# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=401 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 402 --- ## [Re: Is Existentialism an obsolete philosophy? ...Similarity to religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-is-existentialism-an-obsolete-philosophy-similarity-to-religion/544237)
**Author:** [@ch4rl3s](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch4rl3s)\ **Replies:** 257\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-is-existentialism-an-obsolete-philosophy-similarity-to-religion/544237 "2011-03-09T14:52:32Z")
This is a spin off from Is Existentialism an obsolete philosophy? so as not to hijack that thread. (And starting in the middle. Please read that thread for the context.) \[QUOTE=ch4rl3s\] If you take religion, as I do, … --- ## [Women's Day march in Tahrir Square; male counterdemonstrators shout, go home!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-day-march-in-tahrir-square-male-counterdemonstrators-shout-go-home/573999)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-day-march-in-tahrir-square-male-counterdemonstrators-shout-go-home/573999 "2011-03-09T04:28:12Z")
Story here. It wasn’t a big demo anyway, only 200 showed up, but the reaction is telling. Are the Arab world’s women going to get any status-improvement out of democracy? It’s not essentially linked to gender equality… --- ## [Really, how secure were jobs in the 50s, 60s, 70s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-how-secure-were-jobs-in-the-50s-60s-70s/573377)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/really-how-secure-were-jobs-in-the-50s-60s-70s/573377 "2011-03-09T00:59:03Z")
I met an ex-colleague in the grocery store last night. He had been laid off from his job as a shipper for a small manufacturer. The same company from which I was laid off in late 2008. The company got bought, and abou… --- ## [Did Lori Berenson Deserve Such a Long Prison Term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-lori-berenson-deserve-such-a-long-prison-term/573397)
**Author:** [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-lori-berenson-deserve-such-a-long-prison-term/573397 "2011-03-09T00:40:41Z")
I know very little about the situation in Peru so I don’t feel comfortable commenting. But I thought this New York Times profile of her was quite fascinating. Was she a young and naive idealist unjustly punished? A defia… --- ## [Is it sexism to charge higher insurance rates for new male drivers with no record?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-sexism-to-charge-higher-insurance-rates-for-new-male-drivers-with-no-record/573314)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-sexism-to-charge-higher-insurance-rates-for-new-male-drivers-with-no-record/573314 "2011-03-09T00:07:36Z")
It seems Europe’s highest court says it is. I’ve been the lone voice in the dark for years arguing that it’s unfair that a man is tattooed from birth as a higher risk by auto insurance companies and life insurance compa… --- ## [Smoking on the street \[cont'd\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoking-on-the-street-contd/571042)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoking-on-the-street-contd/571042 "2011-03-08T23:30:44Z")
Happy Day! New York is banning outdoor smoking at “municipal parks, beaches and even Times Square.” Story here. Excerpt: “It will make it an offence to light up in any of the city’s 1,700 parks and along 14 miles (23km)… --- ## [Do American infantrymen carry too much gear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-infantrymen-carry-too-much-gear/573724)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2011, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-american-infantrymen-carry-too-much-gear/573724 "2011-03-08T18:05:14Z")
I came across this interesting blog post recently. Ignore the horrid-looking header and just scroll down to the beginning of the post. The author’s contention is that American infantry is overburdened with excessive gea… --- ## [More Muslim Marvelousness? Or More Radical Muslim Marvelousness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-muslim-marvelousness-or-more-radical-muslim-marvelousness/573403)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-muslim-marvelousness-or-more-radical-muslim-marvelousness/573403 "2011-03-07T22:28:05Z")
It seems that that the sole Christian member of the Pakistan government (Minister for Religious Minorities) was killed by gunmen in Islamibad. Did this non-Muslim owe people money? Did he sleep with someone’s wife? Or wa… --- ## [Is it really fair to talk about AA "success rates"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-fair-to-talk-about-aa-success-rates/572657)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-fair-to-talk-about-aa-success-rates/572657 "2011-03-07T22:00:02Z")
I realize there are already a couple of debates touched off by Charlie Sheen’s latest rant, so I would like to limit this thread to AA and its alleged “5% success rate”. First, I put my cards on the table. I an an alcoh… --- ## [The 7 Years war: Whay Was Gen. Montcalm Outfoxed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-7-years-war-whay-was-gen-montcalm-outfoxed/572863)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-7-years-war-whay-was-gen-montcalm-outfoxed/572863 "2011-03-07T21:41:36Z")
