# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=407 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 408 --- ## [The Perfect World, Environmentally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-world-environmentally/570263)
**Author:** [@Wogglebug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wogglebug)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2011, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-perfect-world-environmentally/570263 "2011-02-07T03:50:13Z")
We invest much effort in combating global warming. But what should we do, many years in the future, if we finally got control? Return the world to a pre-industrial climate? But if biodiversity is a critical measure of p… --- ## ["Jews totally run Hollywood"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-totally-run-hollywood/556058)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 271\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-totally-run-hollywood/556058 "2011-02-07T02:07:41Z")
The title of this OP was taken from a column by Joel Stein in the LA Times I was reminded of this column by the recent Rick Sanchez fiasco, and mainly by comments in the couple of related threads here on the SDMB that c… --- ## [Could there be life -- and what sort -- on planet Gliese 581 g?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-there-be-life-and-what-sort-on-planet-gliese-581-g/556081)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-there-be-life-and-what-sort-on-planet-gliese-581-g/556081 "2011-02-06T21:55:38Z")
Astronomers have recently discovered that Gliese 581 g, a planet in a star system 20.5 light-years from Sol, is the first known extra-solar “Goldilocks planet,” with a temperature just right for liquid water, and life. H… --- ## [Are these "the five worldviews that define American politics"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-the-five-worldviews-that-define-american-politics/570071)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-the-five-worldviews-that-define-american-politics/570071 "2011-02-06T18:27:04Z")
From a recent article by Michael Lind. American politics is driven by five “worldviews” which cut across what we think of as the “left-right” divide: Neoliberal globalism: “This is more or less the official ideology o… --- ## [If "evolution" is true...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-evolution-is-true/570390)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-evolution-is-true/570390 "2011-02-06T17:51:45Z")
Then, why do we have bacteria? Shouldnt they evolve too? Bacterias causes infections in humans, What kind of purpose it that?? Why cant they talk? Doesnt make much sense when you think about, does it? No, I dont think… --- ## [Person in Vegetative State: Take Your Chance Or Not](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-in-vegetative-state-take-your-chance-or-not/570244)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/person-in-vegetative-state-take-your-chance-or-not/570244 "2011-02-06T15:02:11Z")
Suppose a close family member of yours was in a vegetative state? However there is a small chance that the person may get out of the coma even if in several years. Would you still take him or her off life support? --- ## [Women leaders of the Tea Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-leaders-of-the-tea-party/569919)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-leaders-of-the-tea-party/569919 "2011-02-05T21:17:41Z")
When I think of the most prominent leaders of the Tea Party movement, the names that spring to mind are Sarah Palin, Michele Bachman, and Christine O’Donnel. I find it interesting that all three are women. I find this … --- ## [Reverse American exceptionalism: dumber/more violent/etc. than other countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverse-american-exceptionalism-dumber-more-violent-etc-than-other-countries/569033)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverse-american-exceptionalism-dumber-more-violent-etc-than-other-countries/569033 "2011-02-05T17:58:25Z")
Partly as a backlash to some American citizens and outlets touting this nation as the “greatest on Earth” or somesuch, I see many foreign (and domestic) opinions instead stating that the U.S., its government, and/or its … --- ## [Al-Jazeera broadcasting leaked "Palestine Papers"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-jazeera-broadcasting-leaked-palestine-papers/568808)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 233\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-jazeera-broadcasting-leaked-palestine-papers/568808 "2011-02-04T23:29:17Z")
Story here. (N.B.: This is not a Wikileaks story, though it says al-Jazeera is releasing the papers piecemeal “Wikileaks-style”; where it got them is not mentioned.) These are memoranda of secret negotiations between I… --- ## [A Refuge for Dictators](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-refuge-for-dictators/569158)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-refuge-for-dictators/569158 "2011-02-04T23:09:22Z")
I see the ex-president of Tunisia is holed up in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I used to live there and a buddy claims to have met Idi Amin in the grocery store. Saudi Arabia accepted both men, but forbade them from leaving and… --- ## [Suppose HCR gets overturned in the Supreme Court? Then what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-hcr-gets-overturned-in-the-supreme-court-then-what/569986)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-hcr-gets-overturned-in-the-supreme-court-then-what/569986 "2011-02-04T23:09:13Z")
