# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=348 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 349 --- ## [When Is a Godwin Appropriate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-godwin-appropriate/608171)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-godwin-appropriate/608171 "2012-01-05T22:27:43Z")
When other than in an occassion when the person/idea/etc. is actually a National Socialist himself ia comparison to Hitler, German National Socialism, etc. appropriate? Is it appropriate other than for other advocates of… --- ## [Iran: If our oil exports are sanctioned, we'll allow NO oil to pass the Straits of Hormuz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-if-our-oil-exports-are-sanctioned-well-allow-no-oil-to-pass-the-straits-of-hormuz/607641)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2012, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-if-our-oil-exports-are-sanctioned-well-allow-no-oil-to-pass-the-straits-of-hormuz/607641 "2012-01-05T21:24:57Z")
So say VP Rahimi. IOW, they are threatening to interdict the oil exports of Iraq and Kuwait and all the Gulf States. It’s just bluster, right? They wouldn’t actually try that, would they? The Iranians can’t possibly … --- ## [Ron Paul attacks the 1964 Civil Rights Act; Ron Paul doesn't get America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-attacks-the-1964-civil-rights-act-ron-paul-doesnt-get-america/608262)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-attacks-the-1964-civil-rights-act-ron-paul-doesnt-get-america/608262 "2012-01-05T18:59:37Z")
Michael Lind writes in Salon: Emphasis added. Lind is right, Paul is wrong. Anyone care to dispute that? --- ## [How would you SAVE America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-save-america/608067)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2012, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-save-america/608067 "2012-01-05T04:06:40Z")
Inspired by Goosie’s Born & Raised & Living in the USA: If you DESPISED the USA, How would you destroy it? thread: How would you save the USA from, well, whatever ails it? There are concerns about public immorality of … --- ## [Bill Maher stirs controversy with Tim Tebow tweet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 478\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-stirs-controversy-with-tim-tebow-tweet/607655 "2012-01-05T01:05:31Z")
Tim Tebow is apparently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos professional football club. He is also apparently a public Christian and advocate of home schooling and has co-authored a best-selling, religiously … --- ## [Is there a website with a "freedom" index?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-website-with-a-freedom-index/608393)
**Author:** [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-website-with-a-freedom-index/608393 "2012-01-04T21:50:37Z")
This possibly should be in GQ, but I figured it would evolve into a discussion of degrees of freedom which probably should be in GD, so I started it here. But I am serious . Is there a website which evaluates all aspect… --- ## [The USA's worst prosecutor awards 2011! One day left to vote!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-usas-worst-prosecutor-awards-2011-one-day-left-to-vote/608423)
**Author:** [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-usas-worst-prosecutor-awards-2011-one-day-left-to-vote/608423 "2012-01-04T20:32:14Z")
Some sample entrants: or maybe you prefer Anita Alvarez who didn’t like being proved wrong: My personal favourite is Whatever you think about gun laws, being prosecuted for doing something legal because a policem… --- ## [armegeddon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armegeddon/607866)
**Author:** [@Schyler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schyler)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armegeddon/607866 "2012-01-04T20:05:47Z")
There’s been a lot of info on the History Channel about the “end of days”. I have no position whether it is coming, or when. But from watching a few of the shows I’ve a question that those of you who are more scientifi… --- ## [Is there a good site for comparing political candidates and their views?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-good-site-for-comparing-political-candidates-and-their-views/608384)
**Author:** [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-good-site-for-comparing-political-candidates-and-their-views/608384 "2012-01-04T17:11:47Z")
I’m shocked that it’s so hard to find this. Do you think political view comparisons are intentionally obfuscated in order to confuse people and force them to act on surface-level information? --- ## [What if Andrew Luster hadn't absconded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-andrew-luster-hadnt-absconded/608388)
**Author:** [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-andrew-luster-hadnt-absconded/608388 "2012-01-04T16:51:32Z")
Could things have gone differently for Andrew Luster if he hadn’t voluntarily absented himself in the middle of his trial? If nothing else getting a sentence that allowed for parole some day instead of leaving prison in … --- ## [Panetta: Iran will not be allowed nukes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panetta-iran-will-not-be-allowed-nukes/606888)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panetta-iran-will-not-be-allowed-nukes/606888 "2012-01-04T05:39:57Z")
