North Korea. Healthcare. Trump.

These are just some of the topics that were fair game to be discussed at the first meeting of Political Roundtable on August 28th.

Political Roundtable has provided a safe, non partisan, environment since 1998. Ideas can be shared whether state, regional, national or international political issues.

Only two basic ground rules exist:

When there is disagreement over a topic, it is the with ideas and not the person’s right to have those beliefs. People can be incensed at something he/she are hearing as a concept, but still have to show respect to the person.

Also, until a half hour has gone by the whole group should be engaged in an Oxford format.

In an Oxford style debate, there are four positions and the winner is decided at debate’s end. The side that has added the most participants to its side when counted in a secret ballot will be victorious.

“There’s certainly an intense exchange of differing viewpoints, but it’s always respectful,” social studies teacher Matthew Heys said. “I think oftentimes the quality of the discourse in there rivals anything that you might see in the national news media or a Sunday talk show.”

When dealing with politically charged topics, it is crucial to let students talk things out. Heys plays devil’s advocate so students never know which way he is leaning on issues. This allows for more discussion, especially if a majority of students are on one side.

“He does a great job moderating discussion during Political Roundtable and arguing all sides of an debate,” senior Emily Bart said. “He creates a space for constructive political discussion and it allows students to talk about current issues with others that are equally engaged.”

This club encourages studentss to get interested in politics and form their own opinions.

Principal Greg Tiemann believes anything to get students involved in the political process is great and to get students to be thinking about engaging in what’s going on in politics is also important.

Political Roundtable meets about once a month. Join the club to be a part of the discussion.