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Re: Re: rapproachment an...



> Frankly I find all these volumes addressing the NDT/CEDA "split" somewhat
> tiresome.  These are the same views that have been expressed for over a
> decade now.

Frankly, Glen, both CEDA and NDT have changed dramatically in the
last 10 years. I applaud your contributions at improving CEDA. I
think some of the improvements in both areas merit examination. While
I'm very sorry you find this so "tiresome," You seem very prejudiced
against any explication of NDT as "good." I critiqued "Love Child"
for the opposite views, I'd be a hypocrite if I let you get away with
it. Responses in public and private E-mail on this subject convince
me that some are less exhausted by this strand than you are.

> No one has really explained to me why those of us who are very
> content with our CEDA experience should suddenly allow ourselves to be fiated
> back into one group..

Who was suggesting that, Glen? The whole purpose of this discussion
is to explore both desirability and feasibility of some merger. No
one wants to eliminate either organization. Frankly, a lot of CEDA
coaches prefer their organization, but would also prefer the
possibility of separate divisions or an independent policy league,
distinct from NDT. My responses to Hunt are not meant to place NDT on
a superior pedestal, but to illustrate that many of the negatives
about NDT that caused you to leave have at least been minimized.
Besides your personal satisfaction, what are the REASONS why distinct
organizations advances the cause of forensic education.

>  ...It's as silly as Loyola's old world government fiat.

    Gee, isn't Loyola still running that as an argument at CEDA
tournaments. Socialism or steady-state fiat, very popular in CEDA,
seems equally silly...

> From the viewpoint of the Emporia State program,I,as the Director
of
> debate, am quite satisfied with our standing in the CEDA organization.  The
> ESU debaters are quite satisfied with the quality of debating they face each
> weekend.  And, even more importantly, the administration of Emporia State and
> the Kansas Board of Regents who govern the program are VERY satisfied with
> the ESU debate experience.

    Great PR work, Glen! The Kansas Board of Regents seem equally
satisfied with the predominantly NDT approach in Lawrence. ESU seemed
happy with NDT, before your reorientation of the program. I'm sure
your fine coaching (which would be equally fine in NDT...) would make
them happy with ESU debate even if you were doing parliamentary. At
least one of your top debaters seemed very satisfied in NDT his first
three or four years of competition. Satisfaction seems to rest not
with CEDA, per se, as much as it does with good people being involved
in an educationally-productive activity. Satisfaction is what we make
it.

>  This is a CEDA list service.  Let's discuss the
> benefits of the CEDA organization.  And, BTW, there are many.

Of course, CEDA has many benefits. But so does NDT. Parliamentary
even has some. The reasons for switching to CEDA were listed and
discourse was taking place over recent changes that affect that
decision. I still feel somewhat offended that you would attempt to
cut-off discourse between your colleagues by attempting to draw
artificial institutional boundaries over what is acceptable on this
online. I still feel that this meets Bahm's criteria for an offensive
language critique. I'll be willing to work on getting over my
disappointment, if you can try to allow discussion to continue
unimpeded.

Bear
MBRYANT@central.weber.edu
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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