Sept/Oct 2011
•What should the federal government do to minimize US market volatility?
•How reliable are the stress tests used by European banks?
•Do western economies need another round of quantitative easing?
•Can the new Libyan government maintain security & stability?
•What does the future hold for Libya?
•What can Mexico do to grow its economy?
•What should the international community do to help stabilize Libya?
•Is Japan’s government capable of stable leadership?
•Will the LDP rise to power again in Japan?
•Can President Sarkozy win reelection in France?
•Should the UN recognize the statehood of Palestine?
•Has the Ukrainian democratic revolution lived up to its promises?
•What do Augusts riots in London say about social stability in Britain?
•Can the UK coalition government survive?
•Will Italy’s austerity measures be enough to protect its economy?
•Can the government of Silvio Burlesconi rebuild the Italian economy?
•Does the global economy face recession?
•Do western economies face a double-dip recession?
•Can European governments agree on appropriate financial policy?
•When will the US housing market recover?
•What should the federal government do to curb unemployment?
•Will the 2012 election create gridlock in Congress over passing a job program?
•Should the federal government do more to promote higher education in the US?
•Can the Obama Administration rebuild Americans’ trust in their government?
•What can be done to improve Americans’ trust in their government?
•\Is America’s higher education system failing?
•Can President Obama build an effective partnership with Republicans in Congress?
•Can President Obama get re-elected despite the state of US unemployment?
•Will Congress act on a jobs bill before the election?
•Does Palestine’s/move for UN recognition of statehood mark an end to the Middle East peace process?
•Should the federal government have a large role in the public school system?
•What role should the federal government play in America’s public education?
•Should US troops be deployed to Mexico to aid in the drug war?
•How can President Obama rally the Democratic voter base in 2012?
•Does the Democratic party need more activism to counteract the Tea Party movement on the right?
•How stable is the Russian middle class?
•Is Russia too dependant on petroleum?
•Will a payroll tax cut entice American businesses to create new jobs?
•Should the IMF push for stronger financial reforms in Greece and Italy?
•How can the Afghan government effectively combat the Taliban forces in the tribal regions?
•Can Greece afford to default on their debt payments?
•Will the Arab Spring result in lasting democratic change in Islamic nations?
•How well are European businesses dealing with the Euro crisis?
•Can the Republican Party count on the support of Latino voters?
•How can the Republican Party rally the support of Latino voters in 2010?
Nov 2011•How much can the clean energy sector restart America’s economy over the long term?
•Are the policies of the Obama Administration to anti-business?
•Can the Occupy Wall Street movement effect real political change?
•Will the Republican candidates view on immigration alienate Hispanic voters?
•Can Herman Cain’s campaign survive all the way to the Republican primaries?
•What can be done to restore Americans’ trust in government?
•How quantitative easing programs worked in the US?
•Will the Occupy Wall Street movement reinvigorate the Democratic Party for the the 2012 election?
•Can President Obama gain politically from the failure of the debt super-committee?
•Will Greek financial problems break the back of the rest of the Euro Zone?
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Older extemp questions
I started typing these out from back in April/May, just found the word doc. whoops. Oh well, putting them up anyway
• What should Germany do to build up its domestic markets?
• Does Germany’s economic reliance on exports pose a risk for the EU economy as a whole?
• Is the situation in Afghanistan slipping out of control?
• Is America showing its commitment to the war in Afghanistan?
• Is grade inflation a serious problem in America’s schools?
• Will America’s unemployment numbers rise before the economy fully stabilizes?
• How much longer can the US continue it’s deficit spending
• Should US foreign policy make greater use of economic sanctions as a tool?
• Can the US afford to sustain significant troop losses in Afghanistan?
• How much of a direct threat does Al Qaeda still pose to the US?
• Is a military strike by the US or Israel necessary to deter Iran’s nuclear development?
• Is US foreign policy making progress in Iraq?
• Are Republicans on track to retake control of Congress in the midterm elections?
• Can the Obama Administration bring Washington beyond partisan politics?
• What options does the Obama Administration have to reduce American unemployment?
• Can US consumer spending drive a sustained economic recovery?
