# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=472 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 473 --- ## [The Public Option is Not Dead, But Liars are Trying to Kill It](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-public-option-is-not-dead-but-liars-are-trying-to-kill-it/530561)
**Author:** [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-public-option-is-not-dead-but-liars-are-trying-to-kill-it/530561 "2010-03-07T13:45:58Z")
The public option continues to enjoy plurality (and possibly majority) support: Yet, conservatives are claimingthat it’s dead and has been for a while: As have others: Time and time again, all opposition to the he… --- ## [Does weather or climate have "astrological" causes ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-weather-or-climate-have-astrological-causes/531312)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-weather-or-climate-have-astrological-causes/531312 "2010-03-07T03:51:33Z")
A story in USA Today reports that Of course it’s not fair to pick the dullest-witted among one’s opponents for debate. Nevertheless, I thought even AGW skeptics would find this commentary sad (or amusing). --- ## [Health insurance and the '08 campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-and-the-08-campaign/531574)
**Author:** [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-and-the-08-campaign/531574 "2010-03-07T02:16:42Z")
This is a GQ, but I figure it’ll probably turn into a GD. (And if I’d phrased it as a GD, I figure it’d turn into a BBQ.) What, precisely, did Obama say during the '08 campaign about health insurance? Is there a websi… --- ## [Believers: How do we know that the Bible is God's word?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-how-do-we-know-that-the-bible-is-gods-word/528028)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 341\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2010, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-how-do-we-know-that-the-bible-is-gods-word/528028 "2010-03-06T14:59:01Z")
I guess non believers can chime in and take their shots here if they want, but my question is directed at believers. I’m a Christian who, admittedly has struggled with my faith from time to time. I believe in Jesus and… --- ## [Falklands: thank you for nothing, Mr Obama (extra mild)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-thank-you-for-nothing-mr-obama-extra-mild/530453)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/falklands-thank-you-for-nothing-mr-obama-extra-mild/530453 "2010-03-06T14:12:02Z")
\[ \](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us\_and\_americas/article7040245.ece) Not what I wanted to read. Thank you for not supporting your ally. Thank you for not supporting those that have bled and died with y… --- ## [What should be in the drinking water...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-in-the-drinking-water/531484)
**Author:** [@nilum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nilum)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2010, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-in-the-drinking-water/531484 "2010-03-06T05:22:47Z")
First off, I am recovering from severe depression. About two years ago I got drunk and slit my wrist in a motel room. I won’t go into all the gory details, but the cops found me and paramedics brought me to a hospital w… --- ## [Pain During Executions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pain-during-executions/530646)
**Author:** [@Frank\_apisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_apisa)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pain-during-executions/530646 "2010-03-06T03:43:27Z")
First…a bit of background: I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy done last week…procedures that are now performed under anesthesia. The anesthesiologist was a very personable guy who went over a long check-list of question… --- ## [In praise of the wisdom of Obama. Pelosi, Reid, LISTEN UP you dumb twits!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-wisdom-of-obama-pelosi-reid-listen-up-you-dumb-twits/531138)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-praise-of-the-wisdom-of-obama-pelosi-reid-listen-up-you-dumb-twits/531138 "2010-03-05T22:31:18Z")
The President states the case several times for not trying to shove major legislation down the throat of the populace. I agree with him, or at least the “him” he portrayed in the video. Do you think he is right? Or do yo… --- ## [Australian students supposedly to learn "Balanced" history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-students-supposedly-to-learn-balanced-history/530832)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-students-supposedly-to-learn-balanced-history/530832 "2010-03-05T21:40:39Z")
A story on the ABC saying that the Government is unveiling a new history curriculumthat’s supposed to be more “balanced” but appears to me (at least initially) to have quite a bit of focus on Aboriginal culture and histo… --- ## [About Applied Science and the Scientific Method](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-applied-science-and-the-scientific-method/531298)
