# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=406 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 407 --- ## [Berkeley, CA is Guantanamo West](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berkeley-ca-is-guantanamo-west/571003)
**Author:** [@terryobrien80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terryobrien80)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berkeley-ca-is-guantanamo-west/571003 "2011-02-11T11:38:45Z")
FEBRUARY 10, 2011 Berkeley, CA: Guantanamo West By Monica Crowley LINK\> Monica Crowley: Berkeley, CA: Guantanamo West What is it with liberals wanting to bring terrorists to the United States? First we saw President… --- ## [Arizona counter-sues over SB1070](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-counter-sues-over-sb1070/570968)
**Author:** [@terryobrien80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terryobrien80)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arizona-counter-sues-over-sb1070/570968 "2011-02-11T07:57:06Z")
Arizona counter-sues over SB1070 by KTAR.com and Associated Press (February 10th, 2011 @ 12:20pm LINK\> http://ktar.com/category/local-news-articles/20110210/Brewer-to-make-announcement-on-immigration-law/ PHOENIX – Ar… --- ## [Given the Blair dossier, is there any alternative to attacking ASAP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-the-blair-dossier-is-there-any-alternative-to-attacking-asap/129460)
**Author:** [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-the-blair-dossier-is-there-any-alternative-to-attacking-asap/129460 "2011-02-11T05:07:01Z")
On 24 September 2002, Prime Minister Tony Blair published the a 35-page dossier on the case against Saddam Hussein. Even the Executive Summary is too long to reproduce here, but here’s point #6. \[quote\] 6. As a result… --- ## [You Read It Here First: My Manifesto](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-read-it-here-first-my-manifesto/565341)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-read-it-here-first-my-manifesto/565341 "2011-02-11T04:45:12Z")
\*\*Well, I don’t know if it’s technically a manifesto or not. I just always wanted to say that! I’m posting in great debates because realistically I think that, despite my sincere intentions otherwise, I am probably goi… --- ## [Is this Muslim cleric justifying lying for his religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-muslim-cleric-justifying-lying-for-his-religion/570931)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-muslim-cleric-justifying-lying-for-his-religion/570931 "2011-02-11T02:04:09Z")
I have been formally warned by the moderator that I must not refer to any Muslim poster as using “taqiyya”, since that is the equivalent, appprently, of calling another poster a liar. So I will not do so. I am NOT callin… --- ## [Marcel Leroux: Global Warming Denier](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcel-leroux-global-warming-denier/570648)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2011, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marcel-leroux-global-warming-denier/570648 "2011-02-10T22:42:47Z")
Marcel Leroux is not a hack, from what I can tell. He was a Professor of Climatology at Jean Moulin University in France and the director of the Laboratory of Climatology, Risk, and Environment before his death in 2008. … --- ## [Has Something Happened in Israel Lately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-something-happened-in-israel-lately/570610)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-something-happened-in-israel-lately/570610 "2011-02-10T22:25:23Z")
Sure, I live in the Middle East. That certainly does not make me an expert. Frankly I do not even pay much attention to a lot in the news nowadays. But I have noticed a number of people in my circle of acquaintance (Face… --- ## [Will Egypt Have an Iran-Style Revolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-egypt-have-an-iran-style-revolution/569520)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-egypt-have-an-iran-style-revolution/569520 "2011-02-10T19:21:56Z")
I hope not. But seriously, all the ingredients are there-a bitter, fed-up population, an extremely strong muslim group (the Muslim Brotherhood), a powerful army faction…and a healthy hate for the USA. I fully expect Mub… --- ## [What future would the Egyptian people choose if they could?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-future-would-the-egyptian-people-choose-if-they-could/570548)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-future-would-the-egyptian-people-choose-if-they-could/570548 "2011-02-10T17:49:21Z")
At present, Egypt is going through the kind of disorganized, mass-based revolution where the revolutionaries do not seem to have any clear idea of what they want, only that they don’t want the current regime. (Similar t… --- ## [Abolish Presidential Term limits!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abolish-presidential-term-limits/161565)
**Author:** [@Jiang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jiang)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abolish-presidential-term-limits/161565 "2011-02-10T16:30:34Z")
If the people desire to keep a certain individual as President for a long period of time, it is the people’s choice. Any provision that gets in the way of this choice to tyranny. However, with the knowledge that power te… --- ## [Common Cause Takes a Stand on the Filibuster!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-cause-takes-a-stand-on-the-filibuster/570549)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2011, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/common-cause-takes-a-stand-on-the-filibuster/570549 "2011-02-10T07:00:18Z")
