2001-2002 Resolutions

These are topics that have been submitted by various people. They have no NPDA endorsement, official or otherwise.

Please note: Abbreviations are as follows:

• TH = This House
• THW = This House would
• USFG = United States Federal Government

Topics used at the University of Wyoming “Top of the Rockies”

Submitted by Matt Stannard, University of Wyoming

• Round 1: TH would take a walk on the wild side.
• Round 2: TH should honor its treaties with one or more Native American nations.
• Round 3: Resolved: If the thunder doesn’t get you, the lightning will.
• Round 4: TH would soften its stance on the Euro.
• Round 5: TH needs a miracle.
• Round 6: TH would expand stem cell research.
• Round 7: TH would respond.
• Quarterfinals: Art is permitted, but nature is forbidden.
• Semifinals: Resolved: The United States Supreme Court should uphold substantive due process.
• Finals: TH believes the media should tone it down.

Topics used at the Parliamentary League of the Upper Midwest #1

Submitted by Angie Nissen, Bethany Lutheran College

• Round 1: The piercing of body parts (except earlobes) should be prohibited for anyone under 18.
• Round 2: TH insists on an even playing field.
• Round 3: TH would go out without makeup on.
• Bronze: The US should revoke its ban on assassinations by its operatives.
• Gold: We should be willing to sacrifice freedom for security.

Topics used at the Great Alaskan Speakout

Submitted by Steve Johnson, University of Alaska-Anchorage

• Round 1: The significance of customer confidence has been overrated.
• Round 2: The United States has overemphasized individual rights.
• Round 3: TH regrets term limits.
• Round 4: Nationalism stands in the way of peace.
• Round 5: In certain circumstances, a conscientious objection to paying taxes is justified.
• Semifinals: 1. The United States needs a National Missile Defense system.
• Semifinals: 2. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should be opened for oil exploration and extraction.
• Finals: The US Federal Government has responded appropriately to the attack on America.

Topics used at the Claremont Colleges Round Robin

Submitted by John Meany, The Claremont Colleges

• Round 1: TH would still the fires within.
• Round 2: The US federal government should increase protections of rights of workers.
• Round 3: Give peace a chance.
• Round 4: TH rejects incrementalism.
• Round 5: TH would upset the balance.
• Finals: TH would save the tropics.

Topics used at the Claremont Colleges Invitational

Submitted by John Meany, The Claremont Colleges

• Round 1: The US federal government should substantially increase faith-based initiatives.
• Round 2: TH would turn the tables.
• Round 3: TH would follow them to the ends of the earth.
• Round 4: The United States Government should significantly change immigration policy.
• Round 5: TH would unhitch the trailer.
• Round 6: The US federal government should significantly restrict research and development of one or more technologies.
• Round 7: TH would blow it up.
• Round 8: TH would substantially reform farming.
• Octafinals: The US government should substantially reduce oil imports.
• Quarters: The US government should reduce due process protections in one or more areas.
• Semifinals: TH would spend it.
• Finals: Bury it.

Topics used at the Truman State Invitational

Submitted by Rob Layne, Truman State

• Round 1: THBT “Homeland Security” should not be a cabinet level position.
• Round 2: TH should close its borders.
• Round 3: TH rejects postmodernism.
• Round 4: TH would get down and dirty.
• Round 5: TH would increase consumer protections.
• Round 6: TH would rather fight the wave than ride it.
• Octafinals: TH would value the right of privacy over the right to know.
• Quarters: TH should break the silence.
• Semis: TH would politely say “No” to reparations.
• Finals: TH would embrace the contradiction.

Topics used at the Nebraska Double-Up Results

Submitted by Angie Miller, Creighton University

• Round 1: TH cannot pull itself up by the bootstraps.
• Round 2: TH values liberty over life.
• Round 3: TH would open foreign markets to American goods.
• Round 4: THBT First Amendment protections have gone too far.
• Round 5: The Federal Government should provide greater economic stimulus.
• Round 6: THBT legal ethics is an oxymoron.
• Octofinals: THBT a greater redistribution of wealth is required.
• Quarterfinals: TH would provide birth control to developing nations.
• Semifinals: TH would save the environment from environmentalism.
• Finals: TH would halt the execution of mentally handicapped individuals.

Topics used at the Ball State Invitational

Submitted by Mike Bauer, Ball State

• Round 1: TH would eliminate the use of grades.
• Round 2: THB the war on drugs is unwinnable.
• Round 3: THB Jerry Springer is good for society.
• Round 4: THB the U.S. is over-concerned with preventing civilian casualties.
• Round 5: THB cell phones do more harm than good.
• Round 6: THB a person is not complete until they are married… then they are finished.
• Quarters: THB war is the answer.
• Semis: THBT road rage is an understandable response to incompetent drivers.
• Finals: TH would legalize prostitution.

