# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=465 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 466 --- ## [Is there any point to the U.S. having nuclear weapons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-the-u-s-having-nuclear-weapons/535301)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2010, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-point-to-the-u-s-having-nuclear-weapons/535301 "2010-04-09T04:38:40Z")
Now that things are more complicated than West v. East, is there any point in strategic or tactical terms to continue to maintain our nuclear stockpile? I am not interested in moral or emotional arguments for the sake o… --- ## [Did Paul hijack Christianity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-paul-hijack-christianity/530342)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 384\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-paul-hijack-christianity/530342 "2010-04-08T18:01:51Z")
It seems that Christianity, as seen today couldn’t possible be farther from the teachings of Jesus (yeah, I know, fantasy, blah blah). Although it seems to me that some major changes occurred in the Middle Ages when the … --- ## [The Factual Argument Against Global Warming, Cap and Trade, and the Copenhagen Treaty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-factual-argument-against-global-warming-cap-and-trade-and-the-copenhagen-treaty/533049)
**Author:** [@jrodefeld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrodefeld)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-factual-argument-against-global-warming-cap-and-trade-and-the-copenhagen-treaty/533049 "2010-04-08T03:01:59Z")
I would like to propose this post as a challenge to all the Liberal Progressives posting on this forum to spark a debate on the science of global warming, Cap and Trade legislation and the Copenhagen Treaty. The reason … --- ## [Could the native Americans have stopped the settling of America??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-native-americans-have-stopped-the-settling-of-america/534982)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2010, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-native-americans-have-stopped-the-settling-of-america/534982 "2010-04-07T22:31:11Z")
I was watching American Experience, “The Donner Party”, and I got to thinking about the whole wiping out the native Americans thing. While there was certainly plenty of animosity and war going on between the Europeans a… --- ## [Enemy Belligerent Interrogation, Detention, and Prosecution Act of 2010 (Introduced in Senate)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enemy-belligerent-interrogation-detention-and-prosecution-act-of-2010-introduced-in-senate/535149)
**Author:** [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enemy-belligerent-interrogation-detention-and-prosecution-act-of-2010-introduced-in-senate/535149 "2010-04-07T21:06:45Z")
Has this been discussed? Anybody seen this? This act, introduced on March 4, by McCain, Lieberman, Inhofe, Brown, Wicker, Chambliss, Lemieux, Sessions, and Vitter, includes the following provision. I find this extreme… --- ## [Will Federalism make a reappearance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-federalism-make-a-reappearance/535163)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2010, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-federalism-make-a-reappearance/535163 "2010-04-07T14:27:34Z")
Before someone drops the Grant v. Lee (1865) reference hear me out. A lot of states were upset by the No Child Left Behind unfunded mandates. One state (Utah) stood up to the Feds and refused the money and the strings … --- ## [Is 'liberal' the new 'nigger'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-liberal-the-new-nigger/534534)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2010, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-liberal-the-new-nigger/534534 "2010-04-07T12:37:24Z")
Did you know that racism as it existed in the US was effectively invented by the elites as a way to sow disunity among the lower classes to hemegonize their power? Consider a quote from chapter 2 of Howard Zinn’s ‘A Peop… --- ## [Is America Really Backward Compared to the Rest of the West](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-really-backward-compared-to-the-rest-of-the-west/532329)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 391\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2010, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-really-backward-compared-to-the-rest-of-the-west/532329 "2010-04-07T10:56:13Z")
One of the favourite claims of liberals and leftists is about how enlightened and advanced Europe and Canada is compared to America. They speak of how people have better welfare, are better educated, are more “progressiv… --- ## [Jefferson Davis as a war president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jefferson-davis-as-a-war-president/534991)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2010, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jefferson-davis-as-a-war-president/534991 "2010-04-07T03:30:01Z")
I’m reading a book on the American Civil War and the author makes an intersting point in passing. If you went back to 1860 and was looking for a person to run the country during a war, Jefferson Davis looked like the id… --- ## [Energy Production in the U.S. is not a problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-production-in-the-u-s-is-not-a-problem/534375)
