Archive for August 2011
Let the classes begin!
Now that the furor over WSDC 2011 is over, my life has returned to normal, in most instances. After a rather lengthy train journey back to Atlantic College, I arrived to find another 100 odd people on campus – our first years had arrived.
It was quite fun meeting everyone for the first time, especially since I pretended to be a first year myself. That act lasted about one evening. I have almost memorized everyone’s name, but not having been to camp or been around when all the first years arrived does make it a little harder.
Last weekend, the Shakespear Globe theatre put on ‘As you like it’ on the top-lawn of the Castle Gardens. A really well done production that was entertaining and top-notch. What’s more, I was able to help set-up and take-down the stage as part of Art Center Service. Wonderful learning opportunity, and we were able to see the behind the scenes of the play which was a really cool experience.
Other than that, these last few days have mostly been free. Meaning long hours spent pouring over university applications and other mundane bits of work.
Today however, classes start again. So without further ado, let the classes begin!
Obama, get a backbone
A lot of news has been coming out of the US, as always. One thing that did catch my eye was the following tweet which has made its rounds in the news cycle:
There was just a 6.0 earthquake in Washington. Obama wanted it to be 3.4, but the Republicans wanted 6.0, so he compromised.—
God (@TheTweetOfGod) August 23, 2011
OK, so maybe it was intended as a joke. But I think it makes a serious point about the way Obama is running his admistration. The term compromise DOES NOT mean GIVE REPUBLICANS ALL THEY WANT, which is sadly exactly what Obama is doing 90% of the team.
I respect his insistence on trying to negociate and his pragmatism in decision making, but when the other side is clearly unwilling to give any leway, sometimes Obama just needs to stop folding at every turn. There are times perhaps when he has to play grown-up and fold in the best interest of the country, thinking debt celing here (although the S&P’s downgrade really didn’t do that much damage), but he doesn’t need to do that on every issue.
Time and time again, the polls have shown clearly that if anyone is going to pick-up the blame, it’s going to be Republicans. So why give-up on ending the Bush tax-cuts, or refusing a debt solution that doesn’t definatively include tax increases.
Being grown-up and looking beyond petty politics isn’t a problem, but sometimes when he’s right, Obama needs to grow a backbown and stand firm.
WSDC 2012 – Team Thailand
This is part of the WSDC 2011 series as I recount and report on the World School Debating Championship 2011 in Dundee, Scotland as a debater, blogger and Wales national team member.
For WSDC 2011, Team Thailand will be
- Arissa (Sacred Heart Convent)
- Megan (Anglo Singapore International School)
- Powder (Patumwan Demonstration School)
- Puff (Patumwan Demonstration School)
- Rain (Patumwan Demonstration School)
- Jazzlina (Anglo Singapore International School)
Team Thailand will be coached by Ajarn Luang P. [LP]
Source: http://www.epts.satitpatumwan.ac.th/index.php?limitstart=8
Hong Kong Attractions
A little something I created for my recent trip to Yunnan that I thought I might share.
WSDC 2012 – Team Korea Selections
Selections for Team Korea are set to begin even as WSDC 2011 has yet to start. Eric Moberg sent out the following message at the end of July, calling for applications for both Coach and Member of Team Korea 2012. The general timeline of selection is embedded below. Application forms can be downloaded from the links below.
Read the rest of this entry »
WSDC 2013 – Antalya, Turkey
More information can be found at http://www.wsdcturkey.org/
WSDC 2011 – Round-up
This is part of the WSDC 2011 series as I recount and report on the World School Debating Championship 2011 in Dundee, Scotland as a debater, blogger and Wales national team member.
Motions: http://paullau.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/motions-wsdc-2011-motions/
Grand Final
THBT Autocracy is doomed in the Age of Facebook
Champions: Singapore
Runners-up: Australia
Other results below:
- Top 30 Best Speakers
- Top 20 English as a Second Language Speakers
- Top 10 English as a Foreign Language Speakers
- Other Awards
- Team Rankings
- Full Best Speaker, Best EFL Speaker and Best ESL Speaker lists
WSDC 2011 – Motions
This is part of the WSDC 2011 series as I recount and report on the World School Debating Championship 2011 in Dundee, Scotland as a debater, blogger and Wales national team member.
R1: THW offer dictators immunity in return for leaving power
R2: THW allow free distribution of music on the internet
R3: THBT universal primary education is a misallocation of resources for the developing world
R4: THW make voting in national elections mandatory
R5: THW legalize the sale of human organs
R6: THW stop sending humans into space (originally reserve motion)
R7: THBT women can only achieve equality under a secular system of government
R8: THW penalize sporting teams for the behavior of their fans
OF: THW abandon nuclear energy
QF: TH supports free immigration
SF: THBT every region should have the right to independent statehood if majority of it’s members wish
GF: THBT Autocracy is doomed in the Age of Facebook
WSDC 2011 – Semifinals results
This is part of the WSDC 2011 series as I recount and report on the World School Debating Championship 2011 in Dundee, Scotland as a debater, blogger and Wales national team member.
Results for the Semifinals
SF: THBT every region should have the right to independent statehood if a majority of it’s members wish
- Australia [4] defeat Scotland [9] by split vote 5-2
- Singapore [9] defeat Ireland [11] by split vote 5-2
Grand-finals match-ups
Australia will propose the motion that ‘THBT autocracies are doomed in the Age of Facebook’. Singapore will oppose the motion
Semi-finals
WSDC 2011 – Quarterfinals results
This is part of the WSDC 2011 series as I recount and report on the World School Debating Championship 2011 in Dundee, Scotland as a debater, blogger and Wales national team member.
Results for the Quarterfinals
Team Hong Kong at the RRS Discovery (Quarter-finals)
- Scotland beat England 4-1
- Australia beat South Africa 5-0
- Ireland beat Hong Kong 4-1
- Singapore beat Canada 5-0
It should be noted that all four winning teams were on the opposition.
Semi-finals match-ups
- Scotland [9] vs. Australia [4]
- Ireland [11] vs. Singapore [15]
Semi-finals
