# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=427 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 428 --- ## [Liar's paradox](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liars-paradox/558596)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liars-paradox/558596 "2010-10-29T02:25:06Z")
Wikipedia is claiming that when St. Jermone was saying that when David said in the book of Psalm that every man is a liar, it is a form of the Liar’s paradox. Can’t it be said that only some men are liars “in this case,… --- ## [Is This Sound Conjecture Or Mere Solipsism? (Psych 101)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-sound-conjecture-or-mere-solipsism-psych-101/558433)
**Author:** [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-sound-conjecture-or-mere-solipsism-psych-101/558433 "2010-10-29T00:47:24Z")
PSYCHOTHERAPY: PURPOSE, PROCESS AND PRACTICE http://www.surrenderworks.com/acim\_on\_psychotherapy.html Sounds good to me so far. Arguments? --- ## [In the US; Instead of forcing people to buy health insurance...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-instead-of-forcing-people-to-buy-health-insurance/558586)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-us-instead-of-forcing-people-to-buy-health-insurance/558586 "2010-10-28T23:25:12Z")
Why wasn’t an actual tax passed? I’m not thrilled about a mandate to buy health insurance, but at the very least I feel a tax would have not been as intrusive or in-your-face as forcing people to pay out of pocket (unle… --- ## [Is it just the US, or is politics hopeless everywhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-the-us-or-is-politics-hopeless-everywhere/558604)
**Author:** [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2010, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-the-us-or-is-politics-hopeless-everywhere/558604 "2010-10-28T23:11:53Z")
I came into my political awareness about 10 years ago, as Bush took office. While I’m aware of some political history before that, I don’t really understand the mood of the country around that time. For example, I know t… --- ## [Correlation of SCOTUS votes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correlation-of-scotus-votes/558036)
**Author:** [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/correlation-of-scotus-votes/558036 "2010-10-28T21:24:41Z")
Not so much a debate, as I’m looking for a how to. I suppose I could butter this up for GQ, but it would probably turn ugly, so just start it out here, and I can say what it is I’d really like to know. In the Anita Hill… --- ## [Sex offender list notification USELESS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-offender-list-notification-useless/558391)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-offender-list-notification-useless/558391 "2010-10-28T19:49:30Z")
Maybe borderline Pit, and probably covered before, but hey, timely for me. Got a school district notice in the mail today, that there are two “Level I” sex offenders residing in my school district. The letter is one pie… --- ## [NPR's ultra-liberal bias](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nprs-ultra-liberal-bias/557903)
**Author:** [@Walmarticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walmarticus)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nprs-ultra-liberal-bias/557903 "2010-10-28T17:48:24Z")
I’ve heard this accusation many times before, and have responded similar to Dioin this thread that they seem non-partisan, only to be met by many an :eek:. NPR is the only radio I ever listen to, and only rarely do I eve… --- ## [Question for libertarians and fiscal conservatives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-libertarians-and-fiscal-conservatives/558225)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2010, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-libertarians-and-fiscal-conservatives/558225 "2010-10-28T14:43:14Z")
First of let me give full disclosure. I’m definitely on the fiscal conservative side of things and there are many posts to corroborate that, and none to contradict it. Also, I’m much more of a dilettante than a seriou… --- ## [In the end isn't the reason for academic problems more poor & ignorant parents vs bad teachers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-end-isnt-the-reason-for-academic-problems-more-poor-ignorant-parents-vs-bad-teachers/557014)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2010, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-end-isnt-the-reason-for-academic-problems-more-poor-ignorant-parents-vs-bad-teachers/557014 "2010-10-27T18:31:45Z")
The currently fashionable “fix those bad teachers” model of education reform IMO misses the real problem. In general poor academic skills performance has been attached for decades to zip codes characterized by low “soci… --- ## [What would US politics be like if...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-us-politics-be-like-if/558358)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-us-politics-be-like-if/558358 "2010-10-27T18:02:49Z")
