# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=433 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 434 --- ## [What if: Dems control 65% of congress, what would actually happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-dems-control-65-of-congress-what-would-actually-happen/555082)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-dems-control-65-of-congress-what-would-actually-happen/555082 "2010-09-27T13:24:33Z")
Clearly, Having a democrat president and a majority in both the house and senate still wasn’t enough to get a public option, a couple trillion dollars to start a second new deal to reverse the unemployment trend, enough … --- ## [Non-religiously-justified moral premises (philosophy).](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religiously-justified-moral-premises-philosophy/554485)
**Author:** [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2010, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-religiously-justified-moral-premises-philosophy/554485 "2010-09-27T11:15:56Z")
Let’s get my position straight right off the bat: I’ve been an atheist all of my life, with some interest (and occasional grudging respect) for religion as a social / historical / cultural influence, but as far as I know… --- ## [Is naming a black dog Obama racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-naming-a-black-dog-obama-racist/554246)
**Author:** [@SomeBodyUK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomeBodyUK)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-naming-a-black-dog-obama-racist/554246 "2010-09-27T03:10:22Z")
A work colleague of mine showed me the photos of her family pets, which she had placed in her cubicle. Each photo had the pets’ name underneath it. One of them photos was of a black dog, and it was called Obama. I said … --- ## [Woo in the medical profession?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-in-the-medical-profession/554460)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woo-in-the-medical-profession/554460 "2010-09-26T18:55:44Z")
I just got around to reading Bart Farkas’ article in Swift concerning the growing problem of woo infesting the medical profession. Is this problem limited to schools of homeopathetic “medicine”, Reiki and the like, or i… --- ## [Would temporarily increasing overtime pay lower the unemployment rate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-temporarily-increasing-overtime-pay-lower-the-unemployment-rate/554937)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2010, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-temporarily-increasing-overtime-pay-lower-the-unemployment-rate/554937 "2010-09-26T18:02:51Z")
Oone thing I have noticed is that despite how many unemployed people there are who want to find a job, many people who have jobs are overworked. Not only are they being given more tasks per hour, but I know several peopl… --- ## ["Tax cuts benefit everyone who pays taxes"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-cuts-benefit-everyone-who-pays-taxes/554805)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2010, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-cuts-benefit-everyone-who-pays-taxes/554805 "2010-09-25T07:24:56Z")
How could that possibly be true? I’m sure it could be true in a very artificial model of the US, but could it ever be true in reality? --- ## [E-mail: "Libs like yourself are the lowest life on the planet!" Criminal act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-mail-libs-like-yourself-are-the-lowest-life-on-the-planet-criminal-act/519893)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-mail-libs-like-yourself-are-the-lowest-life-on-the-planet-criminal-act/519893 "2010-09-25T03:44:20Z")
So we have a vitriolic student and a professor running for state senate. Professor is a lefty; student is a righty. Student sends professor a bunch of e-mail under his own name. It says things like, “Democrats are anti-… --- ## [Why Have the Twin Towers Not Been Rebuilt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2010, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-the-twin-towers-not-been-rebuilt/553448 "2010-09-25T02:06:45Z")
What is the hold-up on rebuilding the World Trade Center and other buildings that were destroyed 9 years ago today? It’s not a rhetorical question and it’s one I don’t have much of an answer too- more of a GQ really but… --- ## [To what extent can someone "buy" an election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-someone-buy-an-election/554831)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2010, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-someone-buy-an-election/554831 "2010-09-25T01:57:23Z")
There was a failed vote today to require disclosure for corporations funding political advertising. This brought to mind the holy debated Supreme Court decision that conservatives say is a triumph for free speech, and l… --- ## [Proposed: Allow the deduction of ALL Medical Costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-allow-the-deduction-of-all-medical-costs/554790)
**Author:** [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-allow-the-deduction-of-all-medical-costs/554790 "2010-09-24T17:41:23Z")
I have followed our nation’s health care debates with some interest. I was in DC when Mitt Romney announced the Massachusetts plan with the backing of the Heritage Foundation and American Enterprise Institute. You can … --- ## [What is a womans place in the household, I am confused?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-womans-place-in-the-household-i-am-confused/554888)
