Facebook worthy? You bet.
by Corey Alderdice
Washington (and the rest of the nation) hasn’t been this abuzz about a dynamic duo of social climbers showing up uninvited since Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughan slipped into the wedding of the Treasury Secretary’s daughter in the 2005 film Wedding Crashers.
Though the story of Michaele and Tareq Salahi is really more faux-news than anything, it did land smack dab in the middle of what was a slow news cycle thanks to, well, Thanksgiving. In the event that you see a question this weekend at GMU’s Patriot Games, Bradley University’s Armstrong Invitational,or anywhere else around the country, Slate has a great piece outling the long history of social climbing.
To that notable group of societies we can now add 21st-century Washington, D.C. Like 18th-century Russia, it is a world of neophytes, a society whose members have only recently “made it” into an elite magic circle and who don’t necessarily know the other members all that well. Like 19th-century New York, it is also a world where appearances matter. You get invited to the party—whether the White House Hanukkah party or the state dinner—not just because of who you are but because of what you represent, which costume you wear, which ethnic group you come from.
After all, when you can choose between Wedding Crashers or 18th century Russia, be the speaker who stands out in the round.
Here is your R&D top five for November 30th:
Want a challenge? Here’s this week’s short answer version of the Extemp Central news quiz. Good luck!
The 2009-2010 National Points Race and National Team Points Race standings have been updated after the Glenbrooks tournament that was held last weekend in Illinois. Click on the
Here is your R&D top five for November 27th:
Here is your R&D top five for November 25th:
1. Will major modifications have to be made to the healthcare bill in the Senate in order for it to pass?
Here is your R&D top five for November 24th:
The Glenbrooks took place this weekend in Illinois and when it was finished, Steven Elliott of Lakeville North High School in Minnesota captured the championship. He is the first Minnesotan to capture the title since Kevin Troy of Eagan High School won it in 2004. Elliott claims 100 points for himself and his school in the Extemp Central National Points Race (standings will be updated by the end of the week).
Here is your R&D top five for November 23rd: