# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=404 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 405 --- ## [Iran opposition plans 2/14 demonstration in Tehran](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-opposition-plans-2-14-demonstration-in-tehran/571260)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-opposition-plans-2-14-demonstration-in-tehran/571260 "2011-02-22T19:17:42Z")
Despite some pre-emptive arrests and crackdowns, they’re going ahead with it. As I’ve said elsewhere, I have my doubts as to whether a people-power revolution could succeed in Iran. When it came down to it, the Tunisi… --- ## [Will Wisconsin's anti-union bill pass constitutional muster? Is it a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-wisconsins-anti-union-bill-pass-constitutional-muster-is-it-a-good-idea/571725)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 244\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-wisconsins-anti-union-bill-pass-constitutional-muster-is-it-a-good-idea/571725 "2011-02-22T16:34:36Z")
Story here The story later details that unions won’t actually be outlawed, but will face new restrictions on what they can ask for at the bargaining table, how they must conduct their internal affairs, etc. Basically,… --- ## [Amanda Knox's parents accused of libel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-knoxs-parents-accused-of-libel/571504)
**Author:** [@MarcusF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarcusF)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2011, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amanda-knoxs-parents-accused-of-libel/571504 "2011-02-22T07:02:01Z")
The innocence of Amanda Knox has been debated here before but this news article from the BBCseems to open a whole new can of worms regarding the Italian legal system. Any thoughts on this? Will this ever come to trial … --- ## [Alternative Vote - yay or nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-vote-yay-or-nay/572161)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-vote-yay-or-nay/572161 "2011-02-22T04:58:59Z")
The U.K. is holding a referendum in May on whether to change the Westminster election system from the current First Past the Post system to the Alternative Vote, also known as Instant Run-off Voting. The referendum has … --- ## [Hypothetical Debate: Would You Support the Nomination of Robert A Leffingwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-debate-would-you-support-the-nomination-of-robert-a-leffingwell/571882)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-debate-would-you-support-the-nomination-of-robert-a-leffingwell/571882 "2011-02-22T02:12:25Z")
This scenario is taken from Advise and Consent by Allan Drury It is the middle of the Cold War and the President of the United States, a Democrat \[1\], has nominated a new Secretary of State-Robert A Leffingwell. However… --- ## [Alternative Current Events: Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-current-events-iraq/572160)
**Author:** [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2011, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-current-events-iraq/572160 "2011-02-22T01:52:34Z")
If the US had (for whatever reason) refrained from invading Iraq in 2003 and driving Saddam Hussein out of power, might Hussein today be facing the kind of anti-regime protests now taking place throughout the region? If… --- ## [Is Wikipedia all that bad as a reference source?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wikipedia-all-that-bad-as-a-reference-source/571862)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wikipedia-all-that-bad-as-a-reference-source/571862 "2011-02-21T22:00:23Z")
After doing a quick word-search of SDMB for “Wikipedia”, I find it has been mentioned hundreds of times (not surprising) but I can find no recent thread discussing its merits. If this has already been discussed, please t… --- ## [What's wrong with the birthers' argument?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-the-birthers-argument/571523)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-the-birthers-argument/571523 "2011-02-21T18:48:13Z")
There is a lot wrong with the birthers, and all I can say about them as a whole is that, in the future, “Birthers” will be just an interesting sidebar in a history textbook (or the e-edition of the textbook). But more c… --- ## [I predict no more Arab/Muslim regime changes this year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-predict-no-more-arab-muslim-regime-changes-this-year/571941)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-predict-no-more-arab-muslim-regime-changes-this-year/571941 "2011-02-21T18:19:36Z")
The recent revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt succeeded because (1) public hostility to the regime was nearly unanimous and (2) the military was not willing to defend the regime. Even in the Arab/Muslim world, that is a v… --- ## [About when did the hate begin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-when-did-the-hate-begin/571741)
