Need some pre-nationals NW experience?

[WWUPhil]

Start planning for Winter/Spring travel now, and add Western's Koma Kulshan Debates and William O Douglas Speech Tournament, Feb 7-9, in beautiful Bellingham, Wa. Why not visit the Fourth Corner of the United States and find what goodies we have hidden here. Regional judging pools are always tricky to navigate when Nationals rolls around so get a jump on everyone else by attending a Northwest Forensics Conference Designated Tournament.

Need info? Email at sharp_philip@hotmail.com or check the Tournament Invite right here at Net-Benefits.

[USC MissingLink]

Take my advice. If you've never been to a NW Tourney, you really should go. They're... shall we say... <em>different</em> in those parts. <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\"> <img src=http://www.net-benefits.net/emoticons/cutelaugh.gif ALT=":laugh"> <img src=http://www.net-benefits.net/emoticons/jester.gif ALT=":jester">

jEd

[NonEcdicus]

For some reason, Jed, I still remember the round when I saw you and John at Lewis & Clark last year. Keep in mind that not all of the NW is that <em>different</em>, whatever that means. :)

And, y'all don't forget "The Hatfield" at Willamette this year, which will be pretty huge and extremely competitive. (But, go to Western Washington too, of course.)

[USC MissingLink]

i know. i'm mostly just teasing. but hey, the northwest produced brian... need i say more?

jEd

[zacariasla]

Actually if i remember correctly, norther cali produced brian. The pac NW has just had him on loan for a while. I say go NW whenever you can, the more chances to enjoy the alcohol laws of oregon the better.
zack
yay moderation

[pattybar]

Well,

Since you asked.... I've seen a couple of NW judge's decisions that I wondered about... and one that I am still bitter about (and won't discuss...so don't even try). If you can get there, I'd definitely try to see the local judge pool. Having your face in front of them once before shouldn't hurt you (unless you say something really stupid) and can only help as you have ballots to read that others don't.

Since judge philosophy books are of limited utility, making connections and getting ballots is a more reliable way to have info about the judge pool. Also, y'all should remember the regional constraints at NPDA, so if you are from outside the region it is more likely that you will see these judges and teams again at nat's than others... as it will be necessary to use non-local judges and teams in rounds with one another...

My only experience in the area was at NPTE, year one... and since we didn't have a team in and there were few, if any, local judges there, I don't know the specifics. I do know that the NW makes people a bit strange while you are there... Glue and I voted the same way but for different reasons in several rounds at NPTE... it had to be the air as he and I are a bit diverse in our outlooks and expectations.

Personally, I'd love to get to Willammette if only to see the home of Dr. Trapp and the place on Earth that spawned Shippley <img src=http://www.net-benefits.net/emoticons/bouncegrin.gif ALT=":grin">

Sadly, the farthest west we'll be in the regular season is Concordia, in Seward... a long way from the NW -- heck, it isn't even NW Nebraska.

Patty

[ML]

I often wonder if the emnity held against the NW judging pool isn't perhaps related to an emnity people hold against those on the West Coast in general. Oregon is a little like Europe; everyone leaves in August to go on holiday to the country.
And for some reason, people resent us for that!! Well, it's their fault for trying to get stuff done in the summer!!

Seriously, we're a small region more than a sketchy region...We don't have a lot of programs at big universities that can afford TA-ships or ADOF's, so we're short of judges a lot of the time and have to rely on friends and family who are perfectly intelligent people not always versed in the heavily coded language of debate. And, we have a lot of "old skool" forensicators who believe in traditional principles of good rhetoric, analysis, and ethos, not gamesmanship. It's a learning process, and I think you'll find that the NW judging pool available for nationals this year will be an intelligent and competent one. If anyone takes issue with the critics, go find Liz and she'll make 'em wish they voted for you.

As for tournaments, here's some good picks for spring semester if you'd like to come to the NW and face these fearsome people:

1. Portland Community College: Jan 17-18 In the same neighborhood at L&C, site of the NPTE. Acquaint yourself with the lovely SW suburbs of Portland and get a jump start
on the semester!

2. Western Washington: Feb 7-9 I'm gonna regret this, but do what Phil says and come to Bellingham. The campus has one of the prettiest settings this side of Pt. Loma, overlooking Puget Sound. Get your picture taken with "Man Humps Bear" statue. Bring your policy teams. Buy me a drink on my birthday. (Feb 8th) Or better yet, take me to Canada...

3. Oregon State University Speakeasy: Feb 21-22 Hunker down in the Willamette Valley for the NW's "last chance to qual for AFA" plus six rounds of parli. Stop on your way down for some wine tasting, or guzzling, whichever you feel you need. (Hint: NW critics are more easily swayed when plied with liquor...)

4. Willamette Mark O. Hatfield Debates: Feb 28-March 1. I've seen this on a lot of people's calendars, so make your plans to go soon, since there is a pretty harsh entry limit. Eight rounds, break to Octs, nice hotel, good banquet, lovely break announcement reception. If you *still* harbor any angst over decisions from those sketchy NW judges, get 'em back by throwing them in the Mill Stream.

5. Not sure if this is happening, but Pacific Lutheran has a parli tournament scheduled for the week before NPTE, if anyone is interested. Can't really say much about Tacoma, but Ed's a nice guy and always runs a gracious tournament.

Love from the Land of Crazy Hippies and Bible-Thumpers,
ML