# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=347 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 348 --- ## [Why are Dems helping with the Senate's "We're not recessed" charade?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-dems-helping-with-the-senates-were-not-recessed-charade/608696)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-dems-helping-with-the-senates-were-not-recessed-charade/608696 "2012-01-12T19:00:09Z")
Jon Stewart on The Daily Show just had a clip of Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), sitting at the rostrum in a near-empty chamber, gaveling the Senate into session and then right back out again over the span of about 30 seconds.… --- ## [Would Lech Walesa be welcome in today's Republican Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-lech-walesa-be-welcome-in-todays-republican-party/609248)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2012, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-lech-walesa-be-welcome-in-todays-republican-party/609248 "2012-01-12T12:46:22Z")
Walesa is avidly pro-labor and a member of the Reagan admiration society who recently refused to meet President Obama. I doubt he knows very much about American politics. I say the GOP would ridicule him and refuse to … --- ## [America: NOW are you ready for proportional representation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-now-are-you-ready-for-proportional-representation/609108)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-now-are-you-ready-for-proportional-representation/609108 "2012-01-12T00:30:01Z")
In the past few years I’ve heard a lot from lefties disappointed with Obama. In the past few months I’ve heard a lot from Tea Partiers and libertarians frustrated with the GOP. But, what else ya gonna do? Throw your v… --- ## [A one-house legislature is better than a two-house legislature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-one-house-legislature-is-better-than-a-two-house-legislature/608862)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-one-house-legislature-is-better-than-a-two-house-legislature/608862 "2012-01-11T22:23:23Z")
Spinoff from this thread. I say a one-party legislature is better than a two-party legislature because unicameralism makes the legislature stronger as against the executive. (I’m thinking in the context of separation-o… --- ## [Why do great businessmen think they would make great politicians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-great-businessmen-think-they-would-make-great-politicians/608935)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2012, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-great-businessmen-think-they-would-make-great-politicians/608935 "2012-01-11T14:56:08Z")
There seems to be a constant refrain from candidates\* like Donald Trump, Herman Cain and Mitt Romney that their experience as business leaders qualifies them to lead the country. Now granted, in a more general sense, ha… --- ## [Obama's New Defence Budget-Effects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-new-defence-budget-effects/608605)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2012, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-new-defence-budget-effects/608605 "2012-01-11T11:43:01Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/06/opinion/a-leaner-pentagon.html?hp I congratulate President Obama and his National Security team for cutting defence spending with other areas (why should defence be excepted after all) … --- ## [Majority atheist world: How far away are we?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-atheist-world-how-far-away-are-we/607913)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-atheist-world-how-far-away-are-we/607913 "2012-01-11T01:32:29Z")
How far do you think we are from a majority atheistic world? What major global/national events or circumstances will need to happen for us to get there? Or do you think that it will never happen and religion will always… --- ## [I am the 1% and chances are so are you](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-the-1-and-chances-are-so-are-you/608675)
**Author:** [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2012, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-the-1-and-chances-are-so-are-you/608675 "2012-01-10T23:16:21Z")
Link I make more than $34K a year. Does this mean I’m taking advantage of the other 99%? Am I (part of the reason) the rest of the world is poor/struggling? --- ## [Converting foreclosed GSE houses into privately owned rentals - good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-foreclosed-gse-houses-into-privately-owned-rentals-good-idea/609007)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/converting-foreclosed-gse-houses-into-privately-owned-rentals-good-idea/609007 "2012-01-10T15:23:37Z")
http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/\_news/2012/01/09/10077300-white-house-wants-to-convert-foreclosed-houses-to-rentals This would reduce housing inventory, increase rental housing, get property off the books of the GSE’s, … --- ## [What's the Straight Dope on Sedevacantism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-sedevacantism/608080)
