# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=350 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 351 --- ## [FL School Board Member Can't Answer Any Math Questions on FCAT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fl-school-board-member-cant-answer-any-math-questions-on-fcat/606172)
**Author:** [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fl-school-board-member-cant-answer-any-math-questions-on-fcat/606172 "2011-12-24T16:56:45Z")
I looked at the test and I wasn’t shocked that there are a lot of adults, even with college diplomas, that can’t pass the math section of the FCAT, but can’t answer any of the questions? Most of the questions I could ans… --- ## [Iraq Pres. Maliki demands Kurdish-region officials hand over fugitive Kurdish VP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-pres-maliki-demands-kurdish-region-officials-hand-over-fugitive-kurdish-vp/606966)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-pres-maliki-demands-kurdish-region-officials-hand-over-fugitive-kurdish-vp/606966 "2011-12-24T15:40:47Z")
Iraq might be facing its first big post-Occupation constitutional test. Maliki wants Tariq al-Hashimi, who is accused of running a death squad, and who is now holing up in Iraqi Kurdistan. IIRC the inclusion of Kurds i… --- ## [Are nuts and peanut butter healthy foods to eat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nuts-and-peanut-butter-healthy-foods-to-eat/607207)
**Author:** [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nuts-and-peanut-butter-healthy-foods-to-eat/607207 "2011-12-24T15:33:36Z")
I tried to ask this in another thread. But it was hijacked by people talking about allergies. Leaving aside nut allergies, are nuts and peanut butter healthy foods to eat? If you want to talk about nut allergies, look u… --- ## [Contagion in Hibernia: Could Ireland be sealed off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contagion-in-hibernia-could-ireland-be-sealed-off/607090)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contagion-in-hibernia-could-ireland-be-sealed-off/607090 "2011-12-24T14:39:37Z")
In the Movie Contagion they show a map of the world and slowly the disease spreads; however as it appears in the movie, western Europe takes a hit as the disease spreads, and it hits Southeast England hard, but good news… --- ## [Should Credit Ratings Agencies (S&P, Moody) continue to have legal immunity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-credit-ratings-agencies-s-p-moody-continue-to-have-legal-immunity/606900)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-credit-ratings-agencies-s-p-moody-continue-to-have-legal-immunity/606900 "2011-12-23T19:30:12Z")
That is right. The bastards who stamped a ‘AAA’ on crap MBS had legal immunity under the First Amendment free speech clause - like a movie critic does. They only present their ‘opinion’. Should this continue? --- ## [What’s the hullabaloo over Carrier IQ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-hullabaloo-over-carrier-iq/606457)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-the-hullabaloo-over-carrier-iq/606457 "2011-12-23T15:58:28Z")
I’m going to botch this (which is part of why I’m asking), but for a starting point Carrier IQ is (seems to be?) an application that has been installed by either wireless carriers or phone manufacturers. It functions to … --- ## [End of Iraq War, lessons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-iraq-war-lessons/606630)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2011, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-iraq-war-lessons/606630 "2011-12-23T15:09:18Z")
So the US finally ended it’s ill advised and ill fated adventure in Mesopotamia early this morning. So what lessons can you take away from it. My own take When you plan a war and someone says it’s going to be a cakew… --- ## [With $1-2 trillion in excess bank reserves, why don't we have inflation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-1-2-trillion-in-excess-bank-reserves-why-dont-we-have-inflation/606808)
**Author:** [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2011, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-1-2-trillion-in-excess-bank-reserves-why-dont-we-have-inflation/606808 "2011-12-23T12:22:05Z")
Ever since the Federal Reserve began its programs of quantitative easing, the doomsayers have covered themselves in sackcloth and lamented, as loudly as possible, the impending death of our economy, our way of life, ba… --- ## [Tell me gun control advocates: how can a dictator be stopped without arms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-gun-control-advocates-how-can-a-dictator-be-stopped-without-arms/65979)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 345\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2011, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-gun-control-advocates-how-can-a-dictator-be-stopped-without-arms/65979 "2011-12-23T11:25:52Z")
Here is the scenario: All civillian ownership of firearms is banned in the United States. Every civillian gun has been collected and melted down. ALL of them. Even hunting rifles are outlawed. Even security guards and pr… --- ## [Warren Buffet on the deficit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-buffet-on-the-deficit/606862)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-buffet-on-the-deficit/606862 "2011-12-23T02:32:19Z")