**Author:** [@Dioptre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dioptre)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-applied-science-and-the-scientific-method/531298 "2010-03-05T20:38:21Z")
I am a researcher in a particular field of engineering. Academic engineering research is mostly applied science (ie, the academic researchers do a mix of working out better ways of “doing engineering”, and actually “doin… --- ## [Health insurance and the free market](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-and-the-free-market/530927)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-and-the-free-market/530927 "2010-03-05T17:33:32Z")
One of the recurring subarguments in the various raging health care debates of late has been some people saying that health insurance should be left up to the free market and some saying that the free market shouldn’t be… --- ## [A 2010 Bull-Moose Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-2010-bull-moose-party/531327)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-2010-bull-moose-party/531327 "2010-03-05T16:39:38Z")
There is a lot of definitions of “progressive” in terms of American politics. I’m pretty sure that most people (except Glenn Beck) use the term to mean a centrist but that is equally nebulous. Suppose us centrists on b… --- ## [Democrats also facing internal faction fight this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-also-facing-internal-faction-fight-this-year/531301)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-also-facing-internal-faction-fight-this-year/531301 "2010-03-05T15:49:35Z")
I’m sure you’re all aware of how the GOP’s hard-right and moderate wings have been struggling for control of the party over the past year, as reflected in the Frum-Limbaugh flap, and in insurgent primary bids by conserva… --- ## [Security on airport employees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-on-airport-employees/531054)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/security-on-airport-employees/531054 "2010-03-05T15:27:23Z")
I passed through a couple of airports yesterday, so I wnet through the whole TSA security procedures. Shoes off, coat off, open all your bags, x-ray all the contents, walk through the metal detector, etc. Now I was flyin… --- ## [How does Prof Jones revelation affect AGW in particular and the peer review process generally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-prof-jones-revelation-affect-agw-in-particular-and-the-peer-review-process-generally/531038)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-prof-jones-revelation-affect-agw-in-particular-and-the-peer-review-process-generally/531038 "2010-03-05T06:34:12Z")
\[ \](Phil Jones survives MPs' grilling over climate emails | Fred Pearce | The Guardian) So none of his work has actually been properly checked. He could have faked the whole lot. Nobody bothered to check. My mind bogg… --- ## [Debate about the terms used in the abortion discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-about-the-terms-used-in-the-abortion-discussion/530220)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-about-the-terms-used-in-the-abortion-discussion/530220 "2010-03-05T06:13:21Z")
Since we can’t have a proper discussion in a poll thread for reasons unknown to me, here’s a thread for it. Original poll thread. The question was asked, My answer is yes indeed. I truly think the debate is over a wom… --- ## [Proud of our nat'l/ethnic heritages; should we equally be ashamed of the BAD stuff??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proud-of-our-natl-ethnic-heritages-should-we-equally-be-ashamed-of-the-bad-stuff/530558)
**Author:** [@Cyningablod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyningablod)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proud-of-our-natl-ethnic-heritages-should-we-equally-be-ashamed-of-the-bad-stuff/530558 "2010-03-05T04:58:47Z")
The ongoing Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver got me thinking about this. I am of the belief that everyone–everyone–should know, understand, and celebrate his/her own ethnic or national background(s). I come from a str… --- ## [NY Dopers - Why the hate on Paterson?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-dopers-why-the-hate-on-paterson/530972)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-dopers-why-the-hate-on-paterson/530972 "2010-03-05T04:56:57Z")
I get it that Paterson is less than an impressive leader. However, he defaulted into a tough job under the worst possible circumstances at the worst possible time. I hazard to say that if the economic situation wasn’t as… --- ## [Why is the Left so afraid of nuclear power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-left-so-afraid-of-nuclear-power/529708)
**Author:** [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Replies:** 384\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-left-so-afraid-of-nuclear-power/529708 "2010-03-05T03:22:42Z")
…well, not everyone on the left, but there is a very strong anti-nuclear attitude that emanates from most people that call themselves environmentalists and by extension liberals. I am firmly on the left side of the poli… --- ## [How are countries with UHC suffering (or not) economically because of UHC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-countries-with-uhc-suffering-or-not-economically-because-of-uhc/530914)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2010, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-countries-with-uhc-suffering-or-not-economically-because-of-uhc/530914 "2010-03-05T02:23:58Z")
