CEDA Topic

Update on the Agriculture topic process

Gordon Stables — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:26:56 GMT

Based on community vote, the 2008-09 CEDA topic controversy is "Decrease agricultural subsidies in the United States." This controversy is based on the paper, "Reforming U.S. Agricultural Policy" submitted by the Vanderbilt University Debate Team, specifically Bryan Grayson, Nick Brown, Cameron Norris & Phil Rappmund. Congratulations to all of these folks for a very well-written paper.

The CEDA Topic Selection Committee, in coordination with community volunteers, will be preparing a list of wording options that will appear on the next community ballot.

We have many ways to have members of the community help with the topic process. We are very much seeking community input. To lend your voice you can:

1) Leave a comment on the blog - These comments are regularly read and it allows us to keep an organized collection of comments, suggestions, links, etc.

2) Volunteer to help with the committee groups - In the next few days working groups will be organized to help review each element of the topic. We need more help with each area and we need volunteers to assist. As these groups are formalized I will be adding contact information for each group.

3) Write a wording paper - We have invited any member of the community to submit a proposal calling for specific wording to be used on the upcoming ballot. Any complete papers that provide a germane option to decreasing agricultural subsidies in the United States controversy need to be submitted by Wednesday, May 28th. Any such papers will be placed on the agenda by the committee and voted on during the summer meetings.

In the coming days I will be posting the agenda and schedule for the topic committee meetings. The topic selection committee will meet on the University of Texas-Dallas campus from June 2-4. The committee meetings will begin after the CEDA summer business meetings conclude on the morning of June 2nd. We are using the The Westin Park Central, Dallas as the official hotel for the meetings. You can contact them at 12720 Merit Drive. Dallas, Texas 75251, United States Phone: (972) 385-3000. All meetings will be webcasted.

Thanks and thanks again for all of the input.

Gordon Stables
Chair - CEDA Topic Selection Committee & CEDA 1st VP

Education - Open Thread

Gordon Stables — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:35:39 GMT

Stephanie Eisenberg is finishing up an education paper. We will post it as soon as it becomes available.

Arms Control - Open Thread

Gordon Stables — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:31:05 GMT

"US Commitment to the NPT" A Proposal for the 2008-2009 College Debate Topic by Greta Stahl

Labor Rights - OpenThread

Gordon Stables — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:03:47 GMT

"Protecting Labor Rights in an Era of Globalization" - A Controversy Paper submitted for consideration in the 2008-2009 CEDA Topic Process by Gordon Stables

International Institutions - Open Thread

Gordon Stables — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:03:20 GMT

"International Institutions" Topic Proposal for the Cross Examination Debate Association 2008-2009 Debate Season.
By Casey C. Stevens

Health Care - Open Thread

Gordon Stables — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:04:20 GMT

The Health Insurance Controversy in the United States, by Elizabeth Wiley & Joshua Gonzalez.

Agriculture Open Thread

Gordon Stables — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:04:42 GMT

Use this link to discuss "Reforming U.S. Agricultural Policy" A Proposal to the CEDA Topic Committee.

Submitted by the Vanderbilt University Debate Team, specifically Bryan Grayson, Nick Brown, Cameron Norris & Phil Rappmund.

Reparations - Open thread

Gordon Stables — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 15:30:12 GMT

"Reparations" Controversy paper by Andy Ellis.

Note: Link fixed at 4:30 pm

Russia - Open Thead

Gordon Stables — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:24:21 GMT

There are several papers completed on Russia.

1) "US-Russian Bilateral Cooperation A Preliminary 2008 Topic Evaluation" by Greta Stahl

2) "Increasing Bilateral Cooperation with the Russian Federation" - Suggested Controversy for the 2008-2009 CEDA Topic by Seth Gannon, Alex Lamballe, Calum Matheson, & Brian Rubaie.

Genetic Engineering - Open Thread

Gordon Stables — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:16:37 GMT

Scott Elliott has provided a new edition of his genetic engineering paper . This incorporates recent events in the field and adjustments based on feedback from the last topic cycle. Use this post as a starting point for discussion.

Latin America - Open Thread

Gordon Stables — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:01:21 GMT

This subject has produced extensive discussion in recent days. We have some folks who volunteered at the last minute to help pick up the process, but we are very uncertain about what recommendations will be submitted. More updates as they become available.
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UPDATE: 4/22 - Thanks to Kris Willis and Scot Koslow we have a Latin America proposal. This paper will be considered alongside the rest of the topic submissions.

Please feel free to leave feedback.

Open Thread - 08-09 Controversy Papers

Gordon Stables — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:13:45 GMT

This thread is open for community feedback regarding potential controversy paper submissions for 08-09. All papers are due to the committee chair by Friday, April 18, 2008.

More information about the topic process is available.

Final List of Proposed Resolutions

Gordon Stables — Wed, 23 May 2007 08:43:05 GMT

Final Balllot of Resolutions

#1
Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should increase its constructive engagement with the government of one or more of: Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, and Syria, and it should include offering them a security guarantee(s) and/or a substantial increase in foreign assistance.

#2
Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should increase its constructive engagement with the government of one or more of: Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, and Syria, and it should consist only of offering them a trilateral security guarantee(s) with Israel, and/or a bilateral security guarantee(s), and/or a substantial increase in foreign assistance.

#3
Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should increase its constructive engagement with the government of one or more of: Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, and it should consist only of offering them a trilateral security guarantee(s) with Israel and/or a bilateral
security guarantee(s).

#4
Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should increase its constructive engagement with the government of one or more of: Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, and Syria, and it should include offering them a trilateral security guarantee(s) with Israel, and/or a bilateral security guarantee(s), and/or a substantial increase in foreign assistance.

Afghanistan SQ Research

Gordon Stables — Wed, 23 May 2007 04:38:00 GMT

The linked research provides a discussion of the current state security gurantees between the US and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan - Watson

Grammar Recs - Day 3

Gordon Stables — Wed, 23 May 2007 04:03:01 GMT

The link provides a discussion of the grammatical elements of the proposed topics.

Grammar Recs - Elliott

Security Guarantees vs. Security Assurance Work

Gordon Stables — Tue, 22 May 2007 20:15:00 GMT

This is the work done to review the use of either security guarantee or security assurance.

End of Day 2 Assignments

Gordon Stables — Wed, 23 May 2007 03:57:36 GMT

Write sentence as singular – settled

R3 Change countries to # 3 (eliminate Afghanistan)

#3 - Through vs. including or by

Level of commitment between US and Afghanistan in SQ - SQ

Topic #5 issue (Hays)

And / or

How modifies before itv(Darren)

Use of word ‘them’ appropriate

Singular or plural (Darren)

Comma after Syria

(Andrew)

Identity of the Palestinian Authority as government

Nation-state vs. government (Steve)

Guarantees vs. assurances

(Naveen, Greta, Will)

Working Resolution #5

Gordon Stables — Tue, 22 May 2007 13:05:29 GMT

Resolved: the United States Federal Government should increase its constructive engagement with the government of Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia and/or Syria by offering them a bilateral security guarantee or a trilateral security guarantee with Israel.

Working Resolution #4

Gordon Stables — Tue, 22 May 2007 12:57:56 GMT

Resolved: the United States Federal Government should increase its constructive engagement with the government of Iran, Israel, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia and/or Syria by offering them a security guarantee(s).

Working Resolution #2

Gordon Stables — Tue, 22 May 2007 11:22:00 GMT

Resolved: the United States Federal Government should increase its constructive engagement with the government of Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, and/or Syria including offering them security guarantees and/or a substantial increase in foreign assistance.