Mr. Grace argued that President Obama pales in comparison to other nominees and past winners, cheapening the award itself.  The floor speakers following did an award-worthy job of examining the issue from complex perspectives, exploring the value of the prize, the meaning of peace and the achievements of President Obama.

After  swift and solid closings by the keynoters, the Society divided the room, yielding an unexpectedly narrow negation of 15-2-17.  A journey to Martin’s afterward completed the night – the only thing we lacked was a team of cheerful Norwegians affirming our multidimensional approach to debate.

Please join us next week in the Philodemic Room as we take on the Enosinian Society of George Washington University in the second annual Columbia Cup competition.  The debate is sure to be quite a showing of fierce rhetorical talent on both sides.

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The Philodemic celebrated Thanksgiving early this year with Thursday’s debate “Resolved: Jamestown, not Plymouth, is the seed of American culture.”  On the affirmation, Mr. Ohm Gore argued that Jamestown’s early economy embodies American entrepreneurship.  While the settlers in Jamestown may have been a rough and tumble crowd, they freed their slaves, demonstrating a spirit of tolerance clearly absent in Plymouth.  Mr. Matt Cantarino defended Plymouth against this charge brilliantly on the negation, citing the spirit of American democracy that was born aboard the Mayflower.  He argued that Pilgrims saw their venture to the new world as a sacred mission, a spiritual conception distinctly lacking at Jamestown.  The floor speeches went quite smoothly, with many well-delivered non-member speeches on both sides.  After some excellent speeches about MTV, democracy, and Pocahontas, the keynoters closed, charging the Society to consider the true nature of American spirit and zealotry.

While the resolution was negated 10-18, the Society’s love of Thanksgiving was thankfully affirmed.  And while Martin’s does not serve stuffing, turkey or pumpkin pie, the Society enjoyed a lovely evening at our favorite tavern.    (Edit: The writer has been informed that Martin’s serves a tasty white chicken breast, which is a nice substitute for Thanksgiving junkies who aren’t purists about their holiday fare.  Martin’s also offers not one, but two[!] different kinds of stuffing.  Duly noted for the future).

We hope you will join us for future debates at 8 pm in the Philodemic Room!

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The Society gathered on Thursday for the sixth debate of the semester, “Resolved: Richard M. Nixon was a greater president than John F. Kennedy.”  Despite the drear outside, we were joined by numerous non-members and even some august alumni.  On the affirmation, Mr. Nick Myers wowed the Society with quotes from Otto von Bismarck, historical landscapes and high expectations for the debate.  Mr. Myers pointed to the peace-making promises of President Nixon, and indicated his administration’s achievements in international relations.  Mr. Dustin Walker then stood and silenced the room with his words on President Nixon’s true legacy, one of lost American lives and shameless political maneuvering.  Speaking of President Kennedy, Mr. Walker urged the Society to consider the integrity and inspiration that characterized the Kennedy administration, including President Kennedy’s dream of a mission to the moon.  We heard many floor speeches about corruption, integrity and accomplishment – we even heard a few about George Washington and John Quincy Adams, the Society’s two other favorite presidents.

This debate was overwhelmingly negated, 3-2-22.  The Society adjourned to Martin’s, braving icy rain and mysteriously early cold for a lovely Thursday night.

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The Society gathered this week in the library conference room to discuss “Resolved: Red Sqaure, and not Dahlgren Quad, is the heart of Georgetown University.”  Miss Corina Kwami started off the debate with a lovely keynote on the affirmation, showing the Society that Red Square is the center of activity and idealism at Georgetown.  She spoke of the problematic (and fake) binary between secular philosophy and theology, encouraging the Society to explore architectural and spatial themes in Red Square and Dahlgren Quad.  Miss Emma Green followed with a keynote on the negation, highlighting the special spiritual significance that Dahlgren holds.  Dahlgren Quad is Georgetown’s symbol of Ignatian ideals and Jesuit educational philosophy, and Miss Green used the theme of “walks through Georgetown” to highlight the way students connect to this spiritual history.  Keynotes were followed by absolutely superb floor speeches, including entertaining stories about first kisses in Dahlgren and mob attacks in Red Square.  The Society heard many august metaphors for the relationship between Red Square and Dahlgren Quad, marking the evening as one of the most creative of the semester.  The Society especially enjoyed hearing floor speeches from every non-member who attended the debate.