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563\_162-57345322/panetta-iran-will-not-be-allowed-nukes/?tag=broadcast Pelley: You just said if we have to do it we will come and do it. What is it? Panetta: If they proceed and we get int… --- ## [Is Tim Tebow a hypocrite?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tim-tebow-a-hypocrite/607717)
**Author:** [@Smitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smitty)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2012, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tim-tebow-a-hypocrite/607717 "2012-01-04T05:03:57Z")
From the King James version, Matthew 6:5-6 Now I’m not trying to get into another tired debate of whether or not there is a god, nor am I trying to guess what is going on in Tebow’s mind. What I would like to to debat… --- ## [Iran: Ahmadinejad vs. the Mullahcracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-ahmadinejad-vs-the-mullahcracy/606993)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-ahmadinejad-vs-the-mullahcracy/606993 "2012-01-04T02:29:28Z")
It is becoming increasingly apparent that Iran’s President Ahmadinejad does not like playing second fiddle to Supreme Leader Khamenei and the Guardian Council. For his part, Khamenei might be trying to abolish the presi… --- ## [I'm an evil bastard. Can I get into Heaven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-evil-bastard-can-i-get-into-heaven/606460)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-an-evil-bastard-can-i-get-into-heaven/606460 "2012-01-04T02:17:42Z")
According to Christian theology, that is - answers along the lines of “no, because Heaven doesn’t exist” won’t be particularly useful. Inspired by the threads on Christopher Hitchens (not that I’m saying he’s an evil bas… --- ## [Who balanced the budget? Clinton, Gingrich or Reagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-balanced-the-budget-clinton-gingrich-or-reagan/607626)
**Author:** [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-balanced-the-budget-clinton-gingrich-or-reagan/607626 "2012-01-04T00:47:07Z")
I don’t rember anyone other than President Clinton getting credit. The storyline when Bush was elected was that Clinton left him a surplus. But Speaker Gingrich has been taking credit due to the commitment he and his C… --- ## [Social issues (family values) and the health of the economy are interrelated.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-issues-family-values-and-the-health-of-the-economy-are-interrelated/607835)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-issues-family-values-and-the-health-of-the-economy-are-interrelated/607835 "2012-01-03T17:57:36Z")
I have heard this stated before by some conservative pundits when asked about the current priorities of the Republican Party. It doesn’t make any sense to me. How can issues like abortion, gay marriage, prayer in schoo… --- ## [Is this the best of all Federal Reserve conspiracy theories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-of-all-federal-reserve-conspiracy-theories/608101)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-best-of-all-federal-reserve-conspiracy-theories/608101 "2012-01-03T03:28:16Z")
Its an essay by Matt Stoller who once worked for Alan Grayson and is now apparently a Ron Paul supporter. His argument is that liberals have been deceived into supporting massive military buildup and wars by Lincoln, … --- ## [Where Would Mr Nixon Be In Today's Republican Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-mr-nixon-be-in-todays-republican-party/607645)
**Author:** [@AndyLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyLee)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2012, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-mr-nixon-be-in-todays-republican-party/607645 "2012-01-02T19:58:46Z")
With the bit about Nixon coming in the news lately it got me to thinking. People are saying the Tea Party has taken the Republicans in the wrong direction. But on the Conservative to Liberal scale, and I realize everyon… --- ## [Is the history of 20th Century American conservatism outlined in this article correct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-history-of-20th-century-american-conservatism-outlined-in-this-article-correct/607924)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-history-of-20th-century-american-conservatism-outlined-in-this-article-correct/607924 "2012-01-02T19:27:40Z")
The article is a very interesting read. Before I take what it says at face value I was wondering if it was historically correct? How the Interventionists Stole the American Right --- ## [Sectoral balances approach to national accounting - are government deficits good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sectoral-balances-approach-to-national-accounting-are-government-deficits-good/608164)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sectoral-balances-approach-to-national-accounting-are-government-deficits-good/608164 "2012-01-02T19:00:06Z")
The basic idea of sectoral balances is that the flow of funds between and among the various sectors of the economy net to 0. If, therefore, one runs a surplus, one or more of the others must run deficits. One example is… --- ## [If you're unsure - God exists is the safe answer \[continued\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-unsure-god-exists-is-the-safe-answer-continued/607184)
