# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=438 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 439 --- ## [Believers: of what virtue is prayer in your life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-of-what-virtue-is-prayer-in-your-life/550625)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-of-what-virtue-is-prayer-in-your-life/550625 "2010-08-30T13:19:21Z")
I try not to do gotchas or rhetorical questions. If I had wanted to start a thread criticizing the practice of prayer as pointless, stupid, ignorant, or something else insulting, I would have started a thread entitled “P… --- ## [When did the concept of human progress first become generally considered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-concept-of-human-progress-first-become-generally-considered/550626)
**Author:** [@qpw3141](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qpw3141)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-concept-of-human-progress-first-become-generally-considered/550626 "2010-08-30T11:37:39Z")
Clearly, humans have been making progress in many fields for many thousands of years but I suspect that no one really considered ‘progress’ in a general sense - as something that the whole of humanity was making until so… --- ## [Should ballots include a binding "None of the Above" option?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ballots-include-a-binding-none-of-the-above-option/551613)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ballots-include-a-binding-none-of-the-above-option/551613 "2010-08-30T03:28:56Z")
Inspired by this post of Zakalwe’s. One complaint I’ve sometimes heard from Libertarians is, “No matter who you vote for, the government gets elected!” And I’ve heard them suggest a “None of the Above” option in the ba… --- ## [Could The Taliban Stage a "Tet" Offensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-taliban-stage-a-tet-offensive/551526)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2010, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-taliban-stage-a-tet-offensive/551526 "2010-08-30T03:04:00Z")
The way I see it, most western particpants are sick of Afghanistan. The Dutch have announced a pullout, and the Germans are making noises as well. The Karzai government has been shown to be corrupt and incompetent-the US… --- ## [New Orleans schools mostly charter now: is this a good thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-orleans-schools-mostly-charter-now-is-this-a-good-thing/551567)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-orleans-schools-mostly-charter-now-is-this-a-good-thing/551567 "2010-08-29T21:29:32Z")
The city of New Orleans used the tragedy of the Katrina hurricane to totally revamp their school system. No one denies that it needed revamping badly, it was a failing school system by any measure of the words. And the… --- ## [Congressional Budget Office says Stimulus Plan Worked](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-budget-office-says-stimulus-plan-worked/551464)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2010, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-budget-office-says-stimulus-plan-worked/551464 "2010-08-29T02:20:38Z")
Story here. Of note: Does this prove anything? Can Obama take any credit? Will anyone have crow for dinner tonight? --- ## [Does anyone think this should be legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-this-should-be-legal/551772)
**Author:** [@Meester\_Tuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meester_Tuff)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-think-this-should-be-legal/551772 "2010-08-28T23:01:18Z")
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2013150,00.html I thought this was Onion at first, then I thought it was just sensationalism. After snap judgments, I read it. Holy crap. I did some research and, for tho… --- ## [The Truth Is We Are All Animals, so...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-is-we-are-all-animals-so/549800)
**Author:** [@Pink\_Majik\_Trix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pink_Majik_Trix)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-is-we-are-all-animals-so/549800 "2010-08-28T21:55:27Z")
So why do we make sex such a big deal. If practiced casually you’re labeled as a “whore” or “pimp” depending on the persons gender, which IMO is less advantageous when it comes to women. Terms that are merely subjectiv… --- ## [SDMB hypocrisy/double standards... does everyone do it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-hypocrisy-double-standards-does-everyone-do-it/551024)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-hypocrisy-double-standards-does-everyone-do-it/551024 "2010-08-28T19:09:35Z")
One of the biggest problems the SDMB has, imho, and something that has become something of a pet issue of mine, is the issue of hypocrisy. Not the problem that there ARE hypocrites, but the problem that so many threads d… --- ## [Does a high IQ lead to boredom (at work)? What role does the Flynn effect play](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-high-iq-lead-to-boredom-at-work-what-role-does-the-flynn-effect-play/551632)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-high-iq-lead-to-boredom-at-work-what-role-does-the-flynn-effect-play/551632 "2010-08-28T18:37:52Z")
A few years ago someone named Robert Jordan applied to be a police officer and was rejected because it was claimed that an IQ of 125 means he would become bored with police work and eventually quit his job after tens of … --- ## [Dr. Laura wants her first amendment rights back...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-laura-wants-her-first-amendment-rights-back/550594)