**Author:** [@Big\_Daddy\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Daddy_D)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-womans-place-in-the-household-i-am-confused/554888 "2010-09-24T16:52:47Z")
This is the problem we face in society today, We don’t understand women, most women and thier sexist feminazis brigade do not know thier place in this world. Their seems to be alot of militant feminists who are continua… --- ## [Julian Assange of Wikileaks for Nobel Peace Prize?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julian-assange-of-wikileaks-for-nobel-peace-prize/554154)
**Author:** [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julian-assange-of-wikileaks-for-nobel-peace-prize/554154 "2010-09-24T16:40:27Z")
I saw a Facebook page on this topic, of all things. The idea intrigued me. I think Wikileaks provides an important service to humanity and makes it harder for governments to commit atrocities, at least if they leave a p… --- ## [War in Pakistan, inevitable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-in-pakistan-inevitable/554821)
**Author:** [@Zanthor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanthor)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-in-pakistan-inevitable/554821 "2010-09-24T13:37:06Z")
Current news. Basically states that the war in Afghanistan is merely the prelude CIA Directs and Funds Terrorism In Pakistan CIA’s Afghan Kill Teams Expand U.S. War in Pakistan By Spencer Ackerman September 21, 2010… --- ## [The Heckler's Veto](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hecklers-veto/553845)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2010, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hecklers-veto/553845 "2010-09-24T12:16:41Z")
In legal parlance, the “Heckler’s Veto,” occurs when the government stops activity that would otherwise be protected by the First Amendment – not because of a disagreement with the content, but out of concern for public … --- ## [Why Is the Mexican Police/Military So Passive In the Drug Wars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mexican-police-military-so-passive-in-the-drug-wars/554192)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2010, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-mexican-police-military-so-passive-in-the-drug-wars/554192 "2010-09-24T11:41:54Z")
Why is the Mexican police and military so passive in the Drug Wars? Hundreds of police officers and soldiers are being killed by the cartel thugs but there is rarely any situation where the police and troops actually win… --- ## [Grand Unified Obama Theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-unified-obama-theory/554419)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-unified-obama-theory/554419 "2010-09-24T04:04:47Z")
I am part of The Obama Paradox. That paradox is that supposedly: And yet Obama’s poll numbers keep going down, and even former gung-ho supporters such as myself are feeling lukewarm about him. Various elaborate expla… --- ## [What Was the Cause of the Mortgage Meltdown?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-cause-of-the-mortgage-meltdown/552544)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-cause-of-the-mortgage-meltdown/552544 "2010-09-23T23:54:12Z")
I think at this point we all have formed an answer to this question. Some of our answers are longer than others, some blame Republicans, some blame Democrats. Lots of people blame bankers, brokers, the home owners. An… --- ## [If the nazis won the war, could Hitler pass as a decent guy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-nazis-won-the-war-could-hitler-pass-as-a-decent-guy/553666)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2010, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-nazis-won-the-war-could-hitler-pass-as-a-decent-guy/553666 "2010-09-23T23:35:17Z")
speculative one: (apologies if there is a thread on this already) “History is written by the victors” as the famous Churchill quote goes. Could this in any way be applicable on Hitler if he had been successful over the … --- ## [What does this mean in the context of political divisiveness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean-in-the-context-of-political-divisiveness/554541)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-this-mean-in-the-context-of-political-divisiveness/554541 "2010-09-23T21:20:51Z")
A poster posted this statement in a thread in the 2010 Elections forum: It was in response to a post of someone making an endorsement of Republican candidates pretty much across the board. What I don’t understand is t… --- ## [Should Iraq pay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-iraq-pay/554473)
**Author:** [@Zanthor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanthor)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-iraq-pay/554473 "2010-09-23T18:25:15Z")
the link for a Vid about this issue is. http://rt.com/Top\_News/2010-09-15/iraq-payout-americans-kuwait.html headline. Iraqis outraged at payout for US victims of Saddam’s regime. Published 15 September, 2010, 13:31 E… --- ## [DEA announces major victory in fight against pot legalisation movement. Um, what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dea-announces-major-victory-in-fight-against-pot-legalisation-movement-um-what/553704)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dea-announces-major-victory-in-fight-against-pot-legalisation-movement-um-what/553704 "2010-09-23T17:01:57Z")
