# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=474 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 475 --- ## ["I told you so!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-told-you-so/530418)
**Author:** [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-told-you-so/530418 "2010-02-27T14:17:13Z")
Is saying it categorically intrusive, simply in principle? Or are there some occasions where it’s necessary to let a person know that he or she needs to take off the blinders? This happens both at my job and with certai… --- ## [Why don't YOU run for political office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2010, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-run-for-political-office/530458 "2010-02-27T08:21:14Z")
This is kind of a poll, but since there are no prefab multiple choice answers, we’ll try GD with the other political threads. Why not run for political office yourself? Have you considered it? I was talking to a friend… --- ## [Spengler's Theory of History](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spenglers-theory-of-history/530474)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spenglers-theory-of-history/530474 "2010-02-27T03:51:43Z")
Relevant Wikipedia articles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oswald\_Spengler http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Decline\_of\_the\_West http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spengler’s\_civilization\_model Basically Oswald Spengler argu… --- ## [The Stimulus at one year: Is it working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stimulus-at-one-year-is-it-working/529602)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stimulus-at-one-year-is-it-working/529602 "2010-02-27T02:51:09Z")
It’s one year since the American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 was passed. Is it working? The Bureau of Labor Statistics says yes: Obama says it staved off a second Depression: Nobel-Prize-winning economist J… --- ## [Liberals are more intelligent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-more-intelligent/530582)
**Author:** [@Yersenia\_Pestis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yersenia_Pestis)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-more-intelligent/530582 "2010-02-27T00:44:02Z")
Here’s some more fuel to add this argument, which is obvious to many (like me) and controversial to others: --- ## [Which came first, the chicken or the egg?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-came-first-the-chicken-or-the-egg/530487)
**Author:** [@swiminakilt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swiminakilt)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2010, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-came-first-the-chicken-or-the-egg/530487 "2010-02-27T00:42:27Z")
Someone told me that the chicken that actually laid the all-important first ever chicken egg had to be a hybrid of some sort due to evolution. Therefore, the first ever chicken as we know it had to come second. Any tho… --- ## [President Obama's signing statement.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obamas-signing-statement/489228)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obamas-signing-statement/489228 "2010-02-26T20:01:23Z")
Many times on these boards the use of signing statements by President Bush has been criticized. This criticism would be most intense when he would declare a portion of a bill as an interference of his constitutional dut… --- ## [ALL this Political Talk...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-this-political-talk/530226)
**Author:** [@lurking\_guest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurking_guest)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2010, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-this-political-talk/530226 "2010-02-26T07:24:38Z")
Don’t know if “Great Debates” is the Forum to post this, but… Really? What average person cares about the damn Republicans or Democrats in our Congress? We WANT things. Truth. Straightforwardness. WE want solutions… --- ## [What if senators represented people by income?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-senators-represented-people-by-income/528060)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2010, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-senators-represented-people-by-income/528060 "2010-02-26T03:47:21Z")
Today’s Washington Post has an editorial “What if senators represented people by income or race, not by state?” by Anne Lowry: So, what would happen? Would anything change? Do senators really “represent” their states… --- ## [Discuss the evolution of 21st century economics.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discuss-the-evolution-of-21st-century-economics/529860)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2010, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discuss-the-evolution-of-21st-century-economics/529860 "2010-02-26T02:56:01Z")
It’s 2010. One hundred years ago there probably were at least 2 companies that still made buggy whips. One of them probably made the finest buggy whip money could buy. The other probably made the least expensive, Wal-Mar… --- ## [The Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hawaiian-government-reorganization-act/530189)
**Author:** [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hawaiian-government-reorganization-act/530189 "2010-02-26T01:50:16Z")
Isn’t it a disaster ready to happen? A race-based government? Endless lawsuit challenging who is and isn’t Hawaiian? Can the US congress actually pass that law? I’m not a US citizen and much less a constitutional scho… --- ## [Is God Evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-god-evil/528668)
**Author:** [@RedRemnant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRemnant)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-god-evil/528668 "2010-02-25T23:46:08Z")
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why… --- ## [Straight Dope on Joseph Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-on-joseph-campbell/529531)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/straight-dope-on-joseph-campbell/529531 "2010-02-25T22:07:24Z")
A colleague and I have been discussing religion at work (always a bad idea). He asked me why I thought we saw the same archetypes among cultures that were not exposed to each other. I said it was confirmation bias, but I… --- ## [Republicans: America's Fundamentalists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-americas-fundamentalists/528648)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-americas-fundamentalists/528648 "2010-02-25T20:48:41Z")
It is a common refrain here that both the right and left have their share of wingnuts. This is undeniably true. Of late though I have opined that the wing-nuttery on the right has moved from the wings to front-and-cent… --- ## [First Amendment vs. Aid to Terrorists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-amendment-vs-aid-to-terrorists/530254)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-amendment-vs-aid-to-terrorists/530254 "2010-02-25T20:39:15Z")
The Supreme Court heard arguments this week that the the federal law prohibiting anyone from knowing providing “any service, training, \[or\] expert advice or assistance” to a designated foreign terrorist organization is t… --- ## [Is the US in serious trouble, trouble so bad that our survival as a nation is very much in question?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-in-serious-trouble-trouble-so-bad-that-our-survival-as-a-nation-is-very-much-in-question/529786)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-in-serious-trouble-trouble-so-bad-that-our-survival-as-a-nation-is-very-much-in-question/529786 "2010-02-25T18:44:05Z")
