# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=448 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 449 --- ## [What happens after a revolution in N Korea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-after-a-revolution-in-n-korea/544094)
**Author:** [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-after-a-revolution-in-n-korea/544094 "2010-06-30T14:29:12Z")
Let’s say some government has had enough of the Kims and decides to wipe them all out. Let’s assume that the assassination of the entire family (carried out by ninjas, of course) is completely successful and no one who h… --- ## [Is it illegal to send a fraudulent billing statement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-send-a-fraudulent-billing-statement/544532)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2010, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-illegal-to-send-a-fraudulent-billing-statement/544532 "2010-06-30T03:57:26Z")
I ask this in GD because ultimately it’s about US health care. Over the past 5 years I’d have the opportunity to visit a handful of American clinics and a couple of ERs. The one thing they all have in common is a syste… --- ## [Does America need a federal Value Added Tax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-america-need-a-federal-value-added-tax/542006)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-america-need-a-federal-value-added-tax/542006 "2010-06-29T22:45:19Z")
Michael Lind & Leo Hindery, LA Times, 05/24/10, say America needs a federal value added tax, which is not quite the same thing as a sales tax: Based on a recent study, they argue this offers advantages over relying str… --- ## [Let's admit it already: Justice Stevens is retiring this year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-admit-it-already-justice-stevens-is-retiring-this-year/535024)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-admit-it-already-justice-stevens-is-retiring-this-year/535024 "2010-06-29T20:56:37Z")
John Paul Stevens hasn’t said he’s retiring after the current Supreme Court term ends, but he’s hinting at it very hard \[in a New Yorker profile last month and a New York Times article over the weekend, for starters\]. I … --- ## [Scalia says atheists can't study the bible.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scalia-says-atheists-cant-study-the-bible/537939)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scalia-says-atheists-cant-study-the-bible/537939 "2010-06-29T20:22:24Z")
Justice Scalia made this comment publically during arguments for Christian Legal Society v. Martinez: “It is so weird to require the campus Republican Club to admit Democrats, not just to membership, but to officership. … --- ## [Video Game Generation Take Over](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-generation-take-over/544776)
**Author:** [@Punisher\_11B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punisher_11B)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-game-generation-take-over/544776 "2010-06-29T17:55:55Z")
What is going to happen to the country when the video game generation gets old enough to take over the country? Kids don’t even go outside to play anymore… They stay in and play COD4. I don’t consider myself old, I wil… --- ## [Gulf Oil Spill: Joe Barton's "Shakedown" Comment, Obama F'ing Up Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-oil-spill-joe-bartons-shakedown-comment-obama-fing-up-again/544626)
**Author:** [@jrodefeld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrodefeld)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-oil-spill-joe-bartons-shakedown-comment-obama-fing-up-again/544626 "2010-06-29T03:26:40Z")
Anyone who recalls previous postings of mine know I think the Obama administration has been disastrous so far, but the recent Federal Government response to the Gulf Oil spill is simply more than is tolerable for a think… --- ## [What is your general opinion on these three scientific topics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-general-opinion-on-these-three-scientific-topics/544690)
**Author:** [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2010, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-general-opinion-on-these-three-scientific-topics/544690 "2010-06-29T03:03:03Z")
Well, I thought I would finally start a thread on something I’ve brought up numerous times in other threads. I’m interested in people’s opinions on the following three scientific topics: evolution, anthropogenic global… --- ## [Free Speech Zones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-speech-zones/544792)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-speech-zones/544792 "2010-06-29T02:44:08Z")
It seems to me that there was quite a bit of hostility to that phrase during the Bush years. It’s come up again in a new context: an annual gay-pride festival uses a city park for its activities every year. The organize… --- ## [Too cynical? Mr Obama and Gen Petraeus's new assignment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-cynical-mr-obama-and-gen-petraeuss-new-assignment/544699)
**Author:** [@put\_down\_the\_sabre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/put_down_the_sabre)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-cynical-mr-obama-and-gen-petraeuss-new-assignment/544699 "2010-06-29T02:09:51Z")
I had an unworthy thought. Though I don’t like him (I think he’s the symbol of a military that’s getting more and more involved in politics) General Petraeus is popular and seen as very competent. His brand is relativel… --- ## [Resolved: Socrates, if reborn, would not be a Christian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-socrates-if-reborn-would-not-be-a-christian/544628)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2010, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-socrates-if-reborn-would-not-be-a-christian/544628 "2010-06-28T09:24:42Z")
