2004-2005 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
• TH would = This House would
• USFG = United States Federal Government

Top of the Rockies (University of Wyoming)

Topics submitted by Prof. Matt Stannard, Univ. of Wyoming

• Round 1: Coalition nations should implement a new strategy to ensure timely elections in Iraq.
• Round 2: THBT John Kerry should be the next President of the United States.
• Round 3: The United States should harden its North Korea policy.
• Round 4: The United States Federal Government should provide employment to all employable U.S. citizens living in poverty.
• Round 5: TH supports the partial privatization of Social Security.
• Round 6: TH would significantly increase prosecutorial power in rape cases.
• Round 7: The United Nations should immediately increase action to stop genocide in Sudan.
• Doubles: The U.S. Supreme Court should overturn one or more decisions that limit freedom of speech or press.
• Octafinals: TH believes it is better to sing than to speak.
• Quarters: The Green Party was correct in dumping Ralph Nader.
• Semis: TH should increase its support for the self-determination of one or more oppressed nations.
• Finals: The United States should significantly curtail its arms sales to one or more foreign countries.

Parli League of the Upper Midwest #1

Topics submitted by Prof. Jon Loging, Bethany Lutheran College

• Round 1: TH prefers residence halls to off-campus apartments.
• Round 2: TH would ignore all campaign ads.
• Round 3: Case Study
• Bronze: TH would stop the madness.
• Gold: TH would say to the tenure system, “You’re fired!”

Claremont Colleges Round Robin

Topics submitted by Prof. John Meany, Claremont-McKenna College

• Round 1: The United States should substantially reform its tort system.
• Round 2: The European Union should not admit Turkey.
• Round 3: Eco-tourism does more harm than good.
• Round 4: Negotiate with terrorists.
• Round 5: In this case, monoculture does more good than harm.
• Finals: Socialize it.

Claremont Colleges National Open

Topics submitted by Prof. John Meany, Claremont-McKenna College

• Round 1: Continue the assault weapons ban.
• Round 2: The United States should adopt a standardized national curriculum for primary and secondary education.
• Round 3: TH would not embrace Libya.
• Round 4: The United States should adopt a substantially new development policy for one or more Caribbean nations.
• Round 5: TH would permit athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs.
• Round 6: The United States should significantly increase regulation of occupational safety and health.
• Round 7: In this circumstance, TH would restrict gated communities.
• Round 8: In this case, TH prefers a bipolar world.
• Octafinals: TH would substantially increase its support for the middle class.
• Quarterfinals: TH would establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for indigenous peoples in the Americas.
• Semifinals: The United States should substantially reform its homeland security programs.
• Finals: TH would act to undermine corporate personhood.

College of Southern Idaho

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

• Round 1: TH would reform the presidential debate process.
• Round 2: TH would reinstate the assault weapons ban.
• Round 3: TH believes the war in Iraq is a just war.
• Round 4: TH values a history of military service over a history of political service.
• Round 5: THBT, when in conflict, public safety outweighs personal privacy.
• Quarterfinals: TH should vote for Kerry.
• Semifinals: TH values nationalism over internationalism.
• Finals: TH believes the best is yet to come.

South Dakota State Jackrabbit Jousts

Topics submitted by Prof. Konrad Hack, Azusa Pacific University and Dr. Renea Gernant, Concordia University (NE)

• Round 1: Resolved: We can rebuild him.
• Round 2: TH would turn down the volume.
• Round 3: TH should take steps to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
• Round 4: The United States should take steps to halt Sudanese genocide.
• Semis: Peace has had its chance.
• Finals: It’s time to get the guns.

William Jewell Round Robin

Topics submitted by Dr. Gina Lane, William Jewell College

• Round 1: The United States should extend aid and support to the Palestinian people.
• Round 2: TH would increase the minimum wage.
• Round 3: TH would significantly increase environmental protection in the United States.
• Round 4: Donald Rumsfeld should resign as Secretary of Defense.
• Round 5: TH supports current Russian efforts to win the war on terror.
• Semis: Redistribute the wealth.
• Finals: The NPT should be scrapped.

