CANADA? MORE LIKE CAN’TADA

14 April 2014Toby CH, Privett ‘15

Australia. Although mostly known for its exotic species of jellyfish, absence of active volcanoes, and hilariously inappropriate actions of retired cavalry officer Francis de Groot in 1932, it’s a genuinely good place to live. With an estimated 10 billion golden, toasty beaches on its glorious coastlines complemented with a diversity of wildlife such as Tasmian devils, kangaroos, and the Australian citizenry, there is very little to complain about whatsoever. Not only has this great country produced copious amounts of wool, buckets of marmite, and the exquisite horror-thriller The Loved Ones, but they also produced one of the finest debating teams Brentwood College has ever gone up against. With the connection of Brentwood’s debate coach and English teacher Mrs. Steele-MacInnis [who formerly taught at this Australian school] spearheading this sci-fi operation, the plan was that, over webcam technology, three debaters from that land down under would compete against three debaters from the normal part of the world, us. The computers were prepped, nerves steeled, and points prepared. On one end of the webcam the three uniformed Australian ladies prayed in silence to their all-powerful deity Captain Koala, bringer of truth, harbinger of justice. Soon, it was time to begin. The resolution: Australia is better than Canada. The affirmative side? None other than Canadians themselves. Kicking off the debate with flow like Watsky and class like Bond stood Sam S, Privett ‘15. His strong muscles and diction choices would soon prove to be a formidable duo of assets. With humorous and persuasive arguments shot over the interwebs by excited, uniformed girls in Australia they proved themselves to be a solid debating squad. However, their points were combatted by an unflappable Brentwood side with the rebuttal skills of Ibrahim S, Whittall ‘15 whose unmatched diplomacy was of the highest cailbre. I also did rebuttal. All in all, this experimental form of internet debate turned out to be a huge success and all the participants would like to thank the technicians on both sides of the oceans. Raise the 6 stars and Maple Leaf high. We’re all winners in the end. Toby CH, Privett ‘15

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