After beautiful closing keynotes by Miss Green and Miss Kwami, the Society sided with Red Square, affirming the resolution 11-9.  The evening was concluded with a trip to Martin’s – another fabulous Thursday in the Philodemic Society.

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Last Thursday, the Society tackled bioethics with the debate “Resolved: Society Should Allow the Practice of Liberal Eugenics.”  Keynoting for the evening were President Randy Drew on the affirmation, Mr. Will Downes on the negation, Miss Becca English giving her induction keynote on the affirmation, and Miss Emily Durfee giving her induction keynote on the negation.  President Drew defined liberal eugenics as screening embryos for certain genetic qualities, and argued that it is better for individuals to have authority of choice in this screening process.  Mr. Downes countered, arguing that screening for certain qualities is a form of determinism that reduces humans to what they are at birth.  Miss English gave a fabulous keynote, showing the Society that new scientific capabilities can help kids live longer and gives women freedom of reproductive choice.  On the negation, Miss Durfee warned that humans do not necessarily know what genes are best, and told of the terrible consequences that could come of flippant genetic manipulation.

The floor speeches for the evening were top of the line – members vied all night to get their turn pacing up and down the floor.  The Society enjoyed the contributions of several guests, who we hope to see back this coming Thursday for “Resolved: Red Square, Not Dahlgren Quad, is the Heart of Georgetown University.”  Special congratulations to Miss English and Miss Durfee, two long-time Philofriends who have joined our ranks with the heartfelt welcome of the Society.

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Alumni and undergraduates came together in the Philodemic Room this weekend for the annual Hamilton Debate.  This year’s Hamilton was particularly special, as it represents the twentieth anniversary of the revival of the Philodemic Society.  Alumni Philodemica President Jordan Nardino (Class of ‘00) brought many impressive alumni back to the Philodemic Room, and we were glad to share with them in debating “Resolved: America’s Best Days are Ahead of It.”

Hearty thanks and congratulations go out to the four keynoters: Mr. Paul Miller (COL ‘99) on the affirmation; Mr. Jack Massey (SFS ‘99) on the negation; Mr. David Gootzit (SFS ‘99) on the affirmation; and Mr. Jordan Nardino (COL ‘00) on the negation.  Also, the alumni present were proud to award Mr. Alex Henderson (COL ‘12) with the Hamilton Medal for the best floor speech of the night.  The Society is proud of Mr. Henderson’s eloquence.

After the debate, the Society gathered in Riggs Library for a lovely reception.  In particular, the food was fabulous – finger food was enjoyed by all.

Please join us next Thursday at 8 pm for “Resolved: Human Society Should Allow the Practice of Liberal Eugenics.”

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Thursday saw the year’s first debate spiced with international flavor as we discussed “Resolved: The Coup in Honduras was Justified.”  The topic referred to the regime shifts in Honduras this summer, which resulted in former President Manuel Zalaya leaving the country at the force of his own military.  Starting off the night, Drew Peterson described the events of the summer, peppering his story with the political philosophy of John Locke.  Mr. Peterson emphasized Mr. Zalaya’s flagrant flouting of a Supreme Court ruling, arguing that restorers of law, not tyrants, are justified.  Brandon Butterworth countered with a defense of Mr. Zalaya’s actions, which were in defense of the poor and designed to institute reform.  Mr. Butterworth noted the marked decrease in democracy since Mr. Zalaya was deposed, and argued that the plot-planners were corrupt military, businessmen and political opponents who violated the rule of law.  Next up, the Society got a treat as Bibiana Pesant took the dais for her induction key note.  Miss Pesant drew a parallel between Honduras and Venezuela, arguing that Mr. Zalaya’s path has been forged before by corrupt leaders in Latin America and throughout history.  Following was Scott Olmstead, another superb speaker giving his induction keynote.  Mr. Olmstead showed that Mr. Zalaya’s actions were a selflessly-motivated appeal to the people, and he eloquently cited the words of Edmund Burke.

The floor speeches of the night were fabulous, with much talk of tyranny and tradition.  After an excellent debate and several inspiring closing speeches by the keynoters, the topic was affirmed, 30-18-2.  Afterwards, Miss Pesant and Mr. Olmstead were inducted into the Society to the joy of all members present.

The Society was also excited to welcome  Mr. Jordon Nardino (Class of ‘99) back to the Philodemic Room this Thursday.  Moreover, we are looking forward immensely to welcoming back many ranks of alumni on Saturday, September 26 for the Hamilton debate.  Please join us for “Resolved: America’s Greatest Days are Ahead of Us.”

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