<img src="https://extemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-Extemp-Central-Horiztonal.png"> Extemp Central

On June 5, 2021

In International Extemp, R&D

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.

As part of the leadup to the 2021 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, Extemp Central will be providing daily research & development (R&D) posts for each of the tournament’s fourteen topic areas. These will include links to important articles about each. It is hoped that these will aid in extempers preparation for this year’s national tournament.

As much as the departure of American forces from Afghanistan may please Pakistan’s strategic planners, the potential return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan presents a longer-term dilemma. https://t.co/6hIthamc25

— World Politics Review (@WPReview) May 31, 2021

Afghanistan could be a ‘safe haven’ for terrorists with dangerous repercussions for South-east Asia: Experts https://t.co/9qX9Na2fAQ

— The Straits Times (@straits_times) June 4, 2021

R&D for Prepd: U.S. Education

On June 4, 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.

As part of the leadup to the 2021 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, Extemp Central will be providing daily research & development (R&D) posts for each of the tournament’s fourteen topic areas. These will include links to important articles about each. It is hoped that these will aid in extemper’s preparation for this year’s national tournament.

Why did the Common Core State Standards fail? @tomloveless99 discusses the reasons and looks ahead to the future of U.S. education reform. https://t.co/xABALqyesH

— Brookings Institution (@BrookingsInst) March 29, 2021

Republican lawmakers across the U.S. have passed bills to block curriculums that emphasize systemic racism. Their campaign has targeted “critical race theory,” which many conservatives portray as accusing white Americans of being individually racist. https://t.co/bDlNQHFkBZ

— NYT National News (@NYTNational) June 3, 2021

R&D from Prepd: Central and South America

On June 4, 2021

In International Extemp, R&D

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.

As part of the leadup to the 2021 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, Extemp Central will be providing daily research & development (R&D) posts for each of the tournament’s fourteen topic areas. These will include links to important articles about each. It is hoped that these will aid in extemper’s preparation for this year’s national tournament.

Vaccination rates vary widely in Latin America: 40% of Chile’s population is fully vaccinated while in other countries, like Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico, 9-18% of the population has gotten one dose. Here’s what to know: https://t.co/HgtdFH9E1z pic.twitter.com/5YApPtsqYp

— Council on Foreign Relations (@CFR_org) June 4, 2021

After Chile’s recent elections, a new constituent assembly will begin to redraft the country’s dictatorship-era constitution. @OliverStuenkel on how this risky endeavor could provide an example for other Latin American countries to strengthen democracy: https://t.co/LHNvZTspxn

— Carnegie Endowment (@CarnegieEndow) May 21, 2021

R&D from Prepd: Arts, Entertainment & Society

On June 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.

As part of the leadup to the 2021 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, Extemp Central will be providing daily research & development (R&D) posts for each of the tournament’s fourteen topic areas. These will include links to important articles about each. It is hoped that these will aid in extemper’s preparation for this year’s national tournament.

AMC Entertainment took advantage of a record stock price with its second share issue in three days, while warning investors of the risks involved https://t.co/43vIhcUsbP pic.twitter.com/0QSsJTX9hr

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 3, 2021

NBA players’ lucrative endorsements deals with Chinese brands could pull the league into the geopolitical firestorm over the use of cotton from Xinjiang.

U.S.-China tensions, human rights and business are once again colliding on the basketball court.https://t.co/e1xRx9F8cL

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 9, 2021

R&D from Prepd: Africa

On June 3, 2021

In International Extemp, R&D

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.

As part of the leadup to the 2021 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, Extemp Central will be providing daily research & development (R&D) posts for each of the tournament’s fourteen topic areas. These will include links to important articles about each. It is hoped that these will aid in extemper’s preparation for this year’s national tournament.

Fishmeal, Oil Exports to Europe Hurt Food Security in West Africa https://t.co/QjISKkGZvg pic.twitter.com/JJwtVLekkc

— allAfrica.com (@allafrica) June 3, 2021

New research by Homi Kharas and Meagan Dooley shows how COVID-19 will accentuate the long-term concentration of poverty in countries that are middle-income, fragile and conflict-affected, and located in Africa.
https://t.co/ca7DWSHPWo

— Brookings Institution (@BrookingsInst) June 3, 2021

The African Union has suspended Mali’s membership in response to May’s military coup, and is threatening sanctions if a civilian-led government isn’t restored https://t.co/LKvPDVjmSt pic.twitter.com/0FVyKf479d

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 2, 2021

2021 NCFL Grand National Tournament: Veluvali Downs TOC Champion Dhamapurikar to Win National Championship

On May 31, 2021

In Nationals Results

For the first time in two years, the National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) was able to host its annual national tournament. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was held virtually from May 28-30.

Ananth Veluvali of Edina High School (MN) was crowned national champion, defeating TOC Champion Mukta Dhamapurikar of Durham Academy (NC) by seven composite ranks. Veluvali is the first Minnesota extemper to win the NCFL National Championship since Dylan Slinger of Lakeville South High School won back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2011.

Another Minnesotan, Faye Zhang of Eastview High School (MN), finished in sixth place.

The final round was diverse, featuring competitors from five different states. In addition to the finishes above, Cade Savoy of Teurlings Catholic High School (LA) finished third, Rushikesh Kulkarni of Upper St. Clair High School (PA) finished fourth, and Karam Weigert of Woodrow Wilson High School (DC) finished fifth.

