In the same vein as the TED lectures that I've posted here, this is something you should watch. if you do oratory, get an understanding of how the message is portrayed. No I don't expect you to do push ups. Get an idea of what it is to motivate, to inspire, to persuade those you are talking to.
http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Extemp Questions - Mar. 23 2008
• Can the Korea’s reunify?
• Will China use its trade surplus as an economic weapon?
• What impact will the looming retirement of the Boomer’s have on the US economy?
• Should the US default on its Social Ssecurity obligations?
• Should local school boards be removed in favor of national control of primary and seondary education?
• Does local control of education cause failing schools?
• Is No Child Left Behind failing?
• What can the US learn from Europe about secondary education?
• Will the tone of the primary season hurt the Democrats in the upcoming general election?
• Should Florida and Michigan be allowed a voice in the Democratic Party primaries?
• Is offshoring of jobs dangerous for the US tech industry?
• What will it take to make universal health care a reality for the US?
• Will there be new primaries for Michigan and Florida?
• Should we be prosecuting Eliot Spitzer or congratulating him for how hot that chick was?
• What is currently the biggest risk for the US economy?
• Does the failure of Bear Stearns signal fundamental problems with inventment banks?
• Is The Fed doing what it should to stabilize the economy?
• Can Ben Bernanke keep inflation in check?
• Are the US economic fundamentals still stable?
• Will US consumer spending continue to slow?
• Has the troop surge in Iraq been successful so far?
• Will the US economy rally by the November elections?
• Is US foreign policy towards the Middle East headed in the right direction?
• How should the US approach free trade with Latin American nations?
• Should private security contractors fall under the jurisdiction of military law?
• Does the hiring of private security contractors make the US military more efficient?
• Has Sarbanes-Oxley legislation improved corporate accounting in the US?
• Is e-voting technology ready for primetime?
• Should the US increase its diplomatic and political support of Israel?
• How significant is Chain’s space program?
• Will economic anxiety be the big issue for the November elections?
• What impact will Ralph Nader have on the Presidential election?
• Will John McCain’s age be seen as an asset or a liability for his campaign?
• Is a weak dollar good for American unemployment?
• Can multinational corporations revive the US economy?.
• How can the US reduce its trade deficit?
• How has globalization impacted the US economy?
• Has NAFTA harmed the US economy?
• Is intellectual property law reform necessary to protect the US entertainment industry?
• Will China continue to keep the value of the Yuan artificially low?
• Are US consumers headed for significant rise in inflation?
• Do hard times in the US housing market signal the shape of the rest of the economy?
• Will US unemployment rise?
• Can the federal government save Medicare?
• Is the federal government doing enough to protect America’s endangered species?
• Would ‘Net Neutrality’ be good for the US economy?
• Will China use its trade surplus as an economic weapon?
• What impact will the looming retirement of the Boomer’s have on the US economy?
• Should the US default on its Social Ssecurity obligations?
• Should local school boards be removed in favor of national control of primary and seondary education?
• Does local control of education cause failing schools?
• Is No Child Left Behind failing?
• What can the US learn from Europe about secondary education?
• Will the tone of the primary season hurt the Democrats in the upcoming general election?
• Should Florida and Michigan be allowed a voice in the Democratic Party primaries?
• Is offshoring of jobs dangerous for the US tech industry?
• What will it take to make universal health care a reality for the US?
• Will there be new primaries for Michigan and Florida?
• Should we be prosecuting Eliot Spitzer or congratulating him for how hot that chick was?
• What is currently the biggest risk for the US economy?
• Does the failure of Bear Stearns signal fundamental problems with inventment banks?
• Is The Fed doing what it should to stabilize the economy?
• Can Ben Bernanke keep inflation in check?
• Are the US economic fundamentals still stable?
• Will US consumer spending continue to slow?
• Has the troop surge in Iraq been successful so far?
• Will the US economy rally by the November elections?
• Is US foreign policy towards the Middle East headed in the right direction?
• How should the US approach free trade with Latin American nations?
