# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=396 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 397 --- ## [A glowing report on radiation.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glowing-report-on-radiation/576706)
**Author:** [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glowing-report-on-radiation/576706 "2011-04-01T18:49:58Z")
A little radiation may actually be beneficial for humans, according to this piece by Ann Coulter. “Hormesis” is the beneficial aspects of radiation. I looked it up at Wikipedia and it has not been debunked. I say Ann Co… --- ## [What if Reagan hadn't been shot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-reagan-hadnt-been-shot/576674)
**Author:** [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-reagan-hadnt-been-shot/576674 "2011-04-01T17:47:01Z")
Or, conversely, if he had been shot dead? Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of Hinkley’s assassination attempt. Listening to the retrospective on NPR (or was it BBC NewsHour on my NPR station?) about how Reagan joked … --- ## [Is it racist? Racial remarks spark reprimand of Nevada official](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-racist-racial-remarks-spark-reprimand-of-nevada-official/576151)
**Author:** [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2011, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-racist-racial-remarks-spark-reprimand-of-nevada-official/576151 "2011-04-01T13:03:06Z")
In this story, a county assessor sent an e-mail to the sheriff asking if all of those latinos working on building a jail were legal. My questions are: 1.) Is this really racism? 2.) What should she have done? Call … --- ## [Could the KHAAAAAAN! Academy revolutionize \*classroom\* education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-khaaaaaan-academy-revolutionize-classroom-education/576501)
**Author:** [@Hellestal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hellestal)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-khaaaaaan-academy-revolutionize-classroom-education/576501 "2011-04-01T03:03:10Z")
You might be aware of the Khan Academy online videos that are available on YouTube. There are at present more than 2k videos, mostly on K-12 mathematics, but also as far as diffy-Q and linear algebra, some physics and bi… --- ## [Is "Shopping" The New American Religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shopping-the-new-american-religion/576579)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2011, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-shopping-the-new-american-religion/576579 "2011-03-31T21:10:17Z")
Much has been made of the decline of organized religion in the West…I believe this is correct. As a Catholic, I have seen the attendence at Mass decrease…and I expect that other Christian denominations are experiencing … --- ## [Lies in the bible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lies-in-the-bible/576283)
**Author:** [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lies-in-the-bible/576283 "2011-03-31T18:18:17Z")
According to a story in today’s Huffington Post, several of the books of the bible are known to have been written by people who were not who they claimed to be. The story is here: I don’t know how to make a link; sorr… --- ## [When a kid is terminally ill how much say should a parent have in prolonging the life of the kid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-kid-is-terminally-ill-how-much-say-should-a-parent-have-in-prolonging-the-life-of-the-kid/574883)
**Author:** [@AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2011, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-kid-is-terminally-ill-how-much-say-should-a-parent-have-in-prolonging-the-life-of-the-kid/574883 "2011-03-31T17:21:39Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110314/ap\_on\_re\_us/us\_canadian\_boy\_end\_of\_life\_dispute (and don’t judge. I usually don’t read Yahoo! News, as I think it’s got really shoddy journalism, but this case caught my eye) Quite f… --- ## [Is the Tea Party detrimental to the Republican Establishment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-tea-party-detrimental-to-the-republican-establishment/575984)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-tea-party-detrimental-to-the-republican-establishment/575984 "2011-03-31T15:13:49Z")
This is a straight up question about the Republican establishment and the movement of the ultra-right Tea Party hooligans\\ I mean people as being a detriment to the GOP in the 2012 election. I was chatting with my Dad l… --- ## [Has Al Queda been effectively sidelined?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-al-queda-been-effectively-sidelined/576566)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2011, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-al-queda-been-effectively-sidelined/576566 "2011-03-31T09:45:57Z")
Considering all the news about Libya and the Middle East demonstrations in particular, has this been a devastating blow to Al Quedas political message, or are we speaking too soon? I’m interested in a quote a Muslim Bro… --- ## [Multiculturalism - a no brainer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiculturalism-a-no-brainer/574971)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 230\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2011, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiculturalism-a-no-brainer/574971 "2011-03-31T06:12:50Z")