I received this from a friend and I pass it on the Doper community: Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling: “I could end the deficit in 5 minutes,” he tol… --- ## [Newt Gingrich's latest entry in the shoot-off-your-mouth contest \[re: judges\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newt-gingrichs-latest-entry-in-the-shoot-off-your-mouth-contest-re-judges/606716)
**Author:** [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newt-gingrichs-latest-entry-in-the-shoot-off-your-mouth-contest-re-judges/606716 "2011-12-23T02:13:32Z")
According to a news item in the “Huffington” press last night, Gingrich has outdone himself: not only does he intend to abolish courts, he wants judges whose decisions run counter to his political notions arrested. The … --- ## [The insidious lie of American Exceptionalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-insidious-lie-of-american-exceptionalism/606487)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2011, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-insidious-lie-of-american-exceptionalism/606487 "2011-12-23T01:04:12Z")
I watched Gingrich at last night’s debate threaten to dismantle the 9th circuit court. His rationale was that the court had “taken God out of our schools” by upholding the Establishment Clause against the will of voters… --- ## [Ohio puts 200-pound third-grader in foster care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohio-puts-200-pound-third-grader-in-foster-care/604308)
**Author:** [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Replies:** 263\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohio-puts-200-pound-third-grader-in-foster-care/604308 "2011-12-22T22:43:02Z")
Link Right or wrong? Should the government be able to forcibly remove a child from his or her home for obesity? Does the government know best? I happen to find this ridiculous. Even if the child’s mother let him eat wh… --- ## [What conditions allow socialism to be effective?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-conditions-allow-socialism-to-be-effective/606681)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-conditions-allow-socialism-to-be-effective/606681 "2011-12-22T19:29:53Z")
I’m no economist and it has alwyas confused me as to how socialism seems to work perfectly in some countries like Sweden and fail in many others. What are the “good” conditions for socialism to be effective? --- ## [Christians: What is your best evidence for the literal, historical resurrection of Jesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-what-is-your-best-evidence-for-the-literal-historical-resurrection-of-jesus/593680)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 459\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2011, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-what-is-your-best-evidence-for-the-literal-historical-resurrection-of-jesus/593680 "2011-12-22T01:56:49Z")
Invited by ITR Champion in this thread. To summarize quickly, ITR, when asked him if anything could convince him Christianity was not true said: To which I said: Other posters also asked ITR to be more specific about… --- ## [What if we just let the government print money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-just-let-the-government-print-money/605446)
**Author:** [@Corresponder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corresponder)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-just-let-the-government-print-money/605446 "2011-12-22T00:25:57Z")
I have wondered if it wouldn’t be simpler and more efficient if we just allowed the federal government to print a certain amount of money each year, say 20% of the previous year’s GDP, in lieu of collecting income tax an… --- ## [At what point is income inequality too unequal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-is-income-inequality-too-unequal/606595)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-is-income-inequality-too-unequal/606595 "2011-12-21T20:52:06Z")
Inspired by this post from user\_hostile in the “Stupid Republican idea of the day” thread. I waited for u\_h to start the thread since a couple of us encouraged the idea, but since he hasn’t yet, I thought I’d go ahead a… --- ## [No! Vaclev Havel goes into the Great Beyond](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-vaclev-havel-goes-into-the-great-beyond/606743)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2011, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-vaclev-havel-goes-into-the-great-beyond/606743 "2011-12-21T06:15:10Z")
Hard on the heels of Steve Jobs, Hitchens, and Kim-Jong Il, we must add Vaclev Havel. The Czech playwright and political leader was always a voice of reason, good sense, and compassion - but also stern enough not to tole… --- ## [Christopher Hitchens just died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-hitchens-just-died/606384)
**Author:** [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-hitchens-just-died/606384 "2011-12-19T22:20:35Z")
Well, that sucks. I’d have liked if he drank a little less during his debates, but he was a sharp guy and I enjoyed hearing his opinions. I’m sure there will be strong opinions both ways on this. --- ## [Republican "Wilderness years"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-wilderness-years/606604)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-wilderness-years/606604 "2011-12-19T20:33:36Z")
