Intelligence Squared

“The GOP Must Seize The Center or Die”

/ Matthew Clemente / Leave a comment

“The GOP Must Seize The Center or Die”

That was the proposition being debated on NPR’s Intelligence Squared.  It is perhaps the most important debate in American politics today.  

The Intelligence Squared website describes the debate as follows: 

2012 was a disappointing year for Republicans. The failure to win key swing states in the presidential election and surprising losses in the House and Senate have prompted some reflection. Was their embrace of small government, low taxes, and a strong conservative stance on social issues at odds with shifting American demographics? Or did the GOP embrace the right platform, but the wrong candidates? 

The debaters included David Brooks (The New York Times) and Mickey Edwards (former US Congressman (R-OK)) arguing in favor of the motion and Laura Ingraham (The Laura Ingraham Show) and Ralph Reed (Faith & Freedom Coalition). 

Abolish the Minimum Wage?

/ Matthew Clemente / Leave a comment

Abolish the Minimum Wage?

That was the proposition being debated on the most recent Intelligence Squared debate.  The debater included James A. Dorn (Cato Institute) and Russell Roberts (Hoover Institution) arguing in favor of the motion and Jared Bernstein (Former Chief Economist to Vice President Joe Biden) and Karen Kornbluh (Former US Ambassador, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). 

Should Genetically Engineered Babies Be Banned?

/ Matthew Clemente / Leave a comment

Should Genetically Engineered Babies Be Banned?

That was the proposition being debated Intelligence Squared (approximately 50 minutes). Sheldon Krimsky (Professor, Tufts University and Chair, Council for Responsible Genetics) and Lord Robert Winston (Professor of Science and Society and Emeritus Professor, Fertility Studies, Imperial College) argue for prohibition, Dr. Nita Farahany (Professor of Law and Philosophy and Professor of Genome Sciences & Policy, Duke University) and Lee Silver (Professor, Princeton University and Author) argue against it.