# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=476 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 477 --- ## [Would you support an IQ test for (US) Presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-support-an-iq-test-for-us-presidency/528408)
**Author:** [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-support-an-iq-test-for-us-presidency/528408 "2010-02-18T21:11:50Z")
A simple and straightforward question, give the apparent (lack of) intellect of Sarah, and also George W, would you support a minimum IQ as part of the needed qualifications to be president? Forget for the moment how yo… --- ## [The Great "Agnostics are atheists" question!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-agnostics-are-atheists-question/529321)
**Author:** [@Frank\_apisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_apisa)\ **Replies:** 221\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-agnostics-are-atheists-question/529321 "2010-02-18T20:12:31Z")
In just about every Internet site I’ve ever visited where atheists appear to be a majority, the atheists seem to want to use the definition of atheist that requires agnostics also be atheists. No real need to do this. T… --- ## [Buh Bye Bayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buh-bye-bayh/529110)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buh-bye-bayh/529110 "2010-02-18T19:17:08Z")
Well, Evan Bayh, we hate to see you go. And who does a longtime advisor to Bayh blame? I think this is a bad loss for Democrats, notwithstanding the apparent wishes of “left bloggers.” It’s good for the GOP, most like… --- ## [Joseph Reyes: stalwart hero or just fucking with his ex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joseph-reyes-stalwart-hero-or-just-fucking-with-his-ex/529309)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joseph-reyes-stalwart-hero-or-just-fucking-with-his-ex/529309 "2010-02-18T17:49:32Z")
Story here. I’ll paraphrase: Mr. Reyes and his estranged wife are engaged in bitter divorce proceedings. The soon-to-be-former-Mrs. Reyes is Jewish. Mr. Reyes converted to Judaism during the course of the couple’s re… --- ## [Theists: What does it mean to say that God loves us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theists-what-does-it-mean-to-say-that-god-loves-us/529375)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theists-what-does-it-mean-to-say-that-god-loves-us/529375 "2010-02-18T17:03:55Z")
I specified theists in the thread title because, obviously, the question is meaningless from the atheist, agnostic, or deistic worldview. Though my personal philosophy is closer to the first two than to anything Pat Robe… --- ## [Between 1913 and 1993, what did Republican presidents achieve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/between-1913-and-1993-what-did-republican-presidents-achieve/528956)
**Author:** [@The\_Great\_Philosopher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Philosopher)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/between-1913-and-1993-what-did-republican-presidents-achieve/528956 "2010-02-18T16:58:06Z")
Between 1913 and 1993, there were 8 Republican presidents and 6 Democratic ones. As far as I’m aware these are some of the major ‘achievements’ attributable to the Democratic presidents in that time: Creation of the Fe… --- ## [Expanding Justifiable Homicide for abused people (mostly women)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expanding-justifiable-homicide-for-abused-people-mostly-women/523141)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expanding-justifiable-homicide-for-abused-people-mostly-women/523141 "2010-02-18T16:37:27Z")
I am prompted to this because of watching “Every F\_\_king Day of My Life”, a documentary about Wendy Moldonado, an Oregon woman who was beaten and tortured, physically and emotionally, for twenty years. She had four sons… --- ## [Why won't this work? (Gay marriage related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-this-work-gay-marriage-related/529121)
**Author:** [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-this-work-gay-marriage-related/529121 "2010-02-18T15:01:21Z")
Let me start this by saying that I’m 100% pro-gay marriage. I think gay folks should have exactly the same rights to marry, adopt/have kids, etc. that straight folks do. I don’t have a homophobic bone in my body. I’m jus… --- ## [Why do we need a book like "Hogg"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-a-book-like-hogg/529261)
**Author:** [@FE3O4ENAIL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FE3O4ENAIL)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2010, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-need-a-book-like-hogg/529261 "2010-02-18T06:10:58Z")
Help me to understand how things would be worse if it was never printed. --- ## [Recall Them Crooks, and send in new crooks!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recall-them-crooks-and-send-in-new-crooks/529322)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2010, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recall-them-crooks-and-send-in-new-crooks/529322 "2010-02-17T21:33:55Z")