**Author:** [@Scholar\_Beardpig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scholar_Beardpig)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2012, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-sedevacantism/608080 "2012-01-10T05:40:03Z")
(note: I realize that I’m asking a question, but since it’s a very broad question and it’s about religion, I figured I should put it here.) When I was in high school, I had a friend named Charlie. While we were in sch… --- ## [Racism denial getting ridiculous](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-denial-getting-ridiculous/607412)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2012, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-denial-getting-ridiculous/607412 "2012-01-10T03:39:02Z")
Anyone else noticed this trend to basically deny racism exists, ever existed, and if you have an anecdote you can save it because its obviously an attention getting lie. If you have a story about a personal experience w… --- ## [Is there really a planet Kolob?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-planet-kolob/79560)
**Author:** [@nani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nani)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2012, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-planet-kolob/79560 "2012-01-09T22:42:53Z")
My friend recently told me that the Mormons believe heaven is actually a planet named Kolob, or something, and it has everything we have here, except for regular soda, but it does have diet, including (my friend swears t… --- ## [Did this officer violate the law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-this-officer-violate-the-law/590898)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-this-officer-violate-the-law/590898 "2012-01-09T18:20:09Z")
This story has been pretty well publicized here in Las Vegas. Briefly, a man was taking video of a police response to something across the street from his house. An officer saw him filming, told him to stop, and when t… --- ## [What would a united democratic Korea be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-united-democratic-korea-be-like/608445)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-united-democratic-korea-be-like/608445 "2012-01-09T17:26:08Z")
Reverse situation of this thread: Assume unification is, somehow, achieved peacefully and involves bringing NK under SK’s government in Seoul, more or less as with the unification of Germany. What are the economic co… --- ## [Would victory be the worse thing ever for North Korea's leadership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-victory-be-the-worse-thing-ever-for-north-koreas-leadership/608357)
**Author:** [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-victory-be-the-worse-thing-ever-for-north-koreas-leadership/608357 "2012-01-09T15:45:58Z")
In the unlikely event North Korea successfully overruns Seoul, wouldn’t support for the regime collapse once the common soldier finds out how much more prosperious the South is. --- ## [First Nation authority to banish its own members?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-nation-authority-to-banish-its-own-members/608651)
**Author:** [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-nation-authority-to-banish-its-own-members/608651 "2012-01-09T04:42:51Z")
In Canada, First Nations use Band Council Resolutions to banish people Alberta First Nation will evict gangs - Canada News - Castanet.net , including their own band members, from attending on reserves. There is no autho… --- ## [Americans: the most generous people in the world.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-the-most-generous-people-in-the-world/607120)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-the-most-generous-people-in-the-world/607120 "2012-01-08T19:58:30Z")
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/us-jumps-to-top-of-charity-index/2011/12/20/gIQAzbAe7O\_story.html Americans: the most generous people in the world. In this season of giving, that’s no idle gloat. Accord… --- ## [Should visual effects and motion graphics be used in documentaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-visual-effects-and-motion-graphics-be-used-in-documentaries/608495)
**Author:** [@Imarton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imarton)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-visual-effects-and-motion-graphics-be-used-in-documentaries/608495 "2012-01-08T17:39:24Z")
Hi everyone, I wanted to share this question with people who have an interested for documentaries and/or visual effects and motion graphics. There are many science documentaries that use visual effects and CGI in scene… --- ## [Economist - "Claims that US 'poor are getting poorer' is largely a myth" - Is he correct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economist-claims-that-us-poor-are-getting-poorer-is-largely-a-myth-is-he-correct/607343)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2012, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economist-claims-that-us-poor-are-getting-poorer-is-largely-a-myth-is-he-correct/607343 "2012-01-08T11:26:43Z")
Per this videothis economist asserts that the oft repeated claim that the poor in the US are getting poorer is largely a statistical artifact and myth. Is he correct? --- ## [How much long-distance force-projection capacity does American actually need?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-long-distance-force-projection-capacity-does-american-actually-need/608770)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-long-distance-force-projection-capacity-does-american-actually-need/608770 "2012-01-08T01:36:14Z")
