# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=435 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 436 --- ## ["Bush policies drove the economy into a ditch" which policies exactly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-policies-drove-the-economy-into-a-ditch-which-policies-exactly/553480)
**Author:** [@WmJames](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WmJames)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-policies-drove-the-economy-into-a-ditch-which-policies-exactly/553480 "2010-09-14T23:48:33Z")
My first post on Straight Dope. I recently heard my U.S. Representative Brad Sherman say on my local NPR station (KPCC Pasadena, CA) that it was the Bush Administration’s policies that not only drove our economy into a … --- ## [So let us talk about charities thi s thread is not long](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-let-us-talk-about-charities-thi-s-thread-is-not-long/553711)
**Author:** [@Don123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don123)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-let-us-talk-about-charities-thi-s-thread-is-not-long/553711 "2010-09-14T23:12:28Z")
So let us talk about charities—unless I’m banned. I have not done anything that a black or an Asian could have done in the USA, ALL legal—so why am I hated to say I support my own white, blond, blue eyed kind? Ove… --- ## [Has the Obama presidency made racism acceptable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-obama-presidency-made-racism-acceptable/553404)
**Author:** [@joew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joew)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2010, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-obama-presidency-made-racism-acceptable/553404 "2010-09-14T22:10:57Z")
Little caveat: I read these forums regularly and know that i am not up to your all’s standards of posting so please go easy on me :slight\_smile: I am hillbilly from Eastern Kentucky that recently moved to Louisville and… --- ## [Obama is "Anticolonist," says D'Souza (and now Gingrich)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-anticolonist-says-dsouza-and-now-gingrich/553617)
**Author:** [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-anticolonist-says-dsouza-and-now-gingrich/553617 "2010-09-14T20:15:56Z")
D’Souza condescendingly paints Obama’s father’s concern with, oh, about four centuries of world history, as naive and irrelevant, and even more bizarrely asserts that this has become the “worldview” of the president of t… --- ## [A Snitch Ticket, a moral dilemma?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-snitch-ticket-a-moral-dilemma/552939)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-snitch-ticket-a-moral-dilemma/552939 "2010-09-14T19:31:35Z")
My city has those red light cameras on several major intersections. You know, red light cameras…Here is the short story. I get a ticket in the mail for running a red light. Actually, it isn’t a ticket, it’s what’s ref… --- ## [Why are people of African descent such bad swimmers? (Not as racist as you might think)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-of-african-descent-such-bad-swimmers-not-as-racist-as-you-might-think/553218)
**Author:** [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Replies:** 246\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2010, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-of-african-descent-such-bad-swimmers-not-as-racist-as-you-might-think/553218 "2010-09-14T11:08:09Z")
First off, let me make it clear that blacks are just as smart as white’s, asians, native Americans, etc. But mt B.S. degree was in molecular bio, so I am always wondering about humans. Genetically, race is almost meani… --- ## [How to pick pocket the riches of space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pick-pocket-the-riches-of-space/553533)
**Author:** [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-pick-pocket-the-riches-of-space/553533 "2010-09-14T03:30:52Z")
Basically I want a world where metal is cheap as water is now. That has energy sources so vast Saudi Arabia can easily to replace it’s lost oil economy with farming using desalinization and pumping of sea water. Not farm… --- ## [Afghanistan's Dirty Little Secret](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistans-dirty-little-secret/552556)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistans-dirty-little-secret/552556 "2010-09-13T19:14:58Z")
Whether you’re in favor of our involvement in Afghanistan or against it, this report is rather interesting, not to mention bizarre. More proof that it’s a whole other world there. (As if more were needed.) --- ## [Question for Pro-life Supporters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-pro-life-supporters/552959)
**Author:** [@Hold\_Fast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hold_Fast)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2010, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-pro-life-supporters/552959 "2010-09-13T17:57:56Z")
First off, don’t think I’m trying to attack you or anything, but am just bringing a question to the table. And Pro-Choice’ers, not to discriminate, but I’d just like to ask you to hold off posting in massive amounts for… --- ## [Are we being fair to Hitler?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-being-fair-to-hitler/547935)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-being-fair-to-hitler/547935 "2010-09-13T15:37:18Z")