There’s a conservative group of \[del\]nuts\[/del\] activists in New Jersey seeking to recall Robert Menendez. Menendez is one of New Jersey’s U.S. Senators, and according to a spokesperson for the group, they simply can’t w… --- ## [What comes after capitalism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-after-capitalism/528428)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comes-after-capitalism/528428 "2010-02-17T19:20:24Z")
I am not asking this question in a political sense, as capitalism vs. socialism or whatever. I am asking, what is the next material (not political) basis on which production and consumption of goods and services in huma… --- ## [Is Rom Houben really conscious? (23 years conscious in "coma")](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rom-houben-really-conscious-23-years-conscious-in-coma/519207 "2010-02-17T16:46:33Z")
It got a lot of major press - CNN: “Trapped ‘coma’ man: How was he misdiagnosed?” However, it appears that he is communicating via “facilitated communication”: On the other hand, in the CNN article, it says: So i… --- ## [The Optimal Number of Work Hours](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-optimal-number-of-work-hours/528895)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2010, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-optimal-number-of-work-hours/528895 "2010-02-17T14:49:41Z")
A few months ago, Japan decided to create a new holiday. The reason for this was stated as being that the Japanese people worked so many hours, they didn’t have time to act as consumers, and as such it was a drain on the… --- ## [Faith and miracles isn’t what it used to be](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faith-and-miracles-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be/528301)
**Author:** [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2010, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faith-and-miracles-isn-t-what-it-used-to-be/528301 "2010-02-17T03:06:36Z")
Biblical miracles and what faith could do by having it are plentiful to read from in the Bible. Some of my favorites are the three men in Daniel when they were put in a fiery furnace and came out unharmed because they be… --- ## [Which of Obama's campaign programs have been executed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-obamas-campaign-programs-have-been-executed/529256)
**Author:** [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-obamas-campaign-programs-have-been-executed/529256 "2010-02-17T00:51:16Z")
Please, do not use this as a forum for dissing or adoring him. Or, conversely, dissing or adoring the opposiiton. I just want to know which of his programs that he addressed in the campaign have been executed, as in, w… --- ## [Google, broadband, and net neutrality.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-broadband-and-net-neutrality/528601)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-broadband-and-net-neutrality/528601 "2010-02-17T00:30:54Z")
Google to launch pilot broadband. Google is using its clout to push for more open broadband. I favor net neutrality but I strongly oppose using the government to enforce it. This move by Google seems the best of both … --- ## [Fox-Saudi Connection Outed--By Conservative Columnist?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-saudi-connection-outed-by-conservative-columnist/529223)
**Author:** [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2010, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-saudi-connection-outed-by-conservative-columnist/529223 "2010-02-16T22:46:27Z")
Cite When I first read this last week in my local paper, my first thought was, “WOW–and it isn’t even my birthday!” Imagine, Fox News, that bastion of Amurrica-first patriotism, the biggest supporters of the “war on ter… --- ## [Does It Make Sense for the US To Keep Pissing The Russians Off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-make-sense-for-the-us-to-keep-pissing-the-russians-off/529204)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-make-sense-for-the-us-to-keep-pissing-the-russians-off/529204 "2010-02-16T21:10:32Z")
I don’t understand Obama’s foreign policy, WRT Russia. On the one hand, we need a stable Russia (somebody has to hold up the fragile former Central Asain Republics), and we may also need another source of crude oil. Our… --- ## [The Nature of Salvation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nature-of-salvation/528644)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nature-of-salvation/528644 "2010-02-16T20:33:39Z")
When do you think in your opinion is the moment of the conversion and salvation to Christianity? Is it a single sudden moment or a gradual intellectual and emotional acceptance? For instance I didn’t when I became Christ… --- ## [What is the definition of being "financially responsible"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-definition-of-being-financially-responsible/528931)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-definition-of-being-financially-responsible/528931 "2010-02-16T16:35:00Z")
In the “Why is financial conservatism sometimes called ‘hating poor people’” thread, there’s a statement made that may explain some major philosophical disconnects, and struck me as a rich field for debate: So I ask: w… --- ## [Morality of raising your kid to be a...well...douchebag.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-of-raising-your-kid-to-be-a-well-douchebag/527708)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2010, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-of-raising-your-kid-to-be-a-well-douchebag/527708 "2010-02-16T14:35:18Z")
