On December 18, 1969, the Maine West Tri‑S (Social Science Society) played host to a political debate.

The debate was presented by two members of opposing views ‑ Eileen Claire from RYM (Revolutionary Youth Movement) and Bill Ford from YAF (Young Americans for Freedom).

The two sides discussed the subject of "Protest in America" during ninth period and continued into tenth.

Other topics that were included in the discussion were Vietnam, civil rights, and the use of violence.

Before beginning the program, Mr. Harvey Kelber gave some introductory information to the audience, dealing with the backgrounds of the groups. He stated that SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) had been formed in 1961 at Lake Heron, Michigan. Through the years of 1964‑1969 the group has been affiliated with problems as those dealing with the ghetto, civil rights, Vietnam, draft resistance, and the Democratic Convention of 1968.

Mr. Kelber also gave information on the background of the YAF group, which began in September of 1960. The spokesman for the group, Bill Ford, cited many examples of the things being accomplished by the YAF. The YAF movement represents a more conservative attitude, and the group has done public satires of the SDS movement.