**Author:** [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Replies:** 316\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2010, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-laura-wants-her-first-amendment-rights-back/550594 "2010-08-28T12:21:57Z")
Dr. Laura just announced on Larry King that she is quitting at the end of this year. Her reason is that she wants her first amendment rights back. So - if I write to Motel 6 and complain about their sponsorship of her, d… --- ## [If motherhood were required to enter politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-motherhood-were-required-to-enter-politics/551190)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-motherhood-were-required-to-enter-politics/551190 "2010-08-28T03:44:04Z")
I’ve often heard it said that “If men got pregnant, abortion would be legal and free” or words to that effect. Another meme is that “If women ran the world, there’d be no more war”. The implication is that men are warm… --- ## [Punitive damages should not go to the plaintiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punitive-damages-should-not-go-to-the-plaintiff/551296)
**Author:** [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2010, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punitive-damages-should-not-go-to-the-plaintiff/551296 "2010-08-28T01:53:32Z")
I can think of no justifiable reason why the plaintiff should receive punitive damages in a civil suit. I’m not against the idea of punitive damages at all, but their purpose is not compensation (that’s what compensatory… --- ## [Consumer Purchases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-purchases/551449)
**Author:** [@meanderingja\_aol.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meanderingja_aol.com)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consumer-purchases/551449 "2010-08-27T21:19:20Z")
Why is it that companies today do not stand by their products? Why is it that I am basically throwing money down the drain because a manufacturer expects their product to die at the end of a one year warranty. They won’t… --- ## [When energy conservation works too well?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-energy-conservation-works-too-well/551327)
**Author:** [@silk1976](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silk1976)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-energy-conservation-works-too-well/551327 "2010-08-27T19:22:24Z")
So last night, I saw that there was a vote in my state senate regarding rate hikes for electricity. Obviously, the argument against the rate hike was to reduce the cost to consumers. The argument for the rate hike, as … --- ## [What is Ayn Rand's contemporary status as a moral and political philosopher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ayn-rands-contemporary-status-as-a-moral-and-political-philosopher/549990)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ayn-rands-contemporary-status-as-a-moral-and-political-philosopher/549990 "2010-08-27T13:59:25Z")
Re Ayn Rand do most modern political and moral philosophers take objectivism (as she espoused it) seriously as a moral and social philosophy or not? The wiki section seems to suggest a somewhat dismissive attitude, but … --- ## [People charged with "politically correct stupidity" are actually quite intelligent.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-charged-with-politically-correct-stupidity-are-actually-quite-intelligent/551206)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-charged-with-politically-correct-stupidity-are-actually-quite-intelligent/551206 "2010-08-27T12:47:16Z")
The title of the thread is my thesis. Every few months someone starts a thread about the latest instance where some group is having a cow about a single use of the word “nigger”, facial makeup that looked vaguely like b… --- ## [How do we fight illuminati like this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-fight-illuminati-like-this/551384)
**Author:** [@The\_Facts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Facts)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-fight-illuminati-like-this/551384 "2010-08-27T02:32:17Z")
This article in the New Yorker Exposes a pair of billionaire brothers who are basically bankrolling political extremism. They pretty much paid for the Tea Partys, and now have pretty much bought what is supposed to b… --- ## [What's The Difference Between Capitalism And Free Enterprise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-capitalism-and-free-enterprise/551094)
**Author:** [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-capitalism-and-free-enterprise/551094 "2010-08-27T02:21:59Z")
Free enterprise is the backbone of the USA. It’s responsible for our remarkable consumer marketplace and military dominance of the world today. Any arguments? In our early days, say pre-Civil War, any free 21 yo white… --- ## [Can the benefits I get from state services be quantified in monetary terms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-benefits-i-get-from-state-services-be-quantified-in-monetary-terms/551178)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-benefits-i-get-from-state-services-be-quantified-in-monetary-terms/551178 "2010-08-27T00:37:36Z")