William Jewell Georgia E. Bowman Tournament

Topics submitted by Dr. Gina Lane, William Jewell College

• Round 1: TH would support comprehensive reform of the nation’s health care system.
• Round 2: TH would extend diplomatic efforts to North Korea.
• Round 3: TH would delay the vote.
• Round 4: TH would reduce the power of labor unions in professional sports.
• Round 5: TH would flip flop.
• Round 6. The United States should significantly reform the election process.
• Octafinals: The United Nations should intervene in the internal affairs of Sudan.
• Quarters: TH supports substantial reform of Social Security.
• Semis: TH believes the process of science should not be constrained by politics.
• Finals: The United States should significantly increase support for the U.S. Armed Forces.

Carol Gaede “Talk of the Tundra” (Concordia College-MN)

Topics submitted by Dr. Todd Holm, Concordia College

• Round 1: TH believes less is more.
• Round 2: TH believes the rabbit must be faster than the coyote.
• Round 3: TH would hang the horse thief.
• Round 4: TH would hold our breath until we turned blue.
• Semis: TH values application over theory.

Ball State University

Topics submitted by Michael Bauer, Ball State University

• TH believes the current Presidential debates are an affront to good debating.
• TH believes United States foreign policy is more important than domestic policy.
• TH values Wal-Mart.
• TH believes it is time to cowboy up.
• TH would colonize the moon.
• TH believes significantly increasing gas prices are good for America .
• TH believes the United States should significantly reduce its foreign military commitments.
• TH believes Church and State are being inappropriately eroded.

University of Portland

Topics submitted by Rob Layne, Willamette University

• Round 1: The creation of a timetable for the withdrawl from Iraq is dangerous.
• Round 2: The US should secure its borders.
• Round 3: The use of grades in evaluating achievement is bad (totally not verbatim, this is from memory).
• Round 4: Action should be taken to increase services for the homeless.
• Round 5: TH would require parental notification for teenagers prior to receiving an abortion.
• Quarterfinals: TH would pardon the sinners.
• Semifinals: THBT the US Congress cannot police itself.
• Finals: TH would Bork Alito.

Western Kentucky University

Topics submitted by Doug Mory, Western Kentucky University

• Round 1: The Iraqi elections should be delayed
• Round 2: The USFG should significantly change its foreign policy toward 1 or more Asian countries.
• Round 3: TH should privatize Social Security
• Round 4: The recent Bush tax cut, on balance, is good for the U.S. economy
• Round 5: The USFG should drop its recent suit against big tobacco
• Round 6: 527s should be quiet
• Octafinals: The United States should significantly harden its North Korea policy
• Quarterfinals: The USFG should allow drug re-importation from Canada
• Semifinals: The USFG should significantly change its foreign policy toward Sudan
• Finals: Four more years of Bush

Larry Schnoor Invitational (MSU-Mankato) and Gustavus Adolphus Swing

Topics submitted by Jon Loging, Bethany Lutheran College and Dr. Michael Dreher, Bethel University

• Round 1: TH would reconstruct capitalism.
• Round 2: It’s time to reeducate educators.
• Round 3: TH believes the meek should inherit the earth.
• Round 4: TH would upset the balance.
• Semis: The FDA needs a new diagnosis.
• Finals: Resolved: The United Nations should recognize Taiwan.

Lewis and Clark Pioneer Invitational

Topics submitted by Steven Hunt, Lewis & Clark College

• Resolved: that three strikes and you are out criminal statutes should be abolished
• TH would strengthen the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.
• The USFG should provide universal health care for all US citizens.
• TH believes that UN peacekeeping is generally a failure
• US held enemy combatants deserve all normal criminal due process rights
• The US Constitution should be amended to allow “foreign born” citizens to run for president.
• The UN intervention is Sudan is justified
• The US should pass a balanced budget amendment to the US Constitution
• The USFG should encourage prescription drug imports from Canada
• US term limit laws should be abolished

Bethany Lutheran Vocal Viking

Topics submitted by Jon Loging, Bethany Lutheran College

• Round 1: TH would require DNA samples.
• Round 2: TH would provide equal time.
• Round 3: TH would disregard its moral compass.
• Round 4: TH prefers stay-at-home dads.
• Semis: TH would vote early and often.
• Finals: TH needs a spiritual re-awakening.

32nd Annual Smelt Classic (Lower Columbia College)

Topics submitted by Michael Dugaw, Lower Columbia College

• Round 1: THBT minimizing is best.
• Round 2: TH has seen the light.
• Round 3: Resolved: Participation in politics by religious groups harms the political process.
• Round 4: THBT the support of athletics by higher education harms the educational process.
• Round 5: Resolved: That Congress should be given the power to reverse decisions of the Supreme Court.
• Round 6: Resolved: TH would increase restrictions on the civilian possession of firearms in the United States.
• Quarters: Resolved that American workers should take more time off.
• Semis: Resolved: That significantly stronger third-party participation in the United States Presidential elections would benefit the political process.
• Finals: THBT patriotism is misguided.

