U.S. Extemp Archives - Page 9 of 55

R&D: Allegations of Facebook’s Misdeeds

On October 8, 2021

Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This week’s R&D covers the recent allegations leveled against Facebook by data engineer Frances Haugen. Haugen argues that Facebook knew some of its services were harmful for teenagers, that its service could be used to spread political disinformation, and misled investors about Facebook’s user base. The charges have spurred congressional inquiry and renewed calls for greater regulation of “Big Tech” companies.

Frances Haugen, the Facebook product manager who leaked internal documents to the @WSJ, was right when she said Congress should “make social media companies liable for content that their algorithms promote,” Roddy Lindsay writes. https://t.co/LzcLLUln8z

— New York Times Opinion (@nytopinion) October 7, 2021

Revelations brought to light from whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former data scientist at Facebook, have led to what may be the most threatening scandal in the company’s history.

More from her congressional testimony: https://t.co/uMCYTi12UT

— NPR Politics (@nprpolitics) October 7, 2021

How Facebook forced a reckoning by shutting down the team that put people ahead of profits https://t.co/KJDeQpK09f

— TIME (@TIME) October 7, 2021

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of October 4-10, 2021

By geniao44446

On October 4, 2021

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Are Louis DeJoy’s postal service reforms a step in the right direction?
2. Does former President Trump have a constitutional right to have his Twitter account reinstated?
3. Should the debt ceiling be abolished?
4. Can water markets solve the Colorado River crisis?
5. Will a real estate licensure scandal scuttle Kristi Noem’s presidential hopes?
6. What should President Biden do to quell the Democratic Party’s growing civil war?
7. Should the U.S. return to a system of mandatory military service?
8. What will be the most consequential case that the Supreme Court will rule on this term?
9. Will Brian Laundrie be found?
10. Should Letitia James run for New York’s governorship?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of September 27-October 3, 2021

By geniao44446

On September 27, 2021

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Should U.S. states impose stricter homeschool guidelines?
2. Is the Biden administration losing control of its immigration policy?
3. Would more than 2% inflation benefit the U.S. economy?
4. Is Liz Cheney’s political career on borrowed time?
5. Did the Biden administration botch the rollout of the AUKUS partnership?
6. Why did Congress fail to achieve a bipartisan deal on police reform?
7. Does American foreign policy need a dose of “relentless diplomacy”?
8. After the war in Afghanistan should the U.S. cut defense spending?
9. Would it be politically unwise for progressive Democrats to block the infrastructure bill?
10. Will Minneapolis voters agree to the Yes 4 Minneapolis Initiative?

R&D: AUKUS

By geniao44446

On September 24, 2021

In International Extemp, R&D, U.S. Extemp

Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This week’s R&D covers the AUKUS partnership. Announced on September 15, AUKUS is a trilateral security agreement between the United States, Great Britain, and Australia. The nations pledge to cooperate on defense issues and is seen by experts to be a counter to Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region, even though British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the British Parliament recently that the partnership is not meant to antagonize China. The European Union was less than thrilled with the agreement, with France recalling ambassadors to the United States and Australia last week after Australia cancelled plans to purchase French submarines for nuclear models from the United States and Great Britain.

A new security partnership, AUKUS, will deliver nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. This sets a troubling precedent for nuclear nonproliferation policy.@james_acton32 highlights this precedent and what can be done to offset its consequences: https://t.co/VpeKV7FV2H

— Carnegie Endowment (@CarnegieEndow) September 22, 2021

Balance is needed between the hard power of AUKUS and the collaboration and rules-based competition with China that are required for climate diplomacy and trade https://t.co/yddCnaUr2p

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) September 23, 2021

“Raising the costs for major Indo-Pacific powers of going to war is in Indonesia’s interests, but not if that means China has greater maritime capabilities which threaten Indonesia or are used in grey-zone operations.” Read @SecurityScholar on #AUKUS: https://t.co/ZbQWbkdFsm

— Brookings FP (@BrookingsFP) September 23, 2021

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of September 20-26, 2021

By geniao44446

On September 20, 2021

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Do the results of the California recall election bode ill for Republican chances in the 2022 midterm elections?
2. Should the U.S. put more priority on global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines instead of booster shots for those already vaccinated?
3. Is President Biden beginning to pivot his policies too far to the left?
4. Should Democrats make election reform the key piece of their 2022 midterm campaign?
5. Will Senate Republicans eventually vote to raise the debt ceiling?
6. Should TikTok be held liable for damages caused by #deviouslicks?
7. Will ethics issues at the Federal Reserve scuttle Jerome Powell’s chances at being renominated as Fed chair?
8. Should President Biden push for a revival of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)?
9. Are the Abraham Accords worth saving?
10. Should more states follow California and New York in banning the sale of new fossil fuel vehicles by 2035?

