# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=452 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 453 --- ## [Obama/Clinton 2012](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-clinton-2012/542028)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2010, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-clinton-2012/542028 "2010-06-07T13:34:40Z")
Mods, I think GD is the proper place for this thread, but apologies if it isn’t. Something that’s been floating in my head for a little while and it thought I’d throw it out to see what everybody thinks. I’m wondering … --- ## [Marrying spending reductions between the left and right.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marrying-spending-reductions-between-the-left-and-right/542189)
**Author:** [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marrying-spending-reductions-between-the-left-and-right/542189 "2010-06-07T12:49:34Z")
It’s patently obvious that different people have different priorities, and choosing what to spend money on is a big part of that issue. So I was wondering if it would be possible to match up spending cuts of similar amo… --- ## [Did God get really lazy ~2000 B.C.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-god-get-really-lazy-2000-b-c/542032)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2010, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-god-get-really-lazy-2000-b-c/542032 "2010-06-07T11:14:44Z")
I was reading the stories of David in the Old Testament, and it was like God had nothing better to do that chat with David all the time: David: What should I do, Oh Lord? God: Um, take your army…uh…west? Yes, west! Da… --- ## [Will speciesism one day be socially unacceptable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-speciesism-one-day-be-socially-unacceptable/541780)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Poster)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-speciesism-one-day-be-socially-unacceptable/541780 "2010-06-07T00:14:24Z")
I am proud to be a speciesist. I like humans best. I probably like dogs second best. I don’t give a shit if millions of wasps die. Bacon is tasty. But I wonder… am I in the last couple of centuries where my attitude is … --- ## [Do We Really See in Shades of Left and Right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-see-in-shades-of-left-and-right/541845)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-see-in-shades-of-left-and-right/541845 "2010-06-06T16:11:46Z")
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=565670 http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=565561 I was prompted to write this topic because of the previous two links. The first goes to a current… --- ## [Is the Human race, too resilient to die out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-human-race-too-resilient-to-die-out/541493)
**Author:** [@Swarog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swarog)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-human-race-too-resilient-to-die-out/541493 "2010-06-06T15:39:59Z")
We’ve heard of the great extinctions, we are still seeing many species die out on a daily basis on the planet today. Now we hear of global warming, war, and epidemics. Maybe it’s possible to say that today’s reality is… --- ## [The Virginia Attorney-General is correct not to sign a brief against the Westboro Baptist Chuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginia-attorney-general-is-correct-not-to-sign-a-brief-against-the-westboro-baptist-chuch/541766)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2010, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginia-attorney-general-is-correct-not-to-sign-a-brief-against-the-westboro-baptist-chuch/541766 "2010-06-06T11:37:18Z")
Here’s the thing: I’m not normally a fan of my state’s Attorney-General, Ken Cuccinelli. He’s far, far too conservative in my view - I was embarassed by his memorandum instructing state institutions not to include sexual… --- ## [Let's Face It. The World As We Have Known It Is Coming To An End.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-face-it-the-world-as-we-have-known-it-is-coming-to-an-end/540603)
**Author:** [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2010, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-face-it-the-world-as-we-have-known-it-is-coming-to-an-end/540603 "2010-06-06T11:36:19Z")
Our present global consumer infrastructure has grown to where it is on a base of 150 years of cheap oil and is, along with the our global financial “system”, now entirely dependent on an exponential increase in demand up… --- ## [What's wrong with "anchor-baby" citizenship (considering the alternatives)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-anchor-baby-citizenship-considering-the-alternatives/541671)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-anchor-baby-citizenship-considering-the-alternatives/541671 "2010-06-05T20:59:13Z")
In this thread, jrodefeld asserts (with approval) that Rand Paul wants to repeal the 14th Amendment, or at least that provision of it which has been interpreted to mean anyone born on U.S. soil is a U.S. citizen. This i… --- ## [What if we just blew up our enemies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-just-blew-up-our-enemies/541395)
