# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=457 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 458 --- ## [BritDopers (and nosy foreigners) - The general election 2010](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 967\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133 "2010-05-17T13:42:01Z")
Brown has ended years of speculation and at last confirmed the election date for May 6th, prompting all three major parties to fully gear up for election season. So, who are you voting for and why - and dopers outside t… --- ## [Some fair questions for Mitt Romney about Mormonism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-fair-questions-for-mitt-romney-about-mormonism/536419)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 390\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2010, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-fair-questions-for-mitt-romney-about-mormonism/536419 "2010-05-17T12:05:50Z")
Mitt Romney has been getting mentioned quite a bit of late, especially when the topic is the Republican nomination in 2012. This seems to have less to do with anything he’s accomplished than with the embarrassing behavi… --- ## [The Pentagon says we are paying our troops too much](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pentagon-says-we-are-paying-our-troops-too-much/538799)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2010, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pentagon-says-we-are-paying-our-troops-too-much/538799 "2010-05-17T03:12:10Z")
Here is a Washington Post story about it. I don’t know any civilians experienced in urban warfare or IED detonation, though I’d bet all my MS Flight Simulator experience would be helpful if they would let me fly a Pred… --- ## [QWERTY alphabet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qwerty-alphabet/539469)
**Author:** [@skearton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skearton)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qwerty-alphabet/539469 "2010-05-16T21:23:11Z")
I think we should change the alphabet to go along with the QWERTY format. It would be a huge change, but more beneficial for future beings? Any thoughts? --- ## [Some Confusion About the Reading of Miranda Rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-confusion-about-the-reading-of-miranda-rights/538420)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-confusion-about-the-reading-of-miranda-rights/538420 "2010-05-16T21:19:56Z")
IN the last couple of days some prominent Republicans (John McCain and Lindsey Graham) have said that the Times Square Bomber should not have been read his Miranda Rights. But the fact that ehy aren’t read their rights d… --- ## [Is the Time Coming When There Just Aren't Enough Jobs to Go Around?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-time-coming-when-there-just-arent-enough-jobs-to-go-around/538360)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2010, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-time-coming-when-there-just-arent-enough-jobs-to-go-around/538360 "2010-05-16T09:40:17Z")
I hate to admit it, but I have been entertaining some neo-luddite thoughts lately. I was laid off back around Thanksgiving, and I have just finished a three month temporary stint, and am now looking for work again. I h… --- ## [Why all the focus on Kagan's looks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-all-the-focus-on-kagans-looks/538913)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2010, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-all-the-focus-on-kagans-looks/538913 "2010-05-16T05:20:02Z")
In reading articles about Kagan’s nomination in many of the online “comment’s” sections below the article there is a steady stream of posters making snide comments on what a dog she is. This is kind of puzzling. She’s n… --- ## [Christians and the Ten Commandments.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-and-the-ten-commandments/539481)
**Author:** [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-and-the-ten-commandments/539481 "2010-05-16T02:36:05Z")
This is inspired by a Pit thread, and my asking this question there was handled in typical Pit fashion (which was amusing, but I’m serious about wanting to know this). What is the theological relationship between Christ… --- ## [Are ALL Investement Newsletters Fatally Flawed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-investement-newsletters-fatally-flawed/538818)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2010, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-investement-newsletters-fatally-flawed/538818 "2010-05-16T00:33:34Z")
I regularly receive email solicitations to buy investment newsletters. Everything from the “Motley Fool” to some boileroom operation in Miami. My question: if you are a successful stock picker, why share your knowledge … --- ## [Software piracy - Are there real solutions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-piracy-are-there-real-solutions/539329)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-piracy-are-there-real-solutions/539329 "2010-05-15T20:47:25Z")
