# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=478 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 479 --- ## [Is it better to invest in subsidies, or in R&D](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-better-to-invest-in-subsidies-or-in-r-d/528323)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-better-to-invest-in-subsidies-or-in-r-d/528323 "2010-02-10T01:46:39Z")
If you want to improve renewable energy, or access to health care, is it better to invest in R&D or to invest in subsidies? The goal of subsidies is to make something affordable so that people can either afford it in th… --- ## [Racist all white Vanity Fair Cover?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racist-all-white-vanity-fair-cover/527820)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2010, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racist-all-white-vanity-fair-cover/527820 "2010-02-10T00:15:46Z")
Salon.com wrote about this today. Basically, Vanity Fair had a cover on 9 up and coming young actresses in Hollywood and all of them are white. Yeah, maybe these people could have been included. But I’m having a hard t… --- ## [Why are local newspaper comment boards such pits of idiocy and hatred?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-local-newspaper-comment-boards-such-pits-of-idiocy-and-hatred/528251)
**Author:** [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2010, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-local-newspaper-comment-boards-such-pits-of-idiocy-and-hatred/528251 "2010-02-09T22:15:54Z")
I occasionally take a look at the comment sections on the sites of a couple of my local newspapers, and they’re pretty discouraging. Some of the most extreme hate speech gets moderated out, but what’s left is still prett… --- ## [Nagasaki and Hiroshima - Religious views?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nagasaki-and-hiroshima-religious-views/528189)
**Author:** [@Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walker_in_Eternity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nagasaki-and-hiroshima-religious-views/528189 "2010-02-09T22:12:58Z")
If this is better in GQ then feel free to move it, but I feel there won’t be one answer to this. What is the view of the various world religions on the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and by extension all war r… --- ## [Is health care "free" if insurance pays for it? A response to Rand Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-health-care-free-if-insurance-pays-for-it-a-response-to-rand-rover/528164)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-health-care-free-if-insurance-pays-for-it-a-response-to-rand-rover/528164 "2010-02-09T17:50:10Z")
In this thread, Rand Rover says the following: . . . mainly in response (I think) to my comment that if my grandmother were to go home from the hospital she’d have to pay out-of-pocket for drugs that her insurance pays… --- ## [Why are Republicans so obtuse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-so-obtuse/527412)
**Author:** [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Replies:** 266\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-so-obtuse/527412 "2010-02-09T14:58:03Z")
More than half aren’t sure if Obama is a citizen. Two-thirds think he hates white people. Over half thinks he wants the terrorists to win. Ridiculous! --- ## [Supreme Court to Rule on Corporate Financing of Political Campaigns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-to-rule-on-corporate-financing-of-political-campaigns/524881)
**Author:** [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2010, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-to-rule-on-corporate-financing-of-political-campaigns/524881 "2010-02-09T06:47:57Z")
Meanwhile, lower courts are also issuing rulings that diminish regulation of campaign financing: (1) Is this a real possibility? (Obviously, a legal question.) (2) Would this violate the idea of precedent in SCOTUS d… --- ## [India abandons IPCC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-abandons-ipcc/527874)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-abandons-ipcc/527874 "2010-02-09T05:57:20Z")
Linky. So India is going to start its own assessment of climate change, stating that it cannot rely on the IPCC since the science was not peer reviewed. The issue is the IPCCs claim that glaciers in the Himalayas coul… --- ## [What do you do with arsonists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-with-arsonists/527366)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2010, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-with-arsonists/527366 "2010-02-09T03:33:00Z")
In our news today in Australia, it is alleged that two kids (aged 14 and 15 respectively) were responsible for lighting fires on Black Saturday last year in Bendigo that resulted in the death of one man and the destructi… --- ## [Are fiscal conservatives "deficit hawks" -- or deficit dodos?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fiscal-conservatives-deficit-hawks-or-deficit-dodos/528110)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2010, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-fiscal-conservatives-deficit-hawks-or-deficit-dodos/528110 "2010-02-09T01:18:31Z")