This assertion by Rand Rover interested me (I’m not meaning to pick on him, I swear; it’s just that his arguments seem to be good exemplars of many points generally made from conservative/libertarian circles): This put… --- ## [Firearms: Open carry ok as long as it is unloaded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firearms-open-carry-ok-as-long-as-it-is-unloaded/531297)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firearms-open-carry-ok-as-long-as-it-is-unloaded/531297 "2010-03-04T22:54:23Z")
Maybe this should be a GQ question but given it is about guns figure by default it makes it a GD thread. To any who have participated in various gun control threads with me it is no secret I am not a fan of guns. That … --- ## [Can innovation become so rapid it destroys capital incentives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-innovation-become-so-rapid-it-destroys-capital-incentives/530915)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-innovation-become-so-rapid-it-destroys-capital-incentives/530915 "2010-03-04T20:16:52Z")
When I got my first MP3 player during Christmas of 2003 it was $119 (marked down to $99), held 128MB (roughly 32 songs) and had no functions other than storing MP3s and an FM transmitter. In summer of 2008 I bought a 4G… --- ## [What's the magic limit for lawyers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-magic-limit-for-lawyers/530683)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-magic-limit-for-lawyers/530683 "2010-03-04T14:38:25Z")
We’re selecting who to send to another planet, for a long time mission, to establish a frontier and perhaps begin terraforming in anticipation of later colonists. Now most likely there will be scientists and engineers o… --- ## [Do children really become autistic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-children-really-become-autistic/531095)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-children-really-become-autistic/531095 "2010-03-04T13:14:27Z")
I think we’ve all heard stories about how Jimmy or Mary was a perfectly normal baby, but when s/he was two and got their shots, they immediately became autistic. Does that really happen, though? Or do people only realize… --- ## [Why does evolutionary psychology get such a bum rap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-evolutionary-psychology-get-such-a-bum-rap/524521)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2010, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-evolutionary-psychology-get-such-a-bum-rap/524521 "2010-03-04T05:14:56Z")
A number of academics are very, very harshly harshly critical of evolutionary psychology as a field. They have a number of valid points - some ideas that evolutionary psych people have produced are probably bunk, like th… --- ## [how should we handle defense counsel neglect in death-penalty cases?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-we-handle-defense-counsel-neglect-in-death-penalty-cases/530872)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-we-handle-defense-counsel-neglect-in-death-penalty-cases/530872 "2010-03-04T00:46:01Z")
The Supreme Court of the United States is hearing oral arguments today in Holland v. Florida. Scotuswiki has a good breakdown of the case here: scotuswiki.com Essentially, a man on Florida’s death row did everything in … --- ## [Do the laws of the Old Testament apply to Christians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-laws-of-the-old-testament-apply-to-christians/530384)
**Author:** [@Frank\_apisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_apisa)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-laws-of-the-old-testament-apply-to-christians/530384 "2010-03-03T19:58:04Z")
In another thread, Tom Tildrum made the oft offered assertion that the rules and laws of the Old Testament do not apply to Christianity…and claimed there is scriptural evidence for this. I suggested this is not so…and t… --- ## [Biological or Nuclear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biological-or-nuclear/530916)
**Author:** [@HotSmoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HotSmoke)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biological-or-nuclear/530916 "2010-03-03T16:12:46Z")
I was reading an article this morning about nuclear winter and it got me thinking about how scared we all were back in the eighties about being nuked by the Russians. Anyway,the current worldwide political climate has m… --- ## [The Democrats have lost the ethics issue.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democrats-have-lost-the-ethics-issue/530480)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democrats-have-lost-the-ethics-issue/530480 "2010-03-03T16:08:46Z")
By saying that, I surely don’t mean the Republicans have it back - just that running on an ethics platform, like they did in 2006, would be laughable. By now too much has happened. Rangel was admonished by the House to… --- ## [New Study: Liberal Atheists = Smartest People](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-study-liberal-atheists-smartest-people/530354)
**Author:** [@Dostoyevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dostoyevsky)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-study-liberal-atheists-smartest-people/530354 "2010-03-03T15:55:45Z")
My favorite blog links to a new study from a London School of Economics professor. As the title of the study suggests “Why Liberals and Atheists Are More Intelligent” this is a heavily opinionated research piece and I (… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=471) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=473)