I just saw this article on cnet. Piracy Costs Software Industry $51 Billion in '09 with the following table: Top 10 highest and lowest software piracy rates in 2009 Highest Piracy Georgia 95% Zimbabwe … --- ## [Two questions for atheists / agnostics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-for-atheists-agnostics/538781)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 221\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-for-atheists-agnostics/538781 "2010-05-15T14:13:19Z")
I ask these questions not to provoke, but out of genuine curiosity: Do you, as a non-believer, accept the notion that many believers acquire some degree of strength, comfort and/or solace from their faith? If you … --- ## [Fat kids eat less.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-kids-eat-less/539292)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-kids-eat-less/539292 "2010-05-14T22:38:43Z")
Really. Apparently fat kids, at least from 7 years old on, really eat less. I put this here because I know it will be of interest to many and that some will debate it as it seems so counter-intuitive. There are many po… --- ## [What is a fair amount of tax for the rich to pay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-fair-amount-of-tax-for-the-rich-to-pay/537416)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 452\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-fair-amount-of-tax-for-the-rich-to-pay/537416 "2010-05-14T21:40:10Z")
Bob is an ace Doodad salesman. His annual income is $10 million USD. So he’s quite well off. Disregarding any write offs, deductions, tax shelters, etc., what is the fair amount of income tax Bob should pay on exactly $… --- ## [Christians: Aren't animals sinners?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-arent-animals-sinners/539191)
**Author:** [@Dostoyevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dostoyevsky)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2010, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-arent-animals-sinners/539191 "2010-05-14T21:13:50Z")
Been thinking about theology a lot lately, and I’m wondering why aren’t animals considered sinful by Biblical standards? Couple of points: First, the fundamentalists I know say that all people are born sinners through … --- ## [Atheist Heaven, -what would our slice of heaven be](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-heaven-what-would-our-slice-of-heaven-be/538419)
**Author:** [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2010, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-heaven-what-would-our-slice-of-heaven-be/538419 "2010-05-14T11:31:45Z")
state whether your a guy or girl. And it doesnt exclude deists. I want to know what would be heaven to you too. Okay we know what happens after death, - WE KINDA DECAY. I would wish the conversation not to focus on … --- ## [\[Can a person imagine or conceive of \]"Nothing"\[?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-imagine-or-conceive-of-nothing/538189)
**Author:** [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-imagine-or-conceive-of-nothing/538189 "2010-05-14T02:34:12Z")
Can a person imagine or conceive of “Nothing”? If you try to think about it doesn’t it become Something? Also, is “Nothing” unstable, thus creating the Universe? --- ## [Would a limited, non-transcendent deity have moral authority or claim to sovereignty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-limited-non-transcendent-deity-have-moral-authority-or-claim-to-sovereignty/539110)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-limited-non-transcendent-deity-have-moral-authority-or-claim-to-sovereignty/539110 "2010-05-13T21:14:00Z")
Imagine, if you will, that it is proven to you that a personal deity exists. Not that inherently self-contradictory omnimax God, or even a universal creator; rather, an extremely old and vastly powerful being who came i… --- ## [Are performance artists trolls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-performance-artists-trolls/539241)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2010, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-performance-artists-trolls/539241 "2010-05-13T16:56:26Z")
A troll is someone who goes around deliberately provoking people because he wants their outraged reactions, right? So how is this different from all those “transgressive” performance artists? Sure, they often have some s… --- ## [Third-world workers working for American companies overseas are being exploited.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-world-workers-working-for-american-companies-overseas-are-being-exploited/538999)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-world-workers-working-for-american-companies-overseas-are-being-exploited/538999 "2010-05-13T16:40:00Z")
Agree or disagree? I disagree. Essentially, depending on your definition of exploitation, either ALL workers are being exploited (Karl Marx) which would make the statement meaningless. Or it’s entirely a value judgmen… --- ## [Newdow: Swing and a miss! Court won't take "So Help Me God" from Inaugural Oath](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newdow-swing-and-a-miss-court-wont-take-so-help-me-god-from-inaugural-oath/539049)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2010, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newdow-swing-and-a-miss-court-wont-take-so-help-me-god-from-inaugural-oath/539049 "2010-05-13T00:03:24Z")
