Academics  

    -Theatre/OAP
      
    -Journalism

    -Speech/Debate
       -New Coach Information

    -A+ Program

1. What steps has the U.S. government taken to address America’s failing economy?

2. Why does Russia oppose NATO membership for the Ukraine?

3. What are the effects of severe weather across the U.S. recently?

 4. How is the nation of Chad affected by refugees from the Darfur region of Sudan?

5. Why is airline safety continuing to be a concern in the United States?

6. What changes are likely for Cuba under the leadership of Raul Castro?

7. How has Senator Obama’s association with Reverend Jeremiah Wright impacted his campaign?

8. Why are oil companies facing strong public criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike?

9. What are the major U.S. foreign policy objectives regarding North Korea?

10. What efforts has Congress made to insure higher education is more affordable?

11. Why are world leaders considering a boycott of the 2008 Summer Olympic games opening ceremonies?

12. What are the objectives of David Petraeus regarding U.S. policy in Iraq?

13. What gains and losses did President Bush receive at the NATO summit in Bucharest?

14. Why are government officials in Myanmar facing allegations of human rights abuses?

15. In what ways is the Bush administration promoting the development of renewable energy?

16. What are the objectives of the FARC rebel group in Colombia?

17. Why does Russian fiercely oppose the U.S. missile defense plan for Europe?

18. Why are Bill and Hillary Clinton’s tax returns under public scrutiny?

19. Who are the major leaders of the Palestinian Authority?

20. What is the current state of relations between political leaders in Iraq and Iran?

Informative Finals - Regional Meet

1. Medicare and Social Security: What are the latest woes for these government benefit programs?

2. How is China responding to the political protests in Tibet?

3. Why does the Democratic Party rely on both primary and caucus votes in the state of Texas?

4. Why does the election of Demetris Christofias as president of Cyprus bring hope to his nation as well as the international community?

5. How has Hillary Clinton’s campaign stumbled along the path to the presidential nomination?

6. What brought about the resignation of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson?

7. Dmitri Medvedev: What are the highlights of the newly elected Russian president’s political career?

8. What do the latest election results mean for the political leadership of Zimbabwe?

9. What are the major challenges facing the banking industry in the United States today?

10. Why is the United States seeking to strengthen its military ties with India?

11. Why is home-schooling becoming the subject of controversy in California?

12. How is the Bush administration seeking to promote U.S. foreign trade with Latin America?

13. What is the legacy of William F. Buckley in American politics?

14. Why are state officials suing the Environmental Protection Agency?

15. How is the United Nations attempting to promote peace in Sudan?

16. What are the key components of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s proposal to overhaul financial regulation in the U.S.?

17. What is the current state of relations between Malaysia and East Timor?

18. NASA: What has been accomplished by the latest series of Space Shuttle flights?

19. What are the major causes of disagreement between leaders of Brazil and Argentina?

20. What is the position of Israel’s government regarding Palestinian settlements in the West Bank region?

Persuasive Preliminaries - Regional Meet

1. Should Congress revoke major tax breaks for oil companies?

2. Has President Mugabe’s reign in Zimbabwe come to an end?

3. Should the U.S. federal government take steps to increase security along the U.S. / Canadian border?

4. Is the current presidential primary competition between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama causing long-term harm for the Democratic Party?

5. Can Spain’s Prime Minister Zapatero make good on his campaign promises for social reform?

6. Should the Federal Reserve be granted more power?

7. Is the FAA guilty of safety oversights?

8. Are state-level health care programs more beneficial than federally supported initiatives?

9. Is the diplomatic friction between Venezuela and Colombia beginning to subside?

10. What should the Federal Government do to stem increasing unemployment?

11. Will Turkey’s involvement in Iraq affect its relations with the United States?

12. Is the Bush administration justified in its support for expansion of NATO membership?

13. Does campaign spending have an adverse effect on the United States political system?

14. Is economic development in the Amazon basin resulting in major environmental damage?

15. Will democracy return to Thailand?

16. Is the Kurdistan Workers’ Party causing political disruption in Turkey?

17. Should Israel stop plans to expand settlements in the West Bank?

18. Who would make the best running mate for John McCain?

19. Is China guilty of human rights violations in Tibet?

Persuasive Finals - Regional Meet

1. Is it safe to fly on commercial airlines?

2. Should the U.S. boycott the Olympic games in Beijing?

3. Will former Russian President Vladimir Putin continue to influence his nation’s political system?

4. Will John McCain’s attempts to gain support of conservative Republicans risk his standing among independent voters?

5. Is the violence in Kenya nearing an end?

6. Are beef-recalls having an adverse effect on the U.S. agricultural industry?

7. Will an alliance of Pakistan’s opposition parties succeed in removing President Musharraf from power?

8. Should the United States attempt to open the doors of diplomacy with Cuba?

9. Will the rise in political scandal in the United States result in an increase in voter apathy?

10. Is the leadership of French President Nicolas Sarkozy being challenged by his nation’s current economic problems?

11. Should the FBI strengthen its efforts to reduce Internet crime?

12. Will the economic stimulus package passed by Congress have a positive effect on the U.S. economy?

13. Are toll roads the answer to congested urban Texas highways?

14. Will the current policies of President Evo Morales result in long-term economic harm to Bolivia?

15. Is Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon achieving success in his anti-crime efforts?

16. Was the decision by the Air Force to grant a major aircraft contract to Europe’s Airbus a mistake?

17. Will the Republican Party likely regain control of the U.S. Senate in the 2008 elections?

18. Is Muqtada al-Sadr significantly influencing events in Iraq today?

19. Should U.S. voters be concerned about Barack Obama’s views regarding international trade?

20. Is political stability becoming a reality in Lebanon?