DEBATE CENTRAL
Debating Resources for the World since 1994
Flashpoint is the regular television program of the Lawrence Debate Union at the University of Vermont. Now in existence for ten years, the program now has over 320 shows to its credit. Flashpoint is a program of issues and ideas. Debaters and coaches from the LDU pick a topic and research it intensively before the program.
The program consists of a fast-paced discussion of the topic and its related issues. Experts are not sought for the program, because it attempts to show that intelligent citizens can learn about an issue for themselves and then have informed and logical opinions -- which is what citizens should do. If you have comments about our program, please contact us at debate@uvm.edu.
The program has been filmed at UVM and around the world, but is mostly filmed at the studios of Vermont Community Access Media (VCAM) in Burlington. It is aired on Burlington cable channel 15 three times a week at 12:30 PM Wednesday, 10:30 PM Thursday, and 1 PM Saturday. Selected programs can also be viewed online as streaming videos.
We want to thank Karen McGregor for her support over the last ten years and her work as the program's Director. She will be missed and remembered.
Remember our motto, "Think for yourself!"
Flashpoint #304: Vagina Revolution
Discussion of the need for an open approach to healthy sexuality as embodied
in the thought of a student movement called the Vagina Revolution. Julia
Benjamin, Emily Sanders, Alfred Snider. Greta Lockwood, Megan Harlow, Charlie
Hoag.
Flashpoint #303:
Big Box Blunder
A discussion of large "big box" stores like Wal-Mart on communities
and employees. Julia Benjamin, Emily Sanders, Alfred Snider. Greta Lockwood,
Megan Harlow, Charlie Hoag.
Flashpoint
#301: China & Taiwan
A discussion of the unification of or the separation of China and Taiwan and
the impact these events could have on world peace and stability. Ethan Nelson,
Charlie Hoag, Alfred Snider, Greta Lockwood.
Flashpoint #300:
Our 300th Show
A salute to 300 editions of Flashpoint, memories, a video collage, memories
and future plans. Lisa Heller (was on show #1), Greta Lockwood, Justin Helen
and Nakobe Morgan Parmett, Jill Witney, Brady Fletcher, Charlie Hoag, Karen
Quill.
Flashpoint #299: Baikal - the Last Great Lake
A discussion of the threats to one of Asia's greatest and most important natural
locations. Ethan Nelson, Emily Sanders, Charlie Hoag, Chase Whiting.
Flashpoint #297: Speakout at UVM
Tape from a speak out held at UVM in the Spring of 2005. Many speakers.
Flashpoint #295: Sudan Crisis
A discussion of on-going hiuman rights violations and civil war in Sudan. Shane
Clark, Chase Whiting, Alfred Snider, Charlie Hoag, Brady Fletcher, Julia
Benjamin.
Flashpoint
#290: USA Power & Global Security
October, 2004 discussion of America's global projection of its power to influence
events and whether that is a good idea or not. Alfred Snider, Charles Hoag,
Chase Whiting, Chrisse Brown-Varela. Sponsored in part by UN Foundation.
Flashpoint
#289: USA Energy Policy
September, 2004 discussion of USA addiction to fossil fuels and possible solutions.
Alfred Snider, Charles Hoag, Chase Whiting, Chrisse Brown-Varela. Sponsored
in part by UN Foundation.
Flashpoint
#282: Assassination Policy
March, 2004 discussion of using murder as a tool of foreign policy, with focus
on Israel and the USA. Alfred Snider, Eric Mates, Nikki Muradian, Brady Fletcher,
and Colin Kern.
Flashpoint
#281: Censored Genocides
March, 2004 discussion of Armenian genocide and Native American genocide, both
lagely ignored and quite often censored out of the press. Alfred Snider, Eric
Mates, Nikki Muradian, Brady Fletcher, and Colin Kern.
Flashpoint
#279: Korean Death Camps
February, 2004 discussion of recent human rights abuses uncovered in North Korea
and an investigation of their history. Alfred Snider, Greta Lockwood, Charles
Hoag, Haroula Argiros, Kayce Massey, Nikki Muradian, Ashley Hogan.