• Should private security contractors fall under the jurisdiction of military law?
• Does the hiring of private security contractors make the US military more efficient?
• Has Sarbanes-Oxley legislation improved corporate accounting in the US?
• Is e-voting technology ready for primetime?
• Should the US increase its diplomatic and political support of Israel?
• How significant is Chain’s space program?
• Will economic anxiety be the big issue for the November elections?
• What impact will Ralph Nader have on the Presidential election?
• Will John McCain’s age be seen as an asset or a liability for his campaign?
• Is a weak dollar good for American unemployment?
• Can multinational corporations revive the US economy?.
• How can the US reduce its trade deficit?
• How has globalization impacted the US economy?
• Has NAFTA harmed the US economy?
• Is intellectual property law reform necessary to protect the US entertainment industry?
• Will China continue to keep the value of the Yuan artificially low?
• Are US consumers headed for significant rise in inflation?
• Do hard times in the US housing market signal the shape of the rest of the economy?
• Will US unemployment rise?
• Can the federal government save Medicare?
• Is the federal government doing enough to protect America’s endangered species?
• Would ‘Net Neutrality’ be good for the US economy?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Extemp Questions 28 Feb. 2008
• Is the push for net neutrality good for American consumers?
• Is the quality of American higher education falling behind the global curve?
• Should the federal government be allowed to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for prescription medications?
• Is US national seaport security being overlooked?
• What should the US do to lead the world in controlling carbon emissions?
• Can public funding improve the fairness of US elections?
• Will a “Passengers Bill of Rights” improve the quality of US air travel?
• Should the federal government impose stricter fuel efficiency standards on new automobiles?
• Is the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates too low?
• Has the prop surge in Iraq been successful thus far?
• Should the US put a deadline on troop withdrawal from Iraq?
• Should the US put a deadline on troop withdrawal from Afghanistan?
• Will the US continue to look to Pakistan as a regional ally in the global war on terror?
• What can African governments do to improve access to clean potable water?
• Will the resignation of Fidel Castro improve relations between Cuba and the US?
• What’s next for Cuba?
• Should the US end its embargo against Cuba?
• Has the music industry been irreparably harmed by the popularity of online music sources?
• Should Congress push for a balanced budget amendment?
• How can the federal government curb deficit spending?
• What steps should US companies take to curb the growing trade deficit with China?
• Should additional limits be placed on interim federal court appointments?
• Is additional gun control legislation necessary?
• Will Kosovo’s declaration it’s independence from Serbia reignite regional violence?
• Will the Beijing Olympics raise the question of Taiwanese independence?
• Should the US further reduce its nuclear arsenal?
• Should the US Air Force end its use of cluster munitions?
• Are primary election processes in the US unfair?
• Has Microsoft finally resolved its problems with the European Union?
• Has Bill Clinton been a liability to Hillary’s Presidential campaign?
• Will union endorsements carry significant weight in the general election?
• Can John McCain mend his relationship with the evangelical wing of the Republican Party?
• Is more regulation of financial institutions necessary?
• Should the number of US troops stationed in Korea be decreased?
• Is diplomacy still an effective part of American foreign policy?
• Should America move from income based taxes to consumption based taxes?
• Should individual states be empowered to set their own carbon emissions standards?
• Is a federal cap and trade program on carbon emissions a good idea?
• Should genetically modified food products be required to have special labeling?
• Is corn based ethanol a viable alternative ethanol source?
• Can animal cloning benefit American food producers?
• Should American airport security procedures be scaled back?
• Does the US health care system have too many doctors?
• Will Ralph Nader's Presidential campaign sap necessary votes from the Democratic nominee?
• Is the quality of American higher education falling behind the global curve?
• Should the federal government be allowed to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for prescription medications?
• Is US national seaport security being overlooked?
• What should the US do to lead the world in controlling carbon emissions?
• Can public funding improve the fairness of US elections?
• Will a “Passengers Bill of Rights” improve the quality of US air travel?
• Should the federal government impose stricter fuel efficiency standards on new automobiles?
• Is the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates too low?
