# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=422 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 423 --- ## [First Circuit to Newdow: Pledge w/ "Under God" is Constitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-circuit-to-newdow-pledge-w-under-god-is-constitutional/560755)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 284\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-circuit-to-newdow-pledge-w-under-god-is-constitutional/560755 "2010-11-19T22:14:34Z")
PDF of opinion is here. Judgment against Micheal Newdow and the “The Freedom From Religion Foundation.” Victory for, inter alia, the Knights of Columbus, who were intervenors for the defense. --- ## [Convince me to say "n-word" rather than "nigger" when the latter is what I mean.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-say-n-word-rather-than-nigger-when-the-latter-is-what-i-mean/560756)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-to-say-n-word-rather-than-nigger-when-the-latter-is-what-i-mean/560756 "2010-11-19T21:05:49Z")
I am a 40-year-old black man. I’ve had the word nigger used to me to my face in several contexts: as a racist insult from white persons, as a criticism (warning against certain irresponsible behaviors) from other black … --- ## [Did China fake a space shuttle expedition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-china-fake-a-space-shuttle-expedition/511635)
**Author:** [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-china-fake-a-space-shuttle-expedition/511635 "2010-11-19T20:44:14Z")
Does anyone want to counter the claims in this youtube video? --- ## [Should Minorities Be Encourage to Assimiliate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-minorities-be-encourage-to-assimiliate/560511)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-minorities-be-encourage-to-assimiliate/560511 "2010-11-19T18:48:17Z")
Should immigrants from other countries or ethnic groups with distinctinve cultures be encourage to assimilate by speaking standard English, adopting American manners, and largely acting in public same the American middle… --- ## [Any adult no matter how unintelligent or ill informed should have a vote.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-adult-no-matter-how-unintelligent-or-ill-informed-should-have-a-vote/561003)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-adult-no-matter-how-unintelligent-or-ill-informed-should-have-a-vote/561003 "2010-11-19T18:42:34Z")
In a recent thread, one voter noted two problems with democracies, the first being that “any adult no matter how unintelligent or ill informed has a vote”. To me, this sounds like saying that the problem with cars is th… --- ## [Lame Duck Session ..... what's going to happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lame-duck-session-whats-going-to-happen/559269)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lame-duck-session-whats-going-to-happen/559269 "2010-11-19T18:40:18Z")
Assuming a Republican takeover along the lines of 55 seats, what’s going to happen in the final days of this session? --- ## [Airplane etiquette vs safety](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-etiquette-vs-safety/560850)
**Author:** [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-etiquette-vs-safety/560850 "2010-11-19T18:10:19Z")
So, here I was, sitting in the plane that had left the jetway. The announcement comes on to turn off all electronic devices. Sitting across the aisle and just ahead of me, so I can see over his shoulder, is a guy (I’ll s… --- ## [Would James Huberty Have Joined the Tea Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-james-huberty-have-joined-the-tea-party/559567)
**Author:** [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-james-huberty-have-joined-the-tea-party/559567 "2010-11-19T17:14:49Z")
Reading throughhis Wikipedia page, I was surprised to see how closely his beliefs lined up with those we have seen at Tea Party rallies recently. Are people like Huberty and David Adkissonthe vanguard of the great new p… --- ## [Is that the death rattle of the Euro I hear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-the-death-rattle-of-the-euro-i-hear/560918)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-that-the-death-rattle-of-the-euro-i-hear/560918 "2010-11-19T16:03:01Z")
Ireland is in deep economic doo-doo. they have instituted extreme austerity measures but to no avail. They are being pressured to seek help from the European partners lest their sickness infects other parts of Europe. … --- ## [What was the mystery missile?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-mystery-missile/560107)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-mystery-missile/560107 "2010-11-19T15:53:02Z")
A KCBS helicopter crew shot footage of an apparent missile launch Monday. \[ \](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_PENTAGON\_MYSTERY\_MISSILE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-11-09-16-22-08) \[ \](h… --- ## [Chinese Spacewalk Faked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-spacewalk-faked/561218)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-spacewalk-faked/561218 "2010-11-19T15:21:02Z")