In opposition to this view, we have the following statement from an apparently rival organization: That rival organization sure is nutty, huh? Of course, the rival organization is… (no surprise here)… Common Cause. T… --- ## [IEA says world has passed oil production peak](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iea-says-world-has-passed-oil-production-peak/570582)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2011, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iea-says-world-has-passed-oil-production-peak/570582 "2011-02-10T05:06:20Z")
Consider from the article, The IEA, Exxon, Shell and Aramco Admit the Peak is Real: The debate is: Do you dispute the IEA’s claim that global oil production peaked in 2006? Allright, why do you think they are wrong?… --- ## [Reagan, just past his 100th Birthday.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reagan-just-past-his-100th-birthday/570663)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2011, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reagan-just-past-his-100th-birthday/570663 "2011-02-10T00:33:12Z")
Sunday was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ronald Reagan. As it was Superbowl Sunday; HBO showed their new documentary movie last night instead. It was well done and I thought pretty well balanced, no simple vie… --- ## [Angry people: a new perspective?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angry-people-a-new-perspective/570302)
**Author:** [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angry-people-a-new-perspective/570302 "2011-02-09T20:44:55Z")
No one can deny there’s a lot of free-floating anger and rudeness in society today - even if most of it is needless, pointless, and encouraged by the isolation granted us on teh toobz, even as they widen communication. I… --- ## [Child safety in cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-safety-in-cars/570035)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-safety-in-cars/570035 "2011-02-09T15:08:51Z")
My oldest daughter is 4, and we’ve moved her up to a booster seat despite the fact that current recommendations are to keep her in a conventional child seat until she physically can’t fit anymore. There’s a growing tren… --- ## [What precedent, if any, would the SC overturning HCR set? Chances?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-precedent-if-any-would-the-sc-overturning-hcr-set-chances/569727)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-precedent-if-any-would-the-sc-overturning-hcr-set-chances/569727 "2011-02-08T22:05:26Z")
As I mentioned in another thread, this Salon writer argues that if the Supreme Court takes up the Constitutionality of the health care reform law and rules against it, it could be used as precedent to overturn a LOT of o… --- ## [What would happen if America stuck by it's principles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-america-stuck-by-its-principles/570058)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-america-stuck-by-its-principles/570058 "2011-02-08T22:02:46Z")
In other words, what if we actually told Saudi Arabia “Hey! You are an oppressive government. Keep your oil.” It seems that supporting dictators just because they are anti-commy, anti-Muslim extremist, oil rich, allow mi… --- ## [Is the Constitution being turned into another Bible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-constitution-being-turned-into-another-bible/570579)
**Author:** [@freemal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freemal2)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-constitution-being-turned-into-another-bible/570579 "2011-02-08T20:43:39Z")
Lately I’ve noticed the reverence with which the words of the Constitution are spoken by some conservative quarters. Does it seem to others like the words are spoken as though they transcend the works of mortal man but … --- ## [Another Strike \[in the courts against HealthCare Reform law\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-strike-in-the-courts-against-healthcare-reform-law/569685)
**Author:** [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-strike-in-the-courts-against-healthcare-reform-law/569685 "2011-02-08T16:50:39Z")
Healthcare Reform dealt yet another strike How soon till repeal and/or it goes before the Supreme Court? Should wholesale changes start being made in order to rescue it? --- ## [Why religious controversy in biology but (post-Galileo) not physics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-religious-controversy-in-biology-but-post-galileo-not-physics/570415)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2011, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-religious-controversy-in-biology-but-post-galileo-not-physics/570415 "2011-02-08T07:25:39Z")
Sir Isaac Newton was no atheist, he authored many religious tracts. Yet Newtonian physics opened the way to a new thing in Western history, a (potentially) complete picture of the Universe that makes sense without God. … --- ## [Why so much speculation regarding Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-much-speculation-regarding-israel/570056)