Im writing this from a European perspective, I dont know how the climate is in the US. Anyway there is almost dogma in Europe (especially in the mass-media) that multiculturalism is something everybody should strive for… --- ## [Yazzer Arafat got the Nobel peace prize?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yazzer-arafat-got-the-nobel-peace-prize/576380)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yazzer-arafat-got-the-nobel-peace-prize/576380 "2011-03-31T03:07:24Z")
Why would anyone give the peace price to the chairman of PLO? To me it sounds like an oxymoron --- ## [Abortion and Animal Cruelty Laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-and-animal-cruelty-laws/576462)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2011, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-and-animal-cruelty-laws/576462 "2011-03-31T02:35:01Z")
If abortion is a “choice” for the mother, why are there animal cruelty laws? If the animal is in the possession of an individual, why shouldn’t he or she treat the animal as he/she wishes if it does not harm any other hu… --- ## [Homosexuality vs pedophilia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-vs-pedophilia/575843)
**Author:** [@biddee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biddee)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2011, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-vs-pedophilia/575843 "2011-03-30T22:21:57Z")
Homosexuality used to be considered a personality disorder. Now scientists believe it is caused by a hormone imbalance while the child is in the womb. It is now becoming more and more acceptable to be gay. My question i… --- ## [New models for journalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-models-for-journalism/575056)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2011, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-models-for-journalism/575056 "2011-03-30T18:58:05Z")
The NYTimes is trying yet again to get readers to pay for their website. Early reactionsdon’t seem too positive. I don’t blame the NYT for trying to make money but I am skeptical this initiative will work and I suspect i… --- ## [Long term success of the Middle East revolutions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-success-of-the-middle-east-revolutions/573872)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2011, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-term-success-of-the-middle-east-revolutions/573872 "2011-03-30T17:15:03Z")
Besides wanting democracy and freedom, high unemployment and high food prices were some of the other driving forces for the revolutions that have occurred. In Egypt a lot of the protesters were young people who couldn’t… --- ## [Should experts be required to disclose who paid them for writing their opinions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-experts-be-required-to-disclose-who-paid-them-for-writing-their-opinions/576129)
**Author:** [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-experts-be-required-to-disclose-who-paid-them-for-writing-their-opinions/576129 "2011-03-30T16:55:25Z")
The question came up near the end of the documentary “Inside Job”. I don’t want to talk about the faults of the documentary itself in this thread (although I think there are a few), instead I want to focus simply on the … --- ## [Why allow children to fight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-allow-children-to-fight/575932)
**Author:** [@Borzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borzo)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-allow-children-to-fight/575932 "2011-03-30T14:24:30Z")
Why do we let children participate in fights that would otherwise send an adult to jail? When I was in school, there was lots of bullying. Sometimes there were just arguments. Whatever the cause, it often led to fights.… --- ## [Does espousal of martyrdom render void one's human rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-espousal-of-martyrdom-render-void-ones-human-rights/576492)
**Author:** [@Sablicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sablicious)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2011, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-espousal-of-martyrdom-render-void-ones-human-rights/576492 "2011-03-30T13:44:29Z")
If the fundamental element of humanity (or any living species for that matter, but let’s use human beings for pertinence sake) is to survive and thus, through the passing of time, evolve (so as to ensure future survival … --- ## [How relevant is "Who Moved My Cheese" these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-relevant-is-who-moved-my-cheese-these-days/576319)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2011, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-relevant-is-who-moved-my-cheese-these-days/576319 "2011-03-30T04:52:48Z")
The book was mentioned several times in this thread and a couple of people offered some interesting insights on it: I had to attend a seminar on this book a few years ago at work - watched a video, filled out workshee… --- ## [US Right to Intervene?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-right-to-intervene/576332)
**Author:** [@humanafterall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humanafterall)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-right-to-intervene/576332 "2011-03-29T15:35:40Z")
Now I know that the Monroe Doctine, set forth by President Monroe in 1823, made colonization of the Western Hemipshere by the countries of Europe an act of agression towards the United States, but does that really mean t… --- ## [Panick & Bloodust in Warfare: Why do humans act so irrational in groups?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panick-bloodust-in-warfare-why-do-humans-act-so-irrational-in-groups/575421)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panick-bloodust-in-warfare-why-do-humans-act-so-irrational-in-groups/575421 "2011-03-29T15:18:47Z")