Micheal Newdow, perhaps most famous for his efforts to have “Under God,” stricken from the Pledge of Allegiance, had also taken aim at the Inauguration ceremony of 2009, asking a federal court to enjoin CJ Roberts from a… --- ## [The end of the suburbs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-the-suburbs/539055)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-the-suburbs/539055 "2010-05-12T23:52:43Z")
According to a study done by the Brookings Institution the suburbs are becoming poorer as the educated elite move back into the cities: Anyway what sort of future do you see for the suburbs? As someone who recently t… --- ## [Time to move the UN?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-move-the-un/538271)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-move-the-un/538271 "2010-05-12T21:43:59Z")
Is it now time to move the UN to somewhere neutral like Switzerland, home of the Geneve Convention? Time to scrap veto power? --- ## [Did Noah go to Ninevah in the Belly of a Whale?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-noah-go-to-ninevah-in-the-belly-of-a-whale/536834)
**Author:** [@ivoryjackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivoryjackson)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-noah-go-to-ninevah-in-the-belly-of-a-whale/536834 "2010-05-12T20:36:26Z")
Many religious people support the Noah story/fable. Last October, 2009 and last week, April 2010, two teams of scientists on the science channel and discovery channel said “No way.” Blue whales eat krill because it’s t… --- ## [Why are Wikipedia editors mostly male?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-wikipedia-editors-mostly-male/538811)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-wikipedia-editors-mostly-male/538811 "2010-05-12T16:46:19Z")
Per this chart, based on a survey of editors. Two striking things leap out: first, editors are overwhelmingly male. Second, editors are overwhelmingly single and without children. The second is easier to explain: thos… --- ## [Are Senate Hearings Mostly For Show?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-senate-hearings-mostly-for-show/537724)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2010, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-senate-hearings-mostly-for-show/537724 "2010-05-12T15:48:27Z")
I was watching the Goldman Sachs hearings, and enjoying Sen. Carl Levin (D-Michigan) rip into the G-S executives. With his righteous anger, Ben Franklin glasses, and potty mouth, Levin was doing a 1st-class acting job. … --- ## [Aircraft Carriers soon to be obsolete](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aircraft-carriers-soon-to-be-obsolete/535954)
**Author:** [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aircraft-carriers-soon-to-be-obsolete/535954 "2010-05-12T15:30:05Z")
Resolved: Aircraft carriers are on their way out. The US should plan on needing only a handful by midcentury, not the dozen we currently have (and which force level we are planning on keeping by building more of them). … --- ## [Believing in God While Hating Him With A Twist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believing-in-god-while-hating-him-with-a-twist/538010)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believing-in-god-while-hating-him-with-a-twist/538010 "2010-05-12T14:54:52Z")
In this thread Believing In God While Hating Him - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board , Curtis LeMay asked Here I will ask the same question with a major change- Yes, the God in question is Yahweh of the Heb… --- ## [Why can I humiliate you in the sports world, but not the classroom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-humiliate-you-in-the-sports-world-but-not-the-classroom/538515)
**Author:** [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2010, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-i-humiliate-you-in-the-sports-world-but-not-the-classroom/538515 "2010-05-12T14:22:33Z")
In High School I had a 9th grade homeroom, but took all 10th grade classes. One day someone asked me if I thought I was an Einstein and instead of just saying “hell ya”, I chickened out and said “no, it was all my paren… --- ## [I Want to be the First on Record to Call the 2012 Presidential Race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-the-first-on-record-to-call-the-2012-presidential-race/537995)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2010, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-the-first-on-record-to-call-the-2012-presidential-race/537995 "2010-05-12T00:08:20Z")
Let’s face it, Obama is floundering miserably an it is only going get worse. He won’t make reelection. My home state of Louisiana has an Indian/American Republican governor in Bobby Jindal (he won 88% of the popular vot… --- ## [Walking out in the UN. How is this viewed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-out-in-the-un-how-is-this-viewed/538270)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walking-out-in-the-un-how-is-this-viewed/538270 "2010-05-11T20:35:12Z")
Even though the NAM speaker agreed with Ahmedinejad and no one could fault what he was saying,( he made perfect sense), the US and quickly running behind them the UK and France got up and walked out during his speech. H… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=456) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=458)