Tournament: UNI | Round: 3 | Opponent: Illinois State | Judge:
Elections – Obama Good

A) Obama winning – swing states
Jackson 9-14
David's journalism career spans three decades, including coverage of five presidential elections, the Oklahoma City bombing, the 2000 Florida presidential recount and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He has covered the White House for USA TODAY since 2005
9-14-12, Poll: Obama leads in Ohio, Fla., Va. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/09/14/obama-leads-in-ohio-florida-virginia/70000332/1?csp=34news, jj

States elect presidents via the Electoral College, and new polls give President Obama the
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," Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

B) Link --- plan drives a wedge into Obama’s base --- they’re key to re-election
Mick ‘10
Jason Mick, 6-19-10, Daily Tech, Obama Fights For Nuclear, Environmentalists Label Him a Shill http://www.dailytech.com/Obama+Fights+For+Nuclear+Environmentalists+Label+Him+a+Shill/article18781.htm, jj

Despite these small victories, President Obama's nuclear vision faces many impending obstacles. Despite
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is among the many factors that will already make President Obama's presidency noteworthy. 

Obama’s margin for error is small --- plan deflates democrat enthusiasm
TNF ‘12
1-3, The New Fuelist, Obama’s tall environmental task in 2012 http://www.newfuelist.com/blog/obama-coal-regulations-keystone-pipeline, jj

In case you can’t see it, that’s a treacherous tightrope Barack Obama is walking
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while simultaneously ensuring that his frustrated environmentalist supporters don’t completely lose their patience.

C) Impact – Republicans will destroy the economy
Dorner 1-2-12 (Josh, is the Communications Director for the
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of science in European politics and governance from the London School of Economics.
Think Progress, REPORT: The Republican Candidates’ Economic Agenda For The 1 Percent
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/01/02/395363/gop-economic-agenda-for-the-one-percent/, jj)

Each and every Republican candidate has called for trillions of dollars in new tax breaks
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only embrace this failed economic agenda, they would take it even further.

The impact is great power wars
Mead, ’09 [Walter Russell, Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, New Republic, February 4, http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=571cbbb9-2887-4d81-8542-92e83915f5f8andp=2]

So far, such half-hearted experiments not only have failed to work;
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the world economy back on track, we may still have to fight.

Tournament: Liberty | Round: 1 | Opponent:  | Judge:
A) Interpretation – The Federal Government is the one in D.C.
Dictionary of American politics, 2nd edition, 1968.
Federal government: in the united states: the government which, from its capital in the district of Columbia, directly legislates, administers, and exercises jurisdiction over matters assigned to it in the constitution and exerts considerable influence, by means of grants-in-aid and otherwise, over matters reserved to the state  governments.    

B.  Violation – The aff does not defend the federal government acting.
C.  Reasons to prefer - 

1. predictable limits – we are prepared to debate the USFG acting – allowing individual actions or independent criticisms of status quo policies justifies an infinite amount of aff cases.  
   2. predictable ground – USFG action is key to stable research base.
   3. fairness – allowing the affirmative to stand here and negate a policy makes it impossible for the neg to garner offense in the 1nc.
   4 Extra Topicality – Even if they claim to “defend” their plan – they skirt discussion of its merits by arguing the benefits derived from their advocacy outweigh. This is a voting issue because we’re forced to win framework just to get back to equal footing – extra topicality also proves the resolution insufficient and explodes aff ground.
   Voter for the reasons above.

Tournament: Liberty  | Round:  | Opponent:  | Judge:
A. “Substantially” means at least 30%
Bryson, 2001, Circuit Judge, US Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
265 F.3d 1371; 2001 U.S. App. LEXIS 20590; 60 U.S.P.Q.2D (BNA) 1272, 9/19, lexis)

The term "to increase substantially" in claim 1 of the '705 patent refers
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did not make clear which of those ways was used in the claim.

B. Violation-The affirmative does not reduce restrictions and/or increase financial incentives for energy production

C. Standards-

1. Limits- We can never predict or find literature on the infinite number of tiny affs created by any other interpretation. A 30% increase is the most reasonable limit.
   2. Ground- The increase needs to be 30% to ensure the lit base will support our links-the aff doesn’t trigger any of our best offense if they’re allowed to defend tiny plan actions.
   D. Voter for fairness, education, and jurisdiction

Tournament: Liberty  | Round: 1 | Opponent:  | Judge:
1NC Shell

The farm bill will pass in the lame duck – now is key – farmers need certainty before planning for next season
Stiers, 10/29/12 (Joanie, The Register-Mail, “Farmers express uncertainty as Farm Bill expires,” http://www.galesburg.com/opinions/x470413221/Farmers-express-uncertainty-as-Farm-Bill-expires, bgm)

Farmers fertilize fields and order seed for the next growing season, while uncertain of
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would give the extension full consideration. It would be better than nothing.”

