# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=437 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 438 --- ## [Haifa bint Faisal (wife of Bandar Bush) and 9/11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haifa-bint-faisal-wife-of-bandar-bush-and-9-11/551194)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/haifa-bint-faisal-wife-of-bandar-bush-and-9-11/551194 "2010-09-03T18:12:05Z")
I just came across this while browsing Wikipedia the other day. It may be old news (well, it is), but it’s the first interesting thing I’ve read about 9/11 in a long time. Bandar bin Sultan, member of the Saudi royal… --- ## [Political effects of the Russian drought?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-effects-of-the-russian-drought/551832)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-effects-of-the-russian-drought/551832 "2010-09-03T16:15:24Z")
This year’s drought in Russia has ruined crops in 27% of its planting area. We can debate whether that has anything to do with anthropogenic climate change, but we can be sure a lot of Russians will think so. Will this… --- ## [What would it take for George W. Bush to mend his reputation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-george-w-bush-to-mend-his-reputation/549835)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-george-w-bush-to-mend-his-reputation/549835 "2010-09-03T16:11:09Z")
Would it be possible for him to pull off a Jimmy Carter? Granted the Carter Administration is still viewed as something of a disaster, but the man himself has managed to build up a sterling personal reputation through hi… --- ## [Folks apparently not leaving the Catholic Church quick enough](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folks-apparently-not-leaving-the-catholic-church-quick-enough/551361)
**Author:** [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2010, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folks-apparently-not-leaving-the-catholic-church-quick-enough/551361 "2010-09-03T11:09:59Z")
Everyone knows that the Catholic Church is seeing bad times right now, and many are leaving the Church. But my mom (an active and practicing Catholic) recently told me about some events in the Diocese of Cleveland that … --- ## [How would SCOTUS rule on California's Prop 8? With what consequences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-scotus-rule-on-californias-prop-8-with-what-consequences/550182)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 225\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-scotus-rule-on-californias-prop-8-with-what-consequences/550182 "2010-09-02T21:56:49Z")
As pretty much everyone knows, a federal judge has ruled that the California constitutional amendment, passed as Prop 8, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman, is unconstitutional. This decision may be … --- ## [Karzais brother wants the US to guarantee Afghan bank deposits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karzais-brother-wants-the-us-to-guarantee-afghan-bank-deposits/552416)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karzais-brother-wants-the-us-to-guarantee-afghan-bank-deposits/552416 "2010-09-02T21:27:07Z")
Kabul Bank Bailout? Mahmoud Karzai, President's Brother, Calls For U.S. To Shore Up Bank | HuffPost The World Post What a great idea. How can we refuse such a deal. The Karzai family is looting their brains out and are … --- ## [Is believing in God evolutionarily advantageous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-believing-in-god-evolutionarily-advantageous/552131)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-believing-in-god-evolutionarily-advantageous/552131 "2010-09-02T21:25:40Z")
NPR has been running a series called “The Human Edge” about how evolution has given humans a leg up on other species. But the one from yesterday: Is Believing In God Evolutionarily Advantageous? just struck me as peopl… --- ## [Questions about Wal-Mart's business practices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-wal-marts-business-practices/550326)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-wal-marts-business-practices/550326 "2010-09-02T04:04:20Z")
I never set foot in Wal-Mart. I had a general idea about their questionable business practices, but I never had a clear idea about the specifics of their evil-ness. Until, that is, I watched the documentary Wal-Mart: Th… --- ## [Come-On!! all you physics fans, unravel the mystery!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-on-all-you-physics-fans-unravel-the-mystery/552321)
**Author:** [@T.Zone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.Zone)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-on-all-you-physics-fans-unravel-the-mystery/552321 "2010-09-01T23:53:05Z")
When does the future become the past ??? --- ## [What if all the mobile phones just stopped working](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-all-the-mobile-phones-just-stopped-working/551141)
**Author:** [@qpw3141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qpw3141)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2010, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-all-the-mobile-phones-just-stopped-working/551141 "2010-09-01T18:46:04Z")
In the thread “Pick Your Armageddon” (a hypothetical: “How would you bring the US to its knees” type of thread), several people have suggested taking out the cellular phone system. (Assume, for the purpose of this thread… --- ## [Is ANYONE at all hopeful about the economy? Should anyone be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-at-all-hopeful-about-the-economy-should-anyone-be/552055)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-at-all-hopeful-about-the-economy-should-anyone-be/552055 "2010-09-01T14:31:13Z")
From what I’ve read (which may or may not be accurate, of course), conservatives are not at all hopeful about the economy, because someone more liberal than them who disagrees with their general philosophy is in charge, … --- ## [Should nursing homes honor patients' racist requests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-nursing-homes-honor-patients-racist-requests/551586)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2010, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-nursing-homes-honor-patients-racist-requests/551586 "2010-09-01T07:31:20Z")
From this article. This court decided that race wasn’t an appropriate criteria for discrimination, though sex is. I’m not really interested in talking about the law as it is but the law as it should be. So, should nu… --- ## [A little ex-voto offering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-little-ex-voto-offering/552219)
**Author:** [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2010, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-little-ex-voto-offering/552219 "2010-09-01T02:04:08Z")
So, I received some very good news today, something that I had wanted to happen and had given up on thinking would happen—but happen it did! I may also have made a deal that my thanks would be profuse and public, so enj… --- ## [If there is no God, where do our inalienable rights come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-no-god-where-do-our-inalienable-rights-come-from/551823)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-no-god-where-do-our-inalienable-rights-come-from/551823 "2010-08-31T23:06:59Z")
I started listening to Glenn Beck’s speech today and noticed he was on Fox in a discussion group. A room full of college kids they are discussing our government with a lot about our founders. His guestDavid Barton of Wa… --- ## [Help me demonstrate that Sarah Palin is worthy of being President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-demonstrate-that-sarah-palin-is-worthy-of-being-president/551572)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-demonstrate-that-sarah-palin-is-worthy-of-being-president/551572 "2010-08-31T22:47:36Z")
