Results from State

Last weekend was a big one for the Congressional Debate Community. More than 90 students from 15 different high schools got together at the downtown campus of GVSU. By the time we got to the Super Session (finals) we had some of the top speakers in the State. As you can expect, the chamber explored the bills in depth. In fact, only two were debated: The Habeas Corpus Act of 2008 which owould extend habeas corpus rights to detainees at Guantanamo, and a Bill to Encourage the Use of BioFuels -- principally a subsidy measure for ethanol.

City was able to have four students in the final chamber of 24: Christina Le, Catherine Khuu, Nathan Ritsema, and Riet Groenleer.

Nathan Ritsema was PO for the first half of the session when the session debated Habeas...

When it came time for awards, three of the top ten were from City:

• Christina Le -- 4th
• Nathan Ritsema -- 5th
• Riet Groenleer -- 10th

Congratulations! In a tournament that had more than doubled, City more than held its own.

State Approaches

Next Saturday is the day!

The Second Annual Congressional Debate State Tournament will be held Saturday February 9, at the DeVos Center, on GVSU downtown campus. Some details will be coming shortly, including who is in which chamber.

Here is what we know:

We will have 9 students attending: Esther Creswell, Oana Damacus, Riet Groenleer, Catherine Khuu, Christina Le, Regie Pell, Emily Riippa, Abe Rinck, Nathan Ritsema.

There are 92 students registered, for chambers of 23 each.

The docket for each session is set -- analysis will follow shortly.

Food
At this time, a box lunch will be provided through GVSU. If one gets particularly desparate there is of course the Burger King at Pearl & Front (just north of the campus).

Schedule

• Registration 8:30 – 9:00 DeVos Center.
  As the host school we are asking you to arrive at 8:00 to help welcome students and schools get adjusted to the site.
  
• Session I 9:30 – 11:30 various
• Lunch 11:30 – 12:30 DeVos Center
  See Food above.
  
• Session II 12:45 – 2:45 various
• Super Session
  (finals) 3:30 – 5:30 TBA
  There will likely be a lot of people who want to see this. So be sure that you get there early. If you're parents are coming, give them the heads up.
  
• Awards 6:00 – 6:45 Loosemore Auditorium
  Politicians! Lawyers! Parents and Bigwigs! And we are hoping, even the media. Plus awards for the best bill. Invite the folks, and best of all you're out in time for Swirl.
  

Grand Ledge Update

The opening session of the Western Michigan Legislative Debate League is going to be one of our largest ever. At this count, there are 37 students planning to attend -- that means two chambers.

With two chambers we will split City students:

Chamber 1

Emily Riippa
Riet Groenleer,
Yefei Jin
Catherine Khuu

Chamber 2

Christina Le
Abe Rinck
Oana Damacus
Nathan Ritsema

And now, what about those bills?
We have five bills to consider, three by Simon Boehme from Kalamazoo Central, two from City (hint hint -- we will need more bill writers). The bills offer a good sampling of controversy for you to sink your teeth into. Let's examine them.

A Bill for the removal of the Electoral College

• Overview: Simon wants to abolish the Electoral College, and in its place use a preference ranking system. Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn't it?
• Aff: The Electoral College is rather clumsy and can lead to electing a person who actually receives fewer votes (look up what happened in 2000 with Bush/Gore). On the positive side, the plan would make the vote more responsive to the majority wishes.
• Neg: Look for the unseend disadvantages. In Constitutional theory, the Electoral College was used to guarantee small states at least some say in the election -- would this happen under the proposed set-up?
• Research: You ought to be able to find all you need by searching for "Electoral College" and "Ban Electoral College."