Flashpoint
#280: Budget This!
February, 2004 discussion of the federal budget deficit and overall debt and
the many implications of current budgetary policies. Alfred Snider, Greta Lockwood,
Charles Hoag, Haroula Argiros, Kayce Massey, Nikki Muradian, Ashley Hogan.
Flashpoint #269-271:
Speak Out on War and Militarism
Three programs airing comments and presentations made at the April 26, 2003
event held at the Lawrence Debate Union offices at UVM. Various speakers.
| Part One
| Part Two
| Part Three
|
Flashpoint
#266: Oil Conspiracy
April, 2003 discussion of the way the use of petroleum materials dominates economic
life in the world. Alfred Snider, Brian Cole, Michael Malone.
Flashpoint
#265: Korea Conundrum
April, 2003 discussion of the political and military situation on the Korean
peninsula in light of North Korean revelations that they possess nuclear weapons.
Alfred Snider, Lana Langsweirdt, Lindsey Melander, Eric Mates.
Flashpoint
#264: Protest and You
April, 2003 discussion about the obligations and barriers involved in protest
by citizens in a democracy. Alfred Snider, Lana Langsweirdt, Lindsey Melander,
Eric Mates.
Flashpoint
#262: Space Future
March, 2003 discussion about the costs and benefits of the USA space program
in the light of the Columbia shuttle disaster. Alfred C. Snider, Lindsey Melander,
Charles Hoag, Greta Lockwood, Brian Cole.
Flashpoint
#261: Smoking Ban
March, 2003 discussion about Vermont's moves to ban smokling at all bars. Alfred
C. Snider, Lana Langsweirdt, Lindsey Melander, Charles Hoag, Brian Cole, Kayce
Massey.
Flashpoint
#260: Pre-emptive Peace Movement
March, 2003 discussion about the peace movement and its organization before
a military intevention takes place. Alfred C. Snider, Lana Langsweirdt, Lindsey
Melander, Charles Hoag, Brian Cole, Kayce Massey.
Flashpoint
#255: International Faculty
July, 2002. Three debate coaches who are on the World Debate Institute faculty
discuss what debate means in different societies and different contexts. Includes
host John Meany with Mila Turajlic (Yugoslavia), and Rodrigo Rojas (Chile).
Flashpoint
#254: Debate in Haiti
July, 2002. Host John Meany is joined by three debate teachers from Haiti, Herrold
Prophete, Thierry Cherizard, and Pierre Fouche.
Flashpoint #253: International
Coaches
July, 2002. Three individuals trying to promote debate in their own countries
discuss their challenges and rewards. John Meany hosts, with Tomislav Kargacin
(Serbia), Maria Rosso (Puerto Rico), and Luis de Llano (Venezuela).
Flashpoint
252: Nanotechnology
July, 2002. A discussion of the promise and threats of nanotechnology (really
little machines). Alfred C. Snider hosts along with David Berube (recent recipient
of a National Science Foundation grant to study the social and ethical implications
of nanotechnology), and John Meany (skeptic).
Flashpoint
#248: Abenaki ... a Lost Nation?
April, 2002 discussion of the Abenaki people's request for recognition as a
sovereign native nation. Includes Alfred C. Snider, Amy Myers, Charles Hoag,
Greta Lockwood, and Marget Brue.
Flashpoint
#249: Stem Cell Research
April, 2002 discussion of stem cell research and its relevance to other biotechnologies
and the ethical and practical challenges posed by these techniques. Includes
Alfred C. Snider, Amy Myers, Charles Hoag, Greta Lockwood, and Marget Brue.
Flashpoint
#226: Debate in Asia
Shot in Seoul, Korea
in December, 2000, this discussion by Alfred C. Snider, University of Vermont,
Gyeongho Hur, Kyung Hee University, and Nadezhda Kan, Soros Foundation debate
trainer, Uzbekistan talks about the 1st Korean Nationals and the prospect for
debating in Asia.. 29 minutes.