In another thread a poster says that what Hitler did was only bad because of the time-historical texture. That if he has done what he did in the time of Mongols or Romans, we wouldn’t be judging him so harshly. What abou… --- ## [Is Heightism Real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-heightism-real/551909)
**Author:** [@Krammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krammer)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2010, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-heightism-real/551909 "2010-09-13T12:34:13Z")
Throughout most of primary and secondary school, I was significantly taller than most others my age. Around age 16 everyone caught up and then surpassed me in height. Now in college I’ve begun to notice that I’m short (a… --- ## [Iran bars experienced nuclear inspectors.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-bars-experienced-nuclear-inspectors/552888)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2010, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-bars-experienced-nuclear-inspectors/552888 "2010-09-13T11:27:58Z")
Iran Bars Some Nuclear Inspectors, Raising U.N. Alarms I’m not against Iran having nuclear power. And really, I’m not sure the anti-proliferation régime has a leg to stand on, since when India & Pakistan got nukes, it … --- ## [Business's exist to make a profit, not to create jobs.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesss-exist-to-make-a-profit-not-to-create-jobs/552789)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2010, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesss-exist-to-make-a-profit-not-to-create-jobs/552789 "2010-09-13T04:11:13Z")
I stole this line from randy054, but I think it’s an important point in today’s economic situation. A lot has been made of Obama’s anti-business posturing. I’m not sure if they actually believe it or not, but conservat… --- ## [Does the Bible rule out extraterrestrials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-bible-rule-out-extraterrestrials/553383)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-bible-rule-out-extraterrestrials/553383 "2010-09-12T23:12:02Z")
A poster in another thread said that the only extraterrestrials are God and the angels. Obviously, I’m assuming he bases this on biblical authority. But does the Bible specifically rule out the possibility of extraterre… --- ## [Would society be better off without alcohol?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-society-be-better-off-without-alcohol/552921)
**Author:** [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2010, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-society-be-better-off-without-alcohol/552921 "2010-09-12T22:05:56Z")
Considering the huge costs to society associated with alcohol, such as deaths and injuries, drunk-driving, non-consensual sex, drunken flings, pregnancies, STDS and general drunken violence, would society be better off w… --- ## [What were the first clues that there was no god?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-first-clues-that-there-was-no-god/553112)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-first-clues-that-there-was-no-god/553112 "2010-09-12T19:21:41Z")
This is a two-pronged question: On a historical level, at what time do you think the clues appeared in the human knowledge base, and at what time it would be reasonable to expect people to pick up on the clues? On … --- ## [Harsh Commentary from Ex-Obama Supporters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harsh-commentary-from-ex-obama-supporters/551839)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2010, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harsh-commentary-from-ex-obama-supporters/551839 "2010-09-12T07:08:59Z")
This week there have been several Op-Eds from people who were strong Obama supporters, which are just scathing in their judgment. First, we have Mort Zuckerman, who was a big Obama booster, and even wrote one of his spe… --- ## [Are So Many Americans Really THAT Ignorant (Heliocentrism, etc.)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-so-many-americans-really-that-ignorant-heliocentrism-etc/553130)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2010, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-so-many-americans-really-that-ignorant-heliocentrism-etc/553130 "2010-09-12T04:11:33Z")
I came across this article. Once there, just go to page 6. Do twenty percent of Americans really not know that the earth travels around the Sun?! I guess they may all just be true Creationists (cf. this article for an in… --- ## [How Dare They Not Prosecute Tom Delay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-they-not-prosecute-tom-delay/551280)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 255\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dare-they-not-prosecute-tom-delay/551280 "2010-09-12T04:08:29Z")
Such is the thrust of the New York Times’editorial page. But something strikes me as a bit… um… one-sided. Yes. That’s exactly how it works, New York Times. See, pretty much ALL actions remain legal when lawmakers cho… --- ## [\*gasp!\* Cuban Model might not be working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasp-cuban-model-might-not-be-working/553141)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gasp-cuban-model-might-not-be-working/553141 "2010-09-12T01:13:06Z")