From Salon: This strikes me as not only jaw-droppingly commonsensical, but a striking illustration of how “fiscal conservatism” is linked to the atomistic RW idea that “There is no such thing as society,” only individu… --- ## [religions that fear women](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religions-that-fear-women/527265)
**Author:** [@albi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/albi)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religions-that-fear-women/527265 "2010-02-08T23:12:51Z")
I am puzzled by the fact that jews muslims christians and other fundamental wierdos seem to fear women forcing them to wear approved clothing not allowing them out without a male keeper denying entry to the priesthood ke… --- ## [Is Obama being too reserved & cool in his Presidential attitude to effectively mobilize the nation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obama-being-too-reserved-cool-in-his-presidential-attitude-to-effectively-mobilize-the-nation/528017)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obama-being-too-reserved-cool-in-his-presidential-attitude-to-effectively-mobilize-the-nation/528017 "2010-02-08T21:44:46Z")
There’s sense among some that Obama has not stepped up to bat the way he should in promoting his administration’s agenda. Is this a fair criticism? Has he been too reserved and detached in the use of the bully pulpit of … --- ## [Did Carthage need to be destroyed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-carthage-need-to-be-destroyed/526543)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2010, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-carthage-need-to-be-destroyed/526543 "2010-02-08T21:04:35Z")
Sorry, last ancient world post to GD for a while, I promise. Cato insisted, in every speech before the Senate, that the destruction of Carthage was imperative. And, indeed, Rome did destroy Carthage. What if it hadn’t?… --- ## [The Chinese are Upset with Us](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chinese-are-upset-with-us/526006)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2010, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-chinese-are-upset-with-us/526006 "2010-02-08T01:53:45Z")
The Chinese are upset that the Secretary of State has stated American support for a single uncensored internet. The Chinese have hit the roof. Good. I have not seen tinhorn dictators (or in this case tinhorn dictatorshi… --- ## [To what extent should homeschoolers be regulated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-should-homeschoolers-be-regulated/527677)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-should-homeschoolers-be-regulated/527677 "2010-02-08T00:07:44Z")
In the thread about granting asylum to a family fleeing from Germany in order to legally homeschool their children, it turned into a debate on how much regulation is appropriate for homeschoolers. Granting asylum to peo… --- ## [Suppose the universe is teaming with life: how advanced do you think the human race is, relatively?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-the-universe-is-teaming-with-life-how-advanced-do-you-think-the-human-race-is-relatively/527510)
**Author:** [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bith_Shuffle)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-the-universe-is-teaming-with-life-how-advanced-do-you-think-the-human-race-is-relatively/527510 "2010-02-07T20:31:31Z")
Let’s suppose that the universe is full of planets (or even other bodies, like stars) that have life on them. I realize that there is debate over what “life” refers to, but let’s tread over that debate and use a common s… --- ## [Use of the word "Retarded"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-retarded/527680)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-the-word-retarded/527680 "2010-02-07T17:26:19Z")
I believe this has been discussed around here before as a hijack to other threads but not sure it has been faced head-on. This comes to my mind as I was reading the following article about Rahm Emanuel using the word “r… --- ## [Does fairness break down above the Dunbar number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-fairness-break-down-above-the-dunbar-number/527602)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-fairness-break-down-above-the-dunbar-number/527602 "2010-02-07T16:09:48Z")
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12071973&postcount=16 This, or some variant, is a pretty strong meme on the right, I suspect. I find it familiar. Real familiar. (I used to be a sort of rightie-cum-an… --- ## [Bill O'Reilly vs Jon Stewart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-oreilly-vs-jon-stewart/527689)
**Author:** [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Hamsandwich)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2010, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-oreilly-vs-jon-stewart/527689 "2010-02-07T07:42:13Z")
This was the most interesting debate Ive seen in awhile. The arguments presented resulted into a standstill. Until O’Reilly publically stated that he would personally vent Stewart for VP. Here are the video links: Par… --- ## [Why do conservatives post here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-post-here/527526 "2010-02-06T22:20:56Z")