Topics used at Colorado College

Submitted by Bonnie Stapleton, Colorado College

• Round 1: Anthrax Anxiety is more dangerous than the real disease.
• Round 2: The USFG should assume control for all domestic airline security.
• Round 3: State sponsors of terrorism should be excluded from coalitions against terrorism.
• Round 4: The US millitary should put humanitarian concerns first in Afghanistan.
• Round 5: The erosion of privacy is an unwarranted response to terrorism.
• Round 6: The United States shares the blame for September 11.
• Double Octafinals: The war against terrorism should be extended to Iraq.
• Octas: A post Taliban government should be constructed by the West.
• Quarters: Al Jazeera is potentially more dangerous than Al Qaeda.
• Semis: US patriotism has crossed over into jingoism.
• Finals: We applaud Cheney’s position over Powell’s.

Topics used at Great Western Tournament

Submitted by Shawn Batt, Univ. of Pacific

• Round 1 (Worlds Format): This would take steps to substantially reduce nuclear proliferation.
• Round 2 (NPDA Format): This house would run a value case.
• Round 3 (Worlds Format): Further debt relief for developing nations is needed.
• Round 4 (NPDA Format): Baseball Contraction – For the case study, contact Shawn directly.
• Round 5 (Worlds Format): World Trade Organization – For the case study, contact Shawn directly.
• Round 6 (NPDA Format): NPDA should embrace one or more of the following format changes:
• A. Include an additional rebuttal on each side.
• B. Add cross-examination time after each constructive speech.
• C. Adopt the Worlds 4-team format.
• Round 7 (Worlds Format): Resolved: The use of grades in schools should be abandoned.
• Round 8 (NPDA Format): Case Study: US Foreign Policy on Religion (contact Shawn directly).
• Quarterfinals (Worlds Format): This House would grant personhood rights to primates.
• Semifinals (Worlds Format): Africa
• Final Round (NPDA format): This house would gamble on a dark horse.

Topics used at Casper College

Submitted by Grant Wilson, Casper College

• Round 1: THBT love is the best response to terror.
• Round 2: TH would turn up the volume.
• Round 3: TH would redefine the role of the Vice President of the United States.
• Round 4: TH values security over freedom
• Round 5: THBT everything is under control.
• Round 6: TH would do more to curb alcohol use on college campuses.
• Quarterfinals: THBT humor is the most important personal possession.
• Semifinals: TH would look no further.
• Finals: Turn out the lights, the party’s over.

Topics used at El Camino Warmup

Submitted by Joey Washburn, Long Beach City College

• Round 1: TH would rock the vote.
• Round 2: THBT the Olympic gold has lost its sparkle.
• Round 3: TH would adopt school vouchers.
• Round 4: TH would see the forest not the trees.

Topics used at Royal Invitational (Bethel College-MN)

Submitted by Dr. Renea Gernant, Concordia Univ.-NE; Jason Kemnitz, Univ. of South Dakota; Rob Klingler, Univ. of Florida

• Round 1: TH would stop the madness.
• Round 2: THBT too much is never enough.
• Round 3: Retaliation is a legitimate basis for policy.
• Round 4: TH would let operatives pay for information.
• Semifinals: TH would subvert the dominant paradigm.

Topics used at THBT Classic

Submitted by Angie Nissen and Dr. Tom Kuster, Bethany Lutheran

• Round 1: TH deplores the “Harry Potter phenomenon.”
• Round 2: THBT the Grinch stole Christmas.
• Round 3: The U.S. should try terrorists before military tribunals.
• Round 4: Iraq should be next.
• Round 5: Anger management screening (like blood tests) should be required of marriage license applicants.
• Round 6: Arm pilots.
• Bronze: TH supports research into therapeutic cloning of human tissue.
• Gold: TH prefers a lump of coal rather than a present in its stocking.

Topics used at “Listen to Me” invitational

Submitted by Brian Shipley, Georgetown Law School/Willamette University

• Round 1: Modern medicine overemphasizes prolonging life.
• Round 2: Non-human species deserve greater protection.
• Round 3: Terrorism can be an appropriate political tool.
• Round 4: The U.S. should more actively protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
• Round 5: Finish the job.
• Round 6: Give legitimacy to the union.
• Octafinals: Our trust is misplaced.
• Quarters: Oops, this House did it again.
• Semis: This House should increase access to information.
• Finals: That government governs best which governs not at all.

Topics used at the Griffin invitational

Submitted by Skip Rutledge, Pt. Loma Nazarene University

• Round 1: THBT censorship is justified.
• Round 2: There is no such thing as a good war or a bad peace.
• Round 3: Resolved: This House would pursue the Missile Defense Initiative.
• Round 4: Women should fight the tyranny of fashion.
• Round 5: TH believes the mountain is really a molehill.
• Round 6: Resolved: TH believes the inmates are running the asylum.
• Elimination Round 1: TH would level the playing field.
• Elimination Round 2: U.S. Energy independence should be a higher priority than environmental protection.
• Elimination Round 3: TH would favor principles over outcomes.
• Elimination Round 4: Democracy is not the answer.