In reading Francis Parkman’s classic history of the French and Indian wars, Montcalm puzzles me. He was clearly a competent commander, and enjoyed his men’s trust and respect. He (Montcalm) had bested the British in se… --- ## [Would Saddam Hussein have invaded Saudi Arabia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-saddam-hussein-have-invaded-saudi-arabia/573295)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-saddam-hussein-have-invaded-saudi-arabia/573295 "2011-03-07T21:29:01Z")
As I recall the history of the Gulf War, the initial reason given for moving U.S. troops into Saudi Arabia\* was to defend SA from Iraqi aggression – “Operation Desert Shield” – the assumption being that Hussein wanted to… --- ## [Dear Atheists, questions from a "believer" \[continued\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-atheists-questions-from-a-believer-continued/573771)
**Author:** [@Sara.ajlyakin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sara.ajlyakin)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-atheists-questions-from-a-believer-continued/573771 "2011-03-07T18:47:37Z")
As I remember from extensive readings in, let me frame this, Abrahamic religious texts- the cofified “harm” in not believing exists there, and not in an atheist manifesto- It implies nothing exactly other than a persona… --- ## [There is no such thing as class warfare? Then how does one explain this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-such-thing-as-class-warfare-then-how-does-one-explain-this/573793)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-such-thing-as-class-warfare-then-how-does-one-explain-this/573793 "2011-03-07T17:23:48Z")
Looks more like class predation to me: the rich preying upon everyone else. --- ## [Regulators Reject Proposal That Would Bring Fox-Style News to Canada](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regulators-reject-proposal-that-would-bring-fox-style-news-to-canada/573427)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regulators-reject-proposal-that-would-bring-fox-style-news-to-canada/573427 "2011-03-07T14:33:34Z")
Regulators Reject Proposal That Would Bring Fox-Style News to Canada. The above is an opinion piece by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but the factsare correct. Points for debate: is maintaining news integrity worth this sort … --- ## [Will these hearings "demonize" Muslims in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-hearings-demonize-muslims-in-america/573688)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2011, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-these-hearings-demonize-muslims-in-america/573688 "2011-03-07T05:20:52Z")
\*Prologue: Before I begin this post, I should mention that in choosing to bring up this subject, I may well be banned from SDMB by Tomndebb, since in a previous thread of mine a few weeks ago he called me a “one-trick po… --- ## [Canadians. Re: Libya/ No fly zone/ Could Harper pull it off ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadians-re-libya-no-fly-zone-could-harper-pull-it-off/573536)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadians-re-libya-no-fly-zone-could-harper-pull-it-off/573536 "2011-03-06T18:56:22Z")
I’m disappointed with the American response. I don’t even know where Harper’s head is really at on this issue. But if he committed our armed forces to enforce a no fly zone over Libya, I’m all down for it. The simple … --- ## [7th Circuit Protects Students T-Shirts with the Slogan "Be happy, not gay."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7th-circuit-protects-students-t-shirts-with-the-slogan-be-happy-not-gay/573385)
**Author:** [@NotreDame05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotreDame05)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2011, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7th-circuit-protects-students-t-shirts-with-the-slogan-be-happy-not-gay/573385 "2011-03-06T18:25:20Z")
The case is \*Zamecnik v. Indian Prairie School Dist. #204 \* and a link to the decision is provided below. http://www.ca7.uscourts.gov/tmp/5U0QQ937.pdf There was a designated day in which students were permitted to adv… --- ## [DNA Tests Are an Anti-Feminist Application of Science](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-tests-are-an-anti-feminist-application-of-science/573390)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2011, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-tests-are-an-anti-feminist-application-of-science/573390 "2011-03-06T08:43:44Z")
So says essayist (and feminist?) Melanie McDonagh, writing: So far as I can tell, she’s serious. I don’t agree with her. I’m not sure I agree there can be any such thing as an “anti-feminist” application of science, b… --- ## [When Is Using Deadly Force Justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-using-deadly-force-justified/572319)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2011, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-using-deadly-force-justified/572319 "2011-03-06T05:36:10Z")
When would a person be justified in consciously deciding to use deadly force? For instance if someone started hitting you, would you be justified in taking out an automatic pistol and blowing his head off? What if he was… --- ## [Governor Scott Walker just sealed his own fate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-scott-walker-just-sealed-his-own-fate/572417)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2011, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-scott-walker-just-sealed-his-own-fate/572417 "2011-03-05T21:57:18Z")
This taped prank call shows without a question that he is not serving the people of Wisconsin but a couple of Billionaires. Wisconsin voters should re-call him. --- ## [Does the U.S. intervene in Libya?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-u-s-intervene-in-libya/573083)