…by law there was an even amount of democrats and republicans in the Senate and Congress? You don’t need to say it would never happen, because I know that - this is a thought experiment, not a suggestion for what should … --- ## [The EU needs to get France under control (closing of airspace)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eu-needs-to-get-france-under-control-closing-of-airspace/557708)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 221\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-eu-needs-to-get-france-under-control-closing-of-airspace/557708 "2010-10-27T16:16:24Z")
Another general strike in France. What’s new? As usual, French air traffic controllers have also gone on strike, causing absolute chaos, as French air space is mostly shut down (with the looming threat of it being shut… --- ## [The Bush Tax Cuts and Immediate Economic Policies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-tax-cuts-and-immediate-economic-policies/558516)
**Author:** [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2010, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-tax-cuts-and-immediate-economic-policies/558516 "2010-10-27T13:36:53Z")
Sock puppets are boring and not permitted on the SDMB. --- ## [Manila today. A prediction of the future for the world ? (overpopulation)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manila-today-a-prediction-of-the-future-for-the-world-overpopulation/557305)
**Author:** [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2010, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manila-today-a-prediction-of-the-future-for-the-world-overpopulation/557305 "2010-10-27T03:56:56Z")
"Manila is one of the world’s most overpopulated cities. Reporter Jenny Kleeman and director Richard Cookson find the Philippine capital stretched to breaking point, with mothers four to a bed in maternity wards, primar… --- ## [If Dems have the House, Repubs have the Senate, what will the next couple of years be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-dems-have-the-house-repubs-have-the-senate-what-will-the-next-couple-of-years-be-like/558203)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-dems-have-the-house-repubs-have-the-senate-what-will-the-next-couple-of-years-be-like/558203 "2010-10-27T03:44:40Z")
The thread title says it all. I’m reading more and more that it looks as if the Dems will retain control of the House, while the Repubs will gain just enough seats in the Senate to take control of it. If that happens, … --- ## [What actions or qualities would Tea Partiers decry in the Founders if they were currently in office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-actions-or-qualities-would-tea-partiers-decry-in-the-founders-if-they-were-currently-in-office/558226)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-actions-or-qualities-would-tea-partiers-decry-in-the-founders-if-they-were-currently-in-office/558226 "2010-10-26T17:01:34Z")
I will start with my usual disclaimer. This is not a post to say that Tea Partiers are all ignorant fascists with absolutely no understanding of American civics or history. Rather, I am asking this question because in … --- ## [Should longtime NPR analyst Juan Williams have been fired for comments he made on O'Reilly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-longtime-npr-analyst-juan-williams-have-been-fired-for-comments-he-made-on-oreilly/557887)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 288\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-longtime-npr-analyst-juan-williams-have-been-fired-for-comments-he-made-on-oreilly/557887 "2010-10-26T16:57:03Z")
Longtime NPR news analyst Juan Williams was terminated from NPR stemming from a comment he made on The O’Reilly Factor on Fox on Monday night. NPR issued a statement last night that they were severing his contract. h… --- ## [Should Transocean, Halliburton and Anadarko Be Paying Dividends? (BP-related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-transocean-halliburton-and-anadarko-be-paying-dividends-bp-related/543131)
**Author:** [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-transocean-halliburton-and-anadarko-be-paying-dividends-bp-related/543131 "2010-10-26T13:59:54Z")
As fellow Dopers may be aware, BP Plc has come under pressure from some U.S. politicians to halt dividend payments in view of the disaster at its Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico. At the same time, Transocean Ltd., Hal… --- ## [Coalition announces Strategic Defence Spending Review: opinions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coalition-announces-strategic-defence-spending-review-opinions/557870)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coalition-announces-strategic-defence-spending-review-opinions/557870 "2010-10-26T12:48:46Z")
The long awaited Strategic Defence and Security Spending Review is finally published. Key highlights include: \[ul\] \[li\]All British personnel are to be withdrawn from Germany\[/li\]\[li\]The number of tanks and heavy artil… --- ## [Is the only duty of a representative to his district and constituents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-only-duty-of-a-representative-to-his-district-and-constituents/558301)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-only-duty-of-a-representative-to-his-district-and-constituents/558301 "2010-10-26T09:58:58Z")