• Has the prop surge in Iraq been successful thus far?
• Should the US put a deadline on troop withdrawal from Iraq?
• Should the US put a deadline on troop withdrawal from Afghanistan?
• Will the US continue to look to Pakistan as a regional ally in the global war on terror?
• What can African governments do to improve access to clean potable water?
• Will the resignation of Fidel Castro improve relations between Cuba and the US?
• What’s next for Cuba?
• Should the US end its embargo against Cuba?
• Has the music industry been irreparably harmed by the popularity of online music sources?
• Should Congress push for a balanced budget amendment?
• How can the federal government curb deficit spending?
• What steps should US companies take to curb the growing trade deficit with China?
• Should additional limits be placed on interim federal court appointments?
• Is additional gun control legislation necessary?
• Will Kosovo’s declaration it’s independence from Serbia reignite regional violence?
• Will the Beijing Olympics raise the question of Taiwanese independence?
• Should the US further reduce its nuclear arsenal?
• Should the US Air Force end its use of cluster munitions?
• Are primary election processes in the US unfair?
• Has Microsoft finally resolved its problems with the European Union?
• Has Bill Clinton been a liability to Hillary’s Presidential campaign?
• Will union endorsements carry significant weight in the general election?
• Can John McCain mend his relationship with the evangelical wing of the Republican Party?
• Is more regulation of financial institutions necessary?
• Should the number of US troops stationed in Korea be decreased?
• Is diplomacy still an effective part of American foreign policy?
• Should America move from income based taxes to consumption based taxes?
• Should individual states be empowered to set their own carbon emissions standards?
• Is a federal cap and trade program on carbon emissions a good idea?
• Should genetically modified food products be required to have special labeling?
• Is corn based ethanol a viable alternative ethanol source?
• Can animal cloning benefit American food producers?
• Should American airport security procedures be scaled back?
• Does the US health care system have too many doctors?
• Will Ralph Nader's Presidential campaign sap necessary votes from the Democratic nominee?
Extemp Questions 28 Feb. 2008
• Is the push for net neutrality good for American consumers?
• Is the quality of American higher education falling behind the global curve?
• Should the federal government be allowed to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for prescription medications?
• Is US national seaport security being overlooked?
• What should the US do to lead the world in controlling carbon emissions?
• Can public funding improve the fairness of US elections?
• Will a “Passengers Bill of Rights” improve the quality of US air travel?
• Should the federal government impose stricter fuel efficiency standards on new automobiles?
• Is the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates too low?
• Has the prop surge in Iraq been successful thus far?
• Should the US put a deadline on troop withdrawal from Iraq?
• Should the US put a deadline on troop withdrawal from Afghanistan?
• Will the US continue to look to Pakistan as a regional ally in the global war on terror?
• What can African governments do to improve access to clean potable water?
• Will the resignation of Fidel Castro improve relations between Cuba and the US?
• What’s next for Cuba?
• Should the US end its embargo against Cuba?
• Has the music industry been irreparably harmed by the popularity of online music sources?
• Should Congress push for a balanced budget amendment?
• How can the federal government curb deficit spending?
• What steps should US companies take to curb the growing trade deficit with China?
• Should additional limits be placed on interim federal court appointments?
• Is additional gun control legislation necessary?
• Will Kosovo’s declaration it’s independence from Serbia reignite regional violence?
• Will the Beijing Olympics raise the question of Taiwanese independence?
• Should the US further reduce its nuclear arsenal?
• Should the US Air Force end its use of cluster munitions?
• Are primary election processes in the US unfair?
• Has Microsoft finally resolved its problems with the European Union?
• Has Bill Clinton been a liability to Hillary’s Presidential campaign?
• Will union endorsements carry significant weight in the general election?
• Can John McCain mend his relationship with the evangelical wing of the Republican Party?
• Is more regulation of financial institutions necessary?
• Should the number of US troops stationed in Korea be decreased?
• Is diplomacy still an effective part of American foreign policy?
• Should America move from income based taxes to consumption based taxes?