**Author:** [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2011, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-when-did-the-hate-begin/571741 "2011-02-21T11:57:31Z")
The Democrat and Republican parties have been around a long time, at least back to the days of Lincoln I believe, and have worked together at times to get things done. This occasionally (seemingly rarely) happens today.… --- ## [Jewish Dopers: Have you ever watched the film "Defamation"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-have-you-ever-watched-the-film-defamation/568018)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 248\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-have-you-ever-watched-the-film-defamation/568018 "2011-02-20T19:18:10Z")
I’m very reluctant to post this thread because 1) Israel will be brought up, and it seems that we can never have thread about Israel that ends very well, 2) I do not want to be accused of anti-Semitism, which if you’ve s… --- ## [Is South Dakota considering legalizing the killing of abortion providers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-south-dakota-considering-legalizing-the-killing-of-abortion-providers/571512)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-south-dakota-considering-legalizing-the-killing-of-abortion-providers/571512 "2011-02-19T19:52:51Z")
I was reading this article: I followed the link to the text of the bill itself but while it does not read (to me) that any schmo can run and kill and abortion doctor I admit it seems to come close enough. But then IAN… --- ## [Federal or state budget cuts - where's the difficulty in deciding what to cut?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-or-state-budget-cuts-wheres-the-difficulty-in-deciding-what-to-cut/570771)
**Author:** [@squeekster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeekster)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2011, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-or-state-budget-cuts-wheres-the-difficulty-in-deciding-what-to-cut/570771 "2011-02-19T17:57:29Z")
It isn’t rocket science in deciding what to cut. Simply look back 20 to 25 years. Any programs what weren’t in existence then people obviously lived without. They can live without them now also. Cut all of those prog… --- ## [French Foreign Minister, ''That Property deal w Ben Ali was purely private''](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-foreign-minister-that-property-deal-w-ben-ali-was-purely-private/571707)
**Author:** [@wmfellows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wmfellows)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-foreign-minister-that-property-deal-w-ben-ali-was-purely-private/571707 "2011-02-19T04:29:19Z")
This is perhaps worth discussing as I find the French FM’'s behaviour extraordinary and am utterly baffled as to why Sarkozy has not thrown her under at least one bus: Now I confess I am partial to the Sarko shake up o… --- ## [Can There Be Absolute Morality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-there-be-absolute-morality/570299)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2011, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-there-be-absolute-morality/570299 "2011-02-19T03:26:26Z")
Do you believe there is such a thing as absolute morality-ie morality which was applicable ten thousand years ago, applicable now, and applicable ten thousand years from now, which will not change as long as sapient life… --- ## [The electric car: is it ideal transportation if a good battery exists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-electric-car-is-it-ideal-transportation-if-a-good-battery-exists/569573)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-electric-car-is-it-ideal-transportation-if-a-good-battery-exists/569573 "2011-02-18T22:07:47Z")
First, let me say that I have no ax to grind in this debate. I don’t design electric cars, I don’t own any stock in electric car companies, and I am not in favor of electric cars over other designs just on principle. B… --- ## [1986 Libya Operation: Why did Italy/Spain/France refuse airspace?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1986-libya-operation-why-did-italy-spain-france-refuse-airspace/570155)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1986-libya-operation-why-did-italy-spain-france-refuse-airspace/570155 "2011-02-18T21:56:08Z")
In the 1986 US air attack on Qaddafi’s Libya, France, Italy, and Spain refused airspace for the attack. (Only the UK allowed it). This required the US planes based in the UK to fly around continental Europe, adding great… --- ## [A simple proposal for the US budget](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-proposal-for-the-us-budget/571824)
**Author:** [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simple-proposal-for-the-us-budget/571824 "2011-02-18T21:21:11Z")
Progressives don’t like the Bush tax cuts. Conservatives don’t like the high spending. So how about we go way, way back in the time machine to the last time we had a balanced budget … the year 2000. I propose we reins… --- ## [Germany in 1939: Ready For War-or Not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-in-1939-ready-for-war-or-not/571460)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-in-1939-ready-for-war-or-not/571460 "2011-02-17T22:13:55Z")
In my readings of WWII history, I get the impression that the war was not well planned out (by the Nazi leadership). In 1933 (which is when Hitler decided to lauch a european war), Germany had a curiously backward econom… --- ## [What About The Kurds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-the-kurds/571726)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-the-kurds/571726 "2011-02-17T21:39:57Z")