I know…shocking. It seems that the Cuban Model (Cuban Communist system I presume) isn’t working ‘anymore’…even for the Cuban’s. Well, if you can believe the source, which is the notorious right wing conservative and an… --- ## [How facts backfire. Is fighting ignorance just a lost cause?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-facts-backfire-is-fighting-ignorance-just-a-lost-cause/552208)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-facts-backfire-is-fighting-ignorance-just-a-lost-cause/552208 "2010-09-12T00:12:16Z")
This disturbing article has made me rethink whether it’s not simply a waste of my time to attempt to combat ignorance. I’ve gotten kind of depressed after reading this article. It seems that when it comes to politics, … --- ## [BP spreads blame around](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bp-spreads-blame-around/553152)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bp-spreads-blame-around/553152 "2010-09-11T15:41:44Z")
BP released a document that spreads the blame around for the deep water well explosion. They say Haliburton did a bad cementing job . They also did not have a good review procedure or have good Quality Assurance in pl… --- ## [That was unexpected DADT ruled unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-unexpected-dadt-ruled-unconstitutional/553255)
**Author:** [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-was-unexpected-dadt-ruled-unconstitutional/553255 "2010-09-11T15:21:01Z")
I’d heard about this case a while back and never thought anything would come of it but apparently something has. Besides this one article I don’t have much info but figure I’d get the ball rolling. To me this is an is… --- ## [What will my nephews' quality of life be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-my-nephews-quality-of-life-be/553356)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-my-nephews-quality-of-life-be/553356 "2010-09-11T14:08:50Z")
They’re one and three. I’ve devoted a LOT of thought to wondering what their lives will be like as they grow up. What will the economy by like? Will climate change make their lives miserable, or wipe them out entirely… --- ## [Comcast/NBC merger about to be approved](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comcast-nbc-merger-about-to-be-approved/548741)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2010, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comcast-nbc-merger-about-to-be-approved/548741 "2010-09-11T07:45:37Z")
Six corporations own 90 percent of everything Americans watch. read or listen to. Now Comcast and NBC are trying to merge. Mergers generally result in layoffs, less local programming., higher prices and a reduction of… --- ## [Outside the US and Europe, who has the most effective navy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outside-the-us-and-europe-who-has-the-most-effective-navy/553304)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2010, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outside-the-us-and-europe-who-has-the-most-effective-navy/553304 "2010-09-11T04:46:54Z")
With “effectiveness” defined to include training, maintenance, and logistical capacity as well as number and quality of ships. (It doesn’t do a darned bit of good to have fancy weapons platforms if you don’t know how to … --- ## [Can a Police Officer be a Pacifist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-police-officer-be-a-pacifist/552987)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-police-officer-be-a-pacifist/552987 "2010-09-10T22:07:14Z")
Had a rather interesting conversation with a police officer friend of mine some time ago in which he asserted that he was a pacifist. I’m not sure that I managed to convince him that it is in the nature of law enforceme… --- ## [Egyptian Islamist Rebellion in 1990's: Why did it fail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egyptian-islamist-rebellion-in-1990s-why-did-it-fail/553248)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2010, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egyptian-islamist-rebellion-in-1990s-why-did-it-fail/553248 "2010-09-10T18:20:10Z")
Watching “My trip to Al Qaeda” where the journalist mentions the 1990’s violent movement of Islamists who tried to overthrow the Egyptian government (‘regime?’). Obviously it failed. Why no Islamic revolution in Egypt? … --- ## [When did American businesses face the least uncertainty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-american-businesses-face-the-least-uncertainty/553047)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-american-businesses-face-the-least-uncertainty/553047 "2010-09-10T18:07:41Z")
As far back as when Obama won the party nomination, and certainly since he won the general election, there has been a near constant drone of “uncertainty.” Obama causes uncertainty. Businesses can’t grow, or invest, or … --- ## [Al-taqiyya - Muslims are encouraged to lie to non-muslims](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-taqiyya-muslims-are-encouraged-to-lie-to-non-muslims/552246)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2010, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-taqiyya-muslims-are-encouraged-to-lie-to-non-muslims/552246 "2010-09-10T12:54:04Z")
Disclosure - I am a progressive christian trending agnostic. Most of the information I am reading about Al-taqiyya is coming from conservative boards where the level of discourse does not attain quite the level we get h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=434) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=436)