Category: U.S. Extemp Page 50 of 55

On March 24, 2009

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

1. Can the recent U.S. border security plan effectively stop smuggling along the U.S.-Mexican border? questions
2. Will the Employee Free Choice Act pass the Senate?
3. Why did the Czech government collapse?
4. Will Michael Bloomberg win a third term as New York City mayor?
5. What grade does Great Britain deserve for its anti-terror strategy?
6. Will the creation of a Labor-Likud governing coalition force the Kadima party to join a national unity government?
7. Should the U.S. government aid failing newspapers?
8. Should the Kurdistan Regional Government work closer with Turkey to cripple the PKK?
9. Will the AIG bonus debacle give the GOP a winning issue for the 2010 midterms?
10. Why is 2009 looking grim for the airline industry?

Topic Brief: AIG Bonuses

On March 24, 2009

Throughout much of the last week, the U.S. media has been obsessed with the bonuses that American International Group (AIG) was planning on paying its executives. Corporate bonuses are regularly scrutinized by the media as a way of the richer getting richer, but these carry with them special weight due to the fact that AIG has received over $170 billion in government bailout funds due to the financial crisis that began last September. With bonuses over $100 million set to be rewarded to executives who have been ridiculed for their incompetence during the crisis, the American people are outraged that some of their taxpayer dollars may go to filling the pockets of Wall Street executives as opposed to people who are without employment or who might lose their jobs in Detroit’s automotive plants.

The government response to the AIG debacle has been one of backtracking on initial promises and overreactions with hurried through Congressional legislation. Chances are that when the dust settles and smoke clears, much of the bonuses will not be paid out. Yet this incident has caused the American public to lose more trust in the ability of the federal government to resolve the financial crisis appropriately and has been a public embarrassment for the Obama administration.

Considering these ramifications, this brief will break down why AIG’s is in such bad financial shape, the response of Washington and the American people to the bonus payments, and what implications these bonuses will have for the American economic and political scene.

Extemp Questions for the Week of March 18th-24th, 2009

On March 17, 2009

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

1. Should AIG be forced to give back questions their bonuses?
2. Will Madgascar’s political situation get worse?
3. How serious should the saber rattling between North Korea and South Korea be taken?
4. Will tight economic times prompt states to abolish the death penalty?
5. What insight does the appointment of David Hamilton to the U.S. Court of Appeals give about Obama’s judicial philosophy?
6. Is the Vatican’s stance on condom use counterproductive to AIDS prevention efforts in Africa?
7. How can Israel secure the release of Gilad Shalit?
8. Is increased U.S. intervention in the Mexican drug war a good idea?
9. Will Vermont become the third state to allow same-sex marriage?
10. Should the U.S. be worried about its growing national debt burden?

Extemp Questions for the Week of March 11th-17th, 2009

On March 10, 2009

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

1. Will the arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir eventually lead to the questions disintegration of the CPA?
2. Are North Korea’s threats of war to be taken seriously?
3. Will the recent violence in Northern Ireland weaken Sinn Fein’s leadership?
4. What are the chances of an Israeli-Syrian peace accord by the end of the year?
5. Is it time for America to end the war on drugs?
6. Should America’s school day be longer?
7. Is Rush Limbaugh the most powerful figure in the Republican Party?
8. Will the EPA’s attempt to require major U.S. industries to measure greenhouse gasses hurt the economy?
9. Should the U.S. government quit bailing out AIG?
10. Why is Obama facing Congressional resistance to his budget proposals?

Extemp Questions for the Week of March 4th-10th, 2009

On March 3, 2009

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

1. Does Obama’s current push for universal healthcare have a better chance questions at succeeding that Bill Clinton’s attempt?
2. Should Russia be willing to exchange support for actions against Iran for U.S. abandonment of a missile defense shield in Europe?
3. Was Hillary Clinton’s announcement that she plans to press for a Palestinian state bad for Israel?
4. Is Zardari hold on Pakistan weakening?
5. Should the U.S. pay more attention to Mexico drug problem?
6. What changes should be made when No Child Left Behind is reauthorized?
7. Will more planned education spending by the Obama administration improve the quality of American schools?
8. Should Minnesota re-run its Senate election?
9. Will the recent lawsuit filed by gay rights advocates for federal benefits lead to DOMA being declared unconstitutional?
10. Is it wise to let the Bush tax cuts expire?