• Should individual states be empowered to set their own carbon emissions standards?
• Is a federal cap and trade program on carbon emissions a good idea?
• Should genetically modified food products be required to have special labeling?
• Is corn based ethanol a viable alternative ethanol source?
• Can animal cloning benefit American food producers?
• Should American airport security procedures be scaled back?
• Does the US health care system have too many doctors?
• Is the quality of American higher education falling behind the global curve?
• Should the federal government be allowed to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for prescription medications?
• Is US national seaport security being overlooked?
• What should the US do to lead the world in controlling carbon emissions?
• Can public funding improve the fairness of US elections?
• Will a “Passengers Bill of Rights” improve the quality of US air travel?
• Should the federal government impose stricter fuel efficiency standards on new automobiles?
• Is the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates too low?
• Has the prop surge in Iraq been successful thus far?
• Should the US put a deadline on troop withdrawal from Iraq?
• Should the US put a deadline on troop withdrawal from Afghanistan?
• Will the US continue to look to Pakistan as a regional ally in the global war on terror?
• What can African governments do to improve access to clean potable water?
• Will the resignation of Fidel Castro improve relations between Cuba and the US?
• What’s next for Cuba?
• Should the US end its embargo against Cuba?
• Has the music industry been irreparably harmed by the popularity of online music sources?
• Should Congress push for a balanced budget amendment?
• How can the federal government curb deficit spending?
• What steps should US companies take to curb the growing trade deficit with China?
• Should additional limits be placed on interim federal court appointments?
• Is additional gun control legislation necessary?
• Will Kosovo’s declaration it’s independence from Serbia reignite regional violence?
• Will the Beijing Olympics raise the question of Taiwanese independence?
• Should the US further reduce its nuclear arsenal?
• Should the US Air Force end its use of cluster munitions?
• Are primary election processes in the US unfair?
• Has Microsoft finally resolved its problems with the European Union?
• Has Bill Clinton been a liability to Hillary’s Presidential campaign?
• Will union endorsements carry significant weight in the general election?
• Can John McCain mend his relationship with the evangelical wing of the Republican Party?
• Is more regulation of financial institutions necessary?
• Should the number of US troops stationed in Korea be decreased?
• Is diplomacy still an effective part of American foreign policy?
• Should America move from income based taxes to consumption based taxes?
• Should individual states be empowered to set their own carbon emissions standards?
• Is a federal cap and trade program on carbon emissions a good idea?
• Should genetically modified food products be required to have special labeling?
• Is corn based ethanol a viable alternative ethanol source?
• Can animal cloning benefit American food producers?
• Should American airport security procedures be scaled back?
• Does the US health care system have too many doctors?
Monday, January 21, 2008
Extemp Questions, updated 19 Feb. 2008
Updated: 19 Feb 2008
• How should the US approach the current situation in the Palestinian territories?
• Should private equity firms face greater degrees of governmental scrutiny than other businesses?
• Is statehood the destiny of Palestine?
• Should the Kurds in Iraq have their own independent state?
• Does the strong support received by Dr. Ron Paul show a disappointment within the Republican Party’s base?
• Will the ideas of change that Obama represents win over the hearts of Democratic voters in the 2008 primaries?
• Is there a realistic fear among Afghani’s that they will be abandoned by the United States?
• Should the US increase the number of combat troops in Afghanistan?
• How can the US best develop political stability in Afghanistan?
• Is government corruption in Afghanistan an insurmountable obstacle?
• What role should the federal government play in American public education?
• How will history regard Karl Rove?
• Can the legacy of the George W. Bush presidency still be saved?
• Are American goals in the Middle East too ambitious?
• Should the US consider moving its currency back to a gold standard?
• How uncoordinated do you have to be to get an injury from playing the Wii?
• What can be done to make South Africa safer?
• Will South Africa be ready for the 2010 Olympics?
• What more is necessary for South Africa’s blacks and women to achieve socioeconomic equality?
• How should the US cope with the impending retirement of the baby boomers?
• How can the US retain its economic dominance against the rise of China and India?