I am looking for speeches she has made and papers that she has given that show her to be intellectual and well-reasoned. If you want to show evidence to the contrary, please take it here. --- ## [Male coaches, female sports.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-coaches-female-sports/551979)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-coaches-female-sports/551979 "2010-08-31T22:22:49Z")
The other day I was flipping channels and found a WNBA game on TV which picqued my interest for a few minutes. it was Seattle against maybe Los Angeles. Kind of hard to tell because their jerseys have advertising on them… --- ## [What now for Pakistan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-now-for-pakistan/551981)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-now-for-pakistan/551981 "2010-08-31T16:54:46Z")
Is Pakistan on the verge of imploding? An already fractured country is under immense stress as a result of the flooding. The pain is only just beginning too: the flooding has destroyed the next season’s crops. Also, w… --- ## [Is working a menial job during college an economically rational thing to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-working-a-menial-job-during-college-an-economically-rational-thing-to-do/551264)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-working-a-menial-job-during-college-an-economically-rational-thing-to-do/551264 "2010-08-31T15:10:40Z")
I grew up in a family where it would have been unthinkable for me to work a job for the money during my schooling. Luckily, I mostly got by on scholarships & grants but if I had needed the money, it was understood that m… --- ## [Marriage and Coverture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marriage-and-coverture/551083)
**Author:** [@not\_alice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_alice)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marriage-and-coverture/551083 "2010-08-31T14:59:23Z")
Sorry if this has been discussed already in another thread. I have been “away”. My understanding of Judge Walker’s ruling in teh California Prop 8 case goes like this (in part): Supreme Court has ruled many times tha… --- ## [Mosque to be built two blocks from Ground Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosque-to-be-built-two-blocks-from-ground-zero/539432)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Hamsandwich)\ **Replies:** 899\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mosque-to-be-built-two-blocks-from-ground-zero/539432 "2010-08-31T14:38:32Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html First off, I have respect for the Islam faith and the Muslim community. I also realize that it was extremists that executed the attacks on the World Trade Center.… --- ## ["Blame America First"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-america-first/551398)
**Author:** [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-america-first/551398 "2010-08-31T06:51:53Z")
Anytime there is even a suggestion that US policies cause others to react against us, you hear it dismissed as the person being part of the “blame America first” crowd. When I moved into my house, I plugged stuff into o… --- ## [Is this bigoted? \[Ed. title, per OP\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-bigoted-ed-title-per-op/551815)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-bigoted-ed-title-per-op/551815 "2010-08-31T05:28:33Z")
This is a campaign ad for a political party in Sweden. A) Is it racist? B) Should they be allowed to air it? --- ## [Peak oil and the Malthusian catastrophe.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-oil-and-the-malthusian-catastrophe/550306)
**Author:** [@Sven\_of\_the\_Jungle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sven_of_the_Jungle)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peak-oil-and-the-malthusian-catastrophe/550306 "2010-08-31T02:44:58Z")
Inspired by this thread: The data seem to indicate peak oil already happened. Are we there yet? - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board I’ve been following the discourses on Peak Oil for years, reading everything … --- ## [Self-selected congressional districts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-selected-congressional-districts/551867)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2010, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-selected-congressional-districts/551867 "2010-08-31T00:10:14Z")
There’s a current thread debating the borders of voting districts. So I thought of what may be too radical a solution. Let people pick their own. Take a state like Ohio, for example. Based on its population it has 18 di… --- ## [Is there a faith (religion) with a female Jesus figure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-faith-religion-with-a-female-jesus-figure/550733)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-faith-religion-with-a-female-jesus-figure/550733 "2010-08-30T23:12:49Z")
A belief with someone perhaps directly identified as daughter of God (or of Goddess), or else directly related to God and does His/Her work hear on earth, possibly going through a great sacrifice to set things right. Or… --- ## [Reasons Africa is "lagging behind"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-africa-is-lagging-behind/543711)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 291\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-africa-is-lagging-behind/543711 "2010-08-30T18:03:03Z")
The title should be self explanatory. Im looking for plausible reasons for the continent of Africa’s current state. I realize this is a complicated question. I have heard varying sub-reasons ,for example it having a N… --- ## [NYC cabbie stabbed for being Muslim.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428 "2010-08-30T16:27:47Z")
Story here and For the sake of humanity and reason please let’s stop breeding intolerance, bitterness, and resentment. The debate? Is it inevitable that we will experience these kinds of events to finally confront … --- ## [Corruption](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corruption/551627)
**Author:** [@Templeton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Templeton)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corruption/551627 "2010-08-30T16:17:21Z")
I think we are draining ourselves of valuable energy by toiling on this Liberal vs. Conservative battlefield. I think its the wrong fight right now. I don’t see how any agenda - liberal or conservative can be implement… --- ## [Why are toupees ridiculed and scorned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-toupees-ridiculed-and-scorned/551513)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-toupees-ridiculed-and-scorned/551513 "2010-08-30T16:03:04Z")
I am lucky in the hair department somewhat. Thankfully I will never be bald. I do not want to be bald. If I was bald, I would look like Curley Howard from The Three Stooges. I would have to shave it off because I wouldn’… --- ## [Can a child be a sex offender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-child-be-a-sex-offender/550809)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-child-be-a-sex-offender/550809 "2010-08-30T14:29:03Z")
I found an article about this sexual assault case in the UK. I can’t tell just what went on. The 8 year old did say that she lied but then again, does it still mean nothing happened? And if stuff happened, is she still… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=436) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=438)