• How should the Obama Administration address concerns over America’s long term fiscal health?
• Is the Colombian government doing enough to combat the violence of the FARC?
• What more can the Mexican government do to combat increasing violence from drug cartels?
• Are America’s ties to Europe weakening?
• What does the future hold for Britain’s Labour Party?
• Does the lack of clean fresh water pose a significant security threat for India?
• Should NASA go back to the moon?
• What vision should President Obama have for peace in the Middle East?
• Can economic sanctions carry enough weight to stop nuclear development in Iran?
• Does American food aid to third world countries hurt those developing economies?
• Should the federal government bear a larger amount of the cost for public education in America?
• What should Germany do to build up its domestic markets?
• Does Germany’s economic reliance on exports pose a risk for the EU economy as a whole?
• Is the situation in Afghanistan slipping out of control?
• Is America showing its commitment to the war in Afghanistan?
• Is grade inflation a serious problem in America’s schools?
• Will America’s unemployment numbers rise before the economy fully stabilizes?
• How much longer can the US continue it’s deficit spending
• Should US foreign policy make greater use of economic sanctions as a tool?
• Can the US afford to sustain significant troop losses in Afghanistan?
• How much of a direct threat does Al Qaeda still pose to the US?
• Is a military strike by the US or Israel necessary to deter Iran’s nuclear development?
• Is US foreign policy making progress in Iraq?
• Are Republicans on track to retake control of Congress in the midterm elections?
• Can the Obama Administration bring Washington beyond partisan politics?
• What options does the Obama Administration have to reduce American unemployment?
• Can US consumer spending drive a sustained economic recovery?
• How should the Obama Administration address concerns over America’s long term fiscal health?
• Is the Colombian government doing enough to combat the violence of the FARC?
• What more can the Mexican government do to combat increasing violence from drug cartels?
• Are America’s ties to Europe weakening?
• What does the future hold for Britain’s Labour Party?
• Does the lack of clean fresh water pose a significant security threat for India?
• Should NASA go back to the moon?
• What vision should President Obama have for peace in the Middle East?
• Can economic sanctions carry enough weight to stop nuclear development in Iran?
• Does American food aid to third world countries hurt those developing economies?
• Should the federal government bear a larger amount of the cost for public education in America?
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Extemp Questions - Summer 2011
April to June 2011
• Does Brazil’s economy have a bright future?
• Can Brazil’s government reign in corruption?
• Is online piracy still a major problem for the music industry?
• Should Obama push Israel harder on a two-state solution with Palestine?
• Does America’s derivatives market need its own regulatory agency?
• Should large banks be banned from trading financial derivatives?
• Is the NATO strategy in Afghanistan failing?
• Should America pursue stronger regional Free Trade Agreements with Asia?
• When should central banks begin to tighten monetary easing policies?
• Is a nuclear weapon free world an unattainable goal?
• Will cuts to NASA funding hurt US technological and economic development in the long run?
• What does the growing Tea Party movement say about politics in America?
• What does Mexico’s government need to succeed in the war on drugs?
• What more can the federal government do to curb US demand in the war on drugs?
• Should the EU bail out Greece’s economy/
• Can India’s economy grow as fast as China’s?
• Should America seek stronger strategic and economic ties with India?
• Is the Catholic Church taking the accusations of child and sexual abuse by the clergy seriously?
• What impact will Britain’s election have on UK relations with the EU?
• What does the future hold for Thailand’s monarchy?
• Should EU nations cut back on quantitative easing
• Is domestic terrorism being given an appropriate level of attention by the US Department of Homeland Security?
• Is polarization among America’s two major parties major parties making the US ungovernable?
• Should the federal government provide additional assistance to the states to help them overcome budget shortfalls?
• Is a fresh election in Zimbabwe necessary?
• Is standardized testing given too much weight in American public education?
June through Aug 2011
• Will Britain’s coalition government survive?
• Does the Arab Spring pose a serious threat for Israel?
• Will the Tea Party gain influence in the 2012 election?
• What compromises is Israel able to make to secure a lasting peace?
• Would a UN General Assembly vote to recognize a Palestinian state lead to a more aggressive posture from Israel?