Wind and solar is highly expensive because needs major infrastructure overhaul. They ensure opposition from both residents and environments, making them unpopular.

Jeffrey Ball 2012 Scholar in Residence at Stanford University's Steyer- Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, Tough Love for Renewable Energy: Making Wind and Solar Power Affordable, Foreign Affairs 91. 3 (May/Jun 2012), KEL

There are huge caveats to this rosy assessment, and they come down mostly to
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it would harm endangered tortoises; the government later let the construction resume. 

Obama’s PC key to forge agreement between House and Senate
Wasson 10-9 (Erik Wasson - 10/09/12, The Hill, http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/economy/261015-romney-blames-obama-for-failure-to-pass-farm-bill, jj)

“People have been waiting a long time for a farm bill. The president
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, but House GOP leaders refused to hold a vote on the measure.

Farm bill in the lame duck key to prevent food price volatility
BMO 10-1 (Business Monitor Online, 10-1-12, Temporary Extension Likely For 2012 US Farm Bill, http://www.lexisnexis.com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/?, jj)

BMI View: We believe the most likely scenario for the delayed US farm bill
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over the farm bill as a strong upside risk to our price views.

Food price spike kills billions
Brown, ’96 (Lester, founder of the Worldwatch Institute, honorary professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and holder of 26 honorary degrees and a MacArthur Fellowship, “Scarcity Facing the Prospect of Food Scarcity,” http://www.utep.edu/its3350/readings/facing.html)

On the demand side, there will also be adjustments. The supply and demand
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in the Third World, leading to an unprecedented degree of political instability.

2NC

Timeframe – now is key for the farm bill – farmers make decisions during the fall about how many crops to plant – that’s Stiers. The impact will happen way before the aff is able to solve.
Smith, ’07 (Roger, Director for Strategic Development at the Fluor Corporation, “Working Document of the NPC Global Oil and Gas Study: TOPIC PAPER #12 INFRASTRUCTURE,” 7/18, www.npc.org/Study_Topic_Papers/12-STG-Infrastructure.pdf, bgm)

The most prevalent cause of limited infrastructure expansion is the difficult permitting processes required to
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by increased population density and urbanization as well as more restrictive environmental regulations.

Magnitude and probability – Food shortages cause global nuclear war – most probable
Future Directions International ’12 (“International Conflict Triggers and Potential Conflict Points Resulting from Food and Water Insecurity Global Food and Water Crises Research Programme”, May 25, http://www.futuredirections.org.au/files/Workshop_Report_-_Intl_Conflict_Triggers_-_May_25.pdf)

There is a growing appreciation that the conflicts in the next century will most likely
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identify famine as a potential trigger for conflicts and possibly even nuclear war.

Moral obligation to provide food – outweighs everything
Watson, ’77 (Richard, Professor of Philosophy at Washington University, World Hunger and Moral Obligation, p. 118-119)

These arguments are morally spurious.  That food sufficient for well-nourished survival is
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whether or not the human species survives as a result of individual behavior.

Ext – Key to Food Supply/Prices

Farm bill key to the ag sector and global food supply   
Tom Vilsack is the U.S. secretary of agriculture, JD from Albany Law School, “Stakes high for new farm bill”, 9/18/12, http://auburnpub.com/news/opinion/mailbag/stakes-high-for-new-farm-bill/article_31ace035-d7ca-5b7a-8ed7-311a85660d05.html
After spending much of August out of Washington, Congress is back – and rural America is watching closely, hoping for passage of a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill as soon as possible.

With farmers facing the worst drought in decades this summer and the current Farm Bill
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able to continue our efforts to ensure the safest food supply on earth.¶ 

As America recovers from economic recession, rural Americans are leading the way and USDA is supporting their efforts. It’s not time to let up now, and that’s why we need Congress to pass a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill as soon as possible.

