Category: International Extemp Page 56 of 59

On June 12, 2008

In International Extemp, Topic Brief, U.S. Extemp

Overview

So, with it being NFL time and all that, we here at Extemp HOTtopics decided to revisit the topic of oil. Now I’m sure you are all saying: “We’ve already talked about OPEC and how monetary policy affects oil prices.” While that is true, this briefing is going to be a little different. Specifically, since it is so late in the season, this briefing is going to focus a little less on facts and a little more on strategy. Thus, while we will cover some new issues regarding oil (mainly the windfall profits tax) this briefing is more about explaining how oil as an issue can be the save all “I need another point” saving grace of extempers. Therefore, this brief will go over some basic oil things that everyone should know, then examine how you can use oil to add a new level of analysis to all your rounds (including domestic social), and finial pose some non oil questions and give you an idea of how oil can be used to make your analysis more slick… Get it? Get it?

Extemp Questions for the Week of June 10th-16th, 2008

On June 10, 2008

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. How much influence does the Dalai Llama have over Tibet?

2. Should Olmert resign?

3. Why is consumer confidence in the U.S. economy falling?

4. Has Africa become the new “great game” for the major world powers?

5. Should OPEC be happy about the current price of oil?

6. Has the EU expanded too quickly?

7. Will the 2008 electoral map be drenched in purple?

8. Is Scott McClellan right about President Bush?

9. Will stricter visa rules make the U.S. safer from terrorism?

10. Would a Obama-Clinton ticket sacrifice governability for electability?

Topic Brief: The State of Afghanistan

On June 3, 2008

Overview

While the politicians talk about war in Iraq, there is that other country that we invaded and stuff is still happening there. Since 200,1 the Taliban has regained some influence in the south of the country – although the marines recently won a major victory. Further, opium production has been unchecked by anything but market forces and the government seems no more organized or in charge as it did years ago. Since tens of thousands of US troops are still fighting to stabilize a nation and this war – for some reason – is much more popular than the Iraq war (despite the fact it too may be worthy of the moniker “quagmire”), this brief is going to reexamine what is going on in Afghanistan and what that means for that country, the region and the US.

Extemp Questions for the Week of May 28th-June 2nd, 2008

On May 28, 2008

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Did China respond effectively to its recent earthquake?

2. Would Bobby Jindal be a good vice-presidential pick for McCain?

3. Should Venezuela be labeled as a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. State Department?

4. Why are India-Pakistan negotations over Kashmir getting nowhere?

5. Will the California Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage help the Republican Party in the 2008 elections?

6. Why has violence against immigrants increased in South Africa?

7. Would a new Afghan government increase the chances of stability in the country?

8. What grade does the recent U.S. farm bill deserve?

9. Should race and culture be used in evaluating adoptions?

10. Who won the most from the recent political agreement in Lebanon?

Topic Brief: Iranian Nuclear Controversy

On May 27, 2008

Overview

Since the dropping of two nuclear weapons on Japan, and the subsequent Soviet push to develop nuclear weapon, the countries who have nuclear capabilities has been one of the foremost concerns of the international community. So when Iran started enriching uranium, the international community got a little bit worried. When Iran refused to cooperate with the IAEA – they got a little bit angry. However, three UN sanctions later, little has changed with the IAEA condemning the lack of Iranian cooperation on March 27^th of this year. Since a country (Iran) that has promised to destroy another that already has nuclear weapons (Israel) may or may not be developing nuclear weapon is kind of a big deal. Oh, and because confirmation of such a nuclear program could justify Israeli/US attacks on Iran, let’s take a look at what is going on and what that means for the world.

Extemp Questions for the Week of May 21st-27th, 2008

On May 21, 2008

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Should the U.S. talk to Iran without preconditions?

2. Has the media been too harsh on Hillary Clinton?

3. Should Bush veto the new GI bill?

4. Why is drug violence so hard to stop in Mexico?

5. Is microfinance ethical?

6. Will Ma Ying-jeou be able to successfully smooth over relations between Taiwan and China?

7. Does the defection of Nelly Moreno show that Colombia’s government is winning its civil war with rebel groups?

8. Has the GOP’s outreach to black voters failed?

9. Why is inflation becoming a serious concern for Latin American economies?

10. Is an oil price of $200 a barrel by summer a realistic possibility?

Extemp Questions for the Week of May 14th-20th, 2008

On May 14, 2008

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Should the Labour Party ditch Gordon Brown?

