[eDebate] Step 1 or Step 2?

[Jean-Paul Lacy]

At 03:38 PM 5/7/2006, debate at ou.edu wrote:





>The Topic Comittee Chair says:

>

>-----------------

>Reminder that Step 1 (or maybe it's step 2) in the topic process is coming to

>a close tomorrow at noon. If you want your preference to have an impact (and

>we've had several really close elections the past few years) you have to vote

>for the area by noon tomorrow.

>

>Steve Mancuso

>

>--------------

>

>That could be confusing Sir.  Mostly because Step 1 in the voting process 

>was supposed to include a ballot

>with different topic areas, not areas of a topic area.

>

>I could see how you might get this confused!  However, a small group of 

>people decided we didnt need step 1

>this year from what I understand.



I can understand how you see things that way.

But, from my perspective, the Topic Committee decided more than a year ago 
(giving dissenters plenty of intervening time & meetings to argue for 
repeal) that the consistent second place topic area deserves thorough 
exploration.

A majoritarian process should not systematically shut out a large minority 
(In this particular case, those who want a 'legal' topic year after year.)

--JP