2002-2003 Sampling of Regular Season 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- Octafinals: The Non-Proliferation treaty is obsolete.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.