A Canadian marijuana activist who sold cannabis seeds over the internet has just been sentenced to five years in jail in Seattle. American authorities have long described Marc Emery as one of the countries most wanted d… --- ## [What is a good percentage of repersenation for the citizens of the United States of America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-percentage-of-repersenation-for-the-citizens-of-the-united-states-of-america/554484)
**Author:** [@Concerned\_American\_Citizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Concerned_American_Citizen)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2010, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-percentage-of-repersenation-for-the-citizens-of-the-united-states-of-america/554484 "2010-09-23T01:20:48Z")
what would you think is a reasonable percentage of representation of the US Citizens in Washington DC. I am only counting the following people here in this percentage. Members of the House of Representatives Members o… --- ## [MS Piracy justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-piracy-justified/554169)
**Author:** [@CanTak3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanTak3)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-piracy-justified/554169 "2010-09-22T22:08:18Z")
So here’s the scenario: A friend :dubious: bought Microsoft Windows 7 on eBay. I (I mean my friend) did not buy a box or a CD, instead it was a download link and CD key. This of course raised eyebrows. To ensure it w… --- ## [Value/Attributes of a soul. Why someone would want another's soul...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-attributes-of-a-soul-why-someone-would-want-anothers-soul/554531)
**Author:** [@ultraman100](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultraman100)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2010, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-attributes-of-a-soul-why-someone-would-want-anothers-soul/554531 "2010-09-22T20:12:27Z")
This thread is for people who believe in the existence of a soul - How is the soul valuable? Why would someone want to acquire another’s soul? Maybe it makes them more powerful? If so, in what sense? --- ## [Did Soviet Communism Deliver on its Promises?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-soviet-communism-deliver-on-its-promises/554114)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-soviet-communism-deliver-on-its-promises/554114 "2010-09-22T17:31:04Z")
Lenin sold himself on Comunism, partly because he believed that it would turn Russia into a modern economy. He also believed that communism was a more efficient system than capitalism, and would result in no poverty. My… --- ## [Did the 9-11 Attacks "Work?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-9-11-attacks-work/503088)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-9-11-attacks-work/503088 "2010-09-22T03:22:44Z")
Play nice, a serious question. From the point of view of OBL, did the the 9-11 attacks achieve their goals? first off we have to admit we do not know what the guy’s goals were. He claims to have wanted to force America… --- ## [Is a revulsion reaction to homosexual sex biological, cultural (or some combination of both)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-revulsion-reaction-to-homosexual-sex-biological-cultural-or-some-combination-of-both/553271)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-revulsion-reaction-to-homosexual-sex-biological-cultural-or-some-combination-of-both/553271 "2010-09-21T14:49:00Z")
The “nature or nurture” aspect of homosexuality itself has already been debated ad infinitum, but I’m curious about what seems to be a relatively common reaction of disgust / revulsion to the concept of gay sex. Yes hot,… --- ## [Is redemption possible without religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-redemption-possible-without-religion/553583)
**Author:** [@Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walker_in_Eternity)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2010, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-redemption-possible-without-religion/553583 "2010-09-21T12:39:12Z")
I’m an atheist, but was recently wondering about the concept of redemption. Many religions claim that we can be redeemed for our “sins”. While I do not accept the concept of sin as such, I wonder can we atheists truly … --- ## [U.S. border patrol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-border-patrol/552171)
**Author:** [@ironbender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ironbender)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2010, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-border-patrol/552171 "2010-09-21T07:08:07Z")
According to this we are now subject to border patrol searches in Rochester and other Upstate New York cities. This train, and all the other trains on this route but one, does not cross the Canadian border, but now we h… --- ## [What does it mean to "twist/pervert" a religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-twist-pervert-a-religion/554229)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2010, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-twist-pervert-a-religion/554229 "2010-09-21T06:15:39Z")
This explanation/defense is often used when trying to deny the fact that terrorist X was inspired by religion Y to commit some horrible action. since it is clearly mandated in many holy books (namely the Koran) that you… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=432) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=434)