Valdosta State Blazer Classic

Topics submitted by Dr. Michael Eaves, Valdosta State

• Round 1: THBT the U.S. should elect its President by popular vote.
• Round 2: TH would privatize social security.
• Round 3: TH would amend the Patriot Act.
• Round 4: THBT protecting the environment is more important than helping the economy.
• Round 5: TH would put caps on liability lawsuits by victims.
• Round 6: THBT colleges and universities have emphasized sports over education.

Northeastern Asia Championships

Topics submitted by Jason Jarvis, Kyung Hee University

• Round: Practice
• 1. TH would allow condom vending machines in schools
• 2. TH supports minimum quotas for women in Asian politics
• 3. TH would cancel 3rd world debt.
• Round 1: China
• 1. TH would not support internet censorship in China
• 2. TH believes that we need another military superpower
• 3. TH supports the 3 Gorges Dam
• Round 2: Sports
• 1. TH would permit performance enhancing drugs at the Olympics
• 2. TH would ban all fighting sports
• 3. TH would equalize prize money for male and female athletes
• Round 3: Law and Order
• 1. TH would legalize prostitution
• 2. TH would punish government corruption with the death penalty
• 3. TH would protect whistleblowers
• Round 4: Science
• 1. TH would ban genetically modified food.
• 2. THBT space exploration is a waste
• 3. TH would prohibit human cloning
• Round 5: Terrorism
• 1. THBT the US led War on Terror has made the world less safe.
• 2. THBT Putin should talk not shoot.
• 3. TH would grant immediate statehood to Palestine.
• Round 6: Human Rights
• 1. THBT child labor is justified
• 2. TH would legalize gay marriage
• 3. THBT pharmaceutical patents should not be enforced in Africa
• Round 7: Religion
• 1. THBT China should not restrict religious freedom
• 2. THBT the churches should allow gay clergy
• 3. TH would include religious teaching in public schools
• Quarters: Energy
• 1. THBT the Kyoto protocol needs US ratification
• 2. TH would build nuclear power plants
• 3. TH would provide public transportation for free
• Semis: Northeast Asia – Economics
• 1. TH would protect local film industries through screen quotas.
• 2. TH would relocate the capital of Korea
• 3. TH would support a free trade zone in Northeast Asia
• Finals: Northeast Asia – Military
• 1. TH would withdraw South Korean troops from Iraq.
• 2. THBT North Korea has the right to develop nuclear weapons.
• 3. THBT US bases should get out of Northeast Asia.

Parliamentary League of the Upper Midwest #3

• Round 1: TH would give power to the customer.
• Round 2: Resolved: The international community should take advantage of the death of Yasser Arafat.
• Round 3: (Case Study)
• Bronze: Resolved: College administrators should notify parents of a student’s alcohol-related violation of a rule or law.
• Gold: TH would choose the X-Box Halo and Halo 2 over the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Century College NPTE Preview

Topics submitted by Jason Steck and Patty Steck, Century College/College of St. Thomas

(Note: Resolutions include parli and Parli-Lincoln Douglas)

• Government should act to significantly increase protection for intellectual diversity on campus.
• Build more freeways.
• The US federal government should reform the “No Child Left Behind” act.
• The US federal government should significantly reform its air traffic system.
• Congress should enact President Bush’s mandate.
• President Bush should be a divider, not a uniter.
• State governments should have sovereignty over Native American casinos operating within their borders.
• The government should profit from private vice.
• The United States of America should act to encourage democracy in the former Soviet Union.
• The United States of America should support NATO membership for one or more states of the former Soviet Union.
• The United States federal government should act to counter nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.
• President Bush should appoint a Democrat.
• TH should judge intentions, not consequences.
• The US should act to cooperate with nuclear proliferating states.