**Author:** [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2010, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/energy-production-in-the-u-s-is-not-a-problem/534375 "2010-04-07T03:25:34Z")
The production of energy, whether it be oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear, renewables, or otherwise, is not a problem in the United States. Here are a few statistics that may surprise some of you. All of this is according … --- ## [Let me try this again... \[Has technology surpassed our humanity & was the Pacific war about racism?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-try-this-again-has-technology-surpassed-our-humanity-was-the-pacific-war-about-racism/534836)
**Author:** [@Regullus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regullus)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-me-try-this-again-has-technology-surpassed-our-humanity-was-the-pacific-war-about-racism/534836 "2010-04-06T19:44:55Z")
In the “General Questions” forum I asked two questions, apparently, I chose the wrong forum. I certainly apologize for my ignorance. I did consider posting my questions in the “Great Debate” but the questions didn’t seem… --- ## [Would this work as an alternative to the usual primary system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-work-as-an-alternative-to-the-usual-primary-system/534751)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-work-as-an-alternative-to-the-usual-primary-system/534751 "2010-04-06T19:03:00Z")
I’m assuming the extremists won’t like this because they want to be able to control their party’s nominations. However, most of us (humor me :p) would rather the candidates from the 2 parties be less psychotic and have … --- ## [Court rules breast cancer gene patents invalid. What does this mean for GM foods?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-rules-breast-cancer-gene-patents-invalid-what-does-this-mean-for-gm-foods/534342)
**Author:** [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-rules-breast-cancer-gene-patents-invalid-what-does-this-mean-for-gm-foods/534342 "2010-04-06T18:05:27Z")
Ruling on a challenge brought by the ACLU, a New York court ruled yesterday that the patents held by Myriad Genetics on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer genes are invalid. Myriad held the rights to all genetic testing … --- ## [Is there currently any sane, intellectual leadership in the Republican party? If so, who?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-currently-any-sane-intellectual-leadership-in-the-republican-party-if-so-who/533768)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-currently-any-sane-intellectual-leadership-in-the-republican-party-if-so-who/533768 "2010-04-06T17:01:18Z")
I don’t mean this question facetiously. I’m completely serious. The GOP right now appears to completely subsumed in a giant temper tantrum without any intellectual leadership or clear ideological focus other than pure ob… --- ## [Are school lunches a problem? If so, what can we do to fix it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-school-lunches-a-problem-if-so-what-can-we-do-to-fix-it/535048)
**Author:** [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-school-lunches-a-problem-if-so-what-can-we-do-to-fix-it/535048 "2010-04-06T15:43:19Z")
The thread about the reality TV show Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution over in Cafe Society has started to become more of a debate on the quality of school lunches in the United States. Some like devilsknew think that Jami… --- ## [Let's suppose a Republican had said this \[Rep. Hank Johnson's Guam gaffe\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-suppose-a-republican-had-said-this-rep-hank-johnsons-guam-gaffe/534602)
**Author:** [@Rafe\_Hollister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rafe_Hollister)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-suppose-a-republican-had-said-this-rep-hank-johnsons-guam-gaffe/534602 "2010-04-06T15:34:41Z")
Hank Johnson (D) from Georgia’s 4th District Didn’t Dan Quayle get crucified for years for putting an “e” on the end of “potato”? --- ## [Hmm,probably not the smartest idea...\[Pope's preacher compares abuse row to anti-Semitism\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmm-probably-not-the-smartest-idea-popes-preacher-compares-abuse-row-to-anti-semitism/534756)
**Author:** [@qbadger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qbadger)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2010, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hmm-probably-not-the-smartest-idea-popes-preacher-compares-abuse-row-to-anti-semitism/534756 "2010-04-06T12:59:24Z")
to have brought this up, considering the papal actions during the Holocaust are not exactly beyond reproach. --- ## [Which countries are more Libertarian , and is that good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-countries-are-more-libertarian-and-is-that-good-or-bad/534933)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2010, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-countries-are-more-libertarian-and-is-that-good-or-bad/534933 "2010-04-06T11:10:47Z")
I have a friend who leans libertarian and we have regular discussions. In another thread someone named Somalia as a libertarian country. Looking in the web I see Estoniais listed as a more libertarian country. Ireland as… --- ## [New Yorker tears Thiessen apart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-yorker-tears-thiessen-apart/533751)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-yorker-tears-thiessen-apart/533751 "2010-04-06T05:03:31Z")
Marc Thiessen, who was recently torn to shreds by Jon Stewart – has now been savaged again, by The New Yorker, in its review of Thiessen’s book, which it labels “the unofficial Bible of torture apologists.” Here are jus… --- ## [Challenge to warrantless surveillance program might actually get its day in court](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-to-warrantless-surveillance-program-might-actually-get-its-day-in-court/412416)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/challenge-to-warrantless-surveillance-program-might-actually-get-its-day-in-court/412416 "2010-04-06T00:51:34Z")