R&D: The California Recall Election (2021)

By geniao44446

On September 17, 2021

In R&D, U.S. Extemp

Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This week’s R&D covers Tuesday’s California recall election. Governor Gavin Newsom survived the recall effort, with 64% of voters (as of the time of this writing) voting “No” to his ouster. Republican Larry Elder won the most votes on the second ballot question of who would replace Newsom if the recall was successful. Some analysts argue that the results bode well for a Democratic midterm strategy of connecting Republican candidates to former President Donald Trump.

California voters and Newsom’s political allies stepped up to defend the governor from the GOP-led recall, delivering a win that paves the way to his reelection next year. https://t.co/t89v3KmncB

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) September 16, 2021

Now that the dust has settled and (most of) the ballots counted, here are a few thoughts (from Hoover fellow @billwhalenCA) on what transpired in California earlier this week and a recall election that failed to oust Governor Gavin Newsom from office: https://t.co/6KzEnGaGym

— Hoover Institution (@HooverInst) September 16, 2021

How much did the 2021 recall election cost?

California lawmakers agreed to spend at least $276 million in the most recent state budget to cover the costs, but some elections officials have estimated the final tab will be closer to $300 million.https://t.co/tj4Ha2ltAE

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) September 16, 2021

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of September 13-19, 2021

By geniao44446

On September 13, 2021

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

hot1. Twenty years after 9/11, is America safer?
2. Should organized labor support President Biden’s vaccine mandate?
3. Have terrorists won the war on terrorism?
4. Should Chris Christie run for president in 2024?
5. How can President Biden convince Democratic moderates to support his $3.5 trillion social infrastructure bill?
6. Are mandates or incentives the best way to get more Americans vaccinated against COVID-19?
7. If the recall effort against Governor Newsom fails, what does it mean for the future of California’s Republican Party?
8. After Afghanistan, what changes does the U.S. need to make to its counter-terrorism policies?
9. Would it be wise to significantly increase the capital-gains tax?
10. Should the U.S. impose tariffs on Chinese industries that receive subsidies?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of September 6-12, 2021

By geniao44446

On September 6, 2021

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Will the Supreme Court eventually find Texas’ recent abortion law unconstitutional?
2. Is the Biden administration sidelining Vice President Harris?
3. What impact will the end of pandemic unemployment benefits have on the U.S. economy?
4. Should reforms be made to the operations of local boards of education?
5. Would it be too early for former President Trump to declare himself a candidate for 2024?
6. Should the U.S. cooperate with the Taliban to fight ISIS-K?
7. With about a week to go, will California voters recall Gavin Newsom?
8. Under what conditions should the U.S. remove sanctions on Venezuela?
9. Should religious exemptions exist in COVID-19 vaccine mandates?
10. What reforms should Congress make to Social Security?

R&D from Prepd: Hurricane Ida

By geniao44446

On September 3, 2021

In R&D, U.S. Extemp

Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This week’s R&D is on Hurricane Ida. The category four hurricane made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday afternoon, knocking out power for one million residents and creating a great deal of damage in New Orleans. Thus far it has caused at least fifty deaths and more than $15 billion in property damage. Ida is the second-most powerful hurricane to hit Louisiana, trailing only Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

What saved human lives in Louisiana was real infrastructure. The low death toll in Louisiana this week is a revealing but cautionary American success story, writes @DanHenninger https://t.co/DSJPTzabQK

— WSJ Editorial Page (@WSJopinion) September 2, 2021

As many as 25,000 utility workers from 38 states are headed to Louisiana as part of a massive effort to restore power after Hurricane Ida https://t.co/sOea0gZ6Cq

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) September 2, 2021

Can Hurricane Ida move public opinion on climate change?https://t.co/GDVX8rqiRW

— TIME (@TIME) September 2, 2021

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of August 30-September 5, 2021

By geniao44446

On August 30, 2021

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Did President Biden respond appropriately to the attack on U.S. personnel at the Kabul airport last week?
2. What will be the economic impact of the Supreme Court’s decision on President Biden’s eviction moratorium?
3. Will Florida’s recent COVID surge do lasting damage to Ron DeSantis’ political ambitions?
4. Should President Biden team with former President Trump to tout COVID vaccinations?
5. Is “cancel culture” hurting America?
6. Should Sirhan Sirhan have been pardoned?
7. Will the Senate approve of President Biden’s “human infrastructure” package?
8. Should the U.S. military start relying more on drone strikes as part of its strategic mission?
9. Will American schools be forced to return to virtual instruction this fall?
10. How can Liz Shuler revitalize the AFL-CIO?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of August 23-29, 2021

