Inland Empire Debating Society

War Resistant League member Joseph Maizlish shared his experiences during the Vietnam War when he was a concientious objector and the activities of the War Resistant League over the years.  In this photo Maizlish shared event photos over the years of peaceful protest.  Citrus Valley High School Students Katie Hunt and Sarah Aruna  Katie Hunt and Sarah Aruna from Citrus Valley High School presented a debate on the topic of universal health care at our November 18, 2012 meeting.     Brian Walker Jr. Brian Walker Jr. addressed the Inland Empire Debating Society with regard to gangs and how to address the growing problem.  Walker is actively involved in intervention programs aimed at reducing the gang population.  Jennifer Ruiz Jennifer Ruiz informed the Inland Empire Debating Society about Adelanto Charter Academy, a charter school that was run corruptly when former disgraced San Bernardino County Supervisor Bill Postmus and accused embezzler Steven Cox of the California Charter Academy debacle became involved in its operation.    Shizue Bryan, a Johrei Member for the last 37 years, shared her experience with Johrei at the Inland Empire Debating Society meeting held October 10, 2011.  According to Meishu-sama, Johrei is a way to harness the divine, immutable energy of the universe for the improvement of the spiritual and physical health of all souls. Psychologist Sally Seven Sally Seven spoke on “Health for all, why wait?”  Ms. Seven is a social psychologist and espouses a single payer health care system about which she will elaborate at the session. California Democratic Party Regional Director for Region 19 Elle K (Kurpiewski) Elle K spoke about a recent 1,000 strong protest in Palm Springs where opposition was voiced to the David and Charles Koch's funding of climate denial groups, far-right political candidates and anti-health care reform efforts.  The Koch brothers are now at the center of Republican power, a change most evident in the new makeup of the House Energy and Commerce Committee according to a recent Los Angeles Times Article.  Doctor of Naturopathy Farrell Johnson Mr. Farrell Johnson addressed the group about healthy eating habits and how to rid the body of toxins. Cal State San Bernardino Professor Emeritus James Mulvihill Ph.D. Mr. James Mulvihill displayed a power point presentation of historic buildings in the City of San Bernardino that he feels are important to preserve into the future to main the community's character.  West Coast Regional Director of Americans for Peace Now Mr. David Pine Mr. David Pine informed the group of the various factors involved in resolving the middle-east conflict.  In his role as director, Pine has organized community programs and activities that educate and activate the community in support of policies that help promote a comprehensive political settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, including a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.      The Director of Water Resources Institute at Cal-State San Bernardino Mrs. Susan Lien-Longville.  At the September 12, 2010 meeting, Susan Lien Longville’s spoke of the complexities of water in California including the plan to upgrade the delta, the recommendation of the Little Hoover Commission made on August 26 that California needs a shake-up in how California manages its water and the management of the local alluvial fans allowing development of the flood plains in Southern California.     Public Affairs Manager William Sanchez of South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) informed the audience that 80 percent of the pollution in the inland empire comes from ships, trains and trucks that are under Federal jurisdiction at the March 14 meeting.  The pollution from these sources gathers up against the mountains in the inland empire worsening the pollution in this area.  Sanchez informed us of recent changes by the SCAQMD that are improving the air quality in this area.      At the January 10, 2010 meeting, Judge Foster informed the audience of the role of the judge in the courtroom.  Judge Foster took questions from the audience about the judge's supplemental pay from the County of San Bernardino and whether that influenced his decisions.  Another member of the audience questioned him about members of law firms acting as judge pro tem in their own cases.  Judge Foster said this practice has been halted.  Judge Foster was asked about the judge's responsibility to police attorneys in the courtroom.  Foster spoke to the role of sanctions.   At the November 8, 2009 meeting, Averill Strasser COO and Jacqualine Chan, DrPH executives of "Water Charity," a nonprofit corporation dedicated to aiding those desperately in need of clean water across the globe spoke about their activities to bring clean water to poor communities.  They use volunteers in the community for the labor and provide the funding for the projects.  They prefer small doable projects.  For more information, please visit their website at:  http://watercharity.org/   The gracious lady in blue is Edith A. Smart, founder and producer of the Inland Empire Debating Society.  Edith A. Smart is always thinking about positive solutions to local issues.  To her right is Bob Nelson.  Bob Nelson has been very active in local politics.  He ran several times for the office of 1st District County Supervisor.  Bob Nelson has attended hundreds of San Bernardino County Board of Supervisor's meetings over the years and is quite a knowledgeable and interesting person to talk to.

The Inland Debating Society films and produces debates on current topics of interest and televises them during the year.

The Inland Debating Society has a meeting every month from August until June during which we feature interesting speakers. In addition, we debate current topics during the meetings.

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This was a musical event of IEDS.  Tom Jameson is in the foreground.  Tom Jameson is very active in the Rotary Society.