I use roads, the postal service, public education, police protection, fire protection, military protection, the legal infrastructure, waste disposal services which may for all I know ultimately be paid for by the city (n… --- ## [Why isn't the national debt/deficit abstract and meaningless to a regular citizen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-the-national-debt-deficit-abstract-and-meaningless-to-a-regular-citizen/551050)
**Author:** [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2010, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-the-national-debt-deficit-abstract-and-meaningless-to-a-regular-citizen/551050 "2010-08-26T17:39:48Z")
Hello all. This thread is mostly aimed at Americans but could apply to any nation really so all are welcome to participate and give their opinions. I’m Canadian myself and to sum up my OP simply and crudely, I don’t give… --- ## [Hovering parents - are cellphones a major cause in the change in childrearing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovering-parents-are-cellphones-a-major-cause-in-the-change-in-childrearing/551460)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2010, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hovering-parents-are-cellphones-a-major-cause-in-the-change-in-childrearing/551460 "2010-08-26T14:57:32Z")
There have been lots of threads where people lament the loss of a carefree childhood. Being able to ride your bike all day and only come home at dark, or having a 14yr old riding mass transit without Child Services being… --- ## [Should Cruise Lines Port In Haiti?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-cruise-lines-port-in-haiti/550837)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2010, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-cruise-lines-port-in-haiti/550837 "2010-08-26T10:19:14Z")
The haitian economy is a mess. If cruise ships stopped at Haitian ports, there would be some hard cash coming in, jobs generated, etc. What woul it take cruise lines to commit to stopping their ships for port calls ther… --- ## [Jon Stewart and Charlton Heston on Ground Zero Mosque](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jon-stewart-and-charlton-heston-on-ground-zero-mosque/550885)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jon-stewart-and-charlton-heston-on-ground-zero-mosque/550885 "2010-08-25T21:35:37Z")
Start at around 7 minutes in (although of course the rest is funny too). Obviously this could be on Cafe Society, so what’s the debate? Well, two things: (1) Anyone disagree with Jon and Charlton’s point? (2) Why is … --- ## [Politically Correct Stupidity: Episode 3,872,390,576](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-correct-stupidity-episode-3-872-390-576/550768)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-correct-stupidity-episode-3-872-390-576/550768 "2010-08-25T21:12:32Z")
While the title may be a bit strong, this is not a pitting. This episode deserves to be pitted, yes, but I’m interested in not so much in this incident as a larger discussion. Also, this involves a Muslim woman, but it i… --- ## [The Case for Austrian Economics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-for-austrian-economics/546333)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-for-austrian-economics/546333 "2010-08-25T15:07:20Z")
In this thread, John DiFool asks why we shouldn’t be talking about ‘demand side economics’ as opposed to ‘supply side’ economics. The assumption is that these are really the only two options. I’d like to make the case … --- ## [French Dopers...whats the deal with the Roma?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-dopers-whats-the-deal-with-the-roma/550752)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-dopers-whats-the-deal-with-the-roma/550752 "2010-08-25T06:13:34Z")
Was reading this article about France expelling 70 or so Gypsies back to Romania, and was wondering what the deal is. Why go through all this when they can (and seemingly do) come right back in (since they are part of t… --- ## [Should Fox be Required to Reveal its Conflict of Interest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fox-be-required-to-reveal-its-conflict-of-interest/550772)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2010, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fox-be-required-to-reveal-its-conflict-of-interest/550772 "2010-08-25T03:31:20Z")
Newscorp, which owns Fox News, gave $1 million to the Republican Governors Association. The Democratic head of the Democratic Governors Association said: But Fox has done no such thing. Just yesterday Bill O’Reilly ha… --- ## [Is saving for retirement a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-saving-for-retirement-a-good-idea/550335)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-saving-for-retirement-a-good-idea/550335 "2010-08-25T02:01:01Z")
The arguments for saving go something like this: You start early, and keep putting some of your money in a tax free account (IRA or 401k). Then after 30 years of compound interest you’ll have a lot of money. There are t… --- ## [Post your ghost stories here, and I will debunk them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-ghost-stories-here-and-i-will-debunk-them/543674)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 428\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-your-ghost-stories-here-and-i-will-debunk-them/543674 "2010-08-24T21:31:39Z")
Since I’m not allowed to fight ignorance in this thread, I’ll do it here. Post whatever ridiculous story you have about smelling your late grandma’s perfume or seeing a plate fall off a shelf on your late Aunt Madge’s b… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=437) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=439)