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HISTORY 2007: The Heart is the most Trustworthy. 2006: FREEDOM is More Valuable to Society. Sarah Dennison of Minneapolis, Minnesota is the winner of tonight's Great American Think-Off arguing that Freedom is more valuable to society. Sarah pointed out that freedom requires courage but that for the future of humanity we must put freedom first. Her opponent in the final round of the debate was Tom Bailey of Houston, Texas. The other contestants were George O'Neill (Safety) of Crest Hills, Illinois and Joseph Pingo (Freedom) of Rockford, Illinois The Great American Think-Off is produced by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. Now in its 14th year, the Think-Off is a uniquely American way for ordinary people to express their opinions on important issues. Last year's question, "Cooperation or Competition: Which benefits society more?" was won by Blaine Rada of Brookfield, Illinois. An audio file of this year's debate will be available on the website in a few days. 2005: Competition or Cooperation: Which benefits society more? Blaine Rada, a 40 year old training consultant from Brookfield, Illinois was the winner of the 2005 Great American Think-Off arguing that Cooperation Benefits Society More. In his closing argument Blaine quoted John F. Kennedy when he said "United there is nothing we can't do, divided there is nothing we can." Blaine argued successfully that competition is more focused on the individual while society's benefit comes from cooperation. His opponent in the final round of the debate was Angelo Volpe, a 38 year old teacher from St. Paul, Minnesota. The other contestants were Judith Miles, a law student from Cleveland Heights, Ohio and Barbara Parker, a housewife from Richmond, Virginia.2004: " Should Same Sex Marriages be Prohibited? Robert Lerose said no. He said that marriage is the one enduring institution common to all societies throughout history and pointed out that it can change, and in fact has changed, without diminishing its meaning. The 44 year old writer from Uniondale, New York convinced the small town audience of New York Mills, Minnesota that the exclusive commitment of two people to each other, regardless of gender, could only strengthen the custom of marriage. His opponent in the final round of the debate was Jim Schantz, a 68 year old retiree from Luxemburg, Wisconsin. The other contestants were Christy Hicks, an educator from Ferndale, Michigan and Sonja Hathway a college student from Grand Forks, North Dakota. 2003: " Do We Reap What We Sow? Brad Buschette said yes and the audience agreed. He said we each have our own internal ethical system that rewards or punishes us on the basis of our actions. The more highly developed that system is, the more obvious it is that we reap what we sow. There are instances where it might appear not to be the case but Brad believes that's because we can't see the whole picture. Brad, a 35 year old stay-at-home Dad from Prescott, Wisconsin was the youngest of the four finalists that competed in this year's Think-Off. His opponent in the final round was Arthur Yuwiler, a retired scientist from Woodland Hills, California who said that in this life it's a matter of luck. The other contestants were Roxann Sorenson, an artist from Alexandria, Minnesota and David Shapiro, a teacher from Seattle, Washington.2002: " Is the Pen Mightier than the Sword? Paul Higday of Richmond, Virginia said No. It's not a matter of which has the right, but which has the might. In today's world it takes the sword to change societies so the pen can flourish. In order for the pen to be mightier, the people in whose hand it lies must be 'entirely great', said Higday, referring to the 19th century novelist Bulwer-Lytton who said, "Beneath the rule of men entirely great, the pen is mightier than the sword?" 2001: "Should assisted suicide be legal?" Mary Fishler-Fisk of Massachusetts argued for legalization, winning this provocative and often poignant debate with a mere 10 vote lead. The question prompted so many personal and profound essays that the committee felt they should be recognized. A book containing the top twenty essays was published and is available for $7.00 plus $3.00 shipping. 2000: "Is Democracy Fair?" With this debate taking place in June of 2000, the Great American Think-Off was ahead of its time considering the issues that evolved during the recent presidential election. Both voting audiences; the community audience at the New York Mills Sports Center and the C-Span online audience, voted that Peter Hilts' arguments that "YES, DEMOCRACY IS FAIR" was the winner. Hilts is an environmental studies teacher from Lakeville, Minnesota, a Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb. 1999: "Which is more Dangerous -- Science or Religion?" The 1999 Think-Off received essays from contestants in Pakistan, Denmark, Argentina and all over the United States. Mark Friestad, a social studies teacher from North Dakota, won the final debate arguing that science is more dangerous because people often accept it blindly without question. 1998:
"Is Honesty Always the Best Policy?" A record year, the 1998 Think-Off
received over 820 essays, and the final debate was broadcast live on C-SPAN.
As the country grappled with the spectacle in the White House, the Think-Off
audience and the C-SPAN viewing audience, agreed with a soft-spoken priest
from New York--honesty is not always the best choice.
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