**Author:** [@jjoughin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjoughin)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2012, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-youre-unsure-god-exists-is-the-safe-answer-continued/607184 "2012-01-02T09:45:18Z")
I like your thinking. But I ask you this: is there really a necessary connection between ‘believing in God’ (or not) and the concept of the existence of an ‘afterlife’ - heaven, hell, or something else (or not)? Could th… --- ## [It is not necessary to reject a Creator in order to accept evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-not-necessary-to-reject-a-creator-in-order-to-accept-evolution/607373)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2012, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-not-necessary-to-reject-a-creator-in-order-to-accept-evolution/607373 "2012-01-02T06:50:04Z")
For the record: I do not believe in a Creator. I never have, I never will, barring a personal introduction backed up with some pretty spectacular Creator-level proofs. I’m watching a Dawkins series “The Genius of Charl… --- ## [Please explain what's wrong, in general, about flip-flopping on issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-whats-wrong-in-general-about-flip-flopping-on-issues/606516)
**Author:** [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-whats-wrong-in-general-about-flip-flopping-on-issues/606516 "2012-01-02T03:51:36Z")
I’m 40 right now, my opinions have evolved and will continue to evolve throughout my life. I’m not ashamed of it and actually think this is a main sign of humanity. If that is so with most adults, why the obession with… --- ## [Born & Raised & Living in the USA: If you DESPISED the USA, How would you destroy it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-raised-living-in-the-usa-if-you-despised-the-usa-how-would-you-destroy-it/607491)
**Author:** [@Goosie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goosie)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-raised-living-in-the-usa-if-you-despised-the-usa-how-would-you-destroy-it/607491 "2012-01-02T00:32:46Z")
Subscribers of the Straight Dope Message Board are probably a diverse group of people. Are there any amongst them who, (though being born and raised in the USA, and living here their entire lives), despise the USA? I’m… --- ## [How do the inner circles of dictatorships eventually fall and crumble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-inner-circles-of-dictatorships-eventually-fall-and-crumble/607791)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-inner-circles-of-dictatorships-eventually-fall-and-crumble/607791 "2012-01-01T17:38:48Z")
With Kim Jong Un taking over in North Korea it made me think about how dictatorships aren’t necessarily about a single strongman but rather about (from what I know) several thousand powerful bureaucrats and politicians w… --- ## [Is the world still moving towards democratic societies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-world-still-moving-towards-democratic-societies/607822)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-world-still-moving-towards-democratic-societies/607822 "2012-01-01T15:09:22Z")
I was surprised to learn in one of my business classes that most of the world still does not have free press. The world is roughly split at 33% free, 33% partially free, and 33% not free according to some international j… --- ## [US Senate votes to authorize indefinite detentions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-senate-votes-to-authorize-indefinite-detentions/604778)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2012, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-senate-votes-to-authorize-indefinite-detentions/604778 "2012-01-01T14:44:01Z")
And not just that. It would: Here’s the part about indefinite detentions: Link. Good on most of the Dems for voting against this (9 voted for) and good on a few Republicans (Rand Paul, anyone?) for voting against, … --- ## [Did the US save Europe in WWII? And from whom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-us-save-europe-in-wwii-and-from-whom/276297)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-us-save-europe-in-wwii-and-from-whom/276297 "2012-01-01T14:04:43Z")
What would have happened if the US never went to war in WWII? (if, for example, Pearl Harbor never happened) Would Hitler have finished conquering Europe, including England, or, would Stalin+England have defeated him? … --- ## [How conservative are the conservatives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-conservative-are-the-conservatives/607605)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-conservative-are-the-conservatives/607605 "2012-01-01T00:12:08Z")
This was a post in another thread, but it deserves to be its own thread: Erroneous. In red are the things that actually reflect 1960’s USA; in blue the things that do not: No birth control, no abortion–pre-Griswold, … --- ## [Could D.B. Cooper have been a French-Canadian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-d-b-cooper-have-been-a-french-canadian/604117)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-d-b-cooper-have-been-a-french-canadian/604117 "2011-12-31T17:49:26Z")
(Sorry, I meant to say D.B. Cooper, but I can’t edit the title. Can the moderator help me out?) First of all, everybody under 50 should probably go to the Wiki article about D.B. Cooper to read up about him, since you m… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=347) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=349)