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Saturday, October 15, 2011

November/December LD Topic Analysis

Resolved: Individuals have a moral obligation to assist those in need

Ever heard of the "Good Samaritan" rule?  Referring to a parable told by Jesus in the Bible, the rule (a law in many places) stipulates that if you see someone in a life-threatening condition, such as being victimized in a crime or hurt in an accident, you are LEGALLY obligated to assist them as long as you are not endangering your own life.  This idea rose to prominence after the deaths of Princess Di and Dodi Al Fayed in a car crash, and the pursuing paparazzi chose to photograph the victims instead of rendering aid.  The law was also the centerpiece of a very underwhelming Seinfeld series finale, but I digress.

This topic should be approached with a couple of things in mind:

1. You are not limited to debating assistance in life-and-death situations.  "Those in need" can be interpreted as those who are hungry or in need of a medical attention. 

2. Avoid debates over the merits of the need.  When we see people on street corners asking for change, it's easy to rationalize not helping them by assuming that they will spend the money on alcohol and/or drugs; that they're not truly in need.  The given circumstance for this debate must be that the need is legitimate and not false. 

3. You are looking at individuals and their moral obligations.  Not countries, not societies - individual human beings.  Neither are you looking at legal obligations, like in the case of Good Samaritan laws.  This debate involves these two questions: 1. If you see someone in need, are you obligated to help them, and 2. If you don't, are you a bad person?  Aff says "Yes."  Neg says "No."

So, start writing your case and go do something nice for someone.

Nov. PF topic analysis

Resolved: Direct popular vote should replace electoral vote in presidential elections.

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html

The above web-site answers a lot of questions about the electoral college and should be read by ANYBODY doing this topic.  Once you've read that, then it should help you with your case.

Some things to consider:
1. This is not a U.S.-specific topic.  A few other democracies use an electoral system to elect their leader.  While our electoral college is probably the one we are most familiar with, it will be important to keep in mind that the impact of an electoral college (or the abolishing of one) might have different effects in different countries.

2.  This topic is a hybrid of sorts; a value topic dealing with policies.  Not only should your cases and debates cover the implications of how practical a direct popular vote is, but they should also engage the value of a direct popular vote

This article can help get you started on points:

http://uselectionatlas.org/INFORMATION/INFORMATION/electcollege_procon.php 

 And this article covers some CURRENT developments in Pennsylvania:

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/analysis_electoral_proposal_la.html

Happy reading, folks!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

China Assignment for MUN

1. China’s censorship of the media: “Can the government effectively control the media?”

2. China’s human right abuses: “How should the world respond?”

3. China’s rising economy: “How will China’s economy fare in the coming years?”

4. China/U.S. relations: “Should the U.S. retaliate against China for manipulating its currency?”

5. China and the environment: “Is it time to hold China accountable for the environment?”

6. China and Tibet: “What does the future hold for Tibetian independence?”

MUN responses

Here are the prompts for P3 MUN

1. Is the United States obligated to help any country that's in need?
2. Should any country be allowed to possess nuclear weapons?
3. Are people inherently bad or good?
4. Post 9/11: Is America safer?
5. Which country would you want to live in if you didn't live in the U.S.?
6. Should children be allowed to emancipate themselves from their parents? (Assuming their parents aren't abusing them)
7. "You can tell a lot about a society by how it treats its elderly." Respond
8. Are we as people obligated to help those in need?
9. If you were President of the U.S. what would be your top priority?
10. Is democracy the best way to curb violence in the middle east?

If you have more than 10 you can turn them in for extra credit.  These are due Monday, Oct. 17

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Oak Ridge Canceled

Oak Ridge has canceled their Nov. 12 tournament so there will not be a tournament for that weekend.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Katy High School

Westside High School has canceled their middle school tournament on Nov. 4 & 5, so we will be going to Katy High School on Nov. 5 instead.

Katy was the tournament where we got 2nd last year (the only tournament we got 2nd at all year) thanks to the heavy competition in interp. and acting events, so this year it's time to exact vengeance!...In a non-violent way.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

UH canceled

The UH tournament for Oct. 7 & 8 has been canceled.  They will not reschedule, but they will have their spring tournament in April.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

November/December LD Resolution

Resolved: Individuals have a moral obligation to assist people in need.

Nov. PF Resolution

Resolved: Direct popular vote should replace electoral vote in presidential elections.