# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=489 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 490 --- ## [Can you walk around nekkid in your house?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-walk-around-nekkid-in-your-house/521794)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2009, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-walk-around-nekkid-in-your-house/521794 "2009-12-23T14:42:18Z")
Apparently not in the U.S. A man was convicted of brewing coffee while naked in his house. :rolleyes: It’s interesting that the concerned citizen managed to get not one, but two peeks at this guy. I’ve occasionally seen… --- ## [The two largest health care issues in America today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-two-largest-health-care-issues-in-america-today/520908)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2009, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-two-largest-health-care-issues-in-america-today/520908 "2009-12-23T02:17:56Z")
I am really sick (heh) and tired of what calls itself health care debate. The ‘reform’ that we’re looking at now is really no more than a stopgap; shuffle the money around a bit and everyone stays happy for a while. Wh… --- ## [Islam in Europe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islam-in-europe/521585)
**Author:** [@Chen019](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chen019)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islam-in-europe/521585 "2009-12-22T21:25:43Z")
It’s interesting to see the views of those on blogs. I recently stumbled upon a website frequented by Pakistanis in the west. As an example, here are some comments about an incident where a Muslim woman in France was n… --- ## [The mythology/historicity of the Hebrew exodus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mythology-historicity-of-the-hebrew-exodus/521349)
**Author:** [@Blut\_Aus\_Nord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blut_Aus_Nord)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mythology-historicity-of-the-hebrew-exodus/521349 "2009-12-22T18:40:34Z")
I know the general consensus of the historical validity of the exodus is that if it happened at all, it wasn’t anything like the Bible made it out to be. But is there NO evidence that it may have happened? There has to b… --- ## [Ford vs. Chevy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy/16628)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-vs-chevy/16628 "2009-12-22T17:06:13Z")
This is probably the biggest argument among racers and race fans everywhere. Which brand of car is better overall, a Ford or a Chevy? --- ## [Hard to believe there isn't a shortage of rare earth metals.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-to-believe-there-isnt-a-shortage-of-rare-earth-metals/521315)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2009, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hard-to-believe-there-isnt-a-shortage-of-rare-earth-metals/521315 "2009-12-22T15:16:29Z")
Give me your naysayers and your nattering nabobs of negativism! Think the rare earth metals are bursting from every seam and fold? Tell me about it! ISTM our nation is coming up short in the supply of rare earth metals.… --- ## [At what point do "bad apples" irrepairably taint an entire group?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-do-bad-apples-irrepairably-taint-an-entire-group/521829)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-do-bad-apples-irrepairably-taint-an-entire-group/521829 "2009-12-22T14:54:16Z")
So I was reading this article on a libertarian blog on incompetence in the NY crime lab. Necessary background: this particular author is very concerned with (and points out a LOT of cases of) police misconduct, especial… --- ## [America's natural gas future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-natural-gas-future/521216)
**Author:** [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-natural-gas-future/521216 "2009-12-22T14:23:43Z")
I heard this morning that Exxon/Mobile is buying XTO for 31 billion because they want entry into the US Natural Gas market. After a little Googling I found this article on Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p… --- ## [Are Obama's Financial Policies Prolonging This Recession?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-obamas-financial-policies-prolonging-this-recession/519928)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-obamas-financial-policies-prolonging-this-recession/519928 "2009-12-22T03:02:34Z")
I say yes, here is why: -the decision to keep GM and Chrysler alive (and out of bankruptcy) is like keeping a corpse on life support-instead of allowing the companies to break the ruinous labor contracts they are shack… --- ## [Who ultimately has responsibility in a surrogate baby case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-ultimately-has-responsibility-in-a-surrogate-baby-case/521293)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-ultimately-has-responsibility-in-a-surrogate-baby-case/521293 "2009-12-21T18:16:00Z")
This NYTimes article got me to thinking. Basically what happened in one of the cases mentioned is that a couple paid a woman to carry a child (genetic info is entirely separate–the sperm/eggs were bought from yet anoth… --- ## [Do Jews (Orthodox, refor, conservative, other) see the Catholic Eucharist as idolatry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-orthodox-refor-conservative-other-see-the-catholic-eucharist-as-idolatry/522043)
**Author:** [@The\_Cleveland\_Steamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Cleveland_Steamer)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jews-orthodox-refor-conservative-other-see-the-catholic-eucharist-as-idolatry/522043 "2009-12-21T16:35:04Z")
See title. This is really a factual question. Please move if GQ is more appropriate. refor = reform --- ## [pro-Palestinian thread, part 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-palestinian-thread-part-2/517232)
**Author:** [@tclouie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tclouie)\ **Replies:** 487\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2009, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-palestinian-thread-part-2/517232 "2009-12-21T16:32:42Z")
Eight years ago, in the full heat of 9/11’s aftermath, I started a pro-Palestinian thread. The arguments were great, albeit emotional, but what was missing was the element of hope. Naturally; it was just after 9/11. The… --- ## [Temp. Rise or co2 increase;which comes first](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/temp-rise-or-co2-increase-which-comes-first/522041)
**Author:** [@chappy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2009, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/temp-rise-or-co2-increase-which-comes-first/522041 "2009-12-21T15:03:07Z")
First let me say that I do believe the earth is indeed warming. The oceans are a great co2 sink. As the world cools co2 is absorbed by the oceans and as the world warms co2 is released, The charts that I’ve seen do ind… --- ## [Is Santa Claus omniscent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-santa-claus-omniscent/521773)
