National Movement Launches U.S. Debates

In Massachusetts, high school students will square off against senior citizens. In Denver, ex-U.S. senators will exchange verbal jabs. All over the country, people are sharpening their rhetorical skills as they prepare to join in an ambitious plan to get Americans talking about the nation's role in the world.

An unlikely collection of liberal and conservative groups are working together on "The People Speak" -- which is aiming to spur a nationwide, town-by-town debate on foreign policy and the United Nations. The groups have helped organize more than 1,000 debates in 49 states starting Monday and playing out over the next several weeks.

The world is changing rapidly, organizers say, and people need to talk without sound bites or slogans.

"We've got everyone from the right wing to the left wing. Everyone is agreeing it's time to discuss and debate these issues," said Tim Averill, a Massachusetts high school teacher whose students are taking part. "One thing that's clear, as I was telling my class this morning, is that America has embarked on a significant shift in its foreign policy."

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-the-people-speak,0,2263139.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

This is, like, good news. :shrug: Can you stand it?

and this is not what the bushistas want...

People actually talking about the issues.

this is definitely good news, very much what we need in this country!