Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "Spy On Me, I'd Rather Be Safe" With McCain Institute, 11/20 In DC

On Wednesday, November 20th, Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US) makes a fourth return to the hub of policy, Washington, DC, to present a debate in partnership with the McCain Institute for International Leadership: "Spy on Me, I'd Rather Be Safe." Free to the public, the debate will be moderated by ABC News correspondent and D.C. resident, John Donvan. 

The NSA collects data on billions of phone calls and internet communications per day. Are these surveillance programs legal? Do they keep us safe? If not for the former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, most Americans would be unaware of the vast amounts of information their government is secretly collecting, all in the name of national security. But whether you believe leakers are heroes or traitors, an important public conversation has finally begun, and we should ask ourselves: What tradeoffs are we willing to make between security and privacy?

Stewart Baker, First Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Homeland Security will argue in support of the motion with Richard Falkenrath, Deputy Assistant to President Bush and former Deputy Homeland Security Advisor. David Cole, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center will argue against the motion with Michael German, Senior Policy Counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington Legislative Office.

Intelligence Squared U.S. debates are available as an acclaimed podcast. Recorded for NPR in New York City, and heard on more than 220 NPR stations nationwide, this special D.C. edition is part of the series' mission to raise the level of public discourse in the United States and beyond. Additional debates have recently taken place in Chicago and Aspen.

WHAT: Free Debate: "Spy On Me, I'd Rather Be Safe"
WHEN: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 / Reception 4:30 PM-5: 15 PM/ Debate 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
WHERE: Burke Theater at the U.S. Navy War Memorial, 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004 
TICKETS: Free with RSVP. To reserve, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/event/8761988343

Before the debate, audience members will vote on the motion; afterward, the audience votes again. The team that moves the most voters to its side will be the winning team in this provocative debate.

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED DEBATES (IQ2US)
Winner of the 2013 Silver Radio Award for Best Public Affairs Program and named one of "Five Podcasts that Will Change the Way You Think" by Forbes Intelligence Squared U.S. was founded in New York City in 2006 by Robert Rosenkranz, and has grown into an internationally syndicated series heard and watched by millions. The debates have attracted some of the world's top thinkers including Paul Krugman, Karl Rove, Malcolm Gladwell, Alan Dershowitz, Peter Thiel and Arianna Huffington. Intelligence Squared U.S. has presented 80 debates on a wide range of provocative topics including global warming, genetically engineered babies, science refuting God, and legalizing drugs. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated IQ2US since 2008. The executive producer is Dana Wolfe.

ABOUT THE MCCAIN INSTITUTE
The McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University is a center for research and action in national security and foreign policy. It seeks to promote leadership and decision-making, in the best American tradition of open inquiry, spirited discussion and practical action. Through its policy research, events, fellows programs, and other activities, the Institute aims to inform, convene, train and assist current and future leaders from the United States and abroad. Get involved at www.mccaininstitute.org