Traditional parenting methodologies typically revolves around traditionally accepted positive values. Be nice, be polite, be honest, share, take personal responsibility, don’t talk back, listen to your teachers and othe… --- ## [Why is Latin America not part of "Western Civilization"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-latin-america-not-part-of-western-civilization/527455)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-latin-america-not-part-of-western-civilization/527455 "2010-02-16T14:31:45Z")
I’m starting on Pat Buchanan’s book State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and the Conquest of America, which is clearly intended as a more America-focused sequel to his The Death of the West; and what immediately … --- ## [Private Sector Solutions Part I: Social Security](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-sector-solutions-part-i-social-security/528860)
**Author:** [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/private-sector-solutions-part-i-social-security/528860 "2010-02-16T14:13:32Z")
As I’ve discussed ad nauseum (probably literally for some of you), I think the only legitimate activities of government are to do those things that have a more-or-less equal benefit on all citizens–so, military, police, … --- ## [Gerald Posner's plagiarism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerald-posners-plagiarism/528729)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2010, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerald-posners-plagiarism/528729 "2010-02-16T02:32:23Z")
The Daily Beast has accepted the resignation of Gerald Posner, its chief investigative reporter, after Posner admitted (in a somewhat weaselly way) to plagiarism. ("…I admitted \[the five articles\] met the definition of p… --- ## [Ahmadinejad calls for worldwide nuclear disarmament](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahmadinejad-calls-for-worldwide-nuclear-disarmament/529126)
**Author:** [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ahmadinejad-calls-for-worldwide-nuclear-disarmament/529126 "2010-02-16T00:26:39Z")
LINK. Strangely? unreported in the US media. I’m for it. Anyone else? --- ## [Youth Rights - Criminal Responsibility](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youth-rights-criminal-responsibility/528874)
**Author:** [@Cesario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cesario)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youth-rights-criminal-responsibility/528874 "2010-02-15T21:42:29Z")
Whatever your position on this subject, it is a fact that in the United States, and many other parts of the world, people of differing ages have differing access to the criminal justice system. The defence of infancy in… --- ## [The story about Israelis stealing organ in Haiti](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-story-about-israelis-stealing-organ-in-haiti/528858)
**Author:** [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-story-about-israelis-stealing-organ-in-haiti/528858 "2010-02-15T21:35:40Z")
This ones a little weird: Given what the American missionary’s are charged with and given that Israel has previous in relation to harvesting organs the judgment of “wrong, distasteful and provocative” seems a little h… --- ## [Humanities PhDs take forever - should something be changed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humanities-phds-take-forever-should-something-be-changed/528395)
**Author:** [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bith_Shuffle)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humanities-phds-take-forever-should-something-be-changed/528395 "2010-02-15T19:43:34Z")
PhDs in the sciences do not generally take all that long. Some graduate students get bogged down, but it is pretty common for a PhD student in the sciences to complete his/her degree in four or five years. Again, I’m not… --- ## [Does one-party government make America nearly ungovernable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-one-party-government-make-america-nearly-ungovernable/528581)
**Author:** [@Danimal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danimal)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-one-party-government-make-america-nearly-ungovernable/528581 "2010-02-15T18:25:18Z")
Again Jonathan Rauch pens a thought-provoking piece. If you don’t want to read it (though why wouldn’t you? Rauch is pure pleasure to read) his thesis is this. The Republican and Democratic parties have changed since … --- ## [Google to work with the NSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-to-work-with-the-nsa/527661)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-to-work-with-the-nsa/527661 "2010-02-15T17:18:11Z")
From the Washington Post What’s your take on this? Given the revelations of various spy activities (e.g., monitoring phone lines) and the intimate nature of the relationship, is there anything Google can do to enforce … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=475) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=477)