Check out this Youtube clip: The poster gives some interesting analysis-the spacewalk does look like it was filmed in a tank. I don’t doubt that the Chinese made the flight, but the film clip looks like i… --- ## [Sagans List and life in the universe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sagans-list-and-life-in-the-universe/560372)
**Author:** [@Grateful-UnDead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grateful-UnDead)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sagans-list-and-life-in-the-universe/560372 "2010-11-19T05:07:59Z")
There is an ongoing thread about the existence of life in the universe. An alternative approach in considering this issue is to look at “Sagan’s List” . This is a list he and some of his colleagues compiled, and which s… --- ## [Lets discuss the consequences of slight alterations in the course of WW2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-consequences-of-slight-alterations-in-the-course-of-ww2/548364)
**Author:** [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-consequences-of-slight-alterations-in-the-course-of-ww2/548364 "2010-11-19T03:03:47Z")
Coming out of the ‘are we unfair to Hitler thread’, I’ve been thinking about WW2 even more than usual. The standard time travel trope is to bump of Hitler during WW1 or thereabouts and thereby avoid WW2, at least as we … --- ## [So we own GM. Now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-we-own-gm-now-what/498559)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-we-own-gm-now-what/498559 "2010-11-19T02:11:34Z")
Now that the government owns 60% of GM, what do you think it should do with it? President Obama swears he’ll be hands off but I don’t think he’ll remain that way for long, particularly if they resort to business as usua… --- ## [How do Textualists deal with the 9th Amendment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-textualists-deal-with-the-9th-amendment/503261)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-textualists-deal-with-the-9th-amendment/503261 "2010-11-19T00:09:22Z")
Forgive me if some of my terminology is not accurate, but I think I’ve got it right. It is my understanding that some of the more conservative members of the Supreme Court (and presumably other courts) take a textualist… --- ## [Earmarks: I Call Shenanigans!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earmarks-i-call-shenanigans/560954)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earmarks-i-call-shenanigans/560954 "2010-11-18T21:58:06Z")
But not for the reasons you probably think. The media pundits have long feasted on earmarks, generally an easy source of outrage over Congressional misbehavior. Both the right and the left have engaged in tons of recreat… --- ## [Ontario To Implement The Most Cynical, Dumbest Government Move Of All Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ontario-to-implement-the-most-cynical-dumbest-government-move-of-all-time/561038)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2010, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ontario-to-implement-the-most-cynical-dumbest-government-move-of-all-time/561038 "2010-11-18T18:41:56Z")
I know that in the grand scheme of politics it’s saying a lot, but I’m quite convinced that this is the most outright cynical vote-buying move even made by a representative government: http://www.moneyville.ca/article/8… --- ## [Reform Coming to the Canada Pension Plan -- Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reform-coming-to-the-canada-pension-plan-why/560948)
**Author:** [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reform-coming-to-the-canada-pension-plan-why/560948 "2010-11-18T00:12:14Z")
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/pension-reform-wont-be-easy-jim-flaherty-warns/article1771086/ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/expansion-of-cpp-emerging-as-preferred-option-for-pension-reform/a… --- ## [No US Corp Tax for Mr. Big: Your 2 Cents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-us-corp-tax-for-mr-big-your-2-cents/560549)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-us-corp-tax-for-mr-big-your-2-cents/560549 "2010-11-17T18:47:52Z")
So, Mr. & Mrs. Hard Working US Citizen, how does this make you feel when you hear that BIG BUSINESS, like Exxon, Google, and Microsoft escape (or virtually escape) paying their fair share in US corporate tax by incorpora… --- ## [Is Slavery Endorsed By the Bible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-slavery-endorsed-by-the-bible/559853)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-slavery-endorsed-by-the-bible/559853 "2010-11-16T23:53:04Z")
Seen by this: http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=24247 (As a cite not as “go there and debate them”). My personal thoughts are that God sanctioned slavery in Classical times because the Roman economy was based… --- ## [Sharia rape law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sharia-rape-law/380562)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2010, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sharia-rape-law/380562 "2010-11-16T11:24:26Z")