Topic Brief: President Obama’s Budget Plans

On March 3, 2009

Shortly after getting Congress to pass his economic stimulus bill, worth $787 billion, Barack Obama has again presented Congress with his plan for the federal budget for next year. Under our constitutional system, the President has the responsibility to make the budget, but Congress must debate its proposals, amend it if they choose, and then vote on the final package. While the current version of Obama’s 2010 budget, worth $3.6 trillion, $1.2 trillion being borrowed, is not likely to stay in its current form, it nevertheless gives us insight into his presidential priorities and where he would like to take the country.

Not surprisingly, Obama’s budget, which combines new federal spending into education and healthcare programs along with tax increases on America’s wealthy and oil and gas industries, has provoked conservative opposition. It is for this reason that this brief is being written as the controversy over this budget is bound to follow extempers throughout the coming month, a month when state tournaments are on the horizon.

This brief will break down what Obama’s budget contains, criticisms of the budget (along with some arguments about why these criticisms are wrong), and the impacts this budget could have for America.

Extemp Questions for the Week of February 25th-March 3rd, 2009

On February 24, 2009

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

1. Is it wise for Republican governors to reject stimulus money? questions
2. Should Kadima enter into a Netanyahu-led Israeli government?
3. Would a nationalization of some major U.S. banks be good for the economy?
4. By the end of 2009 will the U.S. still have an embargo on Cuba?
5. Do fertility clinics need more oversight?
6. Can Obama cut the budget deficit in half by the end of his first term?
7. Should the U.S. government encourage Uribe to run for a third term?
8. Was Hillary Clinton’s recent tour of Asia a success?
9. Is China’s purchase in global companies over the last month wise?
10. Should Burris resign?

United States Extemp Questions for the Week of February 25 – March 3, 2009

On February 24, 2009

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

febfree How are disagreements over the stimulus plan hurting the GOP?
Is General Motors on life support?
How will new homeowners benefit from the stimulus plan?
What is the cause of political dysfunction in California?
Is low consumer confidence exacerbating the recession?
Will other states follow Massachusetts decriminalization of marijuana?
What kind of backlash will face governors who refuse stimulus funds?
Which Republican governor is most likely to refuse stimulus money?
Is it time for Burris to go?
Are Obama’s aims to cut the federal deficit in half by 2013 realistic?
Will collaborative efforts to fight poverty bridge idealistic differences between American faiths?
How are Obama’s favorable ratings faring after one month on the job?
Should US nationalize its banks?
Is the movement to “go green” losing steam?
Who will be the next mayor of Detroit?
Was Obama wise to scrap the plan to replace the presidential helicopter fleet?
What role will Steven Rattner take as the Treasury’s point person on the auto bailout?
Would a rebranding of NCLB help the flagging movement?
Will Hawaii be the next state to allow same-sex unions?
Should schools make recess and outdoor time a bigger priority for the children?
Can Michael Steele broaden the GOP?
What are the three key issues to look for in Obama’s “State of the Union”?
Can Obama actually achieve entitlement reform?
Will the current recession doom remaining Sunday “blue laws”?
What was Oscar night’s biggest surprise?
Should the US throw in the towel of bringing democracy to Cuba?
Is the announcement of Archbishop Timothy Dolan to lead the archdiocese of New York a papal PR boon?

Topic Brief: Hillary’s Clinton’s Asia Tour

On February 24, 2009

Ever since she joined Barack Obama’s cabinet as Secretary of State, insiders across the political spectrum have weighed in about Hillary Clinton’s intentions in taking the job. Was she coming on board to overshadow the new president? Was she going to try to use the position to increase her political clout and make another run at the White House in 2016, or potentially 2012 if Obama failed? Or was she going into the job in order to provide a valuable supplement to the Obama team in the foreign arena?

Hillary’s trip of Asia had made clear that it may be too early to answer those questions. What is apparent is that the Obama administration will use the State Department to communicate a different message of how America is going to treat its allies and its enemies. Hillary’s trip, which spanned four countries, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and China, also communicated stances the administration had on the issues of global climate change, global economic recovery, and human rights.

This topic brief will break down Hillary Clinton’s trip abroad by giving some background on what was accomplished during the tour, criticisms of the tour, and some ramifications it will have for future American policymaking.

Extemp Questions for the Week of February 18th-24th, 2009

On February 17, 2009

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

1. Is Obama’s plan to drop the “car czar” a good idea? questions
2. Who should be tapped to create Israel’s next government?
3. Is Pope Benedict XVI alienating mainstream Catholics?
4. Why did Chavez win his term limits referendum?
5. Is space junk a major problem that warrants international attention?
6. Are Pakistani concessions with the Taliban an indictment of the U.S.’s war on terror strategy?
7. Is the Israeli election or the upcoming Iranian presidential election more important for Middle Eastern stability?
8. Are fixing America’s banks the key to economic recovery?
9. Is the window closing for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict?
10. Did Obama mishandle the presentation of the economic stimulus package?

