# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=484 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 485 --- ## [Cheat to keep Republicans from winning Mass Senate seat, says MSNBC's Schultz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheat-to-keep-republicans-from-winning-mass-senate-seat-says-msnbcs-schultz/525576)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheat-to-keep-republicans-from-winning-mass-senate-seat-says-msnbcs-schultz/525576 "2010-01-19T21:59:10Z")
Wow. Really? It’s so important to democracy that you’d kill democracy to save it, eh, Ed? What’s interesting to me is the utterly neutral tone adopted by Huffington Post in reporting the comment. There’s not one hint … --- ## [Will We Have a replay of 1994? (Republican Resurgence)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-have-a-replay-of-1994-republican-resurgence/525546)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-have-a-replay-of-1994-republican-resurgence/525546 "2010-01-19T19:27:14Z")
It looks like Scott Brown (MA-R) is going to win today-and the demoncrats are very worried. My question: as this recession grinds on, more and more people are getting unhappy-so, is it possible we will see a massive shif… --- ## [Thinking about euthanasia lately](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-euthanasia-lately/525208)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2010, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-euthanasia-lately/525208 "2010-01-19T18:42:28Z")
The current situation of a couple we know has had me thinking about euthanasia lately. The husband’s mother has been living with them for 5-10 years. She is now 97 and “near death.” She has been receiving in-home hosp… --- ## [In a modern society, do morals and values travel from the top down, or from the bottom up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-modern-society-do-morals-and-values-travel-from-the-top-down-or-from-the-bottom-up/525556)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2010, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-a-modern-society-do-morals-and-values-travel-from-the-top-down-or-from-the-bottom-up/525556 "2010-01-19T15:51:12Z")
or from the middle out? IN the thread about fixing America I mentioned this and was encouraged to start a thread. That thread is filled with suggestions to change laws but IMHO laws change for the better when people ma… --- ## [Will current aiport security regulations ever be reduced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-current-aiport-security-regulations-ever-be-reduced/525485)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-current-aiport-security-regulations-ever-be-reduced/525485 "2010-01-19T15:27:58Z")
It seems like they just keep getting worse and worse all the time. Will they ever get better? In what scenario would they improve, and what’s keeping them from improving now? --- ## [WW3?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww3/525151)
**Author:** [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2010, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww3/525151 "2010-01-19T04:46:29Z")
When will World War 3 happen and what will the sides be? --- ## [Will Harry Reid be forced to step down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-harry-reid-be-forced-to-step-down/524394)
**Author:** [@Paleface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paleface)\ **Replies:** 357\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2010, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-harry-reid-be-forced-to-step-down/524394 "2010-01-19T04:18:45Z")
President Obama said, No, he wasn’t talking about Harry Reid, he was talking about Trent Lott. And what did Harry Reid say concerning Sen. Lott? Well Harry, we’re about to see how you play. Ya gotta love it. --- ## [Refining the Atheist Argument](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refining-the-atheist-argument/524966)
**Author:** [@Dioptre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dioptre)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2010, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refining-the-atheist-argument/524966 "2010-01-19T00:18:21Z")
Folks, I’d like to place here what I believe is the strongest argument for atheism, and I invite you to attack it or suggest improvements. For the purpose of the thread, feel free to take positions contrary to your pers… --- ## [Rational group](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rational-group/525234)
**Author:** [@pfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pfish)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rational-group/525234 "2010-01-18T21:54:50Z")
I believe that there are three kind of people (Cecil might have fought long and hard, but I never remember him telling that ‘belief’ was a bad thing) First group are ‘believers’, who follow religious, faith based assump… --- ## [James Chanos predict collapse in China](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-chanos-predict-collapse-in-china/524392)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-chanos-predict-collapse-in-china/524392 "2010-01-18T20:58:16Z")