**Author:** [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-just-blew-up-our-enemies/541395 "2010-06-05T20:06:22Z")
First, let me start by apologizing for this thread in advance. I don’t necessarily hold these views but was just something I was pondering. (sure I’m gonna be pretty wrong here anyways.) But would it be possible to c… --- ## [Why is Sarah Palin complaining so hard about Joe McGinniss?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sarah-palin-complaining-so-hard-about-joe-mcginniss/541508)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sarah-palin-complaining-so-hard-about-joe-mcginniss/541508 "2010-06-05T05:07:21Z")
Well I never knew you could not buy or rent a house near Sarah Palin. I never knew that it was illegal to research Sarah Palin - one of the most interesting political figures to hit the Continental USA in a very long whi… --- ## [Will Ban Ki-moon seek a second term as Secretary-General?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ban-ki-moon-seek-a-second-term-as-secretary-general/541656)
**Author:** [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2010, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ban-ki-moon-seek-a-second-term-as-secretary-general/541656 "2010-06-05T03:06:50Z")
Or will there be pressure to replace him with an Indian candidate, say Shashi Tharoor, or perhaps the first female? --- ## [Was the U.S. Civil War all about slavery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-u-s-civil-war-all-about-slavery/540432)
**Author:** [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Replies:** 200\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2010, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-u-s-civil-war-all-about-slavery/540432 "2010-06-05T00:41:05Z")
In this GQ thread, it was suggested that the Civil War discussion be spun off into another thread. I think that’s a good suggestion, so here it is. If you haven’t already done so, you may want to read the other thread … --- ## [Voting Americans in general are racist, homophobic, anti-semetic and anti-islamic.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-americans-in-general-are-racist-homophobic-anti-semetic-and-anti-islamic/541298)
**Author:** [@Jump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jump)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-americans-in-general-are-racist-homophobic-anti-semetic-and-anti-islamic/541298 "2010-06-05T00:01:26Z")
Do you think that if everything else had been equal at the time and if George H W Bush, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, or Barack Obama were either Mexican, Gay, Jewish, or Islamic, they would have still been elected Presid… --- ## [The Ethics of Blackmail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-blackmail/541379)
**Author:** [@willia4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willia4)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2010, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-blackmail/541379 "2010-06-04T23:33:16Z")
(I couldn’t decide if this were a General Question or a Great Debate. On the one hand, it seems like it might have a simple and factual answer. On the other, it seems like it might entail a lot of philosophy. In the end,… --- ## [Field of Dreams: a Constitutional Law Thought Experiment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/field-of-dreams-a-constitutional-law-thought-experiment/541808)
**Author:** [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/field-of-dreams-a-constitutional-law-thought-experiment/541808 "2010-06-04T22:45:09Z")
Having recently read some of the gnat-straining rationalizations of Constitutional interpretation used to arrive at a desired result, and having the iconic movie brought to mind by their juxtaposition, I came up with a h… --- ## [Why don't we just rely on police testimony all the time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-just-rely-on-police-testimony-all-the-time/541801)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-just-rely-on-police-testimony-all-the-time/541801 "2010-06-04T21:23:58Z")
No evidence? No problem. As long as a cop says you did it, you did it. At least, that’s how they do it in Ohio. \[ \](The Eyes Have It: No Need for Radar Gun in Ohio - ABC News) So as long as the officer has a phot… --- ## [Theists: do you refer to God as "He," "She," "It," or "They"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theists-do-you-refer-to-god-as-he-she-it-or-they/541705)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2010, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theists-do-you-refer-to-god-as-he-she-it-or-they/541705 "2010-06-04T05:54:58Z")
And, of course, tell us why. --- ## [Should police be able to guess your car speed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-police-be-able-to-guess-your-car-speed/541869)
**Author:** [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-police-be-able-to-guess-your-car-speed/541869 "2010-06-04T02:27:53Z")
The title of the thread says it all. The Ohio Supreme Court says yes. my position is: OH HELL NO. --- ## [So what now of Japan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-now-of-japan/541759)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2010, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-now-of-japan/541759 "2010-06-04T01:04:08Z")