• Will the Medicate debate hamper work on budget legislation?
• Can a moderate win the Republican nomination?
• Is the federal government doing enough to combat unemployment?
• Will sectarian politics in Bahrain reignite regional conflicts?
• What does the future hold for the politics of Prime Minister Silvio Berluscone?
• What should be done to grow Italy’s economy?
• Can Italy continue to avoid the Euro crisis?
• Does America face a double dip recession?
• Will Greece’s austerity measures succeed?
• Should the retirement age be increased to protect social security?
• Can cuts to federal entitlements spending solve America’s debt problems?
• Is America’s deficit spending a risk to US national security?
• Should President Obama seek Congressional for US actions in Libya?
• What role should the US play in international peacekeeping efforts?
• Is sectarian conflict growing in Syria?
• How strong is the Assad government in Syria?
• How can the opposition win in Syria?
• Will austerity measure collapse the Greek government?
• How can China continue to sustain it's economic growth?
• Can China grow its middle class?
• How should the IMF handle the European debt crisis?
• Should developing nations be given greater powers in the IMF?
• Does America need a balanced budget amendment?
• What role should the US play in Libya?
• What does the US debt debate mean for the 2012 election?
• Who can succeed Hugo Chavez?
• What has caused the grassroots of the Republican Party to move towards the right?
• How can the US create a viable long term debt reduction plan?
• Has President Obama done enough to push Congress on deficit reduction?
• Does Michelle Bachman have a viable shot at the Republican nomination for 2012?
• Does America need a balanced budget amendment?
• How will the scandals in the UK affect Rupert Murdoch’s business interests in the US?
• How can the Euro zone resolve it’s debt crisis?
• Do Spain’s proposed austerity measures go too far?
• Will / Should the America’s credit rating still be downgraded?
• Is Congress doing enough to combat unemployment?
• What more should Congress do to reduce unemployment?
• Has America’s economy lost the ability to create new jobs?
• Will politics break up the Euro zone economies?
• Will Peru’s economy succeed under its new President?
• Is it time for Rupert Murdoch to step down?
• Can the debt crisis lead European economies to further integration?
• Has corruption in South Africa improved under President Zuma?
• Has partisanship made America ungovernable?
• Can Egypt overcome it’s hurdles in the transition to democracy?
• Is America headed for another recession?
• Should America face additional credit downgrades?
• Has partisan bickering by a few individuals made America ungovernable?
• Will a weak economy make Obama vulnerable in the 2012 election?
• Does America face a long term military engagement in Libra?
• Is Islam incompatible with western style democracy?
• How much did riots in London change international perceptions of Britain?
• What can be done to combat ongoing unemployment in the UK?
• Can the new Thai government build a lasting unity government?
• What do the London riots say about the state of the economy in the UK?
• Can Syria’s protest groups create a unified opposition?
• Will Syrian opposition fall to sectarian differences?
• Can the European Central Bank continue to offset the sovereign debt problems in Europe?
• What effect will the US credit rating downgrade have on long-term economic stability?
• Is long-term restructuring of US entitlements spending politically feasible?
• Will the US institute another round of quantitative easing?
• Does the US patent system need a major overhaul?
• Does Brazil’s economy have a bright future?
• Can Brazil’s government reign in corruption?
• Is online piracy still a major problem for the music industry?
• Should Obama push Israel harder on a two-state solution with Palestine?
• Does America’s derivatives market need its own regulatory agency?
• Should large banks be banned from trading financial derivatives?
• Is the NATO strategy in Afghanistan failing?
• Should America pursue stronger regional Free Trade Agreements with Asia?
• When should central banks begin to tighten monetary easing policies?
• Is a nuclear weapon free world an unattainable goal?
• Will cuts to NASA funding hurt US technological and economic development in the long run?
• What does the growing Tea Party movement say about politics in America?
• What does Mexico’s government need to succeed in the war on drugs?
• What more can the federal government do to curb US demand in the war on drugs?
• Should the EU bail out Greece’s economy/
• Can India’s economy grow as fast as China’s?
• Should America seek stronger strategic and economic ties with India?
