by James Baster on Wed Dec 11, 2002 1:21 am
[s]Al wrote on 22:17, 10th Dec 2002:
Everyone keeps saying that the UDS is treated as a "special case, but this is simply not true.
Apart from the large sums of money the union gives the Debating Society, you mean?
You also seem to be spending a large amount of time arguing over the exact definition of "Society" which neatly side steps the argument.
You say Debates is an integral part of the union: thats the whole argument. Where looking at it and saying, why is it? should it be?
Quite frankly, I can clearly see why it shouldnt. Firstly, can people stop saying its an open forum for debate among the student population, no it fucking isnt. Its an very formal and restricted forum for debate on a certain motion which the committee choses. Thats all very well but if you want to discuss rent prices or the ptp then, no you cant. If a student has a problem they want to discuss, the first person they go to is never the debating chamber.
Now, all your pedantic arguing over terms aside, tell me one god damn reason why the debate should operate in the union sphere, and not be an affiliated society? Cos I aint seen one yet.
[hr]
[s]Its nice to be able to blaspheme. It takes a very special and strong-minded kind of atheist to jump up and down with their hand clasped under their other armpit and shout 'Oh, random-flucuations-in-the-space-time-continuum!' or 'Aaargh, primitive-and-out-moded-concept on a crutch!' - Terry Pratchet, Men at arms[/s]