Extemp Central

Here is your R&D top five for February 8th:

Israeli case for war with Syria – and Lebanon from the Asia Times

Iran to make ‘advanced’ attack drones from the UK Telegraph

Sarah Palin hints at presidential run in 2012 from the Christian Science Monitor

In a Message to Democrats, Wall St. Sends Cash to G.O.P. from the New York Times

Serious Play: War Games Explore Options on Iran from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy

For varsity and experienced extempers here is the short answer version of this week’s news quiz.  Good luck!

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Here is your multiple choice news quiz for this week.  Good luck!

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Here is your R&D top five for February 5th:

With Scott Brown sworn into Senate, parties shift strategies from the Christian Science Monitor

India forms new climate change body from the UK Telegraph

Deficits in a Growing Defense Budget from the Council on Foreign Relations

Millennials’ Lukewarm Support For Health Care Bills from the Pew Research Center

Toyota chief apologizes for recalls from the Los Angeles Times

Here are the answers for this week’s Extemp Central news quiz.

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Here is your R&D top five for February 4th:

Nuclear missile threats to U.S. mount from the Washington Times

Beyond the black stuff (Oil) from the Economist

Scattershot Aid Efforts Spur Frustration in Haiti from the Latin American Herald Tribune

CrisisWatch N°78, 1 February 2010 Report from the International Crisis Group

The Next Great Transformation:  Should the U.S. look to China? from Foreign Policy in Focus

We shared with you on Sunday night the finalists at the 2010 Barkley Forum for High Schools.  Thanks to the good people at NFLtv, you can watch the full final round of Extemp (embedded above).  While you’re at it, head on over to their site to check out final round in Policy Debate, Oratory, and Public Forum Debate.

NFLtv could be one of the best learning opportunities for students available today.  Being able to follow the speeches and performances of the circuit’s top performers throughout the year is invaluable for students and coaches just starting out.

The administrators of the Extemp Tournament of Champions have posted the invitation for the 2010 installment of their event on their website.  The tournament offers a solid field of competition and has six preliminary rounds and three elimination rounds.

The tournament will be held from May 14-16, 2010 at Northwestern University and is a must attend event.  The Extemp TOC is also a third tier tournament in this year’s National Points Race and will award 100 points to the winner.

To access the invitation to this year’s Extemp Tournament of Champions click here.

Here is your R&D top five for February 3rd:

Rep. Paul Ryan: ‘Rationing happens today! The question is who will do it?’ from the Washington Post

Military Chief Says Gay Ban Should Go from the Wall Street Journal

‘IDF risked civilians to save soldiers’ from the Jerusalem Post

Nigeria: Yar’Adua – Hand Over, Resign Or Get Impeached – Media Owners from the Leadership of Abuja

SPD Leadership Duo Tries to Lead the Party Back to Relevance from Der Spiegel

1.  Who was the winner of Obama’s meeting with House Republicans last week?
2.  Now that New York City will not host the trial of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, where should that trial take place?
3.  Should CBS not air the Tim Tebow antiabortion ad during the Super Bowl?
4.  Was Obama’s swipe at the Supreme Court during his State of the Union speech inappropriate?
5.  Is the acceleration of U.S. missile defenses in the Persian Gulf a constructive way of pressuring Tehran?
6.  Do impressive fourth quarter GDP numbers signal a full scale economic recovery?
7.  Is the tea party movement becoming a victim of its own success?
8.  Should Obama get rid of Geithner?
9.  How can the U.S. effectively reduce the national debt over the next decade?
10.  Should Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac be abolished?