• Is the Catholic Church taking the accusations of child and sexual abuse by the clergy seriously?
• What impact will Britain’s election have on UK relations with the EU?
• What does the future hold for Thailand’s monarchy?
• Should EU nations cut back on quantitative easing
• Is domestic terrorism being given an appropriate level of attention by the US Department of Homeland Security?
• Is polarization among America’s two major parties major parties making the US ungovernable?
• Should the federal government provide additional assistance to the states to help them overcome budget shortfalls?
• Is a fresh election in Zimbabwe necessary?
• Is standardized testing given too much weight in American public education?
June through Aug 2011
• Will Britain’s coalition government survive?
• Does the Arab Spring pose a serious threat for Israel?
• Will the Tea Party gain influence in the 2012 election?
• What compromises is Israel able to make to secure a lasting peace?
• Would a UN General Assembly vote to recognize a Palestinian state lead to a more aggressive posture from Israel?
• Will the Medicate debate hamper work on budget legislation?
• Can a moderate win the Republican nomination?
• Is the federal government doing enough to combat unemployment?
• Will sectarian politics in Bahrain reignite regional conflicts?
• What does the future hold for the politics of Prime Minister Silvio Berluscone?
• What should be done to grow Italy’s economy?
• Can Italy continue to avoid the Euro crisis?
• Does America face a double dip recession?
• Will Greece’s austerity measures succeed?
• Should the retirement age be increased to protect social security?
• Can cuts to federal entitlements spending solve America’s debt problems?
• Is America’s deficit spending a risk to US national security?
• Should President Obama seek Congressional for US actions in Libya?
• What role should the US play in international peacekeeping efforts?
• Is sectarian conflict growing in Syria?
• How strong is the Assad government in Syria?
• How can the opposition win in Syria?
• Will austerity measure collapse the Greek government?
• How can China continue to sustain it's economic growth?
• Can China grow its middle class?
• How should the IMF handle the European debt crisis?
• Should developing nations be given greater powers in the IMF?
• Does America need a balanced budget amendment?
• What role should the US play in Libya?
• What does the US debt debate mean for the 2012 election?
• Who can succeed Hugo Chavez?
• What has caused the grassroots of the Republican Party to move towards the right?
• How can the US create a viable long term debt reduction plan?
• Has President Obama done enough to push Congress on deficit reduction?
• Does Michelle Bachman have a viable shot at the Republican nomination for 2012?
• Does America need a balanced budget amendment?
• How will the scandals in the UK affect Rupert Murdoch’s business interests in the US?
• How can the Euro zone resolve it’s debt crisis?
• Do Spain’s proposed austerity measures go too far?
• Will / Should the America’s credit rating still be downgraded?
• Is Congress doing enough to combat unemployment?
• What more should Congress do to reduce unemployment?
• Has America’s economy lost the ability to create new jobs?
• Will politics break up the Euro zone economies?
• Will Peru’s economy succeed under its new President?
• Is it time for Rupert Murdoch to step down?
• Can the debt crisis lead European economies to further integration?
• Has corruption in South Africa improved under President Zuma?
• Has partisanship made America ungovernable?
• Can Egypt overcome it’s hurdles in the transition to democracy?
• Is America headed for another recession?
• Should America face additional credit downgrades?
• Has partisan bickering by a few individuals made America ungovernable?
• Will a weak economy make Obama vulnerable in the 2012 election?
• Does America face a long term military engagement in Libra?
• Is Islam incompatible with western style democracy?
• How much did riots in London change international perceptions of Britain?
• What can be done to combat ongoing unemployment in the UK?
• Can the new Thai government build a lasting unity government?
• What do the London riots say about the state of the economy in the UK?
• Can Syria’s protest groups create a unified opposition?
• Will Syrian opposition fall to sectarian differences?
• Can the European Central Bank continue to offset the sovereign debt problems in Europe?
• What effect will the US credit rating downgrade have on long-term economic stability?
• Is long-term restructuring of US entitlements spending politically feasible?
• Will the US institute another round of quantitative easing?
• Does the US patent system need a major overhaul?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Extemp Questios May 2011
Been a while. Guess I'll start writing a few more.
