2002-2003 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
• USFG = United States Federal Government

Parlimentary League of the Upper Midwest #1 (Bethany Lutheran)

Topics submitted by Dr. Tom Kuster, Bethany Lutheran

• Round 1: The use of grades to evaluate student performance should be abolished.
• Round 2: Democracy is not for everyone.
• Round 3: (Case Study Situation)
• Bronze Round: TH doesn’t mind looking stupid.
• Gold Round: A free education for U.S. students should be provided for 14 years, not just 12.

Claremont National Round Robin

Topics submitted by John Meany, Claremont Colleges

• Round 1: TH should increase the rights of working people in the United States.
• Round 2: The United States should increase the severity of criminal punishment.
• Round 3: The United States should reduce its foreign military commitments.
• Round 4: The United States Supreme Court should limit the rights of states.
• Round 5: The United States should increase intervention in South America.
• Finals: TH would establish a right of movement.

Claremont Open Invitational

Topics submitted by John Meany, Claremont Colleges

• Round 1: The government should not collect information on race and ethnicity.
• Round 2: End agricultural price supports.
• Round 3: In this case, guns are better than butter.
• Round 4: Open the door to strangers.
• Round 5: Uphold the Geneva convention.
• Round 6: TH opposes tenure.
• Round 7: The United States Federal Government should expand the welfare state.
• Round 8: TH should impose a pollution tax.
• Octafinals: The Non-Proliferation treaty is obsolete.
• Quarters: The United States should have an Equal Rights Amendment.
• Semis: Bring back the draft.
• Finals: Divest.

Golden Eagle Invitational (College of Southern Idaho)

Topics submitted by Prof. Chris Bragg, College of Southern Idaho

• Round 1: TH should attack Iraq.
• Round 2: TH supports standardized testing.
• Round 3: THBT when in conflict, protecting the First Amendment outweighs providing public safety.
• Round 4: THBT Americans are out of touch.
• Round 5: TH would give control to the Republicans.
• Quarterfinals/Semifinals: TH supports comprehensive family leave.
• Semifinals/Finals: TH would thin the forests.
• Finals: TH prefers the dove to the hawk.

Creighton University/Concordia University Double-Up

• Round 1: Individual rights are most important in times of war.
• Round 2: TH would ban credit card advertising from college campuses.
• Round 3: TH believes it is time to extend the olive branch.
• Round 4: TH would get tough on crime.
• Round 5: TH should become involved in African military conflicts.
• Round 6: TH would reform public education in the United States.

Purdue Boilermaker Tournament

Topics submitted by Prof. Curt Gilstrap, DePauw University

• Round 1: TH should quit memorializing.
• Round 2: The Johannesburg summit offers no comparative advantage.
• Round 3: The best course of action is the fastest.
• Round 4: TH should improve civil liberties.
• Round 5: TH values pragmatism over humanism.
• Round 6: TH should rock mob style.
• Octafinals: Science is greater than or equal to art.
• Quarters: The U.S. Federal Government should endorse cleaner air.
• Semifinals: TH believes time is a great teacher… even though it often kills its best pupils.
• Finals: TH should pull the trigger.

Larry Schnoor Invitational (Minnesota State University-Mankato)

• Round 1: TH argues the truth really does hurt.
• Round 2: THBT you don’t need a weatherman to see which way the wind blows.
• Round 3: TH believes knowledge is a treasure chest.
• Round 4: TH believes the ends do justify the means.

Vocal Viking Tournament (Bethany Lutheran)

Topics submitted by Dr. Tom Kuster, Bethany Lutheran

• Round 1: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
• Round 3: (Case Study)
• Round 4: We favor free downloads.

Parliamentary League of the Upper Midwest #2 (Bethany Lutheran)

Topics submitted by Dr. Tom Kuster, Bethany Lutheran

• Round 1: TH would make punishment more harsh.
• Round 2: Those who are not for us are against us.
• Round 3 (Case Study): Dylan should give away his fortune to charities.
• Bronze Round: America’s golden age of culture still lies ahead.
• Gold Round: Winning is not as important as how you play the game.

Macalester Tournament

Topics submitted by Dick Lesicko, Macalester College

• Round 1: The pen is mightier than the sword.
• Round 2: TH would jam the gears of the war machine.
• Round 3: Resolved: That federalism is a snare and a delusion.
• Round 4: TH would emulate the French.
• Round 5: Resolved: that the Union should be reduced to 49 states.
• Round 6: Resolved: that Minnesota should reinstate the death penalty.
• Semis: TH would negotiate with terrorists.
• Finals: Jimmy Carter should refuse the Nobel Peace Prize.

