Despite a lack of rock stars and famous politicians as panelists, UW-Madison students will still have a chance to create their own version of the popular TV show, 'Politically Incorrect,' and debate controversial issues such as race-based admissions and American foreign policy.
Political-N-Correct, an event sponsored by the Wisconsin Union Directorate, will take place tonight at 8 p.m. in Memorial Union.
'It's really a spoof on 'Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher,'' said Amy Thornton, director of the WUD contemporary issues committee.
A panel of conservative, liberal and moderate students will debate the military draft, American foreign policy, campus climate and race-based admissions.
Michael Franklin, who will serve as the moderator of the night, said Political-N-Correct would be a chance for students to do some self-discovery as to what their own political beliefs are.
'I don't want to offend anybody,' he said. 'But I'm not sure that students are all that clear on what conservative or liberal is.'
He also said it was a unique opportunity for students to form their own opinions about issues in a forum that they would have a difficult time finding else where.
'There are many forms of education on campus,' he said. '[At Political-N-Correct], students get to learn about other students' perspectives by listening to their lives, realities, thoughts and ideas.'
Thorton said committee members did not stack the panel with people of similar view points, but rather people from all parts of the political spectrum would be represented.
Committee members wanted students to debate current events, Thorton said, but they did not want the night to be consumed with what is the biggest issue in the news as of late, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and terrorism in general.
'[We] wanted to stray away from terrorism and focus more on the root of the problem,' she said. 'What we are doing to render this situation [better] is more important than placing blame.'
The debate will take whatever direction the panelists want to take it, Thorton said.
'[We] encourage participants to branch off of the topics [we chose],' said Becca Dilley, the contemporary issues committee director from 1999-'00.
Audience participation is essential in creating a fiery and well-rounded debate, Thorton said. Audience members will be given cards on which to write questions or comments to show to panelists and in turn spark discussion.
'We give them cards in case [audience members] feel uncomfortable bringing something up in front of everyone,' Thornton said. Political-N-Correct began last spring and will now occur the first Thursday of every month.
'Our goal is that students will get something out of [Political-N-Correct],' said Dilley. 'I hope [students] are entertained and come away with a desire to learn and become more actively engaged in the news.'
Thornton said she wanted students to gain a better understanding of what is going on in the world around them in a laid-back atmosphere.
'It's very casual, a good way to get involved and a lot of fun,' Dilley said.