In 2008 I hear talk about how the Republican party is damaged and they need to “go into the wilderness” and reassess their views. As someone who loved the Republicans of the 90’s but disliked the party under Bush, this … --- ## [Most universal joke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-universal-joke/605835)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-universal-joke/605835 "2011-12-19T16:28:44Z")
(No idea what forum this should be in…) What joke could you take to any human society in history or prehistory, translate it directly into the local language, and get a laugh? I feel like dirty jokes are a good choice,… --- ## [Methane as an energy source](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methane-as-an-energy-source/606305)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/methane-as-an-energy-source/606305 "2011-12-19T15:12:44Z")
I was reading this article about methane being seen in what appears to be very large quantities seeping up out of the Arctic Ocean by Russian scientists. I know from discussions on this that methane is a much stronger … --- ## [Conservative Dopers convince me with your best-case plans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-dopers-convince-me-with-your-best-case-plans/606157)
**Author:** [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-dopers-convince-me-with-your-best-case-plans/606157 "2011-12-19T14:28:19Z")
I want to try something a little different here from the usual political sniping. The point of this thread is to debate the best-case scenario plans of conservatives to address some of the problems I’ll lay out below. Fo… --- ## [Intelligence Limited by Environment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intelligence-limited-by-environment/606553)
**Author:** [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2011, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intelligence-limited-by-environment/606553 "2011-12-19T00:40:01Z")
Sometimes people talk about super-intelligence, like maybe humans will be super-intelligent thousands of years in the future, or aliens that are more intelligent than humans, etc. I think something interesting to conside… --- ## [Do democrats want illegal alien votes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-democrats-want-illegal-alien-votes/606195)
**Author:** [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-democrats-want-illegal-alien-votes/606195 "2011-12-18T20:01:05Z")
Is it really a good idea to have illegal aliens voting in American elections? What are the consequences? (My question is sparked by this tidbit in the news today: New Haven Democrat mayor wants to allow non-citizen vote… --- ## [Christians, your feelings about obvious sinners believing they'll go to heaven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-your-feelings-about-obvious-sinners-believing-theyll-go-to-heaven/340331)
**Author:** [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-your-feelings-about-obvious-sinners-believing-theyll-go-to-heaven/340331 "2011-12-18T19:12:31Z")
Inspired by this thread about hell. If Hell exists, some people must qualify to go there, right? Take you instance gangsta-in-the-hood for instance. He grows up; he kills; he sells, and abuses drugs; abuses women and fa… --- ## [Democrats, would Hillary Clinton have made a better president than Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-would-hillary-clinton-have-made-a-better-president-than-obama/603048)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-would-hillary-clinton-have-made-a-better-president-than-obama/603048 "2011-12-18T17:13:26Z")
The Democratic primary in 2008 was contentious and in the end it basically came down to Clinton vs. Obama. There was lots of debate here on the SDMB, and most were pro-Obama by the end. But in the years since, there ha… --- ## [Its time for Israel to launch Operation Susa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-israel-to-launch-operation-susa/602474)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 414\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-time-for-israel-to-launch-operation-susa/602474 "2011-12-18T15:41:57Z")
You remember Operation Babylon, where Israel destroyed Saddam’s nuclear reactor amid concerns of a nuclear weapons program? Whether justified or not, Israel has been none the worse as a result. Now, with the evidence t… --- ## [Arguments for the non-existence of God.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-for-the-non-existence-of-god/605084)
**Author:** [@TATG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TATG)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-for-the-non-existence-of-god/605084 "2011-12-18T15:04:40Z")
I find the whole “atheism is the most rational belief state” thing rather tiresome, even if true. Theists have had their fun, I want my fun too. I thus seek interesting arguments for the non-existence of God. Not necessa… --- ## [Arab Spring and OWS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arab-spring-and-ows/606597)
**Author:** [@Julianus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julianus)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2011, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arab-spring-and-ows/606597 "2011-12-18T14:51:37Z")
Thought that just crossed my mind, but I’m sure it has happened with many other before as well: Would the Occupy Wall Street protests have materialized if the Arab Spring have never happened? The main reason I’m wonder… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=349) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=351)