2009 Sophist Salmon Debate

Third Annual CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate Faced "The Crisis"

On April 3, 2009 the CBPP Seminar Committee held the 3rd Annual CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate. Dr. Darren Prokop, who chairs the committee, organized the debate and acted as this year’s moderator. The house resolution was: “The U.S. System is Poorly Equipped to Face the Current Crisis.” Arguing for the affirmative were Dr. Frank Jeffries (Capt.) and Dr. Rashmi Prasad, both of the Department of Business Administration. Arguing for the negative were Sophist-veterans, Dr. Gunnar Knapp (Capt.) and Dr. Steve Colt, both of ISER. Dr. Omer Carey (UAA Prof. Emeritus) served as the official coin tosser (deciding which position each team would take). The two behaviorists squared off against the two economists and the audience was not disappointed. This timely resolution did not go without passionate pleas, high-spirited remarks, and even a song from the debaters. Many comments for and against the resolution were heard from the audience. After all the dust cleared, the audience “voted with the feet” for the team for the affirmative. Drs. Jeffries and Prasad were presented with the CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate plaque. They will defend their championship title at next year’s debate.

Posted: 4/07/09

2008 Sophist Salmon Debate

Second Annual CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate tackled State Corruption

On April 4, 2008 the CBPP Seminar Committee held the 2nd Annual CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate. Dr. Darren Prokop, who chairs the committee, organized the debate and acted as this year’s moderator. The house resolution was: “Unless Reformed, Alaskan Politics is Uniquely Prone to Corruption.” Arguing for the affirmative were Dr. Diane Hirshberg (ISER) and Dr. Lance Howe (Economics). Arguing for the negative were, last year’s winners, Dr. Lee Huskey (Economics) and Dr. Gunnar Knapp (ISER). Dr. Omer Carey (UAA Prof. Emeritus) served as the official coin tosser (deciding which position each team would take). There were many high-spirited remarks, rebuttals and pleas. Out of the audience, Dr. Pat Fort (Accounting) spoke in support of the affirmative; and Dr. Frank Jeffries (Business Administration) spoke in support of the negative. After all the dust cleared, the audience “voted with the feet” for the team for the negative. For the second year in a row, Drs. Huskey and Knapp were presented with the CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate plaque. They will defend their championship title at next year’s debate.

Posted: 4/16/08

2007 Sophist Salmon Debate

First Annual CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate
was a Hit

On April 13, 2007 the CBPP Seminar Committee held the first annual CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate. Dr. Darren Prokop, who chairs the committee, organized the debate and acted as this year’s moderator. The house resolution was: “A state income tax is the only real solution to Alaska’s fiscal problems.” Arguing for the affirmative were Prof. Lee Huskey (Economics) and Prof. Gunnar Knapp (ISER). Arguing for the negative were Prof. Steve Colt (ISER) and Prof. Steve Johnson (Communication). Dr. Omer Carey (UAA Prof. Emeritus) served as the official coin tosser (deciding which position each team would take). After many high-spirited remarks, rebuttals and pleas, the audience “voted with the feet” for the team for the affirmative. Profs. Huskey and Knapp were presented with the much-coveted CBPP “Sophist Salmon” Debate plaque and will defend their championship title at next year’s debate. The CBPP Seminar Committee commends the debate teams for setting a fine benchmark for these Alaska-related debates.

Posted: 4/16/07