1.Is Al Qaeda a diminished enemy?
2.Should the US accelerate its withdrawal from Afghanistan?
3.Is the killing of Bin Laden a game changer for Obama’s reelection bid in 2012?
4.Should the US reduce it’s aid to Pakistan?
5.Should the US worry about retaliatory attacks from Al Qaeda?
6.After the killing of Bin Laden is the US any safer?
7.What relationship should the US maintain with Pakistan?
8.Should the European Central Bank raise its interest rates?
9.Should the Fed raise interest rates?
10.Is radical Islam growing in the Arabian Peninsula?
11.How can the Obama Administration improve its relationship with the business community?
12.What impact will the Japanese nuclear reactor crisis have on long term nuclear power development around the globe?
13.When will alternative energy sources be able to make the US energy independent?
14.Does US immigration policy harm the US economy?
15.Do JSOC raids in Afghanistan create more jihadists than they capture or kill?
16.Has unemployment fallen off the radar of the US Congress?
17.What concessions will the Obama Administration make to Congressional Republicans to raise the debt ceiling?
18.Is the Obama Administration doing enough to address unemployment?
1.Is Al Qaeda a diminished enemy?
2.Should the US accelerate its withdrawal from Afghanistan?
3.Is the killing of Bin Laden a game changer for Obama’s reelection bid in 2012?
4.Should the US reduce it’s aid to Pakistan?
5.Should the US worry about retaliatory attacks from Al Qaeda?
6.After the killing of Bin Laden is the US any safer?
7.What relationship should the US maintain with Pakistan?
8.Should the European Central Bank raise its interest rates?
9.Should the Fed raise interest rates?
10.Is radical Islam growing in the Arabian Peninsula?
11.How can the Obama Administration improve its relationship with the business community?
12.What impact will the Japanese nuclear reactor crisis have on long term nuclear power development around the globe?
13.When will alternative energy sources be able to make the US energy independent?
14.Does US immigration policy harm the US economy?
15.Do JSOC raids in Afghanistan create more jihadists than they capture or kill?
16.Has unemployment fallen off the radar of the US Congress?
17.What concessions will the Obama Administration make to Congressional Republicans to raise the debt ceiling?
18.Is the Obama Administration doing enough to address unemployment?
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Extemp Questions for May, June and July 2009
One of these days I'll actually start typing these out on a normal basis istead of jotting them in my omnipresent notepad so that I never get around to clearing out
• Should former Bush Administration officials be held legally accountable for torture to detainees?
• What should be done with Guantanamo detainees?
• Is a two state solution the key to successful peace in the Middle East?
• Is a resolution over the future of Palestine key to successful diplomacy with Iran?
• How will the BRIC nations cope with the global economic problems?
• Should the US ratify the nuclear test ban treaty?
• Does the world economy need a global central bank?
• Should the UN impose new sanctions on North Korea?
• Should the Obama Administration push for a new dialogue with Cuba?
• How safe is America’s border with Mexico?
• How can Mexico’s President Calderon win in his war against the drug cartels?
• Can China create an affordable and comprehensive health care system?
• Can additional NATO troops ensure a stable election in Afghanistan?
• What more should the UN do to slow the spread of AIDS in Africa?
• Is Iranian development of nuclear weapons inevitable?
• Can the US economy survive without GM?
• How can the Republican Party make itself more appealing to younger voters?
• Does voter outrage over bank executive’s pay make it difficult to provide necessary bailout funds?
• Is cyber=warfare a real threat to American infrastructure?
• Who should oversee America’s cyber-security efforts?
• Should US stimulus spending include funding for student debt relief?
• How should the Treasury overhaul the US financial regulatory system?
• Is the federal government ignoring the growing problem of homelessness?
• Is the US doing enough to stem the flow of Afghani opium?
• Should US do more to stem the flow of drugs and guns with Latin America?
• Should China take the lead in the six party talks with North Korea?
• Is Palestine the key to a de-nuclearized Iran?
• Is the worst over for the global economy?
• How long will it take for the US housing market to recover?
• Why is America’s voter turnout so low?
• How can Europe establish sustainable fisheries?
