Sept. 20: Constitution Debate with the award-winning Arsenal Tech High School Constitution Team

The Arsenal Tech High School Constitution Team demonstrates why they have stomped on other constitution debate teams from around the country as part of My Daily Constitution

When: Wednesday Sept. 20 7:00-9:00 PM

Where: The Spades Park Library Auditorium 1801 Nowland Avenue Indianapolis, 46201 317-275-4520

The award-winning Arsenal Tech High School Constitution Team (under the direction of social science teacher Tobi Elmore) will debate the merits of a constitutional government vs. an autocratic or dictatorial government. They will also highlight provisions of the United States Constitution that provide a means of preventing abuse or misuse of government power. What is the relevance of arguments made by the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists to contemporary events under our present government (natural rights, republicanism and constitutionalism)? Two groups of six teens each give reasoned and impassioned statements. Lawyers acting as judges ask them clarifying questions. The evening finale opens the floor for questions from YOU the audience to the teens!

These kids are arguing a great topic. It is easy to forget that many good and patriotic Americans opposed the adoption of the Constitution after it was signed on Constitution Day. You can find several very good books about the Anti-Federalists. Constitutional scholar Bruce Ackerman's latest book has been attracting attention with its arguments that the Constitution was even more flawed than we tend to think: The Failure of the Founding Fathers: Jefferson, Marshall, and the Rise of Presidential Democracy.

Want to learn more about the history of this excellent Constitution debate team? CHeck out Andy Jacob's tribute on the floor of Congress.

About the venue: Spades Park Library is one of two remaining Carnegie libraries in the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library system. The Italian style building was constructed on land donated by Michael H. Spades, and was dedicated in 1912. In 1987 the library underwent renovations and celebrated its 75th anniversary. Bathrooms, new furniture, and an elevator were added, while the original first floor arrangement was maintained, the circulation desk was restored, and part of the original tin ceiling was cleaned and repainted.

If you like this event ... Make sure you attend some of the other lively and off-beat MDC activities such as the Constitution reading and the Hip Hop Constitution Poetry Slam.

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