Jackrabbit Jousts (South Dakota State)

• Round 1: TH would give more power to the people.
• Round 2: TH would enjoy the silence.
• Round 3: The United States should change its policy toward North Korea.
• Round 4: TH would mandate ballistic fingerprinting.
• Semis: BIRT it is better to burn out than to fade away.
• Finals: The United States should repudiate the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights.

Grossmont Griffin Invitational Tournament

Topics submitted by Prof. Skip Rutledge, Pt. Loma Nazarene University

• Round 1: Resolved: TH would redistribute the wealth.
• Round 2: Resolved: Parents should be better trained.
• Round 3: TH prefers rewards to punishments.
• Round 4: Recreation is undervalued in America.
• Round 5: The U.S. military should cool its jets.
• Round 6: Resolved: Extreme times call for extreme measures.
• Elim Round 1: TH would improve gender equity.
• Elim Round 2: The ends justify the means.
• Elim Round 3: Resolved: Shame on Israel.
• Elim Round 4: Resolved: The United Nations ought to value human rights above national sovereignty.

Washington University

Topics submitted by Roxanne Mason, Washington University

• Round 1: TH should tear the roof off the sucker.
• Round 2: TH would significantly alter corporate culture.
• Round 3: TH would end the war on terror.
• Round 4: TH should be president.
• Round 5: TH should move it, move it.
• Round 6: TH would change its diet.
• Open Octafinals/Novice Quarters: TH should hug a tree.
• Open Quarters/Novice Semis: TH would lift sanctions.
• Open Semis/Novice Finals: TH should legalize it.

2nd Portland Greater Debate League

Topics submitted by Prof. Michael Dugaw, Lower Columbia College

• Round 1: The Government has forgotten its role
• Round 2: TH would rather be in than out
• Round 3: TH believes : There’s not justice without retribution
• Finals: TH believes : It’s a cold day in Hell

Concordia Classic

Topics submitted by Dr. Renea Gernant, Concordia University

• Round 1: THBT the environment has been undervalued.
• Round 2: Society has become too dependent on technology.
• Round 3: TH would affirm the utility of quotas.
• Round 4: THBT international justice is not.
• Round 5: Tax cuts are the best way to spur economic growth.
• Round 6: TH should change its foreign policy toward the United States.
• Quarterfinals: It takes an international community to raise a state.
• Semifinals: TH regrets electing President Bush.
• Finals: TH would change its inflation policy.

University of Oregon Fall Tournament

Topics submitted by Prof. Peter Mohn, University of Oregon

• Round 1: Resolved: that increased restrictions on the civilian possession of firearms would be justified
• Round 2: Resolved: the United States should pursue development of the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.
• Round 3: Resolved: the Pledge of Allegiance is inappropriate expression in public schools.
• Round 4: Resolved: that the United States should substantially change its foreign policy toward the Middle East.
• Round 5: Resolved: that the power of the Presidency should be significantly curtailed.
• Round 6: Resolved: the United States federal government should significantly increase regulations on the use of public land.
• Octafinals: Resolved: the United States should forgive debt.
• Quarters:Resolved: action should be taken to increase services for those who are homeless.
• Semis: Resolved: the federal government should significantly strengthen the regulation of mass media communication in the United States.
• Finals: Resolved: the death penalty should be abolished.

Parliamentary League of the Upper Midwest #3

Topics submitted by: Dr. Tom Kuster, Bethany Lutheran

• Round 1: Shift the financial burden.
• Round 2: The most fundamental wrong is selfishness.
• Round 3: (Case study)
• Bronze: The U.S. needs a strong third party.
• Gold: The world needs a new Elvis.

Portland State University

Topics submitted by: Prof. Jil Freeman, Portland State

• Round 1: Purge the clergy.
• Round 2: Follow Eugene’s lead.
• Round 3: George, it’s time to cut the cord.
• Round 4: At this time, the court should not decide.
• Round 5: Let Turkey come to the table.
• Round 6: Celebrity status corrupts justice.
• Octafinals: Kissinger is the wrong person for the job.
• Quarters: The US Federal Government should step aboard the friendly skies.
• Semis: TH should reject an abstinence only policy.
• Finals: Give peace a chance.

