Online Chat With The Chelsea Public School Debate Team
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:04:14 PM):
We are Lee Spencer (9th grade), Althea Spencer (7th), Laura Upham (8th),
Henry Cesari (7th), and our coach is John O'Brien.
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:07:20 PM):
I am here now and we are voting to restore money for Head Start.
Unfortunately the other side wants to put the money into a tax cut and not
for Head Start.
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:08:09 PM):
John I understand Lee, Althea, Laura and Henry are on the debate team.
Must be interesting.
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:08:37 PM):
Hello Senator. Thanks for chatting with us over your lunch.
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:09:26 PM):
I am afraid I won't get lunch today. We will probably be voting straight
through until midnight. Was able to slip off the floor for a couple
minutes for this chat.
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:09:57 PM):
How about a few questions?
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:10:25 PM):
go ahead - and I will give you a head's up when I have to go back on the
floor for a vote
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:11:19 PM):
This year's debate topic was on mental health. Do you think the
Domenici-Wellstone Bill will ever be passed?
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:12:31 PM):
I hope so and hope that everyone realizes this is not a partisan issue but
one of justice. THat is why we have named the bill in honor of Senator
Wellstone and there are 54 co-sponsors in the Senate
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:12:44 PM):
Next year's debate topic is ocean policy. Do you believe that our oceans
are being abused as a natural resource?
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:15:09 PM):
I think we take our oceans for granted and that is a mistake. We have
overfished in many parts of the world including along our shores and have
destroyed stocks that took centuries to develop. All our waters are
connected and that is why i work so hard to keep the Connecticut river and
Lake Champlain clean. All nations have a stake in this or there will be
little left for our children
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:15:19 PM):
What has the Justice Dept. told you about its anthrax investigation?
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:16:45 PM):
I have had hours of briefings from them and some of the briefings have
been highly classified so I cannot go into that. They have not found the
person or where the anthrax came from . They do know the anthrax in my
letter was so powerful that it killed people who only touched the outside
of the envelope.
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:17:11 PM):
Would you ever consider being a Supreme Court Justice?
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:18:37 PM):
I doubt if President Bush would appoint me but I am very happy being the
Senator from Vermont. I think that is where I can best serve.
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:18:48 PM):
Did Bono take off his wrap-around glasses during dinner? What color are
his eyes?
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:19:29 PM):
Bono sat next to my wife at dinner and did take off his glasses. I will
ask her what color his eyes are! He is a really nice person
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:20:13 PM):
Are you a member of the 251 club? Have you been to every town in Vermont?
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:20:54 PM):
I think I have been to nearly every town if not all of them. Of course I
have had 62 years from the time I was born in Montpelier until now to do
it!
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:21:02 PM):
What is your favorite Chelsea memory?
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:22:26 PM):
I remember a wonderful day in the first week in October when my wife and I
were coming back from another part of the state. Went off the road and
ended in Chelsea. We walked around for an hour and the rest of the world
seemed a million miles away.
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:23:36 PM):
Why doesn't Vermont have a debate and forensics program in every Middle
amd High school? Did you have any public speaking when you were our age?
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:24:47 PM):
Each school has to decide what they want but I think debate is great. I
didn't get a chance to until I got into college and wish I could have had
debate during grade school or high school.
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:24:58 PM):
What was the first movie you ever saw? And Where?
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:25:15 PM):
Incidentally I have to leave in a couple minutes to go vote but I am
really impressed with your questions.
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:25:45 PM):
I think the first movie I saw was Bambi and it would have been in the
Capitol theater in Montpelier.
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:26:45 PM):
Of course I always watch whatever movies Mr. O'Brien makes!
Chelsea Debate Team
(12:27:11 PM):
Thank you for your time. We are all hungry but more informed!
Senator Patrick Leahy
(12:27:41 PM):
I will have to leave now but have really enjoyed this. Hope you can visit
down here sometime.
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