• How will a global outbreak of flu impact the global economy?
• What effects will GM’s bankruptcy have?
• What significance will GM’s bankruptcy have to the US economy?
• What kinds of people should Barack Obama appoint to the federal judicial system?
• Will Pres. Obama’s Supreme Court pick get approved by the Senate?
• Will the US economy need more federal stimulus money?
• Is the American military losing the fight in Afghanistan?
• Does the rise of Internet based news services signal the end for print newspapers?
• Should the EU push France to reform its prison conditions?
• How much will the financial crisis impact America’s long term economic health?
• How long will it take for America’s financial services industry to recover?
• What role should the US play in supporting the Iranian protesters?
• Will President Obama get health care reform accomplished in his first term?
• Is the White House doing enough to control federal spending?
• Is California’s prison system beyond repair?
• What plans should Sri Lanka have for post war reconciliation?
• What does Indonesia’s July election mean for the future of national politics?
• Does North Korea’s continued development of long range missiles pose a significant threat to the US?
• Can Britain’s Labour Party survive the next general election?
• Should African nations do more to subsidize small and subsistence farming/
• Do African Union nations need to take a more active role in Zimbabwe?
• How long can Robert Mugabe continue to exert his control over Zimbabwe?
• Should the compensation of American companies’ executives have federal government oversight?
• How should the US engage with the Iranian government?
• What support should the US provide to Iranian protesters?
• Is Chinese currency manipulation a threat to US economic recovery?
• Do charter schools work?
• Should America’s public schools have longer days and shorter summers?
• Does a strong Real mean long term economic growth for Brazil?
• How aggressive will the Chinese government be in its carbon emission reduction targets?
• Can the Pakistani government effective rein in the ISI?
• Is human trafficking a significant problem in Southeast Asia?
• Is militant Islam gaining strength in Central Asia?
• How can the international community get Sudan’s President Bashir to adhere to peace agreements?
• Why is anti immigrant attitude on the rise in Europe?
• Is Obama’s health care plan overreaching?
• Will Iran’s clerics be forced to choose between a legitimate government and uncontested power?
• Should the US push Netanyahu to accept a two state solution with Palestine?
• How can Argentina turn itself around?
• Do President Obama’s proposed reforms to US financial regulation give the Federal Reserve too much power?
• How can Japan encourage greater competition among its businesses?
• Will Iran’s leadership be forced to hold new elections?
• Can Mexico’s President Calderon really crack down on drug related government corruption?
• How can the US encourage greater foreign investment in Afghanistan?
• How will North Korea change after Kim Jong Il?
• What can be done to improve the world’s view of Zimbabwe?
• Should the World Bank provide more funding for infrastructure development in Africa?
• Can Israel afford to stop expansion of its settlement areas?
• Does the current state of Palestinian life in Gaza damage Israeli security?
• Should the US make it easier for third world refugees to apply for political asylum?
• What can President Obama do to encourage more publically funded elections?
• Will European unemployment continue to rise?
• Should the remaining US automobile industry be forced to adhere to even stricter CAFE standards?
• Are biofuels a viable stepping stone to a nationwide fleet of electric cars?
• Is America in decline around the globe?
• What should be the goal of America foreign policy in Africa?
• Does a multipolar world mean a decline for US influence globally?
• Why is American health care so expensive?
• Should health care reform incorporate more managed care?
• Are the welfare reforms of the 90’s being undone by federal economic stimulus?
• Will Obama push to reverse the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy?
• Are relations between Taiwan and China improving?
• Is security in Iraq getting worse?
• Should America set a timetable to withdrawal its forces from Afghanistan?
• Will aging populations prolong the global economic downturn?
• Should the EU be more involved in peacekeeping efforts in Africa?
• Should the US military devote more resources towards international peacekeeping efforts?
• Can the LDP still survive on the national political stage in Japan?
• Will Italy’s public debt mean a longer lasting economic crisis?
• Should Balkan nations be admitted into the EU?
• Is piracy sill a major threat for the American entertainment industry?
• Should the Chinese government crack down harder on counterfeit goods?
• Should former Bush Administration officials be held legally accountable for torture to detainees?