New farm bill is key to prevent a price spike – leads to unrest
Porterfield, 10/28/12 (Mannix, The Register-Herald (WV), “Farm bill languishes in political season,” http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x699470543/Farm-bill-languishes-in-political-season, bgm)

By not acting before the Sept. 30 deadline, the provisions of the Agriculture
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going out of business, it’s hard to get started back up again,

 especially things like dairies,” he said.¶ “If you miss a year
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do. It’s not just an occupation. It’s a way of life.”

Turns renewables – farm bill contains incentives
Greenbay Press Gazette 10-30-12 (USDA officials urge action on farm bill, http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20121030/ADV01/310300358/USDA-officials-urge-action-farm-bill, jj)

There is also the renewable energy portion of the farm bill. Gruszynski said there
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understand that this is an important part of the infrastructure,” he said.

Uniqueness Wall

The farm bill will pass in the lame duck but political capital is key – our evidence cites multiple people in Congress who say they will push the bill in the lame duck session. That’s Stiers and BMO.

Will pass
Guam News, 11/2/12 (“Kilili - Food Stamp Increase on Lame Duck Agenda for Congress,” http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_contentandview=articleandid=28694:cnmi-kilili-food-stamp-increase-on-lame-duck-agenda-for-congressandcatid=45:guam-newsandItemid=156, bgm)

The Northern Marianas could see a $33 million food stamp increase, if Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor brings the long-delayed “Farm Bill” to a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives during the post-election lame duck session of Congress. Cantor, appearing at a Boise, Idaho campaign event for Republican Representative Raul Labrador this week, made the commitment to get the Farm Bill onto the floor of the House for a vote after November 6. “Mr. Cantor’s announcement is good news for the Northern Marianas,” said Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.
Delay Link

The plan pushes the farm bill out of the lame duck – the schedule is tight
Bennett, 10/30/12 (David, “Nov. 1: farm bill workshop set for Clarksdale, Miss.,” http://deltafarmpress.com/government/nov-1-farm-bill-workshop-set-clarksdale-miss, bgm)

Looming over everything is the November elections and what will happen in the lame duck
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. We should get a pretty quick read on whether that will occur.”
PC Key

Extend Wasson – Obama needs to exert leadership in order to create compromise between the House and Senate – our ev smokes theirs.

PC key to overcome dem and GOP resistance
Sevin 10-31 (Joey Sevin, THE VOLANTE, October 31, 2012, Former members of Congress visit campus, http://www.volanteonline.com/news/former-members-of-congress-visit-campus/article_f302c5d0-231c-11e2-a046-0019bb30f31a.html, jj)

Herseth Sandlin also explained the struggle with finding common ground on the subject between Democrats
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feed America, versus those who said it was all about the numbers.”

Solar Unpopular

Solar tax breaks are not popular – Solyndra.
Cardwell, Diane, 2012
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a federal loan, has tarnished the image of renewable power in particular.

Solar/Wind Unpopular
Wind and solar is highly expensive because needs major infrastructure overhaul. They ensure opposition from both residents and environments, making them unpopular.

Jeffrey Ball 2012 Scholar in Residence at Stanford University's Steyer- Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance, Tough Love for Renewable Energy: Making Wind and Solar Power Affordable, Foreign Affairs 91. 3 (May/Jun 2012), KEL

There are huge caveats to this rosy assessment, and they come down mostly to
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it would harm endangered tortoises; the government later let the construction resume. 

Tournament: Liberty | Round: 1 | Opponent:  | Judge:
Text: The fifty state governments and the District of Columbia should provide necessary financial incentives for community-planned solar and wind energy production by setting up “Green Banks” as per our Center for American Progress evidence.  Any energy project financing as a result of the counterplan should come from these “Green Banks”. 

States can take the lead on clean energy
SARAH LASKOW, Reporter, Good Environment, “As Washington Backs Off Clean Energy, States Are Filling the Void”, Jan 20th 2012, http://www.good.is/post/as-washington-backs-off-clean-energy-states-are-filling-the-void/

President Obama released his first campaign ad this week, which touts his credits on
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they would be able to achieve more with some increased leadership from Washington.

The Green bank solves all their financing and investment arguments
Center for American Progress Action Fund, June 16, 2009,
http://www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/2009/06/green_bank_primer.html

The Green Bank, or Clean Energy Deployment Administration, is a key element of
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could ultimately translate into $1 trillion worth of clean-energy investments.