Topics used at the Stan Schmidt Invitational (Portland Community College)

Submitted by Larry Galizio, Portland Community College

• THBT U.S. foreign policy breeds hatred
• TH dissents
• THBT we should look to class before race
• Mainstream mass media have failed to serve the public interest
• The Bush Administration constitutes a tax-haven for corporate America
• THBT the commercialization of sport has gone too far
• TH would take it back
• Standardized testing impairs the educational process
• THBT religion is the opiate of the masses
• THBT information is not just another commodity

Topics used at the Cal State-Long Beach tournament

Submitted by Jed Link, University of Southern California

• Round 1: It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
• Round 2: THBT reason has always existed, but not always in a reasonable form.
• Round 3: TH would limit the use of nuclear weapons.
• Round 4: TH would forgive Argentina’s debt.
• Round 5: THBT we should not judge a book by its movie.
• Round 6: We learn from history that we do not learn from history.
• Round 7: TH would significantly increase funding for education.
• Round 8: TH would rebuild the World Trade Center towers.
• Quarters: It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them.

Topics used at the Concordia University tournament

Submitted by Dr. Renea Gernant, Concordia University

• Round 1: Resolved: Silence means consent.
• Round 2: TH should test the legislators before the students.
• Round 3: TH believes the time has come for cameras in every courtroom.
• Round 4: Resolved: Cut the fat.
• Round 5: TH prefers unilateral action over multilateral action.
• Round 6: Privacy protections should be increased.
• Octafinals: The greatest sin is the sin of omission.
• Quarterfinals: THBT the United States is more sinned against than sinning.
• Semifinals: TH would significantly alter U.S. drug policy.
• Finals: TH values religious freedom over national security.

Topics used at the Carol Gaede Invitational (MSU-Moorhead/Concordia-MN)

• Round 1: TH would close on Sundays.
• Round 2: TH would swing on the porch.
• Round 3: TH would buy a Ventura action figure.
• Round 4: TH would pay cash.
• Finals: TH prefers antiques.

Topics used at the Highland Invitational

Submitted by Jim Dittus, Highland Community College

• Round 1: TH would take risks.
• Round 2: TH would boycott the Olympics.
• Round 3: TH finds honor in deceit.
• Round 4: TH would allow energy exploration in environmentally sensitive areas.
• Round 5: TH would close the borders.
• Round 6: TH would watch the Super Bowl just to see the ads.
• Semis: TH finds beauty in all art.
• Finals: TH would count its money.

Topics used at the Frank-ly Speaking Invitational (College of DuPage)

Submitted by Steve Schroeder, College of DuPage

• Round 1: THBT festivals are superior than competitions.
• Round 2: TH favors finding balance through excess and not reservation.
• Round 3: TH favors limiting our support of Israel.
• Round 4: TH would shift its foreign policy focus to the Western Hemisphere.
• Round 5: TH would push the button.
• Round 6: THBT greed is good.
• Quarters: TH would resurrect the Soviet Union.
• Semis: TH prefers great taste to less filling.

Topics used at the Point Loma Round Robin Tournament of Champions

Submitted by Skip Rutledge, Pt. Loma Nazarene University

• Round 1: Democracy is overrated.
• Round 2: How you play the game ought to be more important than winning the game.
• Round 3: When they say it’s not about the money, it’s about the money.
• Round 4: It is time to throw off the shackles of tradition.
• Round 5: Enron reveals capitalism’s moral bankruptcy.
• Semis: Case study (doctor/patient dying)
• Finals: Point Loma Nazarene University should kill its Crusader mascot.

Topics used at the Sunset Cliffs Classic (Point Loma)

Submitted by Skip Rutledge, Pt. Loma Nazarene University

• Round 1: Resolved: The U.N. exposes America’s democracy hypocrisy
• Round 2: Resolved: TH should more highly value beautiful minds than hard bodies.
• Round 3: Just Chill
• Round 4: Reality is a linguistic construction.
• Round 5: TH believes reporters should report not affect the news.
• Round 6: TH would curtail corporate puppetry of U.S. politics
• Double Octas: THB the Super Bowl ain’t that super.
• Octas: Resolved: Actions speak louder than words.
• Quarters: Justice delayed is justice denied.
• Semis: It is time to fish, or cut bait.
• Finals: Debate, by its very nature, teaches unethical practices.

20th Novice Nationals

• Round 1: TH would lift up the oppressed.
• Round 2: TH would not judge a book by its movie.
• Round 3: Resolved: The Euro should not have been adopted.
• Round 4: War accomplishes more than peace.
• Round 5: THBT money is power.
• Round 6: TH would get its hair cut.
• Octas: TH would upset the balance.

National Christian College Forensics Invitational:

• Round 1: Resolved: Congress should act to reform campaign financing.
• Round 2: TH should change its view on infant baptism.
• Round 3: TH would play Robin Hood.
• Round 4: TH would turn the other cheek.
• Round 5: The First World should forgive the Third World’s debt.
• Round 6: The time has come to increase religious activities in public schools.
• Octas: TH should more strongly pursue religious freedom.
• Quarters: TH should disarm.