# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=481 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 482 --- ## [Netanyahu: Even if West Bank becomes independent, Israel will control the Jordan Valley](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netanyahu-even-if-west-bank-becomes-independent-israel-will-control-the-jordan-valley/525940)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netanyahu-even-if-west-bank-becomes-independent-israel-will-control-the-jordan-valley/525940 "2010-01-29T12:58:24Z")
Story here. I’m frankly astonished. How can Netanyahu possibly think what he’s describing would be accepted by the Palestinians or the world as an 'independence" settlement?! He’s talking about a situation where Pale… --- ## [Savings in education: Change the Maximum Enrollment Age](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/savings-in-education-change-the-maximum-enrollment-age/526780)
**Author:** [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2010, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/savings-in-education-change-the-maximum-enrollment-age/526780 "2010-01-29T07:58:32Z")
In Arizona, and in my home state of Michigan, the education sector is a huge target for budget cuts. As a high school teacher in Arizona, I pay attention to these debates and try to keep up with what each side is saying… --- ## [Why don't Westerners romanticize Byzantium?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-westerners-romanticize-byzantium/526514)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-westerners-romanticize-byzantium/526514 "2010-01-29T01:42:48Z")
Or at least, to the same extent that we romanticize Rome? I’m an American. I live in a continent-spanning Republic that very consciously modeled its institutions upon those of Rome. Loosely modelled, granted - but we’re… --- ## [What will it take for Senate Dems to be willing to break a filibuster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-it-take-for-senate-dems-to-be-willing-to-break-a-filibuster/525857)
**Author:** [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2010, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-it-take-for-senate-dems-to-be-willing-to-break-a-filibuster/525857 "2010-01-29T00:30:59Z")
Even allowing for the Senator from MA and the more blue dog Dems, there should still be 51 or more Senators who would vote for the House version of the HCR bill. All it would take is the fortitude to wait out a filibust… --- ## [Air America: Bankrupt Again.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-bankrupt-again/526111)
**Author:** [@KLR\_650](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KLR_650)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-bankrupt-again/526111 "2010-01-28T20:22:51Z")
Air America is bankrupt, again. Why can’t “liberal” talk radio pay its own way? --- ## [HCR/ What I would do if I were Obama, Pelosi, Reid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hcr-what-i-would-do-if-i-were-obama-pelosi-reid/525789)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hcr-what-i-would-do-if-i-were-obama-pelosi-reid/525789 "2010-01-28T18:55:35Z")
As someone who has lived with easily affordable universal health care for most of his life of 60 years in Canada I have to wonder what the hell were they thinking in Mass. It seems the Republican bullshit has supercede… --- ## [Obama "Turns Up Heat" Over Ruling on Campaign Spending](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-turns-up-heat-over-ruling-on-campaign-spending/526325)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-turns-up-heat-over-ruling-on-campaign-spending/526325 "2010-01-28T16:21:47Z")
Title taken from this story. Debate over the merits of the SCOTUS decision aside, what does the President think he can do by “turning up the heat?” Al Haig to Richard Nixon\*: “It’s the Supreme Court, sir. You don’t get … --- ## [Is there any hope at all for Haiti?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-hope-at-all-for-haiti/525073)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2010, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-hope-at-all-for-haiti/525073 "2010-01-28T06:29:40Z")
It seems the country’s entire history has involved consistently getting screwed over by one civil war, natural disaster, foreign intervention or kleptocratic dictator after another. Even the poorest countries will have s… --- ## [Would you support health insurance regulations ONLY?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-support-health-insurance-regulations-only/526649)
**Author:** [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2010, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-support-health-insurance-regulations-only/526649 "2010-01-28T05:53:27Z")
I’m wading through all of these UHC threads, and I see a common theme - that insurance companies are vile pits of greed and dishonor, and they are almost fully to blame for the presumed healthcare mess. I’m on the “No … --- ## [Why did Odoacer let Romulus Augustus live?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-odoacer-let-romulus-augustus-live/526532)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2010, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-odoacer-let-romulus-augustus-live/526532 "2010-01-28T02:06:27Z")
Odoacer was one of the more interesting figures of the last days of the Western Roman Empire - the fellow who actually forced the last “official” Emperor out of office. Romulus Augustus was deposed, but so far as we know… --- ## [How does a Creationist explain disease?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-creationist-explain-disease/524238)
