To address the polarization of Americans who are shouting at each other instead of listening to solutions to the country's serious problems, the League of Women Voters North County San Diego is partnering with MiraCosta College to host a two-day free community event on Sept. 6 and 7, 2012, titled Democracy in the Balance? Getting Beyond the Shouting.
The event will showcase a soon-to-be-released documentary film, Patriocracy, which brings an all-star cast of senators, congressmen and women, top Washington journalists, pundits and academia to the screen, giving their candid and comprehensive insights into the factors behind extreme polarization.
Emmyâ award-winning filmmakers Brian and Cindy Malone will be on hand for screenings on Thursday evening, Sept. 6, at the college’s San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Drive in Cardiff in Room 204 at 7 p.m., and also at the Friday evening, Sept. 7 screening in the Concert Hall at the college’s main campus, 1 Barnard Drive in Oceanside at 7 p.m. They will participate in a community conversation following the screening on Friday evening.
The keynote speaker of this two-day event, and one of the “stars” of the film, will be former Rep. Mickey Edwards (R-Okla). Edwards, fresh from the Republican National Convention in Tampa the week before, will give his remarks on Thursday evening at the San Elijo Campus, and will serve on the panel following the Friday night screening at the Oceanside Campus. Edwards’ participation will be enlightening, as well as timely. In addition, his new book, The Parties vs. the People: How to Turn Republicans and Democrats into Americans is expected to be released just prior to his appearance at MiraCosta College, and will be available for purchase and signing.
Leon Baradat, MiraCosta College professor emeritus of political science, will serve as moderator for both evening events.
A press kit is available for this event at http://www.lwvncsd.org and clicking the “Press Kit” link. In addition, an advanced copy of the Edwards book is available to members of the media. For additional information, please contact League of Women Voters representatives Martha Cox at 760.436.4962 or marthacox@roadrunner.com or Mary Thompson at 760.942.2458 or thompsmg@roadrunner.com.
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