I don’t intend this in a hostile way. I’m really curious. I think of the board as a social place. A place where you can go and enjoy conversing with like-minded people. I think most people are like that - we prefer to a… --- ## [Was Michelle Obama Wrong To Allude To Her Daughters' Flirtation With Chunksterdom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-michelle-obama-wrong-to-allude-to-her-daughters-flirtation-with-chunksterdom/527870)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-michelle-obama-wrong-to-allude-to-her-daughters-flirtation-with-chunksterdom/527870 "2010-02-06T20:52:55Z")
Here’s the (IMHO, stupid) controversy: So childhood obesity is one of her First Lady “causes,” and while I’m against the Nanny State, it’s a huge (get it?) and growing (?) problem that, especially as the Nanny State g… --- ## [NYC Terrorist Trials: Will They Become a Circus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-terrorist-trials-will-they-become-a-circus/527175)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-terrorist-trials-will-they-become-a-circus/527175 "2010-02-06T16:17:19Z")
Obama seems to be backing off on his plan to try the 9/11 terrorists in NYC. One factor is the immense security costs-Mayor Blloomburg estimates over $270,000,000! How he came up with this, I don’t know. My concern: ag… --- ## [Christians, Muslims, & observant Jews: What's your take on God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-muslims-observant-jews-whats-your-take-on-god-telling-abraham-to-sacrifice-his-son/527596)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-muslims-observant-jews-whats-your-take-on-god-telling-abraham-to-sacrifice-his-son/527596 "2010-02-06T16:05:22Z")
In the broadest sense this thread does not belong in Great Debates, because I do not really intend to argue a position myself. I’m interested in hearing what believers make of this story, so in truth IMHO is more approp… --- ## [A Reasonable Political, Economic and Social Response To Peak Oil? (and global warming, health care)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-reasonable-political-economic-and-social-response-to-peak-oil-and-global-warming-health-care/527732)
**Author:** [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-reasonable-political-economic-and-social-response-to-peak-oil-and-global-warming-health-care/527732 "2010-02-06T04:05:08Z")
Anyone versed in YouTube can tell you that the present exponential increase in population coupled with the soon to come exponential decrease in the availability of oil fueled by the criminal waste of resources (skimmed… --- ## [Should Chicks with Dicks be Allowed to Serve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-chicks-with-dicks-be-allowed-to-serve/527875)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-chicks-with-dicks-be-allowed-to-serve/527875 "2010-02-06T03:44:04Z")
in the military ? I have no problem at all with gays and completely altered or non altered transexuals in the military, but chicks with dicks, uh uh. I think its hard for most people to take these particlular trans… --- ## [The European Population Crash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-european-population-crash/527396)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-european-population-crash/527396 "2010-02-06T03:42:25Z")
\[QUOTE=whack-a-mole\] Is that a European population crash or just people abandoning a town? Presumably those people who left are still, by-and-large, in Europe somewhere. \[/QUOTE\] So is there a population crash act… --- ## [Should Men with Hormonally Enhanced breasts be Allowed to Serve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-men-with-hormonally-enhanced-breasts-be-allowed-to-serve/527888)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-men-with-hormonally-enhanced-breasts-be-allowed-to-serve/527888 "2010-02-06T03:37:42Z")
in the military ? I have no problem at all with gays and completely altered or non altered transexuals in the military, but the people described in the title , uh uh. I think its hard for most people to take these part… --- ## [Do You Actually Use Your Paddle Shift Transmission?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-use-your-paddle-shift-transmission/527867)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2010, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-actually-use-your-paddle-shift-transmission/527867 "2010-02-06T01:09:27Z")
I have a car (Saturn Aura) which has a paddle shift control, and I never use it. When I got the car, I played with it a bit, but I figure, “what is the point”? So, if you have one, do you find the ability to manually s… --- ## [When does a human mind become a person.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-a-human-mind-become-a-person/527231)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-a-human-mind-become-a-person/527231 "2010-02-05T22:24:38Z")
This came up in a another recent thread but by then the issue was already too muddled for this to be treated by itself, as I think it deserves. At what point of development does a forming human mind become a person? Fo… --- ## [Is John Edwards' Career Over?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-john-edwards-career-over/525980)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-john-edwards-career-over/525980 "2010-02-05T21:35:20Z")
I just caught a piece on him, he has finally admitted (after lying about it), that he fathered an illegitimate child with a girlfriend. My question: does this sort of activity cause a problem for him, as a lawyer and pol… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=477) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=479)