A Bill to repeal Affirmative Action (Executive Order 11246)

• Overview: Article I gives the intent rather clearly. This debate could degenerate into a food fight on race, or you could consider exploring just what the Federal Government is doing. There is a lot of vagueness here, not least, how does one define Affirmative Action. Do we mean only the explicit quota systems? Or something more general, where disadvantaged groups are given help (think of math/science camps for girls)? The danger in the bill is that there is a broader intent than what the specific Executive Order details. The bill's author goes after the bill with a broad brush -- you've been warned!
• Aff: Go with the moral reasoning, the intent of the bill. One can plausibly point out that we already ban racial discrimination and that should be enough. Create arguments for racial equality as the better way of upholding American values.
• Neg: Two big troubles invite a response. First, this is very broad, so lots and lots of holes. Note he doesn't define affirmative action. Second, lookup the Executive Order. It's a far more narrow piece of legislation (and only applies for contractors with a contract worth more than $10k). Lot's of good stuff.
• Research: Start with looking up the original Executive Order. Wikipedia has a decent overview. Expand your search to news on Affirmative Action.

A Resolution to Support the Afrian Union (AU)

• Overview: Pretty bland. There may be a little too much reliance on the African Union. The real question would be whether this organization is as effective as the Resolution suggests.
• Aff. Focus on the good that is being done by the AU. This is a new step for the African countries, designed to work together (and not just be a club for dictators_.
• Neg. Focus on the size of the problem, and the small resources of the AU. Good intentions, but really, what can you expect with their budget. Lastly, note that they are a creature of Libya leader Qaddafi.
• Research. Look up secondary sources, like the BBC. There's more out there.

Free FEMA

• Overview. After Katrina, it became clear that FEMA had lost its aura of competence that it once had under the Clinton administration. Many blame this on how the agency is hid within the Department of Homeland Security. This bill would restore an independent existence to FEMA.
• Aff. Emphasize the problems that gave rise to this issue (Katrina, etc.). You may also want to pick up on the need for professionalism. You may also want to pick up on the issue of professional management, and why that is a good thing given the type of work FEMA is engaged in.
• Neg. An independent agency may not have the resources to really coordinate relief. You can also point out how the budget numbers are a little unclear.
• Research. The idea of making FEMA independent has been kicking around. Start your search with "FEMA Independence -Missouri" (you don't want articles about "Independence, Missouri)

A Bill to Redefine Marriage

• Overview. Abe sticks his foot in. This will be controversial. The heart of the bill lies in the good ennummerated in Section 2. Opponents will see this as advancing a social agenda, defenders will point to the obvious benefits.
• Aff. As above, focus on the contractual benefits, the ones that make the home better. These moves would save money for the government (at least that would be your argument).
• Neg. Should Congress really be in the business of overturning a thousand years of experience? You will want to be careful not to sound too harsh about some of the benefits.
• Research. There are lots of arguments out there. Find an argument that matches your own sensibility.

JCC Tournament More Details

Jackson Community College, Saturday October 6. (Leave at 6:15). The Schedule has been changed, slightly. There are now only two sessions.

New Time Line

• Leave City High: 6:15 am
• Arrive JCC: 8:15 am (includes coffee/breakfast break along way)
• Gen'l Meeting: 8:30 am (Potter Center)
• Session I: 8:45 - 12:00 (Burt Walker Hall)
• Lunch: 12:00 - 1:00 pm (Potter Center)
• Session II: 1:15 - 4:30 pm (Burt Walker Hall)
• Awards: ASAP
• Leave JCC: 5:00 pm
• Arrive City: 8:00 pm (with hour for dinner on way)

Tournament Procedure
With only nineteen students, there will not be a super session. The students will be evaluated by two judges in the first round and two in the second round. Scores will be combined from each session with the presiding officers‚ scores doubled from their session on the floor. Presiding officers will also receive recognition for their service. They will be giving away 10 speaker awards.

Lunch Included
Lunches were ordered for everyone.


The Bills
At this point, they are still accepting new legislation. Here are the nine to date:

• Bill: Alternative Fuel Tax
• Bill: Junk Food Tax
• Resolution: Punish flag burners
• Bill: Smoking Ban on College Campuses
• Bill: Imported Goods Safety
• Resolution: End the Korean War
• Bill: Cell Phone Recycling
• Resolution: End Canadian Seal Hunt
• Bill: Establish Metric System in US