A Voice in the WildernessMiller Center series looks to reverse the decline of discourse
In the Rotunda's Dome Room, Gerald Baliles introduces the
panelists for the Debate Series' inaugural event.
Photo by Tom Cogill
In poll after poll, Americans say that the most important issue facing the United States is the war in Iraq. Yet, a National Geographic survey reveals that six of 10 young Americans (age 18 to 24) cannot locate Iraq on a map. Meanwhile, the exploits of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton continue to occupy a large share of the collective consciousness. When matters of real national importance are discussed by the media, the debate is frequently shrill, cursory and divisive.
U.Va.'s Miller Center of Public Affairs is doing something about it.
The center's National Discussion and Debate Series—created by Miller Center director and former Virginia Gov. Gerald Baliles—is intended to be an antidote to scripted events, sound bites and shouting. The series encourages a vigorous, well-informed discussion about the issues of the day, emphasizing the value of civil discourse and the idea that people will respond to a conversation that engages them and talks to them, rather than at them.
"Too often, the idea of 'debate' in this country is overtaken by sound bites and heated arguments rather than a reasoned, informed exchange of ideas," says Baliles. "This series is an extension of the Miller Center's mission to examine important issues, and through it we aim to contribute to the national conversation with a genuine, thoughtful give-and-take that will both inform people and provoke dialogue."
The goal, Baliles says, is to "elevate the level of civility in the public discussion of the complex questions of our time."
The Miller Center, in partnership with MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, is hosting five events around the country during the 2007-08 academic year. The inaugural event, held Sept. 18, featured a debate on the resolution: "Keeping troops in Iraq is vital for American national interests in the Middle East."
Students view a Webcast of the Iraq debate in the
Newcomb Hall Ballroom.
Photo by Peggy Harrison
Held in the Dome Room of the Rotunda, the discussion included four of the country's leading experts on Iraq and the Middle East. In nearby Newcomb Hall, an overflow crowd of primarily students packed the ballroom for a viewing party, followed by a Q&A session with some of the panelists.
But the debate series is much more than just an hour-long discussion among a panel of experts. A content-rich Web site furthers the conversation, providing related research, white papers, maps, key votes, polls, news coverage, debater bios, audio and video, and links to interactive group pages on YouTube, MySpace, Google and others. Archived video and transcripts of the debates are also available on the site.
The second debate, set for Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in Washington, D.C., with The NewsHour's Ray Suarez as moderator, looks at the tug of war between privacy rights and security that has taken place since 9/11. The Newcomb Hall Ballroom will again host a viewing party, open to the public.
The Nov. 13 debate will be streamed live on the series' Web site (www.millercenter.org/debates) can be viewed on the following PBS stations:
- WCVE 23/WCVW 57 Richmond: Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 10 p.m.
- WCVE-23 Richmond: Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 10 p.m.
- WHTJ-41 Charlottesville: Thursday, Dec. 13 at 9 p.m.
- WHRO-15 Norfolk: Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 10 p.m.
- WBRA-15 Roanoke/WMSY-52 Marion/WSBN-47 Norton will air the debate live p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
- WVPT-Virginia's Public Television, 51 Staunton/WVPY-42 Front Royal will air the debate live.
