# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=394 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 395 --- ## [Islam a civil war between Shia and Sunni,?nd](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islam-a-civil-war-between-shia-and-sunni-nd/577706)
**Author:** [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islam-a-civil-war-between-shia-and-sunni-nd/577706 "2011-04-12T17:24:31Z")
Al Quida,rampantly anti west,in Iraq, spent most of its efforts in killing,almost at random Shias. Al Quida are mostly Sunnis, but apparently will accept all,for the cause. Sunnis,whats your opinion on the western here… --- ## [Mike Huckabee keeps blowing my mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-huckabee-keeps-blowing-my-mind/565073)
**Author:** [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-huckabee-keeps-blowing-my-mind/565073 "2011-04-12T14:52:21Z")
Not really a political rant or debate, just an observation, but since it’s policital I’ll put it here. Let me preface by saying I consider myself a left-leaning moderate, I voted for Obama in '08 and will almost certainl… --- ## [US military bases in other nations: worth the cost?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-bases-in-other-nations-worth-the-cost/577875)
**Author:** [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-bases-in-other-nations-worth-the-cost/577875 "2011-04-12T14:15:50Z")
Politicians seem afraid to be the first to propose cuts in the Pentagon budget. Whoever tried it would surely be crucified for being “soft on defense.” I say there must be at least as much duplication and fraud in the Pe… --- ## [FBI released memo about Roswell crash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-released-memo-about-roswell-crash/577899)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2011, 10:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-released-memo-about-roswell-crash/577899 "2011-04-12T10:11:32Z")
FBI Agent Guy Hottel: http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/132521/20110410/ufo-fbi-secret-memo-flying-saucer-disc-1947-roswell-new-mexico-1947-landing-aliens-dead-bodies-crash.htm What raises my interest is that they bac… --- ## [French Admiral Dopers: Could the French have won the Battle of Quiberon Bay? No hope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-admiral-dopers-could-the-french-have-won-the-battle-of-quiberon-bay-no-hope/577277)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2011, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-admiral-dopers-could-the-french-have-won-the-battle-of-quiberon-bay-no-hope/577277 "2011-04-12T08:35:58Z")
Word on the street is that the French got p0wned by the British Royal Navy in 1759, scattered and blasted away. Was there anyway for the French to avoid defeat? The French navy seemed to always have inferior gunnery and… --- ## [WI A Different Fuehrer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-a-different-fuehrer/577626)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wi-a-different-fuehrer/577626 "2011-04-12T04:06:25Z")
What if instead of Hitler and the Nazi Party, a nationalist and anticommunist but not a anti-Semite had become the leader of Germany, forming some sort of a new German Empire? Could the world have been a better place? B… --- ## [Was Grenada Justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-grenada-justified/575847)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2011, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-grenada-justified/575847 "2011-04-12T01:53:14Z")
I was a young lieutenant when we invaded Grenada. (What a goat-rope, from a professional point of view, but I digress. I recall the broad outlines. A disputed election, the Leftists resorted to force, there was somethin… --- ## [do they do IQ testing in hiring in India?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-do-iq-testing-in-hiring-in-india/577795)
**Author:** [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-do-iq-testing-in-hiring-in-india/577795 "2011-04-11T22:55:14Z")
given evidence of lots of lemons in the labor market (which even ends up in Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748703515504576142092863219826.html and must be well known to the local managemen… --- ## [One Last Attempt At Understanding \[investment\] Risk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-last-attempt-at-understanding-investment-risk/577711)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-last-attempt-at-understanding-investment-risk/577711 "2011-04-11T21:37:29Z")
Johny bought a condo for $100,000. His 30-year-mortgage, taxes, insurance and association fees cost him $900 per month. He rents it to Timmy for $1000 per month. A rate determined by the free market, based on availabl… --- ## [Why has so much power/influence left labor and gone to capital, at least in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-so-much-power-influence-left-labor-and-gone-to-capital-at-least-in-the-us/575656)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-so-much-power-influence-left-labor-and-gone-to-capital-at-least-in-the-us/575656 "2011-04-11T16:07:11Z")
I don’t know much about economics (it has never stopped me from having opinions on the subject though), and don’t know much about economies in foreign nations. Its one of the things I regret about college is not taking m… --- ## ["The Supreme Court overturned Brown v. Board of Education"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-supreme-court-overturned-brown-v-board-of-education/577246)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-supreme-court-overturned-brown-v-board-of-education/577246 "2011-04-11T15:37:32Z")