Mahaffey Invitational (Linfield College)

Topics submitted by Bill Sheffield, Lewis-Clark State College

• Round 1: The US Federal Government should provide more funding for art.
• Round 2: The US Senate should refuse to confirm.
• Round 3: The media should stop sleeping with the enemy.
• Round 4: Everything old is new again.
• Round 5: TH regrets the death of Arafat.
• Round 6: The US should reform its immigration policy.
• Octafinals: A limited election does not a new democracy make.
• Quarterfinals: The US federal government should guarantee health care for all citizens.
• Semifinals: TH rejects occupation.
• Finals: Keep the action out of the stands.

Todd Lewis Invitational (Biola University)

Topics submitted by Erick Roebuck, Biola University

• Round 1: Reform the Electoral College.
• Round 2: TH would increase access to prescription drugs.
• Round 3: Let the Governator become the Presinator!
• Round 4: Privatization is better than socialization.
• Round 5: TH should significantly increase support for the United States Armed Forces.
• Round 6: The United States should pull out of the World Trade Organization
• Quarterfinals: TH would significantly increase support for NASA.
• Semifinals: The FCC should “let me be!”
• Finals: THBT lawyers subvert democracy.

Norene Hokett Invitational

Topics submitted by Konrad Hack, Azusa Pacific University

• Round 1: Resolved: The United Nations is unable to keep the peace.
• Round 2: Resolved: The Patriot Act isn’t patriotic.
• Round 3: Resolved: The military should be enlarged.
• Round 4: TH would institute a national sales tax.
• Round 5: TH would choose national sovereignty over the prevention of genocide.
• Round 6: THBT the women’s movement has stalled.
• Quarters: Resolved: Constructive engagement should be used in Iran.
• Semis: Resolved: TH would provide insurance for all Americans.

Griffin Invitational

Topics submitted by Konrad Hack, Azusa Pacific University

• Round 1: The No Child Left Behind Act has done more harm than good.
• Round 2: California should issue drivers’ licenses to undocumented immigrants.
• Round 3: TH would increase its’ debt.
• Round 4: TH needs a new war.
• Round 5: The United States should end its alliance with Saudi Arabia.
• Round 6: Supreme Court proceedings should be televised.
• Semis: George Bush’s reelection is good for America.
• Finals: In this case, continued United States cooperation with an international organization is counterproductive.

Cougar Classic (Azusa Pacific University)

Topics submitted by Konrad Hack, Azusa Pacific University

• Round 1: TH should tax Indian gaming.
• Round 2: TH should ban embryonic stem cell research.
• Round 3: Keynesian economic policy is better for the United States than Laissez-fair economic policy.
• Round 4: Foreign policy issues should be more important than domestic issues in the 2004 presidential election.
• Round 5: The security of Europe should primarily be the European Union’s responsibility.
• Round 6: The size and scope of the United States Federal Government should be dramatically reduced.
• Octafinals: Peace has had its chance.
• Quarters: In 2005, the United States government should protect Social Security’s long term survival.
• Semis: The United States should consititutionally codify the right to privacy.
• Finals: The United Nations should veto permanent membership on the Security Council.

Sun God Invitational (University of California-San Diego)

Topics submitted by Danny Cantrell, University of California-San Diego

• Round 1: Resolved: The Food and Drug Administration should be significantly reformed
• Round 2: TH should enact a policy to make U.S. schools more competitive
• Round 3: Resolved: The U.S. federal government should significantly change its foreign policy towards Iran
• Round 4: Resolved: The United Nations does more harm than good
• Round 5: TH should take out the trash
• Round 6: Buy American!
• Round 7: TH should eliminate the ballot initiative process
• Round 8: TH should enact a market based approach to environmental protection
• Octafinals: Resolved: The U.S. should substantially reform social security
• Quarterfinals: Resolved: The U.S. should substantially decrease its influence in foreign elections
• Semifinals: Resolved: The U.S. federal government should substantially change its foreign policy towards Taiwan
• Finals: Resolved: Civil liberties should be an acceptable casualty in the war on terrorism

Icebox Invitational (St. Cloud State)

• Round 1: THBT the future is bleak.
• Round 2: THBT information is the key.
• Round 3: TH believes newer is better.
• Semis: TH would reform our energy policy.
• Finals: THBT the presidency is too powerful.

U.S. Air Force Academy

Topics submitted by Konrad Hack, Azusa Pacific University

• Round 1:TH would decide the fate of stem cell research.
• Round 2: North Korea is a greater threat than Iran.
• Round 3: TH would fix an aging, crippled Social Security.
• Round 4: TH would drop it like it’s hot.
• Round 5: Venus, not Mars.
• Round 6: Genocide deserves a great response than natural disasters.
• Elim 1: It is OK to be politically incorrect.
• Elim 2: America’s addiction is the problem, not the supply.
• Elim 4: Putin should make allies with democracy.
• Elim 5: The United States should act to clean the air.