For whatever parts of the law are not examined/struck down? For HCR efforts in general? Politically on both sides? (Obviously, Obama’s opponents will crow that he’s a defeated, ineffectual, wrong-headed President, whi… --- ## [Why does the West have such a hardon for democracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-west-have-such-a-hardon-for-democracy/568601)
**Author:** [@Taenia\_spp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taenia_spp)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-west-have-such-a-hardon-for-democracy/568601 "2011-02-04T23:07:58Z")
In full disclosure, I live in America, and have been pretty content with our system of government, despite all its idiosyncrasies. What I’ve been wondering for a while is why do our Western societies (America in particu… --- ## [Is Wikileaks a threat to United States national security.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wikileaks-a-threat-to-united-states-national-security/569526)
**Author:** [@ZebStrickland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebStrickland)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wikileaks-a-threat-to-united-states-national-security/569526 "2011-02-04T20:22:31Z")
I am a public forum debater and i am curious to see both sides of this debate. I want to see the public’s opinion on this matter because it was one of my favorite debate topics. --- ## [Middle East unrest according to Glenn Beck and friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-east-unrest-according-to-glenn-beck-and-friends/570050)
**Author:** [@wmfellows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wmfellows)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-east-unrest-according-to-glenn-beck-and-friends/570050 "2011-02-04T16:05:28Z")
Let me apologize for an OP where I am bound to merely be an observer, but in reading the coverage on Cairo (who isn’t), I came across this Guardian arty on Right Wing USA news coverage on Egypt: the summ of it seeming to… --- ## [far Right Dutch political Party targets mentally challenged voters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/far-right-dutch-political-party-targets-mentally-challenged-voters/569884)
**Author:** [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/far-right-dutch-political-party-targets-mentally-challenged-voters/569884 "2011-02-04T14:40:45Z")
The Dutch populist anti-immigration party recently issued a simplified version of their political program, targeted especially at mentally challenged voters…. Interesting enough Immigration is not mentioned in this ver… --- ## [Is US aid to the Egyptian military playing a role in their current behavior](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-aid-to-the-egyptian-military-playing-a-role-in-their-current-behavior/569799)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-aid-to-the-egyptian-military-playing-a-role-in-their-current-behavior/569799 "2011-02-04T14:36:04Z")
The Egyptian military said they are not going to attack civilians, and I have heard some in the military are working behind the scenes to get Mubarak out peacefully. Egypt’s military budget is 3.6 billion. I think about… --- ## [What if Texas had remained part of Mexico?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-texas-had-remained-part-of-mexico/569915)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-texas-had-remained-part-of-mexico/569915 "2011-02-04T04:40:11Z")
A speculation on alternate history. Texas, 1836. Santa Anna crushes the Texas rebellion and hangs Sam Houston, and closes the border to further immigration from the United States. Would Texas have remained part of Mex… --- ## [Is America a Fascist Country? Are we the next Egypt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-a-fascist-country-are-we-the-next-egypt/569835)
**Author:** [@nilum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nilum)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2011, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-a-fascist-country-are-we-the-next-egypt/569835 "2011-02-04T01:47:43Z")
I know this interview was conducted by prison planet (no one likes that place around here), but Alex Jones doesn’t make any interjections. This is Former Assistant Secretary of Housing under George H.W. Bus… --- ## [1099 provision repealed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1099-provision-repealed/570044)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1099-provision-repealed/570044 "2011-02-03T23:17:05Z")
The provision to require additional 1099 reporting as part of the funding for the Healthcare Reform Act was widely unpopular, especially with small to medium sized businesses. Seems like it may be going bye bye. Not q… --- ## [Nostradamus, the man who predicted NOTHING!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nostradamus-the-man-who-predicted-nothing/354243)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nostradamus-the-man-who-predicted-nothing/354243 "2011-02-03T18:46:05Z")