In response to Peter Kreeft’s (a Boston College professor and Roman Catholic) series of "Socrates Meets . . . ", wherein the bearded and ugly philosopher subtly argues from a Christian perspective, I propose we resolve t… --- ## [If Politicians All Got The "Liar, Liar" Disease, Dems Would Lose Ground](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2010, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-politicians-all-got-the-liar-liar-disease-dems-would-lose-ground/544512 "2010-06-28T05:38:12Z")
We all remember the Jim Carrey movie “Liar, Liar,” yes? A lawyer who habitually lies about everything in his personal and professional life finds himself unable to utter anything but the truth, with no way to sugarcoat o… --- ## [Texas toddler dies after mom leaves her in a hot car for 45 minutes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-toddler-dies-after-mom-leaves-her-in-a-hot-car-for-45-minutes/543728)
**Author:** [@Joanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joanie)\ **Replies:** 370\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2010, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-toddler-dies-after-mom-leaves-her-in-a-hot-car-for-45-minutes/543728 "2010-06-28T01:26:16Z")
This is getting to be an epidemic! Maybe someone needs to invent a combination alarm clock/beeper that will beep a parent five minutes after they leave a kid in a car? Or - better yet - maybe we need to take away childr… --- ## [Why is there anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-anything/543095)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-anything/543095 "2010-06-27T23:14:01Z")
As a lifetime non-believer in religion, I have to admit I am forced into at least Deism by the mere existence of the universe. One look at this picture: http://imgsrc.hubblesite.org/hu/db/images/hs-2010-13-a-xlarge\_web.… --- ## [Judicial Watch: Conservative BS or Bipartisan Watchdog?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-watch-conservative-bs-or-bipartisan-watchdog/544648)
**Author:** [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2010, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-watch-conservative-bs-or-bipartisan-watchdog/544648 "2010-06-27T14:36:54Z")
My Dad, a pretty conservative retired Army general, sent me this list of the “Top Ten Most Corrupt Politicians 2009” from the Judicial Watch website: http://www.judicialwatch.org/news/2009/dec/judicial-watch-announces-li… --- ## [Massive military spending in the age of espionage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-military-spending-in-the-age-of-espionage/544366)
**Author:** [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2010, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massive-military-spending-in-the-age-of-espionage/544366 "2010-06-27T11:28:30Z")
An article on the discussions of actually putting the sacred cow of defense spending on the table got me to thinking. A 60 Minutes piece from earlier in the year talked about just how much of our military technology the… --- ## [Ground Zero Imam -- How moderate does he sound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ground-zero-imam-how-moderate-does-he-sound/544425)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2010, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ground-zero-imam-how-moderate-does-he-sound/544425 "2010-06-27T05:48:05Z")
Read this quickly before Tomndebb sends it off to the Pit. :smiley: A couple of weeks ago when I weighed in with my opinion on the appropriateness of building a Mosque/Islamic centre near ground zero, I was assured that… --- ## [Federal judge overturns Whitehouse ban on offshore drilling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-judge-overturns-whitehouse-ban-on-offshore-drilling/544156)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-judge-overturns-whitehouse-ban-on-offshore-drilling/544156 "2010-06-27T02:49:52Z")
U.S. District Judge Martin Feldmanin New Orleans lifted the 6 month moratorium on deepwater drilling in US waters. He also “immediately prohibited” the U.S. from enforcing the ban. Good or bad? --- ## [Is dirty/negative campaigning effective?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dirty-negative-campaigning-effective/543181)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dirty-negative-campaigning-effective/543181 "2010-06-27T02:39:12Z")
I’ve been pondering this a while, more intensively lately because it’s general election time here. My party has the firm policy of staying away from negative campaigning and focusing on issues. This is obviously the mora… --- ## [Relative credibility of SourceWatch.org vs. DiscoverTheNetworks.org](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relative-credibility-of-sourcewatch-org-vs-discoverthenetworks-org/544496)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2010, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relative-credibility-of-sourcewatch-org-vs-discoverthenetworks-org/544496 "2010-06-26T23:23:22Z")
In this thread, Poptech and I got into a Battle of the Cites as between SourceWatch and DiscoverTheNetworks. See post #32, post #38, post #49, post #50, & post #51. Now, this isn’t exactly a hijack, since the relative … --- ## [Mexico is a poor country! ORLY?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mexico-is-a-poor-country-orly/543100)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mexico-is-a-poor-country-orly/543100 "2010-06-26T15:55:45Z")