Spinoff from this thread about Obama’s proposed “leaner” defense budget. If our only concern were defense-from-invaders, we could make do with the scale of military establishment we had in 1930 (smaller than Poland’s; wh… --- ## [If you legally own a gun you can shoot an intruder: Now on to the weather.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221 "2012-01-07T21:18:06Z")
In reference to this grisly home invasion in Connecticut, Chris Cuomo on GMA this morning said …"If you legally own a permitted gun you can shoot an intruder without having to prove you were fleeing…and now for the weath… --- ## [Scripture debates - Satan, omnipotence, etc. \[split from 'Majority atheist world' thread\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scripture-debates-satan-omnipotence-etc-split-from-majority-atheist-world-thread/608308)
**Author:** [@Theophane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theophane)\ **Replies:** 243\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scripture-debates-satan-omnipotence-etc-split-from-majority-atheist-world-thread/608308 "2012-01-07T13:41:18Z")
If Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the Tree of Knowlege of Good and Evil, that was what the Serpent promised them they could achieve. Oh what a colossal lie that was. A colossal lie from the Father of Lies. \[\[These posts… --- ## [Bloggers are not journalists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloggers-are-not-journalists/608078)
**Author:** [@Implicit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Implicit)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bloggers-are-not-journalists/608078 "2012-01-07T13:34:21Z")
This case raises a few questions. For instance, how do you define someone as a journalist in the internet age? Do you think of blogs as media? Has the internet made the extra protection that the media enjoys obsolete? --- ## [Did I say Iraq? I meant Iran!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-say-iraq-i-meant-iran/607708)
**Author:** [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2012, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-say-iraq-i-meant-iran/607708 "2012-01-06T12:54:07Z")
Judge: Iran, Taliban, al Qaeda liable for 9/11 In some other countries, you have to work really hard to start a war. When I read it’s a 100 billion dollar lawsuit I couldn’t but LOL for I saw Dr. Evil from Austin Power… --- ## [USA: What do you think the GOP/right-wing platform really is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-what-do-you-think-the-gop-right-wing-platform-really-is/608192)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-what-do-you-think-the-gop-right-wing-platform-really-is/608192 "2012-01-07T03:43:30Z")
In another thread, it was contended that a liberal’s characterization of the conservative platform was distorted. Fair enough. What is the right-wing platform? Or is the GOP non-ideological and it depends on whatever t… --- ## [Should we have bailed out the homeowners instead of the banks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-have-bailed-out-the-homeowners-instead-of-the-banks/608424)
**Author:** [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-have-bailed-out-the-homeowners-instead-of-the-banks/608424 "2012-01-06T22:41:50Z")
A legitimate question that I think deserves some elucidation – please discuss --- ## [Eamonn Fingleton saids that Japan's "lost decade" idea is a LIE! (perpetuated by Jews!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eamonn-fingleton-saids-that-japans-lost-decade-idea-is-a-lie-perpetuated-by-jews/608654)
**Author:** [@RogerDalien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RogerDalien)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eamonn-fingleton-saids-that-japans-lost-decade-idea-is-a-lie-perpetuated-by-jews/608654 "2012-01-06T21:14:11Z")
How does one make sense of this? --- ## [Results of Arab Spring one year from now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/results-of-arab-spring-one-year-from-now/608300)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2012, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/results-of-arab-spring-one-year-from-now/608300 "2012-01-06T05:08:50Z")
The Arab Spring. There have been revolutions so far in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. I predict Tunisia and Libya will be more-or-less stable democracies a year from now. And open for tourism. Bit more complicated in Egyp… --- ## [Should the TSA have to be "consistent"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-tsa-have-to-be-consistent/607387)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-tsa-have-to-be-consistent/607387 "2012-01-06T04:39:49Z")
Recently a woman had a cupcake confiscated by the TSA because they said it was a security threat. In the article the woman said (bolding mine) I’m a pilot, and I’m familiar with the FAA’s voluminous regulations. They’… --- ## [What will Obamas second term be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-obamas-second-term-be-like/607501)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-obamas-second-term-be-like/607501 "2012-01-06T04:18:42Z")
Assuming that my half drunken Rant was incorrect (it wasn’t) and somehow this incompetent get’s re-elected, even against the \[eventual clown he’s going to be running against yet he’s still toast\], tell me what his (non-e… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=346) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=348)