PSCFA Spring Championships

Topics submitted by Danny Cantrell, University of California-San Diego

• Round 1 and 2: The United States should substantially decrease the US federal budget deficit.
• Round 3: TH would privatize it.
• Round 4: TH would turn up the volume.
• Round 5: Resolved: The United Nations has become obsolete in the 21st Century.
• Round 6: Resolved: Bush’s “Axis of Evil” rhetoric has done more harm than good.
• Octafinals: Resolved: Capital punishment should be put to death.
• Quarters: Resolved: The creation of a Palestinian state would further Middle East peace.
• Semis: Resolved: The FDA has failed America.
• Finals: Resolved: Two Chinas are better than one.

Cerritos College (Tabor-Veritisky)

Topics submitted by Danny Cantrell, University of California-San Diego

This tournament had three topics per round. The government and the opposition could each eliminate one topic.

• ROUND 1:
• TH believes individualism does more good than harm
• TH believes civil disobedience is the solution
• TH believes the time should fit the crime
• ROUND 2:
• TH believes the best government governs least
• TH believes employers should not infringe employees’ personal freedom outside of work
• Resolved: that increased restrictions on the civilian possession of firearms would be justified
• ROUND 3:
• TH should start a brawl
• TH should let it slide
• Run for the border!
• ROUND 4
• Go Green!
• TH should hit the restart button
• TH believes the cup is half full
• ROUND 5:
• Resolved: The U.S. Federal Government should substantially change its foreign policy towards North Korea
• Resolved: The European Union should admit Turkey
• Resolved: NATO should dissolve
• ROUND 6:
• Resolved: The U.S. should reform social security
• Resolved: The U.S. should enact a policy to substantially increase the domestic use of renewable energy
• Resolved: The U.S. should eliminate indecency laws
• Quarterfinals:
• Resolved: The U.S. should cancel national missile defense
• TH believes standardized tests are the answer
• Resolved: The U.S. should withdraw from the United Nations
• Semifinals:
• Resolved: The U.S. should abolish the death penalty
• Resolved: NASA should be privatized
• Resolved: Iraq should ask the U.S. military to leave immediately
• Finals:
• Resolved: The U.S. should substantially change its foreign policy towards Russia
• Resolved: President Bush should be tried for war crimes
• The U.S. led spread of global democracy does more harm than good.

Arizona State University (Forensic Fiesta)

Topics submitted by Dr. Kelly McDonald, Arizona State University

• Round 1: TH would privatize Social Security.
• Round 2: TH would legalize euthanasia.
• Round 3: TH believes the government has a right to intervene in professional sports.
• Round 4: Resolved: The USFG should substantially increase regulations on Indian gaming.
• Round 5: Resolved: The UN should substantially increase their efforts to curb global warming.
• Round 6: Resolved: The USFG should reform current death penalty laws.
• Octafinals: THBT civil liberties are more important than winning the war on terror.
• Quarters: TH would open the doors on education policy.
• Semis: TH would empower Congress in the confirmation of federal judicial appointments.
• Finals: Resolved: The USFG should negotiate with terrorists.

Minnesota Intercollegiate State Tournament

Topics submitted by Dr. Michael Dreher, Bethel University

• Round 1: Resolved: Minnesota Indian tribes should give back a portion of their profits to the state.
• Round 2: Government-run health care is the right prescription for the United States.
• Round 3: The US federal government should step aboard the friendly skies.
• Round 4: TH would lift up the oppressed.
• Quarters: TH would promote the unfashionable.
• Semis: TH would go back to school on education policy.
• Finals: TH needs another reformation.

Novice Nationals

• Round 1: When it comes to Iran, the carrot is better than the stick.
• Round 2: The FDA needs a new prescription.
• Round 3: TH needs an extreme makeover.
• Round 4: TH believes you can’t legislate against stupidity.
• Round 5: The USFG should set standards for conducting elections in all states.
• Round 6: The use of letter grades at the college level should be eliminated.
• Octafinals: TH would subvert the dominant paradigm.
• Quarterfinals: Resolved: The United States is mortgaging its future.
• Semifinals: THBT censorship is justified.