That’s the rather remarkable claim made by this liberal blogger about the recent ruling in Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn. Some quoted claims: And more, of course. Given my previous experiences… --- ## [Where would Africa be today if white imperialism had not happened?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-africa-be-today-if-white-imperialism-had-not-happened/576386)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-africa-be-today-if-white-imperialism-had-not-happened/576386 "2011-04-11T15:13:13Z")
Maybe a naive question since there are so many variables. A lot of the problems in Africa is often explained by the euro/american imperialism. How much did this mess up the Africa that we are seeing today? --- ## [How would the Native Americans have fared had the Chinese colonized the Americas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-native-americans-have-fared-had-the-chinese-colonized-the-americas/503217)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-native-americans-have-fared-had-the-chinese-colonized-the-americas/503217 "2011-04-11T14:22:18Z")
Say Zheng He or some other Chinese explorer had made it to the Americas before Columbus and staked a claim, would the natives have fared any better than they did under European domination? How did the natives fare in ot… --- ## [The effects of a five, ten or twenty year "New Development" ban?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-effects-of-a-five-ten-or-twenty-year-new-development-ban/577669)
**Author:** [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2011, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-effects-of-a-five-ten-or-twenty-year-new-development-ban/577669 "2011-04-11T02:41:59Z")
Lets say tomorrow the US Government passes a law that, in its gist says: All “undeveloped” land, that is land which doesn’t currently have a city, house, subdivision… may not have one built. There would be exceptions, … --- ## [Is there a rational way to bid in a dollar auction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rational-way-to-bid-in-a-dollar-auction/577128)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-rational-way-to-bid-in-a-dollar-auction/577128 "2011-04-10T20:10:32Z")
Inspired by a recent thread on bid fee auction sites. Martin Shubik invented the dollar auction. It’s a simple concept: two people are bidding for a dollar which is given to the highest bidder. It’s presumed that both p… --- ## [All Art is Political-Discuss](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-art-is-political-discuss/576125)
**Author:** [@surrounded\_by\_literalists](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/surrounded_by_literalists)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-art-is-political-discuss/576125 "2011-04-10T16:40:03Z")
I have an essay to write for an art class. The instructor wants us to explore the idea that ‘All Art is Political’. I am at a loss. I don’t have an artistic bone in my body. I love to look a beautiful work and can a… --- ## [Are liberals really more "evolved" than conservatives? Scientific study suggests answer is yes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-really-more-evolved-than-conservatives-scientific-study-suggests-answer-is-yes/572383)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 191\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-liberals-really-more-evolved-than-conservatives-scientific-study-suggests-answer-is-yes/572383 "2011-04-10T15:04:26Z")
I think this study speaks for itself. I’m sorry to say, it doesn’t look to flattering for conservatives. Cognitive neuroscience seems to be showing us that conservatives are less empathetic, less rational, less likely to… --- ## [Instilling mature convictions in children](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instilling-mature-convictions-in-children/577720)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2011, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instilling-mature-convictions-in-children/577720 "2011-04-10T06:27:01Z")
I became a parent 9 months ago but even before that I’ve been battling with this: There is no such thing as a 4 year old Republican, a 4 year old Democrat or a 4 year old Christian. There is also no such thing as a sel… --- ## [Production and Risk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/production-and-risk/577434)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/production-and-risk/577434 "2011-04-09T23:06:53Z")
Sarah is an artist. She lives comfortably, holding a day job at the bank that pays well. She works on her art at night. She spends almost no money on her artworks. For the most part, she uses as her materials things she… --- ## [Let's Have a Frank Discussion on Race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-a-frank-discussion-on-race/548161)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 449\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2011, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-a-frank-discussion-on-race/548161 "2011-04-09T14:26:34Z")
