Pro contentions Nov

November Pro
Resolved:  The benefits of domestic surveillance by the NSA outweigh the harms. First I would like to establish the framework of this debate.  Surveillance is defined as the focused, systematic, and routine attention to personal details for purposes of influence, management, protection or direction (Neil M. Richards). To ensure national security and
Contention 1:  Domestic surveillance by the NSA ensures economic stability.
A.	Terrorist attacks have large impacts on the insurance industry.   Immediately after the September 11th attacks the insurance industry raised premiums, reduced coverage and called for the government to cover risks deemed too large for the private sector.  The total losses from September 11th in the insurance industry alone are estimated at roughly $45 billion. (Lenain, P., M. Bonturi and V. Koen (2002), "The Economic Consequences of Terrorism", OECD Economics Department Working Papers,)  Not only does this harm the insurance industry it harms the average American by raising prices and reducing coverage.
B.	Terrorist attacks have massive economic repercussions.  The September 11th attacks inflicted material damages of $14 billion dollars for private business, $1.5 billion for State and $0.7 billion for Federal.  In addition 200,000 jobs were destroyed or relocated out of New York City as a result. (Lenain, P., M. Bonturi and V. Koen (2002), "The Economic Consequences of Terrorism", OECD Economics Department Working Papers,)  A relatively small attack, the Boston Bombings, costed the city of Boston $330 million. (Sivy, Michael “What the Boston Boming Means for the Economy and the Stock Market”, Times, 2013)
C.	The oil industry is highly volatile to terrorist threats.  Contemporary global oil markets are constrained by a narrow margin between available oil supply and growing demand.  This tight supply situation is such that minor disruptions can have massive negative impacts on the US and global economy.  In his paper “Oil and Terroism” Peter Johnston estimates that even the threat of terrorism adds a “$2-$10 premium per barrel of oil” which amounts to $60 billion to $300 billion in addition oil costs.  In the days after 9/11 the price a crude barrel of oil rose 7%.  (Kiplinger Magazine, 2011).  It is imperative that we ensure our nation is safe to provide economic stability.
Contention 2:  Domestic surveillance by the NSA saves lives and has no harms. The US State Department has renewed its global terrorism alert and states “Current information suggests that al-Qaida, its affiliated organizations, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks against US…” Our present situation is such that modern technology can provide small groups of people with much greater lethality than ever before.  The US must remain vigilant in its fight against terror.
A.	NSA surveillance has prevented terrorist plots.   General Keith Alexander, chief of the NSA, told a House committee that the NSA has foiled more than 50 terror threats since 9/11.  Surveillance saves lives and life outweighs everything else.  In addition a case involving a US based individual providing financial support to overseas terrorists was revealed by Alexander.     The life and security of a people are the government’s first priorities and cannot be overridden by other concerns.
B.	In a seven page document released by the NSA titled ‘The National Security Agency: Missions, Authorities, Oversight, and Partnerships” details its activities.  Inside the NSA reveals that it only reviews 0.00004% of all internet traffic.  This data in itself is extremely select and subject to frequent review.  The collection of this minimal data poses no harms.