Jack Samosky Invitational

Topics submitted by: Christine Deane

• THBT Columbus Day is the worst national holiday.
• THBT democracy isn’t good for everyone.
• THBT it is being taxed without representation.
• THBT its vote no longer counts.
• THBT the SATs are valuable.
• THBT safety trumps individual rights.
• THBT the sky is falling.
• THBT an apple a day is no longer enough.
• THBT the UN is more bark than bite.
• THBT if you build it, they will come.
• THBT it got the short end of the stick.
• THBT the US is howling at the moon.
• TH should abolish grades as a way of evaluating student performance.
• TH would step away from the vehicle.
• TH would allow the meek to inherit the earth.
• TH should allow third party candidates into debates.
• TH would give itself a break.
• TH would put a cap on it.
• THBT it is better to take action sooner than later.
• THBT it has no other alternative.
• TH should exhaust all diplomatic means first.
• THBT the light at the end of the tunnel is over-rated.
• THBT a conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.
• TH should ban holiday celebrations at schools.
• THBT America is for sale.
• THBT a city is a large community where people are lonesome together.
• TH would change its relations with China.
• THBT assassination attempts are a legitimate means to an end.
• THBT it’s no use locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.
• TH should censor it.

Stan Schmidt Invitational (Portland Community College)

Topics submitted by: Prof. Larry Galizio, Portland Community College

• On balance, reality television is harmless
• TH would reinstate the draft
• TH supports affirmative action in college admissions
• Restrictions on civil liberties have gone too far
• TH would sacrifice capitalism for democracy
• THBT the United States is a plutocracy
• Quarters: This House would end corporate welfare as we know it
• Semis: Let’s feed and clothe the axis of evil
• Finals: THBT the state of the union is weak

Gorlok Invitational (Webster University)

Topics submitted by: Scott Jensen, Webster University

• Round 1: TH would prefer to be in left field.
• Round 2: THBT, on balance, tenure has a positive impact on educational institutions.
• Round 3: Resolved: That the United States should make the health of its youth a higher priority.
• Round 4: TH would deal with Kim before Hussein.
• Round 5: TH would make higher education more accessible.
• Round 6: The United States Federal Government has lessened its commitment to “The New Deal.”
• Quartefinals: TH believes Bush is getting bad advice.
• Semifinals: Resolved: That tradition is more important than advancement.
• Finals: We would renovate the stadium.

DePauw Impromptu Debates

Topics submitted by: Curt Gilstrap, DePauw University

• Round 1: This House should improve Homeland Security.
• Round 2: This House should rescue drought-plagued African nations.
• Round 3: The U.S. economy needs a face-lift.
• Round 4: This House would paint the town red.
• Round 5: This House can (still) smell what the Rock is cookin’.
• Round 6: Cybercrime needs a nemesis.
• Quarterfinals: TH should defend Affirmative Action.
• Semifinals: Protests facilitate Dialogues.
• Finals: Oil is the bane of our existence.

Minnesota Intercollegiate Forensics Association Tournament

• Round 1: TH would negotiate with terrorists.
• Round 2: TH believes security to be more important than freedom.
• Round 3: THBT progress is a myth.
• Round 4: TH would change its policy on funding education.

Point Loma Tournament of Champions

Topics submitted by: Skip Rutledge, Pt. Loma Nazarene University

• Round 1: TH regrets having elected President George W. Bush
• Round 2: Schools should stop teaching the wrong lessons.
• Round 3: We should fundamentally rehabilitate the prison industry.
• Round 4: Title IX is a bridge too far.
• Round 5: It is better to give than to receive.
• Semifinals: TH would turn lemons into lemonade.
• Finals: Neither the United States nor the United Nations should be able to impose its will upon Iraq.

Sunset Cliffs Classic (Point Loma Nazarene)

Topics submitted by: Skip Rutledge, Pt. Loma Nazarene University

• Round 1: The business of government should be encouraging morality.
• Round 2: U. S. Presidents should be limited to serving nonrenewable six-year terms.
• Round 3: Sports are overvalued on college campuses.
• Round 4: It is better to be a liberated pauper than a wealthy slave.
• Round 5: The primary blame rests with Saddam.
• Round 6: It takes an international community to raise a state.
• Double Octafinals: Some principles are worth dying for.
• Octafinals: Greed is good.
• Quarterfinals: Assassination is preferable to war.
• Semifinals: Imposing medical litigation limitations protects the rich more than the poor.
• Finals: The ugly American needs a face-lift.

21st Novice Nationals

• Round 1: Resolved: An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.
• Round 2: Resolved: It is time for a woman to be president.
• Round 3: TH would reject the free market.
• Round 4: TH would lose control.
• Round 5: TH would destroy the one ring.
• Round 6: The neighbor’s house should get their act together.