Join us at the Phi Kappa Literary Society this Thursday, and debate the merits of the Social Security system with us. And, remember to come early for some snacks and chats. 

BIHR: The Social Security Income Tax should be abolished.

Presented by Brother Jason Orlosky
Negated by Sister Ruthie Lichtenstein

As always, there will be creative writings and a fun second debate following our main program.

Definitions:

Please find the definitions below for Thursday’s debate on social Security:

BIHR: The Social Security Income Tax should be abolished.

- For the purposes of this debate, we will be discussing the abolishment of the social security income tax only, not any other social programs like Medicare or Welfare.

- When referring to the Social Security Income Tax, I am referring to the social security program of the United States only.

- By abolished, I mean that the tax will be removed from all citizens’ paychecks. Note that this removal can be a gradual reduction of the tax over several years.

That's right, a summer Athens institution is back! It's time for Summer Meeting Mark II!

This time we're all about Taxes and Oil. It's the intersection of business and the environment, and the resolution is as follows:

BIHR: The Superfund tax on oil and chemical companies should not be reinstated.

Information on the definitions and presenter/negation will be posted soon.

A small hint and warning about the things we have planned for you:

Start thinking grandiose and reading up on your favorite historical and literary pieces from long ago.

President:

Sister Noelle Shuck

First Assistant:

Brother Andrew Schwegler

Second Assistant:

Sister Kristin Foxworth

Chief Justice:

Sister Kayla Sullivan

Associate Justices:

Brother Henry Friedrich and Sister Amy Guined

Clerk:

Sister Ruthie Lichtenstein

Historian:

Sister Ruthie Lichtenstein

Clavinger:

Brother Whit Carmon

Censor:

Sister Terry Bardagjy

This week in Phi Kappa, we’re debating libel laws as they pertain to the food industry. Does Monsanto have the right to sue the makers of Food, Inc?

From the presenter, Sister Baker:

BIHR: Industry-specific libel laws are unconstitutional and thus should be abolished. RS, Sister Baker

By “industry-specific libel laws”, I mean laws such as the “veggie libel laws” which exist in 13 states (including Georgia) which afford heightened protection of perishable food industries against critical speech. I will be using veggie libel laws as my argument against having extra special protections of any other private industries against wide-open debate on public issues. 

By “unconstitutional”, I mean “not in accordance with a political constitution, esp. the U.S. Constitution, or with procedural rules.” 

By “abolished”, I mean “formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution).”

I will be framing this as a statutory “slippery slope”; if we start affording extra protections to one industry, how many more will be allowed to take shelter from critique by scaring journalists into silence? So, take this as a broad, over-arching resolution concerning the morality/legality of protection private enterprise from public scrutiny, not just veggie libel laws.

This Thursday there will be an interruption of our regularly scheduled debate program. That’s because it’s the annual Inter-Society Debate against the rivals. Join us in the Brother Hatton Lovejoy courtroom for the great debate which will start at 7:30pm. All members must arrive at Phi Kappa Hall by 7:00pm to run through business before the big event.

Do that thing with the RSVPing here.

Definitions as provided by Sister Katies Gasner:

Howdy guys, get ready for a great cat-bate!

BIHR: A person is happier ignorant rather than knowledgeable.

Happy meaning joyful, content, and pleasurable

Ignorant meaning uneducated, uninformed, and lacking knowledge

Knowledgeable meaning well informed, perceptive, and possessing understanding gained through experience or study

Ignorance is bliss, y’all. Put some south in yo mouth
http://iweb.pauladeenstore.com/images/products/enlarge/264465e.jpg

RSVP on Twitter | Facebook

Ron Paul, eh? Good as gold? Should the United States go back to the gold standard?

It’s a topic that’s brought up here in the states from time to time. US federal currency used to be good for a set amount of precious metal. Returning to such a standard will be the argument of the affirmative this coming Thursday in Phi Kappa hall.

This will be the last meeting of the pre-Spring Break semester and we have another petitioner entering into her fourth week of the petitioning process. Join us in the hall for a lively debate or two, and creative writings. 

A special side-item after the break.

Kicking off it’s 191st year, the Phi Kappa Literary society is excited to announce our first post-birthday debate topic. This Thursday in Phi Kappa hall, we will be debating the issue of whether or not books should be allowed to be banned by governments. The meeting will start at 7:00pm and the debate will begin before 8:00pm. The resolution will be presented by Sister Kristen Foxworth.