I don’t agree with Sharia rape law but I’d like to at least understand it. For those unfamiliar with it, Sharia (Islamic) law requires four male witnesses to a rape for it to prosecuted as a crime - otherwise the woman c… --- ## [Free Will Revisited - A New Compatibilist Model](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-revisited-a-new-compatibilist-model/560282)
**Author:** [@PBear42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PBear42)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2010, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-revisited-a-new-compatibilist-model/560282 "2010-11-16T06:30:24Z")
I know we’ve had a lot of threads on this topic, but I’d like to give it another go. Like many, I’ve long been interested in the question of free will vs. determinism. My problem is that, for reasons to be discussed s… --- ## [What will the next viral outrage be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-next-viral-outrage-be/560760)
**Author:** [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2010, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-next-viral-outrage-be/560760 "2010-11-16T06:23:41Z")
This one already jumped the shark. I suspect this one has played itself out. It’s a new week and Twitter must be abuzz with some other retweetable disgust over something. I’ve lately thought that the Twitter mob is a mor… --- ## [Bush claims Mitch McConnell asked for troop withdrawl from Iraq to help in midterm elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-claims-mitch-mcconnell-asked-for-troop-withdrawl-from-iraq-to-help-in-midterm-elections/560671)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-claims-mitch-mcconnell-asked-for-troop-withdrawl-from-iraq-to-help-in-midterm-elections/560671 "2010-11-16T05:33:33Z")
From Decision Points: emphasis added. A troop pullout was a reasonable enough position at the time, but McConnell was blasting Democrats at the same time for wanting to withdraw troops. Either McConnell really believe… --- ## [Free mandatory universal education is self-defeating](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-mandatory-universal-education-is-self-defeating/560069)
**Author:** [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2010, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-mandatory-universal-education-is-self-defeating/560069 "2010-11-16T05:04:18Z")
I am a teacher. I am certified in California and Texas in multiple areas: Art (K-12), Language Arts (4-12), Science (4-8 and General Science), Social Studies (4-8), Health (K-12), and Gifted and Talented (K-12). I have f… --- ## [Justify a Progressive Income Tax Structure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justify-a-progressive-income-tax-structure/559515)
**Author:** [@Olfatbut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olfatbut)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2010, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justify-a-progressive-income-tax-structure/559515 "2010-11-16T01:04:54Z")
The US has always, in modern times anyway, embraced a progressive version of the income tax. But lately-- and maybe this was just campaign rhetoric but I think not-- it’s not hard to find people angrily claiming that a p… --- ## [Buffalo can’t become a Lion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buffalo-can-t-become-a-lion/560013)
**Author:** [@Abisafyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abisafyan)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buffalo-can-t-become-a-lion/560013 "2010-11-16T00:17:47Z")
\*\*Buffalo can’t become a Lion \*\* Mr. President Obama, how giant a buffalo might be it can’t become a lion by casting a vote of support thereto. Somalia is far better, may be supported for bringing her in the club of wor… --- ## [Extent/limits of using the stock market as predictor of future events?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extent-limits-of-using-the-stock-market-as-predictor-of-future-events/560681)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extent-limits-of-using-the-stock-market-as-predictor-of-future-events/560681 "2010-11-15T22:40:08Z")
A study quoted here claims that at the current rate of R&D, oil will run out almost a century before replacement technologies are ready. What really interested me is the methodology: What do you think of such a predic… --- ## [Why Did It Take So Long for the 'Industrial Revolution'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-so-long-for-the-industrial-revolution/558618)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-so-long-for-the-industrial-revolution/558618 "2010-11-15T21:05:18Z")
Why did it take so long for the Industrial Revolution to start? As I understand it, humans have been around for about 200,000 years. Isn’t this “long enough” for an industrial revolution to begin? Actually, I have to co… --- ## [Was Pakistan always a bad idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-pakistan-always-a-bad-idea/560662)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-pakistan-always-a-bad-idea/560662 "2010-11-15T20:16:44Z")
Inspired (more or less ;)) by these recent threads by Abisafyan. What was the point, really, of creating a separate state out of territories mostly Indian in culture and language and predominantly Muslim in religion? A… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=421) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=423)