Several notable names fell just short of reaching the final round. These included Harvard Champion Daniel Kind of Lake Highland Preparatory (FL) and MBA Round Robin Champion Kay Rollins of the Potomac School (VA).

The unorthodox 2020-2021 extemp season will come to a close in two weeks when the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament takes place online. The tournament kicks off on Monday, June 14 and will conclude on Saturday, June 19.

Here are the results of the 2021 National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament (Click here for tab sheet):

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 31-June 6, 2021

On May 31, 2021

1. Would the resumption of protectionist trade policies do significant damage to the U.S. economy?
2. Are closer ties between Iran and Venezuela a threat to American national security?
3. Does the U.S. have a role to play in reducing corruption in Latin American countries?
4. Are America’s police forces facing a recruiting crisis?
5. Should the U.S. federal government pay citizens to get vaccinated?
6. How can fiscal conservatives regain their political credibility?
7. Does the Biden military budget err by increasing funding for nuclear weapons programs?
8. What does Amazon’s purchase of MGM signal about the future of its business model?
9. Should President Biden create a presidential January 6 commission?
10. What constitutional reforms does America need?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of May 31-June 6, 2021

On May 31, 2021

1. Are European sanctions on Belarus going far enough?
2. What is the biggest challenge that China faces in the next decade?
3. Will a change in Israeli political leadership rejuvenate the Middle East peace process?
4. How can the UN prevent a resurgence of violence in Darfur?
5. Are the world’s democracies using too much appeasement with the world’s autocrats?
6. What will Germany look like after Merkel?
7. From its isolated position, what ally should North Korea seek most in the world?
8. Is Eritrea becoming Africa’s biggest security threat?
9. Will Myanmar’s economy continue to suffer under military rule?
10. Have Australian lockdown efforts become too draconian?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of May 24-30, 2021

On May 24, 2021

1. Has Vladimir Putin effectively sidelined Alexei Navalny?
2. Should Israel worry about the prospect of a Jewish-Arab civil war inside its borders?
3. Why has Nigeria failed to wipe out Boko Haram?
4. Can the WTO’s vaccine patent waiver resolve the impacts of COVID on the developing world?
5. Is the dream of Turkey ever joining the EU dead?
6. Should Saudi Arabia support the Iranian nuclear deal?
7. Is Henrique Cardoso’s backing of Lula’s 2022 presidential bid a major blow to Bolsonaro’s re-election hopes?
8. How strong is Italy’s populist right?
9. Is a rebound in global oil prices a blessing or a curse for the developing world?
10. Will the use of Nazi symbols and anti-Semitic chants at Palestinian protests undermine Western sympathy for the Palestinian cause?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 24-30, 2021

On May 24, 2021

1. Would a U.S. employer mandate on COVID-19 vaccines be constitutional?
2. Is there a sexual counterrevolution underway in America?
3. Should Congress approve President Biden’s proposed increases to America’s bureaucracy?
4. Does the 1619 Project have a place in America’s schools?
5. How might Asian American voters affect the 2022 midterm elections?
6. Could U.S. support for the WTO’s vaccine patent waiver make the U.S. more vulnerable to the next pandemic?
7. Did American schools err by not strictly enforcing truancy laws during this pandemic affected school year?
8. Should the U.S. impose climate tariffs on China?
9. Does the Republican Party need former President Trump’s backing to win the 2022 midterms?
10. How would the creation of free community college affect the structure of high school education in America?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 17-23, 2021

On May 17, 2021

1. Is the CDC’s revision of national masking rules driven more by science or politics?
2. In the wake of recent mergers, should Congress look to pass greater media regulations?
3. Should Matthew McConaughey run for the Texas governorship?
4. What action should the Republican Party take against Matt Gaetz?
5. Should all American schools return to full, in-person instruction next school year?
6. Can Republican moderates build an effective third party?
7. Should states expand legalized gambling to fix their budgetary woes?
8. How can the U.S. get greater Russian cooperation to stop cyberattacks?
9. Is the U.S. education system in need of significant, structural reform at all levels?
10. Does Liz Cheney have a political future?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of May 17-23, 2021

On May 17, 2021

1. Is Egypt the best actor to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the recent outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas?
2. What role should Japan play in reducing political tensions in Myanmar?
3. Will the recent unrest in Gaza resolve Israel’s deadlocked political situation?
4. Does the EU lack a common vision?
5. Will reduced population growth in China create a long-term inflation problem in the global economy?
6. Should the WTO issue a waiver of patent protections for COVID-19 vaccines?
7. Is one party governance hurting South Africa?
8. What should the international community do about space junk?
9. Is South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party on the ropes?
10. What should be the priorities of Chile’s constitutional drafting process?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of May 10-16, 2021

On May 10, 2021

1. Is Nigeria becoming more stable?
2. Are India’s COVID-19 struggles becoming a security threat to other South Asian nations?
3. Is Afghanistan’s military ready to fight on its own?
4. Will Germany’s next governing coalition have to involve at least three parties?
5. Should Egypt normalize relations with Turkey?
6. How should Ivan Duque respond to growing protests in Colombia?
7. Should Scotland be allowed to hold a second independence referendum?
8. What is wrong with the British Labour Party?
9. How can the AU work to strengthen the medical infrastructures of member states?
10. Is democracy under assault in El Salvador?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of May 10-16, 2021

On May 10, 2021