VBI2011: Camp Resolution Announced

For VBI 2011- Session 1, debaters will debate the following resolution:

Resolved: Targeted killing is a morally permissible foreign policy tool.

Live from NFL: Diana Li v. Josh Roberts

Finals on Saturday June 18 at 2:30pm

Victor Reacts to Resolutions

Each year, the list of resolutions keep getting better.  The wording is more focused; the subject areas are interesting (with just some recycling).

Here is just the list.

So out of tradition, here are my thoughts on the topics.  There are a few that I think should NOT be chosen, because the debates would not be good.  The ones I do not prefer are:

R:  In the United States, law enforcement ought to be required to have probably cause to search data an individual has stored on remote servers.

As a lawyer, the term “probable cause” is judicially understood to simply mean “reasonable” under the circumstances.  This forces the Negative to either argue that law enforcement ought to have the ability to be unreasonable or that there should be no privacy rights at all on web-based accounts.  I’m sure you can find negative ground, but it seems like a flawed topic.

R:  In the United States, possession of handguns ought not be an individual right.

I’m admittedly biased.  I don’t think the subject area is that interesting.  The status quo under the Constitution (per the Supreme Court) is that there is an individual right, but it can be regulated.  The Affirmative has to argue that individuals should not have the right to self-defense with a gun.  Seems like a hard argument to make, when the Affirmative can be entirely in favor of REGULATIONS and LIMITS on the right.  In fact, that’s the status quo–it’s an individual right (grounded in notions of self-defense) but it’s not an absolute right.

R:  Estate taxes are just.

I preferred the progressive taxation topic.  Regardless of the merits, I don’t think high school kids are interested in tax policy.  And let’s be clear, other than politicians who try to make taxes about RIGHTS, it’s ultimately a POLICY QUESTION.  I don’t think people will vote for it.

Those are the only ones I’m unhappy with.  That said, the other two topics I don’t prefer are the DEADLY FORCE topic, since both times I’ve seen it debated I was bored, and the PRODUCTION OF ENERGY TOPIC.  I like environment v. development, but production of energy seems like a strange focus and there doesn’t seem much literature on that specific conflict.

I love the remaining topics.  Personally, I think the following topics would be ideally slotted as follows:

NATIONALS, R: Individuals have a moral obligation to assist people in need.

People want a values focused NFL Nationals–and this topic would give that to you.

JAN/FEB (TOC), R: Targeted killing is a morally permissible foreign policy tool.

Everyone I’ve talked to on the Circuit so far (sampling of only 6) loves this topic.

NOV/DEC, R: The use of eminent domain for private economic development is just.

MAR/APR, R: A government has the obligation to lessen the economic gap between its rich and poor citizens.

SEP/OCT (Next Season),  R: The United States ought to extend to non-citizens accused of terrorism the same constitutional due process protections it grants to citizens.

This is only my two cents.  What do people think?

2011/2012 Resolutions

This is the slate of resolutions available for November/December 2011 – September/October 2012.

1. Resolved: The United States ought to extend to non-citizens accused of terrorism the same constitutional due process protections it grants to citizens.

2. Resolved: It is morally permissible for victims to use deadly force as a deliberate response to repeated domestic violence.

3. Resolved: In the United States, possession of handguns ought not be an individual right.

4. Resolved: The use of eminent domain for private economic development is just.

5. Resolved: Estate taxes are just.

6. Resolved: A government has the obligation to lessen the economic gap between its rich and poor citizens.

7. Resolved: A just society ought to prioritize environmental concerns over the production of energy.

8. Resolved: In the United States, law enforcement ought to be required to have probable cause to search data an individual has stored on remote servers.

9. Resolved: Targeted killing is a morally permissible foreign policy tool.

10. Resolved: Individuals have a moral obligation to assist people in need.

LD Wording Committee: Preliminary Topics

NOTE/IMPORTANT/CAVEAT/: These are all working versions and subject to change. This is NOT the final list.

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