# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=391 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 392 --- ## [Should funding for the Tevatron be continued?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-funding-for-the-tevatron-be-continued/579979)
**Author:** [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-funding-for-the-tevatron-be-continued/579979 "2011-04-28T16:50:22Z")
Maybe this is better in great debates but I think the answer is more based in fact than philosophy or politics. It would cost $35M to keep it operational until the LHC upgrade has been completed - ie, 3 years. Is it wo… --- ## [People who are judged to be both good and evil.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-judged-to-be-both-good-and-evil/579888)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2011, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-judged-to-be-both-good-and-evil/579888 "2011-04-28T15:41:31Z")
I am looking for people who have been deemed saintly (to some degree) by one group of people and satanic by others. An example might be George W. Bush orHenry Morgentaler, Canadian arbortionist. A brief reasoning would… --- ## [Will we be inialated \[annihilated\] as a race before its too late?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-be-inialated-annihilated-as-a-race-before-its-too-late/579590)
**Author:** [@MOzza123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOzza123)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-be-inialated-annihilated-as-a-race-before-its-too-late/579590 "2011-04-28T14:02:25Z")
OK, so if the universe is infinitely expanding, there is therefore an infinite chance that anything possible (Space possible, not just so far on Earth possible) could happen. So my argument is; Why have not been visited … --- ## [Pastor Jones & His Moral Responsibility for Death (Or: The Cleansing Effect of the Intermediary)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pastor-jones-his-moral-responsibility-for-death-or-the-cleansing-effect-of-the-intermediary/576899)
**Author:** [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Replies:** 352\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pastor-jones-his-moral-responsibility-for-death-or-the-cleansing-effect-of-the-intermediary/576899 "2011-04-28T05:12:36Z")
So in this Pit thread there’s a discussion about the violent protest, sparked by Pastor Jones’ burning of a Koran, that killed at least 12 people at a UN outpost in Afghanistan. Specifically, there’s a dispute about whe… --- ## [Should Catholics Really Vote Republican?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-catholics-really-vote-republican/579813)
**Author:** [@mac9891](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mac9891)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2011, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-catholics-really-vote-republican/579813 "2011-04-28T04:15:57Z")
I have many Catholic friends who like to debate with me and always rail on how people need to vote Republican because of pro-life. Which I understand, but should Catholics be just as concerned with the poor and the live… --- ## [Assad Dynaty Falls: Good or Bad For Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assad-dynaty-falls-good-or-bad-for-israel/579719)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assad-dynaty-falls-good-or-bad-for-israel/579719 "2011-04-27T21:44:10Z")
The Assad family has had a deathgrip on Syria for decades-the younger guy seems every bit as brutal as his late father-and his Alawite clan seems firmly ensconced in all the top jobs. The question is: if his gang is o… --- ## [Selective gasoline company boycotts? Good or bad idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selective-gasoline-company-boycotts-good-or-bad-idea/355968)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selective-gasoline-company-boycotts-good-or-bad-idea/355968 "2011-04-27T21:42:27Z")
I just got an email from someone who is proposing that consumers should fight back against high gasoline prices by selectively boycotting gas companies one at a time. The email said that there was a plan a few weks ago … --- ## [Need a lawyer to explain this: Dropping a client](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-lawyer-to-explain-this-dropping-a-client/579941)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-lawyer-to-explain-this-dropping-a-client/579941 "2011-04-27T21:38:07Z")
According to this Slate.com article, it’s not so easy for a lawyer to drop a client. I actually didn’t realize there was an issue. I’ve always figured that a lawyer works for the client but can still make decisions on … --- ## [How is a representative democracy supposed to work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-representative-democracy-supposed-to-work/579697)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-a-representative-democracy-supposed-to-work/579697 "2011-04-27T21:37:44Z")
I’m a huge supporter of democracy. Still, I prefer the representative model over the direct although a direct democracy is obviously more democratic. So it seems I think democracy is only good up to a point. That “more d… --- ## [Representation without Taxation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representation-without-taxation/579276)
