October 5, 2016
Volume CXXXVI Issue 16
SGA hosts debate during General Assembly Young Democrats and College Republicans debate issues on Thursday By WILLIAM THOMAS
debate. The Georgetown College Young Democrats faced off Republicans and Demo- against the GC College Repubcrats from all around campus licans in the debate, which was gathered this past Thursday, sponsored by SGA. Sept. 29, at the Student GovModerated by Dr. Melissa ernment Association General Scheier, Associate Professor Assembly to catch opposing and Chair of the political scisides go head to head in a ence department, the debate covered a variety of hot topics ranging from gun control to education to foreign policy. It was modeled in a traditional debate fashion; the questions were alternated between sides and with rebuttal time offered to the opposing side. The Young Democrats were represented by Junior Raleigh Dixon and Sophomore Kolt Boddy, both of whom are political science majors. Speaking on behalf of the College Republicans were Senior The Georgetonian/DOUG MOLLETT business administraDylan Haraway responds to a question major Nick Kathtion. man, Junior economics Features Editor
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10 Commandments of Clown Safety page 3
major Dylan Haraway and Freshman history, English and political science triple major Maranda Finney. The two sides disagreed on many policies but found agreement in others. On gun control, Finney argued for the Republicans that stricter gun background checks must be implemented to prevent the weapons from falling into bad hands, but she said that banning guns would be a serious misstep. Likewise, Dixon for the Democrats argued that stricter gun control must be set in place. He did deny, however, that Democrats want to actually ban guns and take them from gun owners. The debate was particularly respectful as neither side lashed out at the other, a notable difference from those larger–scale debates between big name politicians. At the close of the debate, Scheier urged students to take action in the political process. She encouraged attendees to register to vote as soon as possible, saying, “I don’t care who you vote for. I just want you
to vote... If you don’t vote, you can’t complain.” SGA President Turner Altman had an array of positive things to say about the debate. When asked why SGA thought it was important to host a debate like this, he said, “It’s important because our college students are the leaders of tomorrow, and it’s important for our educational systems to The Georgetonian/DOUG MOLLETT promote education on Kolt Boddy speaks at the debate. what’s going on in our country.” to sponsor voter registration He continued, “The debate drives on campus and they went well. I was glad to have hope to do so again this year. everybody out…it was policy Those interested in becombased, so I think it was educa- ing involved in any of these tional for everybody because organizations may contact Kolt there wasn’t any heated dis- Boddy, president of GC Young cussion or jabbing at the other Democrats, Dylan Haraway, party.” president of College RepubliThe campus community cans, or Turner Altman, presihas responded positively to dent of SGA. the debate. In previous years, Young Democrats, College Republicans and SGA have teamed up
Equestrian Team opens with strength page 4
Dr. Karla Wessels wins gold medal page 7
Clowns have become a major concern page 10