Rich in minerals, oil, abundant fertile land and hardworking people, I don’t think so! Mexico is a ROBBED country. I believe that the rulers in Afgahnistan will use it as their prototype, and establish a similar cleptocr… --- ## [Is BP Doing Enough To Clean Up The Oil Spill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bp-doing-enough-to-clean-up-the-oil-spill/537962)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 410\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bp-doing-enough-to-clean-up-the-oil-spill/537962 "2010-06-26T15:07:14Z")
To me, they seem inadequate to the task. Maybe I am ignorant. Is BP really doing enough to clean up all this oil? Is there really nothing anybody else connected with BP can do about this? --- ## [Why was there not more Mexican immigration to the U.S. in times past?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-there-not-more-mexican-immigration-to-the-u-s-in-times-past/544384)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-there-not-more-mexican-immigration-to-the-u-s-in-times-past/544384 "2010-06-26T14:52:50Z")
Throughout history native-born Americans have pissed and moaned about large waves of immigrants: Germans and Irish in the 1840s, Chinese in the mid-19th Century, Jews and Italians in the late 19th Century and early 20th … --- ## [Is "Future Shock" now a thing of the past?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-future-shock-now-a-thing-of-the-past/544321)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2010, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-future-shock-now-a-thing-of-the-past/544321 "2010-06-26T06:27:58Z")
Alvin Toffler’s 1970 book Future Shock is about the stress and disorientation people suffered from the the rapid transformation of their world from “industrial society” to “super-industrial society.” If that was a real … --- ## [Atheists: Why are you so sure of your non-belief?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-why-are-you-so-sure-of-your-non-belief/543777)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 215\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-why-are-you-so-sure-of-your-non-belief/543777 "2010-06-25T20:51:32Z")
I guess this is a question, but it will quickly turn into a GD, so I’ll just start it here. I see many on the board who are proud atheists; there is no God/gods, afterlife or souls. I wonder how you are so sure. My fi… --- ## [Why are we afraid of death?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-afraid-of-death/540433)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-afraid-of-death/540433 "2010-06-25T18:18:46Z")
Lately I suddenly thought of my own demise, after being sicker than I normally have ever been, and reacted with a sort of terrible anticipation. I am afraid . . . So, this makes me ask, why are humans, assuming it isn’t… --- ## [Canadian politicians under foreign influence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-politicians-under-foreign-influence/544221)
**Author:** [@tingbudong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tingbudong)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2010, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-politicians-under-foreign-influence/544221 "2010-06-25T06:21:21Z")
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/06/22/spying-csis.html I’m a frequent reader yet rare poster. I like the real discussions that happen here. Substance to this? Or are the crazy comments that characterize major Can… --- ## [Anonymity of signers of petitions to add referendums to ballots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymity-of-signers-of-petitions-to-add-referendums-to-ballots/537219)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2010, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymity-of-signers-of-petitions-to-add-referendums-to-ballots/537219 "2010-06-25T03:09:17Z")
An editorial in today’s New York times included the following: I had not been aware of this upcoming case nor of the possible referendum about same-sex marriage. Perhaps I might feel differently if I studied this issu… --- ## [U.S. health care system least efficient, most expensive, of 7 industrialized countries'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-health-care-system-least-efficient-most-expensive-of-7-industrialized-countries/544417)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2010, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-health-care-system-least-efficient-most-expensive-of-7-industrialized-countries/544417 "2010-06-25T02:05:12Z")
According to a new report by the Commonwealth Fund: Issue for debate: Well, why? Added: Mods, please change thread title (why can’t we edit thread titles ourselves?!) to “least efficient, most expensive” --- ## [Australian Leadership Spill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-leadership-spill/544229)
**Author:** [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2010, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-leadership-spill/544229 "2010-06-25T00:34:37Z")
Breaking News: Prime Minister calls a leadership ballot. Your thoughts? PM says his electoral win and performance means he should stay. He will not move to the right over policy differences. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=447) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=449)