In a system like the US where we elect representatives to respresent certain geographical regions, there’s a tendency for them to try to maximize the amount of public resources coming into their district regardless of th… --- ## [Burning books in the US...'Burn Quran Day'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-books-in-the-us-burn-quran-day/550891)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 1249\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/burning-books-in-the-us-burn-quran-day/550891 "2010-10-26T09:45:58Z")
In light of the threads on the Mosque at Ground Zero controversy, I haven’t seen anything on this, um, person’s plan to hold a…it’s hard for me to even credit this…a BOOK BURNING, on the anniversary of 9/11. Here is a C… --- ## [Whose biographies define the 20th Century?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-biographies-define-the-20th-century/557545)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-biographies-define-the-20th-century/557545 "2010-10-26T06:09:11Z")
This article suggests that the biographies of Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao Zedong, Franklin Roosevelt, and Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill define the 20th century. I disagree: I’d go for Stalin, Mao, Churchill, Hirohito… --- ## [How much National Debt is too much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-national-debt-is-too-much/557352)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-national-debt-is-too-much/557352 "2010-10-26T05:55:26Z")
I’d like to get some clarification from the “Deficit Hawks” here. Is there a certain percentage of GDP held in debt that gets crossed where it becomes completely unacceptable to take on new debt? How do we determine how … --- ## [What about a payroll tax holiday to stimulate the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-a-payroll-tax-holiday-to-stimulate-the-economy/558098)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-a-payroll-tax-holiday-to-stimulate-the-economy/558098 "2010-10-26T01:30:12Z")
We should suspend payroll taxes for a year to stimulate the economy. This seems to be an idea ignored by both the Democratic and Republican parties. The democrats don’t seem to want to do anything that could be perceive… --- ## [Sin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sin/558252)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sin/558252 "2010-10-26T00:47:20Z")
Is god still angry at me for eating of the fruit? --- ## [What policies or practices of the Tea Partiers would the Founders likely decry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-policies-or-practices-of-the-tea-partiers-would-the-founders-likely-decry/558275)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-policies-or-practices-of-the-tea-partiers-would-the-founders-likely-decry/558275 "2010-10-26T00:28:16Z")
In the same vein as this other question, I’ve kind of flipped it around to imagine what the Founders (yes, I know, not a monolith, kind of my point) might decry when casting an eye on the groups that call themselves Tea … --- ## [Will the history books say we won or lost the War in Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-history-books-say-we-won-or-lost-the-war-in-iraq/538504)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-history-books-say-we-won-or-lost-the-war-in-iraq/538504 "2010-10-25T22:09:13Z")
Early in his presidency, Barack Obama stated he was going to start withdrawing American troops from Iraq, having most of them out by August of this year. Supposing that all goes to plan and we finally end our participat… --- ## [Are we moving toward fascism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-moving-toward-fascism/505927)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-moving-toward-fascism/505927 "2010-10-25T21:41:50Z")
A friend sent me a disturbing article the other day. The author first defines fascism: then goes on to make the case that while we were on the road to fascism under Bush, signs that we’re just about all the way there h… --- ## [Michicgan Judge Accused of Sleeping on the Bench](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michicgan-judge-accused-of-sleeping-on-the-bench/558307)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michicgan-judge-accused-of-sleeping-on-the-bench/558307 "2010-10-25T20:57:09Z")
On this site, the Democratic Party in Michigan showed four pictures (since removed) purportedly of Justice Robert Young of the Supreme Court of Michigan asleep on the bench. Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewe… --- ## [Newspapers endorsing candidates.......](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newspapers-endorsing-candidates/558267)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newspapers-endorsing-candidates/558267 "2010-10-25T17:18:19Z")
Since it is almost election season… Do you like it when a newspaper endorses a candidate? This has always annoyed me, because I do not feel that it is a newspaper’s place to give their political opinion, even if their o… --- ## [Drudge Report Obama photo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drudge-report-obama-photo/558163)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drudge-report-obama-photo/558163 "2010-10-25T14:50:32Z")
There’s a photo up right now on The Drudge Report of the President (back to the camera) getting mobbed by an adoring crowd and hugged by a young woman with Ugly Betty hair and glasses. This is chillingly identical to an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=426) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=428)