# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=459 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 460 --- ## [What if Goldman Sachs went down like Arthur Anderson?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-goldman-sachs-went-down-like-arthur-anderson/537825)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-goldman-sachs-went-down-like-arthur-anderson/537825 "2010-05-06T13:45:54Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/30/business/30case.html?exprod=myyahoo A criminal inquiry. It was almost unthinkable that AA would ever go down but it happened. Part of me thinks that it would be sweet if GS got blown u… --- ## [Destruction of habitat is today's biggest problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/destruction-of-habitat-is-todays-biggest-problem/530880)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2010, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/destruction-of-habitat-is-todays-biggest-problem/530880 "2010-05-06T12:02:49Z")
Destruction of habitat is the most pressing problem of today. This fact is so well known that I will offer the briefest of summaries. In the last 150 years, over 2 billion acres of forest have been destroyed by man, an… --- ## [Oily Taint jumps party lines!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oily-taint-jumps-party-lines/538453)
**Author:** [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2010, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oily-taint-jumps-party-lines/538453 "2010-05-06T10:24:06Z")
Perusing my voter’s guide for the June primary, I see that Orly Taitz is running for California secretary of state, as a Republican. Does this indicate a rift in the Batshit Crazy Party, or just that Michelle Bachmann do… --- ## [Why I dont vote Republican](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote-republican/536387)
**Author:** [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2010, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-dont-vote-republican/536387 "2010-05-06T06:45:32Z")
In general the Republican party stands for small government, strong defense, low taxes, and free enterprise. So what’s wrong with that? I actually agree with those goals. I think they are all worthy and should be purs… --- ## ["A Tale of Two Blogospheres": Liberals more open than conservatives online](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tale-of-two-blogospheres-liberals-more-open-than-conservatives-online/538347)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2010, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tale-of-two-blogospheres-liberals-more-open-than-conservatives-online/538347 "2010-05-06T04:39:38Z")
From The Nation: A forthcoming study by researchers at Harvard, Yale and Berkeley looks at political blogs right and left. So . . . Why is that? --- ## [Predictions: the President of Nigeria](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-the-president-of-nigeria/524776)
**Author:** [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-the-president-of-nigeria/524776 "2010-05-06T00:31:16Z")
The President of Nigeria (Umaru Musa Yar’Adua) has been pulling a Castro for the last two months. He was rushed to a Saudi hospital in November and has stayed out of the spotlight since then; understandably, this has emb… --- ## [Biblical Genealogies: Who begat them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblical-genealogies-who-begat-them/537544)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblical-genealogies-who-begat-them/537544 "2010-05-05T23:03:21Z")
Ah, the begats. If you didn’t know, the Old Testament contains genealogies connecting Adam to King David, and then the New Testament contains genealogies connecting Jesus to King David (and on back to Abraham and Adam).… --- ## [Could the democrats losing in 2010 pay off in the long run](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-democrats-losing-in-2010-pay-off-in-the-long-run/538018)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-democrats-losing-in-2010-pay-off-in-the-long-run/538018 "2010-05-05T22:29:18Z")
According to 538, the democrats are going to lose in 2010. They will lose roughly 4-6 net senate seats and about 30-60 house seats. There is a realistic chance the house will go to the GOP. So on the surface this is hor… --- ## [Lets Play! Reforming the UK electoral system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-reforming-the-uk-electoral-system/538267)
**Author:** [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2010, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-reforming-the-uk-electoral-system/538267 "2010-05-05T21:08:05Z")
If we of the SDMB were charged by HRH Queen Liz with boldly reforming the British electoral system what would we come up with? Pretend we’re a quango or some-such. Problems with FPTP The list of problems is long but in… --- ## [Is it possible that illegal immigrants aren't a financial drain on US citizens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-illegal-immigrants-arent-a-financial-drain-on-us-citizens/537658)
**Author:** [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-that-illegal-immigrants-arent-a-financial-drain-on-us-citizens/537658 "2010-05-05T17:28:55Z")
I regularly hear about how illegal immigrants are a huge drain on Americans since they don’t pay taxes and their kids attend public schools, etc. But, at the same time, isn’t it possible that their cheap labor has direc… --- ## [Conservative response to BP spill: unwad your panties](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-response-to-bp-spill-unwad-your-panties/538035)
