Re: Comments on the Spring 1996 Topic Areas

[BLechtreck@aol.com]

>>>>>>>>>>
RESOLVED:  That the United States federal government should increase
development of information technology within the United States.

IMO, the best topic of the bunch.
>>>>>>>>>>

Glenn may be right. This one may be the best topic. In fact, I think there
are only 2 topics that I would want to hear debated. This one and Mexico.

The problem, however, is that there are 4 other topics, and I don't want to
hear them debated. So, to reduce the risk that one of the other 4 info topics
are chosen, we will vote for Mexico. I like the topic, the "potential" abuses
have not materialized (people are running cases that are pretty much down the
middle of the topic, and they are running the same cases week after week),
and there is plenty of ground on both sides.

That said, I will voice my opinions on the other 4 topics.

>>>>>>>>>>
2. RESOLVED:  That computer mediated communication has, on balance, decreased
the quality of life in the United States.
>>>>>>>>>>

Done "on balance", done "quality of life", hated both. I know that there are
many who want to have a value topic, but I urge them to remember the last
time we debated these phrases and the types of debates we had. Very little
substance, and a whole lot of theory. I, for one, do not want a replay of
those rounds.

>>>>>>>>>>
3. RESOLVED:  That the United States federal government should significantly
increase support for the use of information technology in United States
schools.
>>>>>>>>>>

A nice try, but a very important modifier is missing. Will we be listening to
info tech used by hair styling schools? How about Truck Master school of
trucking? Maybe a good case supporting computer mixing for the Bartenders
Schools of America.

>>>>>>>>>>
4. RESOLVED:  That the United States federal government should significantly
increase restrictions on the export of information technology from the United
States.
>>>>>>>>>>

I agree with Glenn that this topic should go the other way. I think it will
be hard to find the amount of cards necessary to make for a large number of
affs, but easy to find a boat load of neg.

>>>>>>>>>>
5. RESOLVED: That it would be desirable for the United States federal
government to increase content restrictions on the Internet.
>>>>>>>>>>

We did censorship just a few years ago. I think this topic would hve been
better without the term "desirable", and without being specific to the
Internet. Anyone for a "home page" of the week case. Talk about impossible
research burdens for the neg....... 

Well, that's my 3 cents worth (inflation). Now you know which way I am
leaning.

Peace,

Bob Lechtreck
Bakersfield College

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