The statement in the title was mentioned by a poster in a BBQ thread. Since there was no elaboration there by the person making the statement, and I’m not “calling out” him or her, I see no point to link to it. Does an… --- ## [Sarah Palin is Retarded](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-is-retarded/530389)
**Author:** [@Some\_Schmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Schmo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-is-retarded/530389 "2010-02-25T16:08:25Z")
The question is, when I say, “Sarah Palin is Retarded” am I using it in a Limbaugh-esk satirical way or a Emanuel-esk offensive way? Is there a difference? --- ## [Women to be allowed to serve on USN submarines. Good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-to-be-allowed-to-serve-on-usn-submarines-good-idea/530193)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-to-be-allowed-to-serve-on-usn-submarines-good-idea/530193 "2010-02-25T07:24:43Z")
Some discussion of the issue in this thread (which, beware, starts with a link to an April Fool’s Day spoof): US Nuclear sub with all-female crew? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board So… do you think the… --- ## [Was George W Bush That Bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-george-w-bush-that-bad/528740)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 329\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-george-w-bush-that-bad/528740 "2010-02-25T01:45:23Z")
Even many rational liberals who will objectively rank all the Presidents from Washington to Clinton will suddenly when arriving George Walker Bush immeditaly say “Worst President Ever!”. What is it that makes George W. B… --- ## [Help me fight Ignorance - Xenophobia regarding Islam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fight-ignorance-xenophobia-regarding-islam/527988)
**Author:** [@CheapBastid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheapBastid)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-fight-ignorance-xenophobia-regarding-islam/527988 "2010-02-25T01:06:05Z")
I call upon the informed Teeming Millions to assist me with my father-in-law’s deepening adoption of xenophobic approach to Islam/Muslims. I’m getting more and more fear filled missives that Islam is ‘taking over’ and ‘… --- ## [So let's assume the U.S. goes down the toilet bowl - which Anglo country do you move to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-lets-assume-the-u-s-goes-down-the-toilet-bowl-which-anglo-country-do-you-move-to/529920)
**Author:** [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-lets-assume-the-u-s-goes-down-the-toilet-bowl-which-anglo-country-do-you-move-to/529920 "2010-02-25T00:04:08Z")
Let’s assume that, in line with this thread the U.S. as a political entity drops a big load and ceases to be a nation where people with majority/social European heritages\*, English-only language skills can thrive instead… --- ## [If Not For Medicare, How Would Seniors Get Health Care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-for-medicare-how-would-seniors-get-health-care/527529)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 226\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2010, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-for-medicare-how-would-seniors-get-health-care/527529 "2010-02-24T22:27:39Z")
I was thinking about Starving Artist’s comment about how we are essentially addicted to Medicare, by force of law, and as such will never be able to get off it. And he’s right, knowing that there will be Medicare alters… --- ## [George Soros Says Euro In Crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-soros-says-euro-in-crisis/529919)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-soros-says-euro-in-crisis/529919 "2010-02-24T21:24:09Z")
…so is it time to short the euro? In today’s Drudge Report. Soros says that the euro is structurally unsound. Given Soro’s commitment to himself, is it wise to assume he will be betting against the euro? How could we … --- ## [Pit-Bull dogs, the law and families.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-dogs-the-law-and-families/529014)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pit-bull-dogs-the-law-and-families/529014 "2010-02-24T21:21:13Z")
Apropos of this thread in IMHO, where astro asked what the worst dog for a family to own. I chimed in that the obvious choices were the Pit-bull and Rottweiler, based on what I hear in news and see in law - as the Americ… --- ## [Which climate predictions from ten years (or more) ago seem disproved/validated/underestimated today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-climate-predictions-from-ten-years-or-more-ago-seem-disproved-validated-underestimated-today/530249)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-climate-predictions-from-ten-years-or-more-ago-seem-disproved-validated-underestimated-today/530249 "2010-02-24T17:14:19Z")
I’m just curious, if one looks back at least ten years ago, what predictions were climatologists making about the climate that now appear to come true? Which one’s seem to have been over- or underestimated? Which ones… --- ## [Can God tear his own head off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-god-tear-his-own-head-off/530197)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-god-tear-his-own-head-off/530197 "2010-02-24T17:03:23Z")
Inspired by this zombie thread over in Cafe Society. Being omnipotent, does the Christian God have the power to terminate his own existence? (By dramatically tearing his own head off, if he so desires … .) And if God … --- ## [Prosecuting Dick Cheney for conspiracy to torture - practical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecuting-dick-cheney-for-conspiracy-to-torture-practical/529259)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecuting-dick-cheney-for-conspiracy-to-torture-practical/529259 "2010-02-24T16:54:26Z")
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2010/02/hbc-90006558 Could a prosecution on this topic or using this statement realistically happen? Are the difficulties legal or political? --- ## [Is this a religious contradiction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-religious-contradiction/529450)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2010, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-religious-contradiction/529450 "2010-02-24T13:15:30Z")
A question for theists-how do you reconcile these two statements? “God loves us and wants what is best for us.” “We cannot know the mind of God.” --- ## [Many younger people think democracies over-reacted to the dangers of communism. Did they really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/many-younger-people-think-democracies-over-reacted-to-the-dangers-of-communism-did-they-really/529903)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/many-younger-people-think-democracies-over-reacted-to-the-dangers-of-communism-did-they-really/529903 "2010-02-24T02:13:27Z")
A lot of contemporary younger people think many 20th century democracies vastly over-reacted to the real dangers of communism. I’m 51 so the whole Red Scare zeitgeist of the 40’s through the 60’s was a bit before my time… --- ## [Why didn't the Dem pass UHC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-dem-pass-uhc/527000)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-dem-pass-uhc/527000 "2010-02-23T23:54:35Z")
Look, you Dems can piss and moan about the obstructionist Reps all you want, but the fact remains you had a filibuster-proof 60/40 hold on the Senate for a year and couldn’t do it. Just put a bill on the floor and give … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=473) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=475)