Contrarian Investor Sees Economic Crash in China I think I have heard that prediction for at least a decade now. So how about it. Are they all full of shit or is China a house of cards that just hasn’t toppled yet? --- ## [What if McCain had won the election in 2008?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-mccain-had-won-the-election-in-2008/525221)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-mccain-had-won-the-election-in-2008/525221 "2010-01-18T20:53:11Z")
Obvious spinoff from this thread. If McCain/Palin had won the WH, how would McCain have handled America’s financial crisis, industrial crisis, etc? How would he have handled Iraq and Afghanistan and Iran and the GWOT? … --- ## [Civil liberties eroded by "panic" now officially a fringe view](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-liberties-eroded-by-panic-now-officially-a-fringe-view/524160)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-liberties-eroded-by-panic-now-officially-a-fringe-view/524160 "2010-01-18T16:10:31Z")
Eric Posner writes: A lengthy quote, but when a guy says something right and says it well, it’s foolish to try to improve on it. I agree; I thought President Obama’s speech yesterday afternoon sent this precise message… --- ## [The Long Term Effects of Low Interest rates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-long-term-effects-of-low-interest-rates/525185)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2010, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-long-term-effects-of-low-interest-rates/525185 "2010-01-18T07:59:16Z")
I just check a bank account statement-I am receiving only 0.75% on a savings account. This is so low, it doesn’t even cover inflation. I am sure that a lot of people like me are torn between more risky investments (with … --- ## [Why is fried chicken racist in the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-fried-chicken-racist-in-the-usa/523915)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2010, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-fried-chicken-racist-in-the-usa/523915 "2010-01-18T07:01:32Z")
Inspired by this thread. So fried chicken is racist in the USA? Why? My mind boggles. I thought the commentators on the linked video were spectacularly drivelsome and so cut them short. Educate me. --- ## [Genetically Engineered Creatures for Labor and Warfare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetically-engineered-creatures-for-labor-and-warfare/525369)
**Author:** [@YoureBeingABinkyBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YoureBeingABinkyBoo)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2010, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetically-engineered-creatures-for-labor-and-warfare/525369 "2010-01-18T05:31:20Z")
We already use domesticated animals to perform work for us, and to perform dangerous tasks, such as draft animals, using canines and dolphins in warfare, etc… Many feel this is unethical, but the vast majority of the wo… --- ## [US bombing the Roki tunnel during the Russia-Georgia conflict in 2008](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-bombing-the-roki-tunnel-during-the-russia-georgia-conflict-in-2008/525096)
**Author:** [@Henrichek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henrichek)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2010, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-bombing-the-roki-tunnel-during-the-russia-georgia-conflict-in-2008/525096 "2010-01-18T04:24:14Z")
In the article (or book review more accurately) linked below, it is claimed that the Bush administration considered bombing the Roki tunnel, which was the main entrance and supply route for Russian troops moving into Sou… --- ## [Was U.S. involvement in World War I "decisive"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-u-s-involvement-in-world-war-i-decisive/524893)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-u-s-involvement-in-world-war-i-decisive/524893 "2010-01-17T20:09:33Z")
Define the adjective as you see fit. I wrote that it was decisive in a Wikipedia article, FWIW, and was surprised how quickly that was challenged. I’ve read pretty widely on military history and never thought that woul… --- ## [Conservatism, evolution, global warming, and the truth.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatism-evolution-global-warming-and-the-truth/524326)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatism-evolution-global-warming-and-the-truth/524326 "2010-01-17T18:05:07Z")
As I understand it, the conservative position on global climate change is that no warming is being caused by human emissions. But while many conservatives maintain that warming trends are being caused by long-term natu… --- ## [Should the blind keep students from using Kindles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-blind-keep-students-from-using-kindles/525004)
**Author:** [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2010, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-blind-keep-students-from-using-kindles/525004 "2010-01-17T11:28:19Z")
In today’s Wall Street Journal (and repeated many other places for those of you with a WSJ phobia), I learned that 4 universities have agreed not to promote the use of the Kindle for education since the blind can’t use i… --- ## [Protesting Tamils in Toronto](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-tamils-in-toronto/496213)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2010, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesting-tamils-in-toronto/496213 "2010-01-17T00:41:59Z")