**Author:** [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representation-without-taxation/579276 "2011-04-27T20:38:15Z")
So… Now that the US income tax deadline is behind us, how about a discussion on representation and taxation? If it holds true that taxation without representation is axiomatically a bad thing, wouldn’t the opposite poss… --- ## [Separation of church and state and Jewish spouses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separation-of-church-and-state-and-jewish-spouses/576289)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separation-of-church-and-state-and-jewish-spouses/576289 "2011-04-27T19:31:04Z")
In Orthodox Jewish understanding, only a husband may divorce his wife. That is, the divorce does not happen until the husband gives his wife a get, a statement of divorce. A recalcitrant husband can thus avoid or delay a… --- ## [Speed limit enforcement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-limit-enforcement/579323)
**Author:** [@BomTek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BomTek)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speed-limit-enforcement/579323 "2011-04-27T19:11:44Z")
I was reading this thread just now, and I got to wondering, why don’t police officers pull over and ticket everyone they catch driving over the speed limit? So here’s my thinking, and hopefully I can word this well enou… --- ## [Reagan fans: what did Reagan do that you admire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reagan-fans-what-did-reagan-do-that-you-admire/578890)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reagan-fans-what-did-reagan-do-that-you-admire/578890 "2011-04-27T17:17:25Z")
I’ve read a couple of recent posts in which the writers said they consider Ronald Reagan to be one of our greatest Presidents. I think there are others feel the same way. So my question is what exactly to you base that o… --- ## [Beaten by France regarding atheism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beaten-by-france-regarding-atheism/579682)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beaten-by-france-regarding-atheism/579682 "2011-04-27T14:47:30Z")
According to this poll France got the gold medal for Atheism and Sweden only came in second, with Belgium third and UK not even getting a medal. I would like to make the case that the 63% who didn’t claim to be atheist … --- ## [Are Atheists better Christians than Christians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-atheists-better-christians-than-christians/579296)
**Author:** [@Knigel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knigel)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-atheists-better-christians-than-christians/579296 "2011-04-27T02:23:27Z")
I’m pretty sure that there must be arguments against this claim, and I’m not too sure about the scripture and interpretations; however, I want to test the veracity of this claim: Non-theist Atheists seem to be better Ch… --- ## [USA vs. Mexico](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-vs-mexico/579265)
**Author:** [@TexasDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TexasDriver)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-vs-mexico/579265 "2011-04-27T01:04:25Z")
I was born in the USA. Before I was 22, had probably walked or driven into Mexico at least 20 times and once the whole family spent a vacation traveling deep into Mexico - deep as, in within 50 miles of the Guatemalan bo… --- ## [What if all continents had been in regular communication since ancient times?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-all-continents-had-been-in-regular-communication-since-ancient-times/578053)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-all-continents-had-been-in-regular-communication-since-ancient-times/578053 "2011-04-27T01:00:33Z")
Until the Portuguese began the Age of Exploration, the world always had several cultural centers that developed largely uninfluenced by, and even in ignorance of, each other. The Western Hemisphere might as well have be… --- ## [Chicago public school bans students from bringing lunch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-public-school-bans-students-from-bringing-lunch/578100)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2011, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-public-school-bans-students-from-bringing-lunch/578100 "2011-04-26T10:53:52Z")
That’s the word from Little Village Academy in Chicago. Assuming that the article is accurate, I disapprove of the school’s policy for several reasons. First of all, in my experience, most school lunches are bad, part… --- ## [Bradley Manning not being tortured anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bradley-manning-not-being-tortured-anymore/579412)
**Author:** [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2011, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bradley-manning-not-being-tortured-anymore/579412 "2011-04-26T01:01:47Z")
According to this article, Bradley Manning has been transferred from Quantico to Leavenworth. They are trying to silence their critics who thought his previous confinement amounted to torture. It is a step in the right d… --- ## [Just saw Inside Job. WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-saw-inside-job-wtf/575695)
**Author:** [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-saw-inside-job-wtf/575695 "2011-04-26T00:09:24Z")
I could have sworn I saw a thread on here recently about this documentary (something about seething rage) but my searches are coming up blank. Apologies for a less than stellar OP here but I am sort of at a loss. This w… --- ## [Explain American politics to me please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-politics-to-me-please/578517)