**Author:** [@BluePitbull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BluePitbull)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-creationist-explain-disease/524238 "2010-01-28T01:56:37Z")
If Sin brought in death and disease, then how does creationists explain the existance of infectious diseases? Did Tuberculosis, HIV, Ringworm, Malaria and prions existed before or after the fall? --- ## [Is it possible to improve the economy without increasing government spending?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-improve-the-economy-without-increasing-government-spending/526481)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-improve-the-economy-without-increasing-government-spending/526481 "2010-01-27T22:24:25Z")
Many on the liberal side of the aisle say “no, absolutely not,” thus decrying news of Obama’s apparent proposal to freeze certain kinds of spending, calling it “Hooverism.” While you can get into the specifics of this p… --- ## [Why doesn't the media just block all stories about Bin Ladin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-media-just-block-all-stories-about-bin-ladin/526528)
**Author:** [@Snow\_Pea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snow_Pea)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2010, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-media-just-block-all-stories-about-bin-ladin/526528 "2010-01-27T20:12:17Z")
Why is this terrorist being given US airtime? It’s not like the average American reader/TV viewer can do a damn thing about the threats - so why publish them? Bin Laden must get a kick out of periodically releasing some… --- ## [Why do other states follow Texas in what school books to buy when they rank 49th in SAT scores?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-other-states-follow-texas-in-what-school-books-to-buy-when-they-rank-49th-in-sat-scores/526487)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-other-states-follow-texas-in-what-school-books-to-buy-when-they-rank-49th-in-sat-scores/526487 "2010-01-27T17:36:34Z")
The decisions of the Texas Board Of Education school system re what books to pick loom huge in their influenceon the book buying options and decisions for other states because many publishers tailor their books to fit wh… --- ## ["Women's Rights" blog says: virtual sexual assault should be a criminal act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-rights-blog-says-virtual-sexual-assault-should-be-a-criminal-act/526376)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2010, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-rights-blog-says-virtual-sexual-assault-should-be-a-criminal-act/526376 "2010-01-27T16:51:09Z")
Ruth Fertig, writing for the womensrights.change.org site, says: She goes on to say that And concludes by saying I am not sure I see how even stalking charges might apply if the object of the stalk is an avatar, wi… --- ## [How much human experience would a Jesus actually get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-human-experience-would-a-jesus-actually-get/526174)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-human-experience-would-a-jesus-actually-get/526174 "2010-01-27T13:32:24Z")
For some reason as I was falling asleep last night I started thinking about the Jesus story and the idea that Jesus, though divine, got to experience being human up to and including death. But when I think about my own … --- ## [Term Limits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-limits/526397)
**Author:** [@Kearsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2010, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/term-limits/526397 "2010-01-27T08:06:12Z")
What are the reasons against term limits? In my mind, term limits would lessen the corruption that exists in the government today. With no chance at getting re-elected, you’d be less likely to give up your ideals for a … --- ## [The Goofiness of Behavioral Economics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-goofiness-of-behavioral-economics/526428)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-goofiness-of-behavioral-economics/526428 "2010-01-27T02:00:54Z")
Behavioral economics has hit the big time in the last couple years, with popular books like Freakonomics and Predictably Irrational hitting the bestseller lists and experts appearing on TV to explain how systematic human… --- ## [Why do Fundies call skeptics/scientific materialists "secular humanists"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fundies-call-skeptics-scientific-materialists-secular-humanists/526156)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fundies-call-skeptics-scientific-materialists-secular-humanists/526156 "2010-01-26T23:56:45Z")
Always with the implication that skeptics are hubristic, vain, arrogant, putting mankind at the center of everything. It makes no sense. The Christian world-view, not the scientific one, is “humanism.” Think about it:… --- ## [The Religion of Evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-religion-of-evolution/526501)
**Author:** [@Paleface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paleface)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-religion-of-evolution/526501 "2010-01-26T23:22:28Z")
(read more) The Psychology of Evolutionists - LewRockwell --- ## [Deal with Taliban - Have we achieved anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deal-with-taliban-have-we-achieved-anything/526345)