Flashpoint
#216: International Debate: USA, UK, Chile, Japan, Korea
Flashpoint #216. Participants in WDI's international program, Summer of 2000,
discuss their experiences. John Meany, Claremont Colleges USA, Marc Whitmore,
English Speaking Union UK, Rodrigo Rojas, Universidad Diego Portales Chile,
GyeoungHo Hur, Kyung-Hee University South Korea, Shuhei Tanaka, Japan. Recorded
August, 2000.
FLASHPOINT
#206: Internet Debating, Part Two
Flashpoint #206. Alfred Snider and Andy Ellis discuss developments and achievements
since the original April, 1999 broadcast. Plans for live "telepresence" debates
including a trans-Atlantic debate are discussed as well as more speculative
plans. Recorded September, 1999.
Flashpoint
#188: Discriminatory Categories
Justin Parmett, Peter Winfield, Greta Lockwood, Helen Morgan, and Alfred
C. Snider discuss dividing people into specific categories in order to fight
discrimination. 28 minutes. Recorded April, 1999.
Flashpoint
#192: Culture of Violence
Aaron Fishbone, Peter Winfield, and Alfred C. Snider discuss the many suspects
in trying to determine the sources and causes of the violent nature of American
society. 28 minutes. Recorded May, 1999.
Flashpoint
#144: Medical Marijuana
Jan Hovden, Robert Pontbriand, and Alfred C. Snider discuss citizen initiatives
for the medical use of marijuana. 28 minutes. Recorded in 1996.
Flashpoint
#197: World Debate Institute 1999
Shannon Redmond, Terry McKnight, and Alfred C. Snider discuss the 17th World
Debate Institute and the role of summer instruction in debate training. 28 minutes.
Recorded July, 1999.
Flashpoint
#200: Bicentennial Show
Broadcast live over the Internet from WDI 1999, this show features many of those
who have appeared on Flashpoint's 200 shows. A lighthearted program of congratulatory
rhetorical excess.
Flashpoint
#182: Ecological Design
Sarah Snider, Terry McKnight, David Grover, and Alfred C. Snider discuss buildings
and facilities which reduce adverse ecological impact with a special focus on
college and university facilities.
Flashpoint
#81: Politics of Knowledge
John Meany, David Berube, & Alfred C. Snider discuss the creation of the
popular mind and conventional truth.
Flashpoint
#80: Privacy & Secrecy
John Meany, David Berube, & Alfred C. Snider discuss the good and bad uses
of privacy and secrecy in personal and public life.
Flashpoint
#205: Parliamentary Coaches
Sean Batt, Gusta Elfing, John Meany, Marc Whitmore, and Bill Herman discuss
parliamentary debating and their work in coaching this style of debate.
Flashpoint
#207: Pakistan Coup
Andy Ellis, Aaron Fishbone, Daniel Serfer, & Alfred C. Snider discuss the
events and importance of the coup in Pakistan.
Flashpoint
#208: Sanctions on Iraq
Sarah Snider, Helen Morgan, Andy Ellis, & Alfred C. Snider discuss the
costs and benefits of continuing USA economic sanctions against Iraq.
Flashpoint
#209: Urban Gardening
Teddy Malley, Alfred C. Snider, and two Burlington community gardening organizers
discuss the advantages and implementation of community gardening programs.
Flashpoint
#210: Cuban Revolution 1999
Andy Ellis, Jennifer Knops, & Alfred C. Snider discuss the status of the
Cuban revolution 50 years later.
Flashpoint
#211: Humans on Mars
Peter Winfield, Andy Ellis, Lisbeth Robinson, & Alfred C. Snider discuss
recent proposals to send humans to explore Mars.
Flashpoint
#212: National Honorary Societies
Peter Winfield, Lisbeth Robinson, Jennifer Knops, and Alfred C. Snider discuss
the merit (or lack thereof) of such societies on campus.
Flashpoint
#215: African AIDS
Aaron Fishbone, Sarah Snider, and Alfred C. Snider discuss the extent and implication
of AIDS in Africa and the frustrating lack of ready solutions.