Hatoyama has resigned. His ratings amongst the Japanese people dropped to less than 20% after he announced he was back tracking on Okinawa. Apparently it was not only the Okinawans showing displeasure but the nation. S… --- ## [Supremes: Suspects must declare wish to remain silent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supremes-suspects-must-declare-wish-to-remain-silent/541506)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supremes-suspects-must-declare-wish-to-remain-silent/541506 "2010-06-03T22:22:58Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us\_supreme\_court\_miranda\_rights as a non-lawyer, I don’t even see the debate here, or why it wasn’t 9-0. The suspect was told of his right to remain silent, said he understood it, proceeded t… --- ## [16th amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/16th-amendment/541747)
**Author:** [@justhetruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justhetruth)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/16th-amendment/541747 "2010-06-03T21:56:58Z")
The 16th amendment had been sent out in 1909 to the state governors for ratification by the state legislatures after having been passed by Congress. There were 48 states at that time, and three-fourths, or 36, of them we… --- ## [Time to Boycott Massachusetts? Must Pierce & Garnett become "Los Celtics"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-boycott-massachusetts-must-pierce-garnett-become-los-celtics/541050)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-boycott-massachusetts-must-pierce-garnett-become-los-celtics/541050 "2010-06-03T18:30:38Z")
Just wondering… http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking\_news/2010/05/mass\_senate\_pas.html --- ## [Would you vote for somebody for Pres. who looked antithetical to your views, but at least competent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-vote-for-somebody-for-pres-who-looked-antithetical-to-your-views-but-at-least-competent/541354)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-vote-for-somebody-for-pres-who-looked-antithetical-to-your-views-but-at-least-competent/541354 "2010-06-03T14:08:03Z")
'Cause that’s what I was looking at two years ago. Hoo boy. How did that turn out. I still wouldn’t have voted for old man McCain and nutsy Sarah Palin, but if I went back in time and there were a demonstrably competent… --- ## [We need more monetary stimulus, and we need it now.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-monetary-stimulus-and-we-need-it-now/541187)
**Author:** [@Hellestal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hellestal)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-monetary-stimulus-and-we-need-it-now/541187 "2010-06-03T12:13:26Z")
This is not an argument for more government spending. I advocated a big fiscal stimulus (spending, and some tax cuts), but as far as I can tell, the current political environment is not conducive to bigger short term de… --- ## [Should abortion be legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-abortion-be-legal/539828)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-abortion-be-legal/539828 "2010-06-03T10:35:40Z")
I was a little disappointed that this thread explicitly disallowed debate on the issue of whether abortion should be legal. So, this thread is for any and all discussion on that big issue. Oh, and I guess whether aborti… --- ## [Cotton Gin Waste as Oil Spill Cleaner- why is this not being done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-gin-waste-as-oil-spill-cleaner-why-is-this-not-being-done/541742)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cotton-gin-waste-as-oil-spill-cleaner-why-is-this-not-being-done/541742 "2010-06-03T10:12:05Z")
http://www.tiehh.ttu.edu/documents/Mid-South%20Farmer.pdf What’s wrong with this idea? If it’s legit, why aren’t they doing it? --- ## [How do the europeans want to justify burka (burqa?) ban?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-europeans-want-to-justify-burka-burqa-ban/540089)
**Author:** [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Replies:** 224\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-the-europeans-want-to-justify-burka-burqa-ban/540089 "2010-06-03T03:33:40Z")
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i8ftNbatqXTg8uJ-W98iaaj31\_sA I mean, to me it’s pretty much a million times more egregious and racist than the Arizona immigration laws, and yet nobody in America is … --- ## [Should Robert Bork have sat on the Supreme Court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-robert-bork-have-sat-on-the-supreme-court/538778)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-robert-bork-have-sat-on-the-supreme-court/538778 "2010-06-03T02:18:36Z")
As a college student, I opposed Robert Bork being appointed to the Supreme Court. I’ll agree that some of the opposition’s tactics were too much, however. The Democratic Senate knew they had a weakened President Reagan a… --- ## [How, exactly, should we enforce immigration laws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-exactly-should-we-enforce-immigration-laws/541439)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-exactly-should-we-enforce-immigration-laws/541439 "2010-06-02T23:43:46Z")
I mean, it is out of line for police to question someone when they have reasonable suspicion to believe that they are in the country illegally (that is the criticism of the Arizona law), even though the police routinely … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=451) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=453)