I thought I’d add this group of Middle Eastern people to the talk. Kurdish people now are the biggest ethnic group without a nation of their own. Do you think the current climate in the Middle East will inspire the Kurd… --- ## [What's wrong with the birthers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-the-birthers/571269)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-the-birthers/571269 "2011-02-17T17:34:20Z")
Obviously, if you think nothing’s wrong with them, this isn’t a productive thread for you, but if you think (like every other sane person on this planet) that however evil or socialist Obama may be, he’s a homegrown Amer… --- ## [Cancer is man made](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancer-is-man-made/571266)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cancer-is-man-made/571266 "2011-02-17T14:02:32Z")
Found this article, at the face of it seems like bad science. please refute this, or indeed argue for it. From University of Manchester : link Heres a copy of the article: Scientists suggest that cancer is man-made 1… --- ## [Multiculturalism Has Failed, Say European Leaders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiculturalism-has-failed-say-european-leaders/571047)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2011, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiculturalism-has-failed-say-european-leaders/571047 "2011-02-17T12:06:06Z")
I’m not myself familiar enough with the details of multicultural policies in Europe to judge these comments. But in general, I agree with the notion. Multi-culturism sounds great, and would be great if everyone was a… --- ## [Impeach Clarence Thomas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-clarence-thomas/571177)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-clarence-thomas/571177 "2011-02-16T19:04:06Z")
Since we cannot quote an entire page for copyright reasons I direct you to this page: Petition · Impeach Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas · Change.org It is not long to read so hopefully that is ok for this. So, e… --- ## [Should Political Polling be Banned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-political-polling-be-banned/571364)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-political-polling-be-banned/571364 "2011-02-16T16:54:39Z")
I wasn’t sure if this should go under “Elections”, but it seemed more of a debate subject that about a specific election. I’m watching the Mayoral race here in Chicago, and it seems Rahm Emmanuel is running away with it… --- ## [Popular philosophical ideas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-philosophical-ideas/570511)
**Author:** [@blood63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blood63)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-philosophical-ideas/570511 "2011-02-16T16:07:19Z")
I am teaching high school philosphy this year for the first time. I am wading through it. I thought it might be good to delve into the philosophies through which we live our lives. A ten minute internet search did not… --- ## [Did Scalia do anything wrong by meeting privately with this group?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-scalia-do-anything-wrong-by-meeting-privately-with-this-group/571403)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-scalia-do-anything-wrong-by-meeting-privately-with-this-group/571403 "2011-02-16T15:27:32Z")
The Raw Story is reporting that Justice Scalia met privately with congressional Tea Party members, and a former (Reagan) DoJ official feels it was improper, possibly deserving of impeachment. Did Scalia do anything wro… --- ## [John Boehner sex scandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-boehner-sex-scandal/570853)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-boehner-sex-scandal/570853 "2011-02-16T04:01:02Z")
Anyone heard of the possible sex scandal brewing for John Boehner? Not a lot of major news sources have picked it up yet. -From here. The first thing you’ll notice is that this story broke in the National Enquirer, b… --- ## [Thankyou George W. Bush](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thankyou-george-w-bush/571091)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2011, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thankyou-george-w-bush/571091 "2011-02-16T03:37:13Z")
You took us to war in Iraq on the excuse of WMDs. Right or wrong, I always believed you were looking at the big picture. I gave credence to the idea that birthing a democracy in the middle east, ie, Iraq, would spill dem… --- ## [Is the moral objection to the existence of God valid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-moral-objection-to-the-existence-of-god-valid/569842)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-moral-objection-to-the-existence-of-god-valid/569842 "2011-02-16T00:12:10Z")
A couple of things before we begin. I am a practical agnostic and a practical atheist, so I’m not about to argue in favor of any deity existing (not even Athena). But nor is it my intention, at least at this juncture, to… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=403) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=405)