Debate 14: Washburn University, Topeka, KS.

The door outside the theater we had just spoken in...

Steve Doubledee who is one of the coaches at Washburn came and watched the debate in Salina and after a farewell dinner with Gary and his wife he drove us the two hours to Topeka, Kansas. Topeka is the State Capital of Kansas and is home to a museum commemorating the famous Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education Supreme Court case, which played a key role in the Civil Rights struggle. Alistair had in fact debated against Steve when he was a grad student many years ago in a round at the St. Andrews IV, so it was interesting to make the connection again. Having seen some of Topeka and the Washburn campus during the day we were all set for the debate. The team we were debating are currently ranked number two in the country for Parliamentary NPDA and one of their speakers was the top ranked speaker in the nation at Lincoln-Douglas debate. We were to take them on debating the motion ‘This House Believes Strict Gun Control Laws are the mark of a civilised society’. We proposed the motion and were slightly hesitant over how well this would go down in an area of the Mid-West that is famous for its love of all things gun related. However, the debate was well received, with both the President of the University and the Mayor of Topeka making speeches to welcome us. We added to our haul of branded gifts and were delighted to receive a City of Topeka umbrella (it had been raining all day, so this was an extremely thoughtful presentation!) by the Mayor and bow ties by the University President – who was sporting a rather snazzy number himself.


The debate itself was good fun – although we both realised the gulf in culture that exists between the US and UK over this controversial issue. The American psyche still seems to see guns as being at the core of US society and possession of a weapon as an essential right - lest a robber (or worse still the federal government!) might try to intervene in your private affairs. We put up a good case for gun control ‘yes really most British police officer don’t carry guns’ – ‘if you have a gun will the robber a. run away or b. buy a bigger gun’. (Plus some very nuanced stuff about fear and communities). There was no public vote but Steve told us the next day that one of his speech majors said to him afterward that if the Washburn team had won the debate she was quitting his class – all we would say is that she is still in attendance. News of our debate got a 30 second spot on the local TV news a 10pm but we were unable to watch as that night the whole debate team took us out to Topeka’s premier (and only) gay bar. Where we discussed topics ranging from the length of waiting lists in the NHS to what we should expect at our next stop in Texas. The evening was lots of fun and despite the lack of a DJ (no Karaoke for Alex this time) we were able to enjoy good cold pumpkin beer for 50p a pint until the wee small hours…