Recently, 10’s of thousands of Tamils have been illegally protesting in Toronto, due to the current political situation in Sri Lanka. I must admit that even after following the news about this, link I am still left so… --- ## [Religious Experiences are not Hallucinations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-experiences-are-not-hallucinations/505389)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 225\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-experiences-are-not-hallucinations/505389 "2010-01-16T20:17:31Z")
Certain people frequently claim that religious experiences are the result of hallucinations, epileptic seizures, or other mental phenomenon, as opposed to being genuine experiences of rela phenomena. I don’t think this … --- ## [East African fish stocks are rebounding...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/east-african-fish-stocks-are-rebounding/525224)
**Author:** [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/east-african-fish-stocks-are-rebounding/525224 "2010-01-16T19:48:52Z")
…and people arecrediting this to the Somali pirates who’ve scared away all the illegal fishing trawlers. \Perhaps the pirates could expand into Africa’s west coast and kill the illegal fishing industry the… --- ## [Tell us what you know about the theory of evolution without using anything but your own brain.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-what-you-know-about-the-theory-of-evolution-without-using-anything-but-your-own-brain/524419)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-what-you-know-about-the-theory-of-evolution-without-using-anything-but-your-own-brain/524419 "2010-01-16T18:49:09Z")
I thought about opening this thread in IMHO or MPSIMS, but if the thread gets any legs at all I’m sure a discussion will break out so I decided not to bother. I opened the thread here rather than in GQ because my primar… --- ## [Is Palin a populist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-palin-a-populist/524288)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-palin-a-populist/524288 "2010-01-16T02:24:35Z")
Sam Stone argues here that Palin is a populist by which I suspect he means that her appeal is folksy common-sense, regardless of whether it makes a lot of sense or actually helps out, you know, folks. But is that all th… --- ## [Google throws down the gauntlet on Chinese censorship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-throws-down-the-gauntlet-on-chinese-censorship/524743)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2010, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-throws-down-the-gauntlet-on-chinese-censorship/524743 "2010-01-16T00:05:05Z")
In 2006, Google started a censored, China-localized version of Google, google.cn, reasoning that even a censored google-powered search engine is better than none at all. In December, someone tried to hack into a bunch o… --- ## [Debating Evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debating-evolution/524700)
**Author:** [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debating-evolution/524700 "2010-01-15T22:26:36Z")
I think it’s quite obviously accurate. --- ## [When civilization collapses: the first 72 hours](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-civilization-collapses-the-first-72-hours/522136)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-civilization-collapses-the-first-72-hours/522136 "2010-01-15T21:05:05Z")
There seem to be a lot of threads lately on the subject of human extinction and the cataclysmic collapse (or not) of civilzation. The weather maybe? Anyway, while my hands were at work today I was daydreaming about just … --- ## [Are the roles of militaries changing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-roles-of-militaries-changing/524877)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-roles-of-militaries-changing/524877 "2010-01-15T21:03:56Z")
Normally a military is associated with defense from other militaries, offensive actions against other countries (usually to gain natural resources or land) and domestic oppression of civilians. However as the world beco… --- ## [Is the Death Penalty Indefensible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-death-penalty-indefensible/524232)
**Author:** [@Recliner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recliner)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-death-penalty-indefensible/524232 "2010-01-15T17:47:46Z")
I submit that the death penalty (in this case, in the USA) is absolutely unjustifiable. Am I forgetting something, or making a logical error? Here’s my thinking: We have a court system that relies on convicting people… --- ## [Attack the Soviets post WWII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-the-soviets-post-wwii/524765)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attack-the-soviets-post-wwii/524765 "2010-01-15T13:13:55Z")
In another thread (accessible via the following quote) Stranger on a Train posted a notion of how the Soviets gained dominance and extended life because the Allies (well, Allies sans the Soviets) were unwilling to go to … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=483) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=485)