By geniao44446

On August 23, 2021

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Should President Biden demand Lloyd Austin’s resignation?
2. Would it be constitutional for the federal government to restrict misinformation on social media platforms?
3. Should health departments relax COVID-19 quarantine guidelines for schools?
4. If the federal government were to pass a slave reparations bill, how should it work?
5. Is Marjorie Taylor Greene laying the groundwork for a presidential run?
6. Will failure in Afghanistan weaken the state of America’s foreign alliances?
7. Has the #MeToo movement been a success?
8. Should the SEC require human-capital disclosures by companies?
9. Does the U.S. need to re-evaluate its approach toward Pakistan?
10. Should Congress extend child tax credit payments beyond 2021?

R&D: American Infrastructure

By geniao44446

On August 20, 2021

In R&D, U.S. Extemp

Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This week’s R&D is on American infrastructure. The Biden administration has made upgrading American infrastructure a policy priority and worked across the aisle with Republicans on a $1 trillion package in the Senate. The House has yet to vote on the legislation, but progressives are threatening to balk unless the chamber votes on President Biden’s $3.5 trillion social infrastructure package first. Passage of either bill would be a major domestic success for President Biden, but is also showing the difficulties of moving legislation in today’s partisan climate.

What’s in the U.S. Senate’s infrastructure bill?

Here’s a comparison of the plan President Biden proposed in March and the one that passed on Tuesday. https://t.co/ZffSvPfjSK

— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 10, 2021

From @WSJopinion: As Biden’s approval rating falls, the President needs a win. But Congress isn’t poised to provide, as Democrats feud over the infrastructure bill and budget resolution, writes @BillGalston https://t.co/3tzfrOOioT

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) August 18, 2021

The bipartisan infrastructure bill includes $65 billion for internet development – some states need more help than others. https://t.co/Tv3wdDub6O

— U.S. News & World Report (@usnews) August 17, 2021

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of August 16-22, 2021

By geniao44446

On August 16, 2021

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. What lessons should the United States learn from the War in Afghanistan?
2. Should states require teachers to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
3. What role should the United States play in stabilizing Haiti?
4. How can organized labor recover its footing?
5. Why are Joe Biden’s approval numbers slipping?
6. Should Jerome Powell be nominated for another term?
7. Has social media made American life worse?
8. Are the structures of American public education crumbling?
9. Does the Federal Reserve need to take the threat of inflation more seriously?
10. Is Andrew Cuomo’s political career over?

R&D from Prepd: The War in Afghanistan

By geniao44446

On August 13, 2021

In International Extemp, R&D, U.S. Extemp

Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This week’s R&D is on the war in Afghanistan. In 2001, the United States helped the Northern Alliance overthrow Afghanistan’s Taliban regime due to the Taliban harboring 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden. Now, the United States is withdrawing its forces from the country and the Taliban has captured nearly a dozen of the country’s provincial capitals. International observers question whether the Afghan government can fight on its own and worry about how a restored Taliban regime will treat the rights of women, ethnic minorities, and political dissidents.

The West may want to forget about Afghanistan, but that won’t be possible. Of the many bad options Biden faced, he chose perhaps the worst. https://t.co/9jjZaUy8Zh

— World Politics Review (@WPReview) August 12, 2021

Ideally, America would not be withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan at all. Its rush for the exit has allowed the Taliban to drop the pretence of negotiations https://t.co/vTAszVNlFi

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) August 12, 2021

The Islamist group was in power in Afghanistan until the US led invasion in 2001https://t.co/ittpBn3iSI

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 12, 2021

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of August 9-15, 2021

By geniao44446

On August 9, 2021

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

1. Is the Biden administration doing enough to combat inflation?
2. Can the U.S. have a more liberalized border policy during the COVID-19 pandemic?
3. Are Republicans gaining momentum for the 2022 midterm elections?
4. Should the Department of Justice open a criminal probe into former President Trump’s challenges of the 2020 election result?
5. Will New York’s state legislature impeach and remove Governor Andrew Cuomo?
6. Would universal pre-K improve educational outcomes in the United States?
7. Will the Supreme Court eventually nullify the CDC’s extension of the eviction moratorium?
8. How can the U.S. stymie cooperation between China and Russia?
9. Could vaccine mandates exacerbate America’s worker shortage?
10. How can Senate Democrats win Republican support for voting rights legislation?

Category: U.S. Extemp Page 9 of 55