**Author:** [@biddee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biddee)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-politics-to-me-please/578517 "2011-04-25T20:37:27Z")
I am not American so only have opinions from what I read online and in the international news. To tell you the truth I’m really not that interested but one of my friends just posted this on Facebook: A family spends $38… --- ## [Are city parks profitable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-city-parks-profitable/578163)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-city-parks-profitable/578163 "2011-04-25T15:18:50Z")
Assuming the following two statements are true: City parks improves the health of people living near or passing by or through them. With a diminishing value relative to “exposure/day” and “quality”. City parks rais… --- ## [What is left for voters to do when politicians ignore their demands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-left-for-voters-to-do-when-politicians-ignore-their-demands/577866)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-left-for-voters-to-do-when-politicians-ignore-their-demands/577866 "2011-04-25T15:13:24Z")
It can easily be argued that Bill Clinton was elected in part due to his opposition to NAFTA - a bill that, upon his election, he signed at the obvious behest of his voters. President Barack Obama has provided numerous … --- ## [What Would Plutocracy Look in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-plutocracy-look-in-the-us/578976)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-plutocracy-look-in-the-us/578976 "2011-04-25T14:50:58Z")
There are a number of dopers that have latched on to the word plutocracy, claiming it’s what we have now in the US. Today I was looking through the voting slips I get as a stock holder and it got me thinking: what would… --- ## [Should I be free to agree to become a slave?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-free-to-agree-to-become-a-slave/579384)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2011, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-free-to-agree-to-become-a-slave/579384 "2011-04-25T04:40:27Z")
Just as the title asks: Should I be free to enter into an agreement one term of which is that I become a slave? In other words, should I be free to enter into an agreement with you which requires me to do work as you d… --- ## [Why do Creationists deny Evolution in face of tons of evidence supporting it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-creationists-deny-evolution-in-face-of-tons-of-evidence-supporting-it/578692)
**Author:** [@peeyaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peeyaj)\ **Replies:** 196\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-creationists-deny-evolution-in-face-of-tons-of-evidence-supporting-it/578692 "2011-04-24T18:45:49Z")
Why do Creationists deny Evolution in face of tons of evidence supporting it? Would someone kindly explain it to me? I’m really baffled… Are they blind or something? Read here: --- ## [Resolved: FGM is a crime against humanity and the pinnacle of sexism in practice.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-fgm-is-a-crime-against-humanity-and-the-pinnacle-of-sexism-in-practice/579283)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-fgm-is-a-crime-against-humanity-and-the-pinnacle-of-sexism-in-practice/579283 "2011-04-24T14:30:04Z")
Definitions: Female Genital Mutilation Female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), female circumcision, or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), is any procedure involving the part… --- ## [Modern Whigs-A Party of Sanity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-whigs-a-party-of-sanity/578884)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2011, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-whigs-a-party-of-sanity/578884 "2011-04-24T03:43:53Z")
With political rhetoric and situation becomely increasingly inane (ie Trump running for President, vicious attacks by Democrats against Republicans on Planned-Parenthood funding etc.) might the Modern Whig Party be an at… --- ## [American Eugenics Movement and Euro Nazism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-eugenics-movement-and-euro-nazism/578759)
**Author:** [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-eugenics-movement-and-euro-nazism/578759 "2011-04-24T02:51:26Z")
I had a very basic familiarisation with the American Eugenics movement ( saw the movie about Kellog’s Sanitorium) And I sort of assumed it was a localised crank-culture and not so serious in its general impact on society… --- ## [Is this cruel and cowardly? An end of life issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-cruel-and-cowardly-an-end-of-life-issues/578274)
**Author:** [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [April 23, 2011, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-cruel-and-cowardly-an-end-of-life-issues/578274 "2011-04-23T09:50:57Z")
So there’s about six or seven of us in the break room finishing up our lunches. A lady who works just a little ways down the hall from me and I were talking about healthcare when I mentioned that the government should no… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=390) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=392)