Who said the decline of the mainstream media would be deleterious to healthy, informed debate? (Moreover, who said it was healthy and informed to begin with?)
This most recent NPR Intelligence Squared podcast features two panels debating the motion ???Don't blame teachers' unions for our failing schools??? in an Oxford-style set-up. ??The audience starts out 24 percent in favor (as in, thinks unions should NOT be blamed), 43 percent against, and 33 undecided.
Don't miss this feisty debate that explores school ???hell holes,??? undesirable marriages and the obligatory assertion (sorry Rick Hess) ???it's for the kids.????? Panelists include AFT president Randi Weingarten in favor, with former U.S. Education secretary Rod Paige opposed.
Click here to go to the podcast and to see the how the audience voted in the end.
Also, feel free to leave your thoughts about what might have been a better motion for the debate, or how the panelists could have better argued their cases.
-Tim Hoffine is a Policy & Research Intern in Fordham's Columbus office