I read the recent Military Historyarticle about the battle of Marathon In that article the story is that the extremely well trained hoplites on the greek flanks, after being back the light Persian infantry, were able to… --- ## [Organ Donation. Yes or no?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donation-yes-or-no/575436)
**Author:** [@ZebStrickland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebStrickland)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2011, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/organ-donation-yes-or-no/575436 "2011-03-29T12:17:55Z")
Do you guys think that because of how many people donate organs and how many more people are on waiting lists for organs, that there should be rewards for this kind of thing? I ask because I recently heard a podcast by … --- ## ["Desecration" of the Eucharist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desecration-of-the-eucharist/575144)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 802\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2011, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desecration-of-the-eucharist/575144 "2011-03-29T11:53:12Z")
The events of this link: http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/07/the\_great\_desecration.php (to summarize, atheist blogger PZ Myers obtained a consecrated Catholic Eucharist and then pierced it with a rusty nail and d… --- ## [Resolved: The Bible is an authoritative source when discussing Biblical topics...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-the-bible-is-an-authoritative-source-when-discussing-biblical-topics/576136)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-the-bible-is-an-authoritative-source-when-discussing-biblical-topics/576136 "2011-03-28T15:58:44Z")
This could almost go in The Pit, it bugs me so much. Scenario: Person A asks a question about a Biblical topic, Yahweh God, Jesus, etc. & Person B quotes the Bible. A or, more often, C comes back with “Oh, that’s only w… --- ## [Best Bible Translation and the Apocrypha](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bible-translation-and-the-apocrypha/576184)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2011, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-bible-translation-and-the-apocrypha/576184 "2011-03-28T11:55:29Z")
Based on the “Bible as authoritative source” debate: What is the best Bible translation into the English language in terms of accuracy, ease of reading, literary value, etc.? Should the Apocrypha be counted as part of … --- ## [Should political partisans attempt to silence critics who are academics at public universities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-political-partisans-attempt-to-silence-critics-who-are-academics-at-public-universities/575989)
**Author:** [@Zephyurs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zephyurs)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-political-partisans-attempt-to-silence-critics-who-are-academics-at-public-universities/575989 "2011-03-28T03:29:14Z")
Recently, William Cronon, a professor at the University of Wisconsin and president of the American Historical Association, published an op-ed critical of Wisconsin governor in the NYT (Wisconsin’s Radical Break). In ret… --- ## [It just occurred to me that Raul Castro is 80 years old](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-just-occurred-to-me-that-raul-castro-is-80-years-old/575651)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-just-occurred-to-me-that-raul-castro-is-80-years-old/575651 "2011-03-27T20:12:51Z")
And, with as much commerce and travel as Cuba has with countries other than the U.S. – certainly the Cubans are not North-Korea isolated – the people can’t be unaware of the Middle Eastern democratic upheaval, and it’s b… --- ## [Making Single Parenthood Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-single-parenthood-work/575506)
**Author:** [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-single-parenthood-work/575506 "2011-03-27T17:17:19Z")
Not infrequently on this board, people bemoan the phenomena of single parenthood. They mention increased poverty, higher crime rates, potential psychological damage, etc. There seems to be a longing for a return to the 1… --- ## [Patient: "God Cured Me!" Judge: "You're having a hysterectomy anyway"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patient-god-cured-me-judge-youre-having-a-hysterectomy-anyway/575977)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patient-god-cured-me-judge-youre-having-a-hysterectomy-anyway/575977 "2011-03-27T16:22:31Z")
\[ \](http://www.nbcmontana.com/health/27105425/detail.html#) Okay, so an adult woman was diagnosed with Stage 1 cervical cancer and her doctor immediately reported that she may not be competent to make medical decision… --- ## [Virtual particles are not real (quantum mechanics)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-particles-are-not-real-quantum-mechanics/576070)
**Author:** [@boufbowl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boufbowl)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtual-particles-are-not-real-quantum-mechanics/576070 "2011-03-27T14:17:51Z")
Despite the many published journals and articles on virtual particles, I now do not believe in them because of 1 person’s writings located here http://www.mat.univie.ac.at/~neum/physfaq/physics-faq.html at that site Ar… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=395) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=397)