• What should be done with Guantanamo detainees?
• Is a two state solution the key to successful peace in the Middle East?
• Is a resolution over the future of Palestine key to successful diplomacy with Iran?
• How will the BRIC nations cope with the global economic problems?
• Should the US ratify the nuclear test ban treaty?
• Does the world economy need a global central bank?
• Should the UN impose new sanctions on North Korea?
• Should the Obama Administration push for a new dialogue with Cuba?
• How safe is America’s border with Mexico?
• How can Mexico’s President Calderon win in his war against the drug cartels?
• Can China create an affordable and comprehensive health care system?
• Can additional NATO troops ensure a stable election in Afghanistan?
• What more should the UN do to slow the spread of AIDS in Africa?
• Is Iranian development of nuclear weapons inevitable?
• Can the US economy survive without GM?
• How can the Republican Party make itself more appealing to younger voters?
• Does voter outrage over bank executive’s pay make it difficult to provide necessary bailout funds?
• Is cyber=warfare a real threat to American infrastructure?
• Who should oversee America’s cyber-security efforts?
• Should US stimulus spending include funding for student debt relief?
• How should the Treasury overhaul the US financial regulatory system?
• Is the federal government ignoring the growing problem of homelessness?
• Is the US doing enough to stem the flow of Afghani opium?
• Should US do more to stem the flow of drugs and guns with Latin America?
• Should China take the lead in the six party talks with North Korea?
• Is Palestine the key to a de-nuclearized Iran?
• Is the worst over for the global economy?
• How long will it take for the US housing market to recover?
• Why is America’s voter turnout so low?
• How can Europe establish sustainable fisheries?
• How will a global outbreak of flu impact the global economy?
• What effects will GM’s bankruptcy have?
• What significance will GM’s bankruptcy have to the US economy?
• What kinds of people should Barack Obama appoint to the federal judicial system?
• Will Pres. Obama’s Supreme Court pick get approved by the Senate?
• Will the US economy need more federal stimulus money?
• Is the American military losing the fight in Afghanistan?
• Does the rise of Internet based news services signal the end for print newspapers?
• Should the EU push France to reform its prison conditions?
• How much will the financial crisis impact America’s long term economic health?
• How long will it take for America’s financial services industry to recover?
• What role should the US play in supporting the Iranian protesters?
• Will President Obama get health care reform accomplished in his first term?
• Is the White House doing enough to control federal spending?
• Is California’s prison system beyond repair?
• What plans should Sri Lanka have for post war reconciliation?
• What does Indonesia’s July election mean for the future of national politics?
• Does North Korea’s continued development of long range missiles pose a significant threat to the US?
• Can Britain’s Labour Party survive the next general election?
• Should African nations do more to subsidize small and subsistence farming/
• Do African Union nations need to take a more active role in Zimbabwe?
• How long can Robert Mugabe continue to exert his control over Zimbabwe?
• Should the compensation of American companies’ executives have federal government oversight?
• How should the US engage with the Iranian government?
• What support should the US provide to Iranian protesters?
• Is Chinese currency manipulation a threat to US economic recovery?
• Do charter schools work?
• Should America’s public schools have longer days and shorter summers?
• Does a strong Real mean long term economic growth for Brazil?
• How aggressive will the Chinese government be in its carbon emission reduction targets?
• Can the Pakistani government effective rein in the ISI?
• Is human trafficking a significant problem in Southeast Asia?
• Is militant Islam gaining strength in Central Asia?
• How can the international community get Sudan’s President Bashir to adhere to peace agreements?
• Why is anti immigrant attitude on the rise in Europe?
• Is Obama’s health care plan overreaching?
• Will Iran’s clerics be forced to choose between a legitimate government and uncontested power?
• Should the US push Netanyahu to accept a two state solution with Palestine?
• How can Argentina turn itself around?
• Do President Obama’s proposed reforms to US financial regulation give the Federal Reserve too much power?
• How can Japan encourage greater competition among its businesses?
• Will Iran’s leadership be forced to hold new elections?
• Can Mexico’s President Calderon really crack down on drug related government corruption?
• How can the US encourage greater foreign investment in Afghanistan?