Up to now, the problem has been that nobody challenging the legality of the program could establish legal standing to sue because they could not prove they were put under surveillance. That kind of information is secret… --- ## [Why are elected officials above the "people"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-elected-officials-above-the-people/535050)
**Author:** [@Kearsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-elected-officials-above-the-people/535050 "2010-04-05T22:32:43Z")
In essence, why do they pass laws designed to help or hinder the populace as a whole but stipulate differences for themselves. The two biggies I can think of are health care and retirement. Any real good reason why thi… --- ## [Can a corporation take away my rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-corporation-take-away-my-rights/534746)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-corporation-take-away-my-rights/534746 "2010-04-05T20:27:59Z")
The US has a bill of rights that sets out a variety of actions that the government cannot infringe on: speech, assembly, gun ownership, religion, etc. It has been suggested by many on this board that rights are part of… --- ## [Gas and Taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-and-taxes/534909)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-and-taxes/534909 "2010-04-05T15:10:49Z")
I have a family member in management in the automotive industry and he was saying that a lot of varying plans for reshaping the industry to be more green and clean are actually getting cut down by the government. The pr… --- ## [Georgia Bill requires "English Only" Driver's Tests: Thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/georgia-bill-requires-english-only-drivers-tests-thoughts/534653)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2010, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/georgia-bill-requires-english-only-drivers-tests-thoughts/534653 "2010-04-05T14:23:07Z")
From Driver’s Test Bill Sparks Controversy: Since I usually weigh in on the commie-pinko side of the spectrum I’ll jump in on the more right-ish side of this one: I have no problem with this. Of course I have no probl… --- ## [N. Korea forces now "no match" for S. Korea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-korea-forces-now-no-match-for-s-korea/534854)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2010, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-korea-forces-now-no-match-for-s-korea/534854 "2010-04-04T23:06:50Z")
From the fourth paragraph of this recent op/ed in USA Today: http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2010/03/column-should-us-keep-first-use-option-.html “…As for North Korea, its once formidable army is no match for the sophist… --- ## [Is "Legalzoom.com" Practicing Law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-legalzoom-com-practicing-law/534812)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-legalzoom-com-practicing-law/534812 "2010-04-04T19:06:03Z")
I am puzzled about the definition of “practicing” law. There are many on-line legal documentation services (such as legalzoom) that will prepare legal documents (like wills, partnerships, divorce agreements, etc.) for a… --- ## ["Do or Do not: There is no Try..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-or-do-not-there-is-no-try/534637)
**Author:** [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-or-do-not-there-is-no-try/534637 "2010-04-04T16:29:21Z")
…In the words of Yoda, I actually think that puppet is on to something. Is “trying” an illusion? Can’t you only “Do”, then succeed or fail at it, or “Don’t Do” at all? I understand that “trying” is sometimes interpret… --- ## [Was General Georgi Zhukov All That Good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-general-georgi-zhukov-all-that-good/531349)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-general-georgi-zhukov-all-that-good/531349 "2010-04-04T16:06:54Z")
General Zhukov is acclaimed as one of the best generals of WWII. Certainly he was efffective (he wound up beating the germans), but I don’t find him to be an exceptional strategist. He seems to have relied upon a lot of… --- ## [Is giving a small middle-aged woman an aluminum baseball bat for self defense a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-giving-a-small-middle-aged-woman-an-aluminum-baseball-bat-for-self-defense-a-good-idea/534085)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-giving-a-small-middle-aged-woman-an-aluminum-baseball-bat-for-self-defense-a-good-idea/534085 "2010-04-04T04:12:03Z")
It’s a small but sturdy metal little league baseball bat. Is it going to get taken away and used on her or could it be credible and useful defense weapon/threat? How good a weapon is a metal baseball bat? --- ## [Is comparing universal health care to having a military a fair assessment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-comparing-universal-health-care-to-having-a-military-a-fair-assessment/534769)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-comparing-universal-health-care-to-having-a-military-a-fair-assessment/534769 "2010-04-04T03:35:36Z")
A common complaint I see getting batted around by the right against universal health care is that it’s this massive socialist program and socialist programs by their definition are horrible because they redistribute weal… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=464) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=466)