**Author:** [@Creole\_Tomato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creole_Tomato)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2010, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-response-to-bp-spill-unwad-your-panties/538035 "2010-05-05T13:34:35Z")
I have been told by several people recently that anyone who is upset about the BP spill is ignorant, prone to hysteria, and (of course!) anti-American. A little searching around the interwebs provided this on the Americ… --- ## [My Theory On Violence II.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-theory-on-violence-ii/512191)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2010, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-theory-on-violence-ii/512191 "2010-05-05T10:10:19Z")
I first posted something very similiar to what I am about to post now, oh, about 10 years ago. But I can never seem to pull up discussions from that long ago, at least on a board search. And plus it has been about 10 yea… --- ## [Two questions for you on illegal immigration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-for-you-on-illegal-immigration/537335)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-for-you-on-illegal-immigration/537335 "2010-05-05T03:39:13Z")
Guess you don’t get the poll option in GD so we’ll have to do this the old fashioned way. I’m an American thinking about illegal immigration into America, but I’m wording this poll so that anyone from any country can an… --- ## [UK politics question: Where do the Liberal Democrats stand on the political spectrum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-politics-question-where-do-the-liberal-democrats-stand-on-the-political-spectrum/537634)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2010, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-politics-question-where-do-the-liberal-democrats-stand-on-the-political-spectrum/537634 "2010-05-05T01:45:43Z")
The news coverage I’ve been hearing about the upcoming UK General Election says that the Liberal Democrats are making a stronger showing than ever before. So, if this is the LibDem moment – just who are these LibDems (a… --- ## [Hypothetical Oil Spill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-oil-spill/538275)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Booker\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Booker_1)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-oil-spill/538275 "2010-05-04T21:39:51Z")
Let’s take the current gulf oils spill and change a couple of variables and see what happens. Case 1. The location of the spill remains constant, as does the weather and other conditions. The only thing that changes i… --- ## [Is hatred weak?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hatred-weak/538203)
**Author:** [@I\_know\_nothing\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_know_nothing_1)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hatred-weak/538203 "2010-05-04T21:11:58Z")
Hatred seems like weakness to me. It causes the ‘owner’ to act emotionally and predictably. How then has it managed to survive for so long? --- ## [Resolved: Requiring Paroled Felons to Petition for a Return of Voting Rights is Unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-requiring-paroled-felons-to-petition-for-a-return-of-voting-rights-is-unconstitutional/538141)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-requiring-paroled-felons-to-petition-for-a-return-of-voting-rights-is-unconstitutional/538141 "2010-05-04T16:27:21Z")
I make this argument based on the plain meaning of the 13th and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Amendment 13 provides, in pertinent part: Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for … --- ## [Socialists: What are your views?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socialists-what-are-your-views/537156)
**Author:** [@Dostoyevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dostoyevsky)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2010, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socialists-what-are-your-views/537156 "2010-05-04T12:55:14Z")
I’m putting this in the General Questions forum because 1) I’m not looking to debate the pro’s and con’s of socialism and 2) I’m not looking for answers from those who disagree with socialism. If someone wants to take a… --- ## [\[The U.S. and the U.K.:\] A Special Relationship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-and-the-u-k-a-special-relationship/536887)
**Author:** [@moodswinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moodswinger)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-and-the-u-k-a-special-relationship/536887 "2010-05-04T02:48:27Z")
Over here in the UK this term is oft invoked -but I wonder is it such a ‘special’ one…if so how is it special -I mean Oedipus had a special relationship with his mummy —? My personal view is that it does tend to be so in… --- ## [Is better to stay married for the kids or seek a divorce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-better-to-stay-married-for-the-kids-or-seek-a-divorce/372611)
**Author:** [@PaulEdwardWagemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulEdwardWagemann)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-better-to-stay-married-for-the-kids-or-seek-a-divorce/372611 "2010-05-04T01:44:49Z")
My old man ran off on me when I was 3. Now I have a wife (who I cant stand) and a baby son (who is my saving angel). I dont want the boy to grow up without his father there everyday, but me and my wofe cant be ina roo… --- ## [Obama cancels Moon project](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-cancels-moon-project/535495)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-cancels-moon-project/535495 "2010-05-03T17:03:53Z")