• Will the Republican Party fare better when President Bush’s second term is over?
• Is Karl Rove a misunderstood political genius or a dark political mastermind?
• Are online predators a significant threat for American youth?
• Has consolidation of power under the Executive Branch peaked with the Bush Presidency?
• How can the governments of the world better control the flow of illegal weapons?
• Where is Iraq heading?
• Has the prison at Guantanamo helped or hurt the US in the global war on terror?
• What should happen to the remaining detainees in Guantanamo?
• Does the cost of free trade outweigh the benefits for developing nations?
• Should the US embrace free trade with South America?
• What will it take for the world to effectively combat global warming?
• How has American media shaped the Democratic race for the Presidential nomination?
• How can the US improve governmental transparency?
• Can Clinton’s experience win out over Obama’s movement for change?
• Is John McCain a strong enough conservative to rally Republican voters?
• Which Presidential candidates does the issue of the economy help the most?
• Would Hillary Clinton’s nomination rally Republican voters to turn out against her?
• Is America’s military readiness faltering?
• Can the US achieve effective immigration reform without causing harm to the national economy?
• Should the federal government impose more regulations on stop predatory lending practices?
• Do mortgage-interest tax breaks on real estate harm the US economy?
• Will a shaky global economy curb consumer spending?
• Would a national public health system harm the quality of US healthcare?
• Is a national ID card a violation of American’s rights?
• Can NGO’s solve Africa’s economic development problems?
• Should the US leave open the option of pre-emptive military action against Iran to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons?
• Is the WHO devoting adequate resources to combating disease in Africa?
• How does the development of commercial space travel benefit global society?
• How can the federal government promote the development of alternative energy sources?
• When will the US end its dependence on foreign oil?
• Can ethanol and biodiesel take a big chunk out of America’s foreign oil dependence?
• When will third party candidates be viable in national elections?
• Should all electronic voting machines be taken out of US elections?
• Should the federal government focus more resources on early childhood education?
• Has the Head Start program improved the global competitiveness of America’s students?
• Should there be a cap on the damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits?
• Will the burst in the US housing market cause a significant drop in US consumer spending?
• Should the federal government create a national standard for primary elections?
• Can the tech sector keep the US stock market afloat?
• Can Electronic Medical Records significantly reduce the cost of health care in the US?
• What is the cause of the bitter tone common in American political campaigns?
• Do American income disparities deepen political polarization?
• What does the future hold for the Evangelical movement with regards to US politics?
• How can the EU develop closer ties with the US?
• How has the global war on terror changed Europe’s relationship with the US?
• Can Iraq’s President Ahmadinejad afford to continue his saber rattling tactics?
• Can the International Criminal Court be an effective body of justice for the world’s worst crimes?
• What will it take to end Robert Mugabe’s iron grip on power in Zimbabwe?.
• Is democracy across the globe stronger now than it was at the beginning of the war on terror?
• Why is Russia so complacent with Putin’s authoritarian rule?
• Should African leaders be more outspoken against President Robert Mugabe?
• Is America able to effectively promote liberal democracy throughout the world?
• What reforms are needed to end government corruption in Nigeria?
• How should the US approach the current situation in the Palestinian territories?
• Should private equity firms face greater degrees of governmental scrutiny than other businesses?
• Is statehood the destiny of Palestine?
• Should the Kurds in Iraq have their own independent state?
• Does the strong support received by Dr. Ron Paul show a disappointment within the Republican Party’s base?
• Will the ideas of change that Obama represents win over the hearts of Democratic voters in the 2008 primaries?
• Is there a realistic fear among Afghani’s that they will be abandoned by the United States?
• Should the US increase the number of combat troops in Afghanistan?
• How can the US best develop political stability in Afghanistan?
• Is government corruption in Afghanistan an insurmountable obstacle?
• What role should the federal government play in American public education?
• How will history regard Karl Rove?
• Can the legacy of the George W. Bush presidency still be saved?
• Are American goals in the Middle East too ambitious?
• Should the US consider moving its currency back to a gold standard?
