The Donald & Paula Smith Family Foundation

Debate Series

I first got to know Don Smith more than 15 years ago as a regular attendee at debates held by the Donald and Paula Smith Family Foundation. After Don passed away in the fall, his daughter Julie wrote me that she had records of these events in "a box full of VHS tapes and DVD's--and they are looking for a new home."

They've found a new home at the Soho Forum, which couldn't have been possible without the generosity of Don's foundation, and Julie's efforts to help launch us in our early months. For me they're partly a sentimental journey, evoking memories of the delightful dinners afterward, in which Don presided over a lively and informative discussion with the people who'd been featured. When I mentioned my nostalgia for the dinners to Julie, she wrote back: "My father loved holding court at those dinners, but would never admit that." Don's pleasure at these dinners was certainly clear to me!

These videos are also a valuable historical record, resonating with many of our concerns today. Not coincidentally, a number of the participants have also been debaters at the Soho Forum. We've managed to preserve 35 events in all, spanning from 2004 through 2008. Scroll down to visit the debate archive where you can view dates, topics, participants, and links.

We've assembled this 10-minute "trailer" video, featuring, in the following order, highlights from: Don Smith, Victor Navasky, Ronald Radosh, Pamela Paul, Nick Gillespie, Heather MacDonald, Ron Bailey, Francis Menton, Richard Epstein, George Selgin, Bjorn Lomborg, John McWhorter--and with a final few words from: Don Smith.

Enjoy!

Gene Epstein
Soho Forum Director