On ‘This Week’, Donna Brazile said that incidents like the Shirley Sherrod firing were going to continue to happen until “Americans have a frank discussion about race.” Later, noted black woman Cokie Roberts agreed tha… --- ## [Black Parents Demand that Catholic School Beat Their Kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-parents-demand-that-catholic-school-beat-their-kids/576515)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2011, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-parents-demand-that-catholic-school-beat-their-kids/576515 "2011-04-09T06:56:07Z")
This is an odd story that I heard about mainly because the person at the heart of the controversy was the bishop here in Austin not long ago. Gregory Aymond, now bishop of New Orleans, has abolished the use of corporal … --- ## ["Hymn of Hate" -- Why did the Germans (in 1914) hate England so much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hymn-of-hate-why-did-the-germans-in-1914-hate-england-so-much/577515)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2011, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hymn-of-hate-why-did-the-germans-in-1914-hate-england-so-much/577515 "2011-04-09T03:28:33Z")
Ernst Lissauer wrote the following at the outbreak of WWI. It got him a medal from the Kaiser. Why was that? Why did German patriots/nationalists of the time hate England so particularly? --- ## [46 Percent of Mississippi Republicans Want Interracial Marriage Banned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-percent-of-mississippi-republicans-want-interracial-marriage-banned/577718)
**Author:** [@Sully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sully)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/46-percent-of-mississippi-republicans-want-interracial-marriage-banned/577718 "2011-04-09T00:25:23Z")
I don’t think too many people will find this surprising… just sad. Also not surprising, “The PPP poll also revealed that Palin has more support among voters who believe interracial marriage should be illegal than among t… --- ## [Should Michigan (and Others) Have A Right to Privacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michigan-and-others-have-a-right-to-privacy/577490)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michigan-and-others-have-a-right-to-privacy/577490 "2011-04-08T22:44:23Z")
I live in Michigan, which is why I include Michigan in my question. But should every state (and maybe the federal constitution) have a right to privacy explicitly spelled out in it? There reason for it would be twofold I… --- ## [When is armed struggle against the state justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-armed-struggle-against-the-state-justified/575928)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-armed-struggle-against-the-state-justified/575928 "2011-04-08T18:44:32Z")
I’m curious what you all think are the necessary criteria to justify individuals or groups of individuals in a society taking up arms against the state. Many current nations states (including the one I live in) were born… --- ## [If Hitler hadn't attacked the USSR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hitler-hadnt-attacked-the-ussr/577511)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hitler-hadnt-attacked-the-ussr/577511 "2011-04-08T18:31:31Z")
Reading this thread: Two WWII Strategy Questions - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board made me wonder once again. Is there a consensus on what would have happened if Hitler hadn’t attacked the USSR. Would t… --- ## [The blame game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-blame-game/577513)
**Author:** [@Nom\_de\_Plume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nom_de_Plume)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-blame-game/577513 "2011-04-08T18:18:28Z")
As a federal employee, I’m watching the news of a possible government shutdown pretty closely. Most of the players in the debacle are pointing fingers at members of other parties, but it certainly looks like there’s ple… --- ## [Eric Cantor thinks we can pass a bill through just the the House? Would that it were so!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-cantor-thinks-we-can-pass-a-bill-through-just-the-the-house-would-that-it-were-so/576924 "2011-04-08T16:08:42Z")
Is that right? House Majority Leader Eric Cantor thinks we can pass a bill through just the House? Well, I wish we could. We’d have a public option now. I want him to try this. I expect much laughter from the left as… --- ## [Part 2 Another 'if you met God' how would your live change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/part-2-another-if-you-met-god-how-would-your-live-change/577433)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/part-2-another-if-you-met-god-how-would-your-live-change/577433 "2011-04-08T02:17:41Z")
First I want to thank for the replies to the first thread. I would like your response to the following modification: Instead of the angelic visit, lets say you were given a ‘spiritual gift’ of seeing either light or da… --- ## [Will The Fiate 500 be A Success in the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-fiate-500-be-a-success-in-the-usa/577523)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-fiate-500-be-a-success-in-the-usa/577523 "2011-04-07T15:35:51Z")
I am following the relaunch of FIAT in the USA. local dealers are now taking orders for the new 500 model, which itself is a relaund of the old Fiat 500. I wish FIAT every success, but it seems (to me) that they face en… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=393) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=395)