**Author:** [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2011, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-u-s-intervene-in-libya/573083 "2011-03-05T17:12:23Z")
I’m hearing noise about a possible U.S. intervention in Libya. It’s an interesting question. So, does the U.S. invade another foreign country? What would be the consequences, given our long and storied enmity with Qad… --- ## [Joseph Stalin's contribution to victory in World War 2.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joseph-stalins-contribution-to-victory-in-world-war-2/572291)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2011, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joseph-stalins-contribution-to-victory-in-world-war-2/572291 "2011-03-05T07:55:33Z")
Most Dopers would probably agree that, compared to the Eastern Front, the rest of World War 2 - all its other theatres combined, were sideshows. The Germans lost over 2.7 million men against the Soviets, compared to 330,… --- ## [High court says victim's dying words can be used in court](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-court-says-victims-dying-words-can-be-used-in-court/573095)
**Author:** [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-court-says-victims-dying-words-can-be-used-in-court/573095 "2011-03-04T21:56:43Z")
\*"In April 2001, police in Detroit found Covington at a gas station with a gunshot wound to the abdomen, in great pain, and having a hard time speaking. When asked “what had happened, who had shot him, and where the sh… --- ## [Assassination is the refinement of war to its most moral form](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassination-is-the-refinement-of-war-to-its-most-moral-form/572928)
**Author:** [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassination-is-the-refinement-of-war-to-its-most-moral-form/572928 "2011-03-04T18:02:02Z")
Resolved: assassination is, by far, the most moral tool in conducting military conflicts between nations First off, let’s dispense with sugarcoating and linguistic chicanery: the point and purpose of war is to kill peop… --- ## [CPAC - The fall of Social Conservatism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpac-the-fall-of-social-conservatism/571164)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cpac-the-fall-of-social-conservatism/571164 "2011-03-04T17:48:50Z")
This is the week of CPAC - the big conservative conference that often marks the start of the presidential primary season for Republicans. Most of the front-running candidates show up to show off their wares. Usually, t… --- ## [ECJ rules: European insurers can no longer charge different prices because of gender](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecj-rules-european-insurers-can-no-longer-charge-different-prices-because-of-gender/573050)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ecj-rules-european-insurers-can-no-longer-charge-different-prices-because-of-gender/573050 "2011-03-04T16:49:40Z")
Click here. To whit: The ruling is also expected to affect annuities and pensions, where women receive less per annum for the same pot of money, due to their longer lifetimes. Is this a good or bad thing? Personally… --- ## [How could a loving God approve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-loving-god-approve/573321)
**Author:** [@Chupacabras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chupacabras)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-a-loving-god-approve/573321 "2011-03-04T15:42:43Z")
I’ve been researching a lot lately into the Muslim extremist movement. As I’ve been reading, a question has come into my mind: How can anyone think that their God, who is supposed to be a merciful, loving, and caring Go… --- ## [Domino's Offers "Hand Tossed" Pizza-What's The Alternative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dominos-offers-hand-tossed-pizza-whats-the-alternative/573486)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dominos-offers-hand-tossed-pizza-whats-the-alternative/573486 "2011-03-04T15:34:10Z")
I mean, s there any OTHER way to do it? Perhaps “foot tossed”? I haven’t tried Dominos in ages-are their new pizzas (allegedly made with realo cheese) any good? They seem to have a huge number of options now-have they … --- ## [The Valentich disappearance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valentich-disappearance/571913)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2011, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-valentich-disappearance/571913 "2011-03-04T13:41:40Z")
What happened to this guy? Did he die in less than ordinary circumstances or did he dissapear because of something else? Some background, \*The Valentich disappearance describes an event on 21 October 1978 when 20-year-… --- ## [Is this story about the DOD using "psy-ops" on senators even remarkable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-story-about-the-dod-using-psy-ops-on-senators-even-remarkable/572600)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-story-about-the-dod-using-psy-ops-on-senators-even-remarkable/572600 "2011-03-04T03:21:24Z")
Story here. Look, any federal agency will try to win over visiting Congresscritters to its agenda whenever it gets the chance. Why is it “psy-ops” when the military does it? Is it just because they use more scientific… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=400) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=402)