• How uncoordinated do you have to be to get an injury from playing the Wii?
• What can be done to make South Africa safer?
• Will South Africa be ready for the 2010 Olympics?
• What more is necessary for South Africa’s blacks and women to achieve socioeconomic equality?
• How should the US cope with the impending retirement of the baby boomers?
• How can the US retain its economic dominance against the rise of China and India?
• Will the Republican Party fare better when President Bush’s second term is over?
• Is Karl Rove a misunderstood political genius or a dark political mastermind?
• Are online predators a significant threat for American youth?
• Has consolidation of power under the Executive Branch peaked with the Bush Presidency?
• How can the governments of the world better control the flow of illegal weapons?
• Where is Iraq heading?
• Has the prison at Guantanamo helped or hurt the US in the global war on terror?
• What should happen to the remaining detainees in Guantanamo?
• Does the cost of free trade outweigh the benefits for developing nations?
• Should the US embrace free trade with South America?
• What will it take for the world to effectively combat global warming?
• How has American media shaped the Democratic race for the Presidential nomination?
• How can the US improve governmental transparency?
• Can Clinton’s experience win out over Obama’s movement for change?
• Is John McCain a strong enough conservative to rally Republican voters?
• Which Presidential candidates does the issue of the economy help the most?
• Would Hillary Clinton’s nomination rally Republican voters to turn out against her?
• Is America’s military readiness faltering?
• Can the US achieve effective immigration reform without causing harm to the national economy?
• Should the federal government impose more regulations on stop predatory lending practices?
• Do mortgage-interest tax breaks on real estate harm the US economy?
• Will a shaky global economy curb consumer spending?
• Would a national public health system harm the quality of US healthcare?
• Is a national ID card a violation of American’s rights?
• Can NGO’s solve Africa’s economic development problems?
• Should the US leave open the option of pre-emptive military action against Iran to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons?
• Is the WHO devoting adequate resources to combating disease in Africa?
• How does the development of commercial space travel benefit global society?
• How can the federal government promote the development of alternative energy sources?
• When will the US end its dependence on foreign oil?
• Can ethanol and biodiesel take a big chunk out of America’s foreign oil dependence?
• When will third party candidates be viable in national elections?
• Should all electronic voting machines be taken out of US elections?
• Should the federal government focus more resources on early childhood education?
• Has the Head Start program improved the global competitiveness of America’s students?
• Should there be a cap on the damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits?
• Will the burst in the US housing market cause a significant drop in US consumer spending?
• Should the federal government create a national standard for primary elections?
• Can the tech sector keep the US stock market afloat?
• Can Electronic Medical Records significantly reduce the cost of health care in the US?
• What is the cause of the bitter tone common in American political campaigns?
• Do American income disparities deepen political polarization?
• What does the future hold for the Evangelical movement with regards to US politics?
• How can the EU develop closer ties with the US?
• How has the global war on terror changed Europe’s relationship with the US?
• Can Iraq’s President Ahmadinejad afford to continue his saber rattling tactics?
• Can the International Criminal Court be an effective body of justice for the world’s worst crimes?
• What will it take to end Robert Mugabe’s iron grip on power in Zimbabwe?.
• Is democracy across the globe stronger now than it was at the beginning of the war on terror?
• Why is Russia so complacent with Putin’s authoritarian rule?
• Should African leaders be more outspoken against President Robert Mugabe?
• Is America able to effectively promote liberal democracy throughout the world?
• What reforms are needed to end government corruption in Nigeria?
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Oratory/Etc. - Isabel Allende on TED.com
Another good TED talk. A great example of something that would work well as an oratory or an expos piece.
URL: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/204
URL: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/204
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Policy Debate - African Aid (that's aid, not AIDS) TED Talk - Andrew Mwenda
An interesting talk from TED from Sept. that I came across again and wanted to pass along. Andrew Mwenda, who recently started a newspaper in Uganda, talks about financial aid to Africa and how it should be re-evaluated. Good ideas for policy debate this year. http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/159
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