Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Storytelling - Carmen Agra Deedy on TED.com

Stylistically one of the best examples I can show you for how to tell stories. Interaction, expressiveness, character and the best twist and emotional tug at the end. Now that doesn't mean that all stories have to necessarily model themselves after one or another presentation. In fact the best of the best are original, but the aspects that make this so engrossing to watch are things that everyone can learn from when telling stories.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Weekend Reading - Transparency International Annual Global Corruption Report

Each year transparency International publishes a report on corruption worldwide.

download link is at: http://www.transparency.org/publications/gcr give it a read when you get a chance.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Extemp Questions for the end of Sept.

• What does the Chinese government need to do to create an effective health care system?
• What should Congress do to provide health care for the uninsured?
• Can south Ossetia survive as an independent state?
• How much worse will the US banking crisis get?
• Should Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac be dissolved?
• Will South Ossetia turn into another Kosovo situation?
• Can Obama convince voters that he has enough experience to lead?
• What can John McCain do to convince voters that he would be able to have a successful bipartisan government?
• Can John McCain effectively engage the religious right?
• Is confidence growing among Iraqis that they can govern themselves?
• Can the Shiite leadership in Iraq effectively integrate Sunnis into government?
• Should the US press India to accept the nonproliferation treaty?
• What should the US Treasury Department do to alleviate the mortgage crisis?
• Should the federal government do more to assist New Orleans?
• Does FEMA still need massive overhaul?
• What can be done to reform Colombia’s politics?
• What impact will the expansion of oil and gas exploration in South America have on the region’s indigenous people?
• Can new leadership stabilize Pakistan?
• Is Angola ready for real democracy?
• Will the June ceasefire hold in Gaza?
• Is Libya ready for major political reforms?
• Does a lack of unity across Europe harm the EU’s relationship with Russia?
• Does Germany face a serious economic recession?
• Will the European Central Bank continue to ease its lending policies?
• Is the UN doing enough to combat global poverty?
• Should the EU sanction Russia for its actions in Georgia?
• When will Cyprus reunify?
• Will Anbar province remain stable after the US hands security to Iraqi forces?
• What will it take to politically stabilize Thailand?
• Will a new Prime Minister be able to implement lasting political change in Japan?
• Does NATO still have a military role in Europe?
• What are Russia’s ultimate goals for the Baltic States?
• Is political instability on the horizon for the Ukraine?
• Can Russia afford to continue antagonizing Western Europe?
• Does Russia’s actions in Georgia hint at the future for Chechnya?
• Is Britain’s economy overly reliant on the finance sectors?
• What impact did Ron Paul’s campaign have on the Republican Party’s platform?
• Is the US housing market finally hitting bottom?
• Does Sarah Palin represent a new direction for the GOP?
• Can Sarah Palin win moderate voters to the Republican Party?
• Is the LDP’s long rule over Japanese politics at its end?
• What can be done to ensure security for international aid workers in Somalia?
• Can Somalia’s government avoid total collapse?
• Is Africa the next front in the fight between the West and radical Islam?
• Why is the democratic left losing ground across Europe?
• Dos the UK economy face a lasting recession?
• Can the Afghan government find successful alternatives to opium poppies as cash crops?
• Should South Africa’s President Mbeki step down?
• Should US taxpayers bear the costs of banks’ bad loans?
• Will the US financial rescue plan resolve the global credit crisis?
• Should the US institute a carbon tax on new cars?
• Can the American automobile industry find success in hybrid and electric vehicles?
• Do regional trade agreements aid or undermine the progress of global free trade negotiations?
• Will Japan’s economy continue to underperform?
• How should the US react to North Korea’s intentions to restart its nuclear development programs?
• Will Americans continue to keep significant personal debt?
• How can Americans lower the average household debt?
• Is China’s labor market able to sustain its rapid economic growth in the long run?
• Has China exhausted its available labor pool?
• Why is it so important to wage a war on drugs if a joint never tried to blow you up with an IED or crash an airplane into a building?
• When will Hydrogen fuel cell cars make it to the mass market?
• Will Pakistan remain a key American ally in the war on terror?
• Is UE membership in the Ukraine’s future?
• Can government control over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac prevent their collapse?
• Will new leadership in Pakistan help stabilize the region?
• Will allowing India to import nuclear fuel let that nation remain economically competitive around the world?
• Will government conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac help alleviate the global credit crisis?
• Can the Democrats woo Evangelical voters in November?
• How can John McCain best reinforce support among Evangelical voters?
• Can John McCain ride the wave of Evangelical voters into the White House?
• Is feminism in America waning?
• How should the next American President react to the strengthening ties between Venezuela and Russia?
• Can Hillary Clinton bring he supporters to the Obama camp?
• Will Joe Biden help Obama win over undecided voters as muc as Sarah Palin will help John McCain?
• Are CAFÉ standards imposed on new cars strict enough?
• How to the two main party platforms compare on the key issues facing the next President?
• How will he next American President address the resurgence of Russia on the world stage?
• What role should the federal government play in setting standards for American primary and secondary education?
• What new voters will Sarah Palin bring to the Republican ticket in November?
• In post-Olympic China will the government allow for greater democracy?
• Is political stability finally achievable in Angola?
• Is America’s space program underfunded?
• How can the next American President best restore America’s standing in the global community?
• Does the Ukraine have a future as a NATO member?
• What does the restoration of Russia’s military power mean for Eastern European nations?
• Will Ireland approve the EU Lisbon Treaty in a re-vote?
• Is a university degree still worth the time and tuition it takes?
• Is the American workforce ready to handle the retirement of the boomer generation?
• Are higher oil prices better for America?
• Can the global community adapt to the changes in the environment created by global warming?
• What impact will rising fuel oil prices have on the US household savings rate?
• Should individual states do more to encourage local renewable energy projects?
• Will government conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stabilize America’s housing market?
• How effective will the new government be in Zimbabwe?
• Will the holiday season be enough to salvage slinking American retail sales this year?
• Will the new government in Zimbabwe finally allow for the distribution of needed food aid?
• What are the priority reforms that need to be made in Zimbabwe to stabilize the country?
• Can American forces in Afghanistan gain some progress by fielding forces into the tribal lands of Pakistan?
• What can the global community do to preserve world fisheries and other ocean resources?
• Is additional government regulation of the financial services sector necessary?
• Will Cuba open new economic inroads for foreign investment?
• Should the US finally lift the trade embargo against Cuba?
• Is the NATO reconstruction effort in Afghanistan failing?
• How effective are Pakistan’s efforts in combating terrorism throughout the tribal areas?
• How much influence can the LDP keep Japanese politics?
• Can the new power sharing deal in Zimbabwe work?