**Author:** [@AshenLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AshenLady)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-much-speculation-regarding-israel/570056 "2011-02-08T05:30:08Z")
With the conflagration going on in Egypt, why is there so much speculation about what this means for the country of Israel? People who aren’t Jewish are always interested in knowing what is in it for Israel. Pro or con… --- ## [The necessity of Civil war.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-necessity-of-civil-war/570160)
**Author:** [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2011, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-necessity-of-civil-war/570160 "2011-02-08T05:17:59Z")
Hello good people, I’ve been watching a documentary about Abraham Lincoln and his legacy. It struck me how hugely this tumult affects society and the relationship of nations to nations. Is Civil war a requirement of a… --- ## [Has the British Prime Minister grown a pair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-british-prime-minister-grown-a-pair/570229)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-british-prime-minister-grown-a-pair/570229 "2011-02-08T04:22:45Z")
This breaking story about British Prime Minister David Cameron seems to signal a shift that many people in Britain (and America) are looking for when it comes to multiculturalism. It is interesting that he is going to g… --- ## [Examples of decisions/laws that politicians made that were wrong/bad because of their "eliteness"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-decisions-laws-that-politicians-made-that-were-wrong-bad-because-of-their-eliteness/570433)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-decisions-laws-that-politicians-made-that-were-wrong-bad-because-of-their-eliteness/570433 "2011-02-08T04:04:58Z")
I hear politicians being called “elite” as an insult, but I’m not sure what that really means. Can somebody give a concrete example of a decision or law that was wrong, that can reasonably be called “elite”? --- ## [The Very Very Straight Dope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-very-very-straight-dope/570571)
**Author:** [@AshenLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AshenLady)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2011, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-very-very-straight-dope/570571 "2011-02-08T01:32:45Z")
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=17&ved=0CFEQFjAGOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.conceptwizard.com%2Fpipeline\_of\_hatred.html&ei=CFhQTajVBYPqgQeexKUE&usg=AFQjCNGOyDyV4oz3zhyY\_BYvOpjv3MgKyw&sig2=hQdQQKA7sCbsdYT51LmsyA … --- ## [Who is Responsible for Political Correctness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-responsible-for-political-correctness/570176)
**Author:** [@kevlaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevlaw)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-responsible-for-political-correctness/570176 "2011-02-07T22:02:50Z")
Over in Cafe Society, there is a thread asking which movies from the old days could not be made today? because of political correctness. The examples are all over the map from complaints about blackface, sensitivity abo… --- ## [Can Egypt Become a Better Democracy than the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-egypt-become-a-better-democracy-than-the-us/570443)
**Author:** [@ready29003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ready29003)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-egypt-become-a-better-democracy-than-the-us/570443 "2011-02-07T21:24:36Z")
We have a few voice topics going over at Vaestro on this. I’d like to know what you dopers think. Will Egypt become Democratic and if so, what should it do differently than the USA? Both are huge questions. It seems … --- ## [Did monogamy appear before religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-monogamy-appear-before-religion/569873)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-monogamy-appear-before-religion/569873 "2011-02-07T19:11:48Z")
Not sure where this belongs (GQ or here), so if it is in the wrong forum, mods please move. I happened to be watching Mutiny on the Bounty, and if I remember correctly, the book was much more detailed about sex and rela… --- ## [Social Darwinism - the only logical explanation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-darwinism-the-only-logical-explanation/569468)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-darwinism-the-only-logical-explanation/569468 "2011-02-07T15:58:09Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110129/ap\_on\_re\_us/us\_expired\_benefits\_nevada\_unemployment Is the whole point of this economy to get rid of the jobless? Hope they starve to death or something? Everyone knows these people … --- ## [Senate Report: EVERYBODY Knew Major Hasan Was Insane Jihadist, But Kept Quiet To Be PC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-report-everybody-knew-major-hasan-was-insane-jihadist-but-kept-quiet-to-be-pc/570113)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-report-everybody-knew-major-hasan-was-insane-jihadist-but-kept-quiet-to-be-pc/570113 "2011-02-07T14:23:23Z")
http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/\_files/Fort\_Hood/FortHoodReport.pdf I’m only surprised that the Senate panel had the audacity to say what’s been obvious for a long time. Major Hasan was a dangerous lunatic, and everybod… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=405) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=407)