September Issue: Middle East

Foreword: If you have done extemp before, you know why the Middle East edition has to come first. In this edition, you will find analysis on Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, and Israel. Obviously, understanding the events that transpire in these countries is critical, because they are some of the most explosive in the world. Afghanistan is still recovering from its governmental change, and despite the lack of attention, is still very important to the US. Iran continues to play the west against itself, stoking the international fires with rhetoric and a controversial nuclear program. Iraq is still a shaky state, and even now few truly understand the happenings in this country. Israel is going through a painful corruption crisis that is troubling both for Israel and the international community. These are very common topics of discussion in politics, but hopefully, this brief can enlighten you by providing insight into the inner workings of these political structures.

Also, welcome to all of my readers! I hope you find what you are looking for with this product! Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have, regarding the articles, international politics in general, or just Extemp. Asking questions and learning new things are the only ways to get better, so please, feel free. I am on Facebook, and I should respond fastest if you send me a message there. Please join the Extemporaneous Speaking facebook group as well, so we can foster discussion there too. Best of luck starting your competitive season!

David Kumbroch

Resolved: The United States should significantly increase its use of nuclear energy.

Foreword: The debate over nuclear energy in the United States is an entertaining tale of competing environmental interests. Nuclear energy generates electricity. The demand for electricity in the United States will rise sharply over the next two decades. This resolution is a discussion of the strategic approach the energy industry should adopt to increase its supply. Coal-fired plants and natural gas plants are primary providers of electricity, but fossil fuels leave a carbon footprint. Nuclear energy may erase that footprint but it leaves its own radioactive footprint. Nuclear power plants result in the creation of radioactive wastes. Although other issues come into play, the debate over nuclear energy revolves around the issues of carbon dioxide emissions and radioactive wastes, giving the Pro and Con level grounds for argumentation.

If you find you have any questions while reading through the files or feedback on the files, send an e-mail to michelle@finalistfiles.com. Also feel free to ask questions or start a discussion at the Facebook group “Public Forum Debate.” If you want to run an argument by a third party or are looking for a specific piece of evidence, contact me and let me know.

Michelle Schmit

Resolved: That the United States should implement a
military draft.

Foreword: A Military Draft is an interesting issue to be debating at this junction in time; two months before the 2008 Presidential Election you will be talking about the one issue no one else is. But with the idea of a draft aside, the state of America’s Armed Forces, specifically the Army and its Reserves seven years into the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq could not be more relevant. This topic, albeit in a round-about way, lends itself to a discussion of the recruitment and retention policies of the United States military in a post-911 world. You must understand the military’s past; the draft-era of Vietnam. You must understand the military now, the All Volunteer Force and its current missions in the Middle East. And you must understand the challenges that the military will face ten years down the road.

Welcome to the new Finalist Files readers, especially those I had a chance to meet at Nationals. If you or your students need any additional help on this topic please e-mail me at Michelle@finalistfiles.com. In addition, make sure you join the “Public Forum Debate” Facebook Group where a discussion of this topic is already underway. I take questions on that Forum as well as questions sent via Facebook message. I’m easy to get in contact with so run your ideas by me. Good Luck this month!

Michelle Schmit

This is the supplement to the original files; it includes answers to the arguments in the Finalist Files. I’m looking forward to meeting all of you at Nationals; make sure you stop by the Finalist Files table next Sunday during registration. If you haven’t debated in the last few months, I still have a few openings for practice rounds the Saturday and Sunday evenings before competition. Send me an e-mail for more information or if you have any questions. Good Luck next week!

Michelle Schmit

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The Extemp Handbook + DVD and the International Extemp Book will be released June 15th.