**Author:** [@Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walker_in_Eternity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deal-with-taliban-have-we-achieved-anything/526345 "2010-01-26T22:01:56Z")
It seems that the US and coalition forces are coming to a negotiated ceasefire with the Taliban and that they will be involved in the future running of the country. \[QUOTE=Gen Stanley McChrystal\] President Obama’s depl… --- ## [Brady Campaign gives Obama an 'F' for gun control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brady-campaign-gives-obama-an-f-for-gun-control/525731)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 266\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brady-campaign-gives-obama-an-f-for-gun-control/525731 "2010-01-26T21:34:13Z")
Report here (PDF) Commentary here (NPR) I’m posting this for a few reasons. First, when I voted for Barack Obama I said that I was concerned about his positions on gun control, but that was not going to be enough to s… --- ## [Biblically-approved wrongdoings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblically-approved-wrongdoings/525805)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblically-approved-wrongdoings/525805 "2010-01-26T15:59:20Z")
I’m starting this thread in GQ because I’m looking for factual answers. As many people have pointed out in other threads, there are many wrongdoings that are often excused by quoting the Bible. Racism, sexism, homophobi… --- ## [Is walking away from your mortgage unethical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-walking-away-from-your-mortgage-unethical/524169)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-walking-away-from-your-mortgage-unethical/524169 "2010-01-26T15:17:05Z")
Spurred by this NYTimes story: Walk Away from Your Mortgage! Is it unethical for a homeowner to walk away and default on his or her mortgage–even if he or she could still find a way to pay for it? I’m not talking about… --- ## [What are the US's biggest problems and how do we fix them](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-uss-biggest-problems-and-how-do-we-fix-them/523964)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-uss-biggest-problems-and-how-do-we-fix-them/523964 "2010-01-26T15:06:48Z")
Jesus minus 191 other countries on earth = USA! Either way, with all the despondency I think it is time for some hope building. And what better way than a bunch of quasi-anonymous hobbyists on the internet doing a thoug… --- ## [US military weapons inscribed with secret bible codes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-weapons-inscribed-with-secret-bible-codes/525518)
**Author:** [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-weapons-inscribed-with-secret-bible-codes/525518 "2010-01-26T10:52:03Z")
Well, the title says it all, but apparently a manufacturer has been inscribing bible verses on weapons made for the US military. For want of a better way of putting it, I’m flabbergasted. I don’t see how this can fail t… --- ## [What causes Arctic Sea Ice loss/gain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-arctic-sea-ice-loss-gain/526134)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-arctic-sea-ice-loss-gain/526134 "2010-01-26T05:40:53Z")
Among the commonest anxiety-provoking indicators for Global Warming is the change in Arctic sea ice. Of major concern is a diminution of average Arctic sea ice area and extent over the last few decades: http://nsidc.or… --- ## [Your papers please- DUI checkpoints now general purpose dragnets.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-papers-please-dui-checkpoints-now-general-purpose-dragnets/524494)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 316\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-papers-please-dui-checkpoints-now-general-purpose-dragnets/524494 "2010-01-26T04:18:52Z")
When DUI checkpoints were first proposed, civil libertarians were nervous. “Oh, not to worry, we swear they will only EVER EVER be used to look for drunks!” “Drunk driving is such a menace, and this is a tool we reeeeeal… --- ## [Explain the Death Panels thing to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-death-panels-thing-to-me/526099)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-death-panels-thing-to-me/526099 "2010-01-26T04:09:25Z")
Seems like that is the biggest lie the Libs like to bring up when talking about all of the Republican lies related to UHC … correct me if I’m wrong, please. My recollection is that it took off last fall when all of the … --- ## [If there were absolutely zero health risks to being overweight, would we still value being thin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-were-absolutely-zero-health-risks-to-being-overweight-would-we-still-value-being-thin/525706)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2010, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-were-absolutely-zero-health-risks-to-being-overweight-would-we-still-value-being-thin/525706 "2010-01-26T01:18:05Z")
In the fat acceptance thread, there’s talk of weight and health and the impact on society, among other things. And in the “fatosphere” (blogs devoted to fat acceptance, or the idea of loving people’s bodies as they are w… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=480) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=482)