Tournament: Liberty | Round: 1 | Opponent:  | Judge:
1NC

Turn – Grid Failure:
a. Adding renewable energy suppliers will overtax the US energy grid, causing mass energy failures 

Schwartz 2004, Chair of the Virginia Land Rights Coalition, 2004 (LM, “Wind-Facts of Blowing Hot Air?,” March, http://www.sovereignty.net/p/clim/wind-leo.htm,Kel)

"Renewable" energy, particularly wind power, is a highly problematic, ill
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determined by low labor costs, lax local regulations, or tax incentives. 

b. Grid failure wipes out the US economy

Bryan 2003 (Jay, “Power grids vital in information age: "Just a few days could theoretically take economic growth ... right down to zero," The Gazette, Aug 19, pp. LN, kel)

David Rosenberg, chief North American economist with Merrill Lynch, estimates that the U
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unreliable that such a blackout could occur at all is even more worrisome.

c. Nuke war (read if they don’t have an economy impact)

Cook ‘07 (retired federal analyst, former Treasury Dept analyst, economic consultant, Global Research contributor, Economics degree from William and Mary
Richard C.,” http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=vaandaid=5964

Times of economic crisis produce international tension and politicians tend to go to war rather
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our dollars or our debt any more, how about a few nukes?

Tournament: Liberty | Round: 1 | Opponent:  | Judge:
1NC

Consumption won’t cause extinction
Kaletsky, ’11 (Anatole, editor-at-large of The Times of London, where he writes weekly columns on economics, politics, and international relationsand on the governing board of the New York-based Institute for New Economic
Theory (INET), a nonprofit created after the 2007-2009 crisis to promote and finance academic research in economics, Capitalism 4.0: The Birth of a New Economy in the Aftermath of Crisis, p. 19-21, bgm)

Democratic capitalism is a system built for survival. It has adapted successfully to shocks
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of the proverbially optimistic Mr. Micawber: "Something will turn up."
No mindset shift - economic collapse turns all their impacts – cap bad hacks agree
Zizek, ’09 (Slavoj, senior researcher at the Institute of Sociology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, professor at the European Graduate School, and total BAMF, First as Tragedy, Then as Farce, p. 17-18, bgm)

Will the financial meltdown be a sobering moment, then, the awakening from a
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, far from being put into doubt, are even more violently reasserted. 

5. Declines in growth are net worse for the environment – increase consumption
Matthey, ’09 (Astrid, Research Associate, Max Planck Institute of Economics, Strategic Interaction Group, Jena, Germany, “Less is more: The influence of aspirations and priming on well-being,” 2/18, http://www.econ.mpg.de/files/2009/staff/matthey/Extended%20Paper%20De-Growth_rev.pdf)

Global political and economic events like the current economic crisis have a considerable impact on
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end of 2008, and continue to manifest themselves in the public discussion.

1NR

Consumption-only focus worse – ignores production-oriented environmental degradation – makes extinction inevitable
Holmes 7 (Dave, “A socialist view of global warming: change the system, not the climate!”, Google Books, accessed: 6/26/12)AMV

Such views among genuine environmental activists reflect a well-meaning but ultimately utopian belief
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 society: what might be called the global ‘treadmill of production’.” 

Tournament: Liberty | Round: 1 | Opponent:  | Judge:
They say borders are the root cause of war, but there isn’t a single root cause of war
Moore 4—chaired law prof, UVA. Frm first Chairman of the Board of the US Institute of Peace and as the Counselor on Int Law to the Dept. of State (John, Beyond the Democratic Peace, 44 Va. J. Int'l L. 341, Lexis, AMiles)
If major interstate war is predominantly a product of a synergy between a potential nondemocratic
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general, happens when levels of deterrence are dramatically increased or decreased?

3. Turn --- the neg team’s assumptions that are root causes of social problems only makes problems worse
Martin, society prof, 90 – associate professor of Society, U Wollongong (Brian, Uprooting War, http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/pubs/90uw/uw13.html, AG)
Here I wish to note one important point: attention should not be focussed on
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of many problems which were not addressed by the single-factor perspective.

Tournament: Liberty | Round: 1 | Opponent:  | Judge:
The judge must evaluate the consequences of the plan – ignoring the implications allows infinite violence
Williams 2005 (Michael, Professor of International Politics at the University of Wales—Aberystwyth, The Realist Tradition and the Limits of International Relations, p. 174-176)

A commitment to an ethic of consequences reflects a deeper ethic of criticism, of
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— it is both a condition of, and imperative toward, responsibility.