• How will North Korea change after Kim Jong Il?
• What can be done to improve the world’s view of Zimbabwe?
• Should the World Bank provide more funding for infrastructure development in Africa?
• Can Israel afford to stop expansion of its settlement areas?
• Does the current state of Palestinian life in Gaza damage Israeli security?
• Should the US make it easier for third world refugees to apply for political asylum?
• What can President Obama do to encourage more publically funded elections?
• Will European unemployment continue to rise?
• Should the remaining US automobile industry be forced to adhere to even stricter CAFE standards?
• Are biofuels a viable stepping stone to a nationwide fleet of electric cars?
• Is America in decline around the globe?
• What should be the goal of America foreign policy in Africa?
• Does a multipolar world mean a decline for US influence globally?
• Why is American health care so expensive?
• Should health care reform incorporate more managed care?
• Are the welfare reforms of the 90’s being undone by federal economic stimulus?
• Will Obama push to reverse the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy?
• Are relations between Taiwan and China improving?
• Is security in Iraq getting worse?
• Should America set a timetable to withdrawal its forces from Afghanistan?
• Will aging populations prolong the global economic downturn?
• Should the EU be more involved in peacekeeping efforts in Africa?
• Should the US military devote more resources towards international peacekeeping efforts?
• Can the LDP still survive on the national political stage in Japan?
• Will Italy’s public debt mean a longer lasting economic crisis?
• Should Balkan nations be admitted into the EU?
• Is piracy sill a major threat for the American entertainment industry?
• Should the Chinese government crack down harder on counterfeit goods?
Extemp attention getter
Don't remember exactly where I heard this but thought it could pretty easily be twisted to apply to a number of different situations and questions.
An old man is fishing one day when he catches a mermaid. The mermaid says that if he lets her go, she'll grant him three wishes. "Alright," he says, and thinks for a few minutes then says "I wish to be young and handsome. I wish to be married to a beautiful woman. Finally, I wish to be a very important man."
"done." Says the mermaid and with a flick of her tail she knocks the man unconscious. The next thing he knows he's being gently shaken awake by a beautiful woman who tells him "wake up Ferdinand, we have to go to Sarajevo today."
You could do something about "be careful what you wish for." It's appropriate to anything in the Balkans...
Of course it's only funny if you know WWI history and that killing Franz Ferdinand kicks off trench warfare, so maybe not for the mommy judges, but still, I found it amusing.
An old man is fishing one day when he catches a mermaid. The mermaid says that if he lets her go, she'll grant him three wishes. "Alright," he says, and thinks for a few minutes then says "I wish to be young and handsome. I wish to be married to a beautiful woman. Finally, I wish to be a very important man."
"done." Says the mermaid and with a flick of her tail she knocks the man unconscious. The next thing he knows he's being gently shaken awake by a beautiful woman who tells him "wake up Ferdinand, we have to go to Sarajevo today."
You could do something about "be careful what you wish for." It's appropriate to anything in the Balkans...
Of course it's only funny if you know WWI history and that killing Franz Ferdinand kicks off trench warfare, so maybe not for the mommy judges, but still, I found it amusing.
Elene Gabre-Madhin on TED.com talking about the development of markets
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elene_gabre_madhin_on_ethiopian_economics.html
In specific she's talking about developing a market in Ethiopia but as a former World Banker she also goes through some economic theory that it behooves extempers to know well. In particular, think aout how she describes and explains the link between sellers access to markets and economic development. The development of a futures market and a rating system for grain that allowed purchase (and sale) of commotidites over long geographical distances (and time) is an important concept for developing nations, particularly Africa and Asia. Latin America, perhaps as well, though I have my doubts that the concept applies as well in the region.
In specific she's talking about developing a market in Ethiopia but as a former World Banker she also goes through some economic theory that it behooves extempers to know well. In particular, think aout how she describes and explains the link between sellers access to markets and economic development. The development of a futures market and a rating system for grain that allowed purchase (and sale) of commotidites over long geographical distances (and time) is an important concept for developing nations, particularly Africa and Asia. Latin America, perhaps as well, though I have my doubts that the concept applies as well in the region.
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