United States Extemp Questions for the Week of February 18-24, 2009

On February 17, 2009

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

febfree What role will the UAW play in negotiating the fate of General Motors?
How will improvements in platelet-rich plasma therapy help athletes?
Who should be responsible for preventing and monitoring cyber-bullying?
How will Arne Duncan spend the portion of the stimulus allocated to education?
Is California headed off the fiscal rails?
What are Sec. of State Clinton’s top three goals for her week-long trip of Asia?
Why do Republican governors support the stimulus even though their senatorial counterparts didn’t?
Will A-Rod’s admission spur a cleanup of Major League Baseball?
Why have food prices begun to settle?
What is the highest gas prices will go in the coming year?
Despite celebrations abroad, why are Americans skeptical of the legacy of Charles Darwin?
Will other states copy Louisiana’s “academic freedom” law?
Will the Buffalo plane crash raise issues on the use of autopilot in commercial airlines?
Is the makeup of the current U.S. Supreme Court resulting in a more legal than policy perspective?
Will Sen. Napolitano’s call for reform in national security spark any departmental changes?
What findings will the Justice Department’s ethics office issue regarding policies of the Bush administration?
Is Roland Burris back in the hot seat?
Would a University of Memphis basketball plan to wear a Fed-Ex “inspired” jersey have crossed an ethical boundary?
Why did Obama decide against appointing a “car czar”?
Should Obama proceed with plans to modernize the fleet of presidential helicopters?
Why is the Obama administration already calling for revisions to the stimulus in regard to executive bonuses?
How will Gil Kerlikowske shape the role of America’s “drug czar”?
Will film will win the Academy Award for best picture?
Should Bill Clinton be blamed for the economic crisis?
Why is the 2010 census stirring up claims of partisan politics?

Extemp Questions for the Week of February 11th-17th

On February 10, 2009

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

1. Will the economic stimulus package hurt the Democrats chances in 2010? questions
2. Are Asian countries complaints about how the West is responsible for its economic problems valid?
3. Was Tom Daschle’s withdrawal as Secretary of Health and Human Services a blow to Obama’s healthcare plans?
4. Is the current global economic turmoil bad for global stability?
5. Should NCAA athletes get paid?
6. Why has the honeymoon ended so soon for Obama?
7. Will current economic unrest in China provoke a Tiananmen Square II?
8. How can the U.S. get more support from its allies for its current operations in Afghanistan?
9. Will Hugo Chavez win his referendum to lift term limits?
10. How long will Zimbabwe’s new unity government last?

United States Extemp Questions for the Week of February 11-17, 2009

On February 10, 2009

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

febfree Will a lack of bipartisan support hurt the perception of the Obama stimulus plan?
Will Justice Ginsberg step down from the Supreme Court?
What qualities would an Obama-appointed Supreme Court justice need?
Is the stimulus bill too costly?
Are “standards-based” educational approaches the key to school reform?
Will improved military enlistment last?
Will the US adjust life at Guantánamo for detainees?
Should Congress scrap the stimulus and let the economy recover on its own?
Did the Obama administration recapture the campaign spirit with weekend “stimulus parties”?
Has America lost its food safety net?
Should MySpace be praised or criticized for its recent purge of convicted sex offenders?
Was “Raising Sand” a surprise Grammy win?
Why were 90% of requests for aid after Hurricane Ike rejected by FEMA?
Do medical records belong online?
Why has the Roman Catholic church reintroduced the tradition of indulgences?
Will the Unite Here union divide in light of recent tensions?
What must Michael Steele do to revive the Republican Party?
Will Afghanistan become Obama’s “Vietnam”?
Why does the CIA and NSA want you to become their friend on Facebook?
Should Alex Rodriguez be held responsible for his use of anabolic steroids?
Why is heroin use among US teens on the rise?
Should the filibuster be abolished?
Has the media treated Nadya Suleman unfairly?
Will Amazon’s “Kindle 2” do for books what the iPod did for music?
Will Meg Whitman seek the California governorship?
How can officials prevent Mexican drug-related violence from spilling over into the U.S.?
Did Shepherd Fairey overstep “Fair Use” and AP copyright in his depictions of President Obama?

Topic Brief: Obama’s Economic Stimulus Plan

On February 3, 2009