In the eternal fight against ignorance, I am happy to note that Cecil and other straight dopers effectively shoot down the ridiculous claims of so-called “seers” like Jeanne Dixon and Nostradamus. In fact, I have studie… --- ## [Should U.S. Corporations be required to carry Al-Jazeera?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-u-s-corporations-be-required-to-carry-al-jazeera/569633)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-u-s-corporations-be-required-to-carry-al-jazeera/569633 "2011-02-03T14:14:35Z")
The free market clearly says Al-Jazeera is popular and has a big audience in America, where people are going to view its online feeds. What else besides outright censorship is causing the major U.S. carriers (aside fro… --- ## [Well, well ... has Tony Blair become a delusional Islamophobe bigot like me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-well-has-tony-blair-become-a-delusional-islamophobe-bigot-like-me/568595)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2011, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-well-has-tony-blair-become-a-delusional-islamophobe-bigot-like-me/568595 "2011-02-03T13:14:22Z")
Just for the sake of argument (what else would it be for on Great Debates?) I just came across Youtube of the British former Prime Minister Tony Blair making these comments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9Thm6pLmhM&feat… --- ## [Gun owners - would you support this compromise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 258\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-would-you-support-this-compromise/569127 "2011-02-03T02:47:46Z")
In the wake of the incident in Tuscon, I have come to believe (and I never thought I’d say this) that it needs to be harder for mentally unbalanced people to obtain guns, especially handguns. Right now in many states, an… --- ## [Racism and "The Race Card"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-and-the-race-card/569634)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-and-the-race-card/569634 "2011-02-02T16:54:06Z")
In this thread, yours truly expressed his opinion re the intelligence of “most of the black ladies in congress”. Granted I compared it unfavorably to “Republicans” so it was considered quite an insult. Isn’t the group … --- ## [NYC undercover investigators buy guns at Arizona gun show without background checks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-undercover-investigators-buy-guns-at-arizona-gun-show-without-background-checks/569697)
**Author:** [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-undercover-investigators-buy-guns-at-arizona-gun-show-without-background-checks/569697 "2011-02-02T14:30:12Z")
Apparently New York City sent a small group of undercover investigators to a gun show in Arizona to attempt to buy guns while avoiding background checks at the gun show. One officer was sold a gun even after telling the… --- ## [You're right, Danny C...there is no god.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-right-danny-c-there-is-no-god/568983)
**Author:** [@Cyningablod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyningablod)\ **Replies:** 340\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-right-danny-c-there-is-no-god/568983 "2011-02-02T05:23:03Z")
Today I looked up and called a very old acquaintance–one whom I haven’t seen or spoken with in 13+ years–to tell him that he had been correct all along: god is a myth, the Bible and Christianity are bullshit, and I sure … --- ## [How long can a plutonomy last?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-a-plutonomy-last/569826)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-can-a-plutonomy-last/569826 "2011-02-02T04:05:43Z")
This word was actually invented not by liberals like me, but by analysts at Citigroup, in 2005. Mexico has been a plutonomy since… well since God knows when. Decades, at least. Is this proof that workers can be perma… --- ## [Can government housing projects create lease conditions that reduce or negate constitutional rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-government-housing-projects-create-lease-conditions-that-reduce-or-negate-constitutional-rights/569665)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-government-housing-projects-create-lease-conditions-that-reduce-or-negate-constitutional-rights/569665 "2011-02-02T02:04:26Z")
Obviously the government (state or federal) can offer subsidized housing to low-income families. We know this because it already does – states do it directly; the feds through grants to states. (And for all I know, perha… --- ## [The power of creative destruction, in 1 picture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-creative-destruction-in-1-picture/563387)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 246\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-power-of-creative-destruction-in-1-picture/563387 "2011-02-02T00:11:38Z")
6 million Americans out of work for more than 6 months. Capitalist apologists say that we need to send old-industry jobs like manufacturing overseas so that we can free workers in Am… --- ## [State of the Union: Obama seals his fate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-obama-seals-his-fate/569014)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-obama-seals-his-fate/569014 "2011-02-01T20:10:17Z")
Just watched the SotU address. Found it very…underwhelming. Standard pie in the sky, chicken in every pot, yes we can drivel, and what I consider a startling error. Tonight, Obama promised to veto any bill containing … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=406) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=408)