2. How much longer should Hillary stay in the Democratic race?

3. Is enough being done to stave off a famine in North Korea?

4. Should polar bears be put on threatened species list?

5. Is the GOP headed for a massive defeat in this year’s midterm elections?

6. Should Thailand’s constitution be changed?

7. Would a suspension of the gasoline tax really benefit U.S. consumers at the pump?

8. How should the West deal with the political situation in Russia?

9. Is a proxy war imminent between Chad and Sudan?

10. Should the next U.S. president distance the United States from Israel?

Topic Brief: Bolivian Autonomy

On May 13, 2008

Overview

While it has long been famous for having two capital cites (La Paz and Sucre) or being partial home to Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable body of water in the world – Bolivia has recently decided that it needed to spice things up a bit. The country named after the leader of independence movements throughout Latin America elected a strong socialist leader – who is a long time advocate of the production of coca. However, it seems that Evo Morales’ pro-socialist and indigenous brand of politics has angered many of the wealthy elite. Four provinces – mostly populated by wealthy Bolivians of European descent – have planned votes to demand greater regional autonomy. When the first vote, in Santa Cruz, was a resounding victory for the pro-autonomy movement, Morales responded by pushing for a national recall vote of him and the governors of all nine provides (departments) to prove how beloved he is, and how much the average people love local government. Further complicating things is the fact that Morales is the number one disciple of Hugo Chavez, placing Bolivia in the middle of an international spat between the Latin left and the US. Since we have a series of elections that could rip a country apart, remove a democratically elected president, and alter the ideological balance of the western hemisphere, let’s take a look at Bolivia.

Extemp Questions for the Week of May 7th-13th, 2008

On May 7, 2008

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Is a new new-facist movement being built in Europe?

2. Have the worst parts of the credit crisis passed by?

3. Should Brazil be given a permanent seat on the UN Security Council?

4. Is the peace accord between northern and southern Sudan unraveling?

5. If you were John McCain’s campaign manager, what would be your election strategy while the Democrats are still engaging in their nomination battle?

6. Will Santa Cruz’s vote for more autonomy weaken Morales?

7. Should Tsvangirai agree to a run off?

8. Will the Supreme Court’s upholding of Indiana’s voter ID law hurt the Democratic Party in November?

9. What can be done to help Indian Ocean countries deal with natural disasters?

10. Has America won the “war on meth”?

Topic Brief: China’s Economic Growth

On May 6, 2008

Overview

With over 30 years of solid economic growth, China is an anomaly in the economic world. However, it seems that the odd mixture of communism and free markets that has resulted from the Great Leap Forward may have finally come to fruition as China’s economy is making the transition from producer of cheep goods to all around economic superpower. As China moves into cars, electronics and coercive economic foreign policy, it has become clear that China’s economic clout is something for the world–and especially the US–to watch. As such, this brief will examine the fourth largest economy in the world, and look at some of the impacts of this rising power.

Extemp Questions for the Week of April 30th-May 6th, 2008

On April 30, 2008

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Is Felipe Calderon doing too little to resolve the illegal immigration issue with the U.S.?

2. Should the U.S. government suspend gas taxes?

3. Has Indiana become the tiebreaker state in the Democratic primary?

4. Is it time for John Edwards to make an endorsement in the Democratic primary?

5. Should Israel accept Hamas’s offer of a ten year truce?

6. Is the EU being too lax in its membership requirements?

7. Should Yudhoyono be doing more to decrease religious tensions in Indonesia?

8. Why is Chicago experiencing a massive crime wave?

9. Is Afghanistan becoming more like Iraq?

10. Was the acquittal of the police officers involved in the Sean Bell shooting justified?

Extemp Questions for the Week of April 23rd-29th, 2008

On April 23, 2008

In International Extemp, U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. What was the impact of the Pennsylvania primary on the Democratic presidential race?

2. Who should be the first permanent European Council president?

3. What should be the future of Kirkuk?

4. Why is the U.S. budget deficit at a record high?

5. Should DNA evidence be required for a death sentence?

6. How can the U.S. improve its nation building operations?

7. Should one year of college education be mandated for all U.S. students?

8. Are we on the brink of a worldwide famine?

9. Why is Spain’s economy slumping?

10. Was John McCain’s appeal to black voters in Selma successful?

Topic Brief: Pope Benedict XVI’s Visit to America

On April 22, 2008

Overview

The Pope was touring America past week. In his first visit to the US, Pope Benedict XVI went on a five day tour of New York City and Washington D.C. During the tour he met with President Bush, held mass at Yankee stadium, visited Ground Zero and blessed countless passersby. The trip was toured as an attempt to connect with an American population that was losing trust in Catholicism and especially the new Pope. However, since it’s not every day that the leader of a major world religion comes to town, let’s talk about what it means for the US, for the Catholic Church, and for the Benedict himself.

Extemp Questions for the Week of April 16th-22nd, 2008