Story here. I’m of two minds about this. On the one hand, America needs a lot of other things right now a lot more than it needs another expensive dog-and-pony-show-to-the-Moon with no economic return or strategic pur… --- ## [How should atheists and agnostics view each other?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-atheists-and-agnostics-view-each-other/534762)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 290\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2010, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-atheists-and-agnostics-view-each-other/534762 "2010-05-03T16:45:38Z")
Atheism and agnosticism generally get lumped together by believers as simply non-believers, so who cares about the distinctions. I’ve read the other recent thread on the subject - one of which turned into a train wreck … --- ## [Disprove solipsism. Please.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disprove-solipsism-please/536825)
**Author:** [@Dostoyevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dostoyevsky)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disprove-solipsism-please/536825 "2010-05-03T16:32:32Z")
The earlier ideas of Wittgenstein’s career along with Sartre’s stuff has left me ponderin’ alot. Is there any irrefutable, undeniable evidence that anything other than one thing exists? (I’m really hoping there is. So… --- ## [Could the BP oil spill destroy ALL the world's oceans? Oh, and it'll be Obama's fault?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-bp-oil-spill-destroy-all-the-worlds-oceans-oh-and-itll-be-obamas-fault/538077)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-bp-oil-spill-destroy-all-the-worlds-oceans-oh-and-itll-be-obamas-fault/538077 "2010-05-03T04:13:38Z")
A reader on a blog who claims to be an engineer thinks so. It’s a quote of a quote, so I really can’t say what the truth of it is, but here’s his argument: Is this outlook accurate? Are we looking at the complete cle… --- ## [Is America on the cusp of a Seventh Party System?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-on-the-cusp-of-a-seventh-party-system/454492)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2010, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-on-the-cusp-of-a-seventh-party-system/454492 "2010-05-03T04:00:41Z")
Historians have identified a (controversial) number of “party systems” in American history, each beginning and ending with a decisive election: First Party System: 1792-1816. Federalists (Hamilton, Adams) vs. Democrat… --- ## [Are Psychiatrists playing us? Book claims studies show psych meds much less effective than claimed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-psychiatrists-playing-us-book-claims-studies-show-psych-meds-much-less-effective-than-claimed/537597)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2010, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-psychiatrists-playing-us-book-claims-studies-show-psych-meds-much-less-effective-than-claimed/537597 "2010-05-03T02:50:28Z")
Interesting book here Anatomy of an Epidemic Have psychiatrists been playing us? --- ## [Dope on FL senate election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dope-on-fl-senate-election/536703)
**Author:** [@Yersenia\_Pestis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yersenia_Pestis)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dope-on-fl-senate-election/536703 "2010-05-03T02:30:41Z")
What is the deal with all the Reps jumping ship on Charlie Crist?? Is this because the tea baggers decided to back Marco Rubio (who I find repulsive) and therefore they must back him as well? Any inside info on this?? f… --- ## [Bush on the Rebound](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-on-the-rebound/537870)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2010, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-on-the-rebound/537870 "2010-05-03T00:27:56Z")
Yahoo news is claiming that Bush’s reputation is making a comeback http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/3491615 I don’t buy it myself, but I have seen a lot of folks further to the right than me who are feeling disenchant… --- ## [Economic Reform: The Chicago Plan (?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-reform-the-chicago-plan/538093)
**Author:** [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-reform-the-chicago-plan/538093 "2010-05-03T00:26:34Z")
For the first time, I’ve come across mention of The Chicago Plan, a financial reform plan from the Great Depression era. Developed by Henry Simons and many others (from what I believe is commonly known the The Chicago Sc… --- ## [Canada's Tarsands-Is The Oil Extraction Worth It?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadas-tarsands-is-the-oil-extraction-worth-it/538067)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadas-tarsands-is-the-oil-extraction-worth-it/538067 "2010-05-02T22:24:02Z")
My question is in GD-because I have the feeling that the economics of heavy oil extraction (from deposits like the Athabaska Tarsands) are not fully understood. From what I understand, extraction this heavy oil involves… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=458) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=460)