**Author:** [@JerseyFrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyFrank)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2009, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-santa-claus-omniscent/521773 "2009-12-21T05:24:22Z")
My wife noted that when our daughter saw Santa this year, he asked her her name. My wife said this was not in-line with the mythos. I say that she’s confusing Jesus and Santa. Santa keeps a list that he checks twice w… --- ## [Casus belli?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casus-belli/521964)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/casus-belli/521964 "2009-12-21T04:04:31Z")
In the abstract how should we decide when a military intervention is the correct choice? In discussion elsewhere (someone’s blog) specifically about Afghanistan I have asked that question and failed to get much of a res… --- ## [Honduras elects a new president. What now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honduras-elects-a-new-president-what-now/519488)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honduras-elects-a-new-president-what-now/519488 "2009-12-21T01:58:28Z")
Honduras went ahead with its scheduled election on Sunday, while ousted President Manuel Zelaya remained holed up in the Brazilian embassy. Porfirio Lobo Sosa of the opposition/conservative National Party won with 56% o… --- ## [Should Lawyer's Incomes Be Capped?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-lawyers-incomes-be-capped/521103)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2009, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-lawyers-incomes-be-capped/521103 "2009-12-20T07:56:51Z")
\-In the way that financial/bank CEOs salaries are proposed to be? I can see a lot of merit in this-it would lower the cost of doing business, and allow easier entry into business (for startups). I also think that it woul… --- ## [The Beatles helped win the Cold War!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beatles-helped-win-the-cold-war/521573)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2009, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-beatles-helped-win-the-cold-war/521573 "2009-12-19T21:30:51Z")
I first heard this suggested in this ABC documentary “The Beatles Revolution” from 2000: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAO-zSomKxQ&feature=related (go to about 5:40) And from this link: http://richardhowe.com/2009/1… --- ## [Noah's Arc...let's pretend....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noahs-arc-lets-pretend/520838)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2009, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/noahs-arc-lets-pretend/520838 "2009-12-19T13:40:07Z")
Was watching a fascinating show in the hotel room the other night that posited that Noah’s Arc was actually not on Mt Ararat, but in a near by valley instead. According to the show, Noah’s Arc actually fossilized after … --- ## [Origin of everything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-everything/519930)
**Author:** [@chappy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappy)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2009, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-everything/519930 "2009-12-19T06:03:27Z")
\*\*\*\*\*\*I’d like a scientific principle or theory (please, no religion) on how everything came into existence. Is there some scientific principle that I’m not aware of that allows something to come into existence with abs… --- ## [Impending US Civil War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-us-civil-war/521169)
**Author:** [@dragoncat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragoncat)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impending-us-civil-war/521169 "2009-12-18T20:39:40Z")
Hello all, a friend forwarded me some links to articles claiming that the government in the USA is building up and training its troops to quell domestic dissent that is expected in the next few months. this is one of th… --- ## [The District of Columbia and Gay Marriage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-district-of-columbia-and-gay-marriage/521512)
**Author:** [@heavybuhbuh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heavybuhbuh)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-district-of-columbia-and-gay-marriage/521512 "2009-12-18T19:22:22Z")
The city council of the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) passed a bill the other day legalizing gay marriage within the district. As I understand it, the bill now goes to the mayors desk awaiting a signature, whic… --- ## [Does the Current Senate Health Care bill achieve ANYTHING?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-current-senate-health-care-bill-achieve-anything/521530)
**Author:** [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-current-senate-health-care-bill-achieve-anything/521530 "2009-12-18T14:46:28Z")
For anyone other than the insurance companies, that is. I caught an article on Yahoo today about Howard Dean urging defeat of the health care billthat is currently being proposed in the Senate. It’s interesting that De… --- ## [How many countries completely prohibit civilian firearm ownership?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-countries-completely-prohibit-civilian-firearm-ownership/521150)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2009, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-countries-completely-prohibit-civilian-firearm-ownership/521150 "2009-12-18T11:23:02Z")
As a non-American firearms historian and enthusiast, I frequently hear people say things like “Guns are banned in the UK” or “I heard guns were banned in Australia” or similar nonsense. One of the options on the recent “… --- ## [Anthroposophy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthroposophy/521295)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2009, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthroposophy/521295 "2009-12-18T05:09:25Z")
Any churches espousing this? --- ## [Obama: "America has never fought a war against a democracy."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-america-has-never-fought-a-war-against-a-democracy/520724)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2009, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-america-has-never-fought-a-war-against-a-democracy/520724 "2009-12-18T03:03:41Z")
In the President’s otherwise excellent Nobel Prize acceptance speech (seen here: Obama: 'Peace requires responsibility' - CNN.com), this assertion made me raise an eyebrow. Great Britain, when we fought it in the Revolu… --- ## [Are there any atheist service organizations that help the poor and homeless?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-atheist-service-organizations-that-help-the-poor-and-homeless/521221)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-atheist-service-organizations-that-help-the-poor-and-homeless/521221 "2009-12-18T00:51:01Z")
I was in Rotary the other night listening to a presentation by a local Methodist pastor about his multiple outreach programs for the homeless and disadvantaged individuals and families, and how many of the local churches… --- ## [Why is kosher law on meat and dairy so broad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-kosher-law-on-meat-and-dairy-so-broad/521079)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-kosher-law-on-meat-and-dairy-so-broad/521079 "2009-12-17T19:50:14Z")
Deuteronomy 14:21 and Exodus 23:19 command “You may not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.” Like most dietary commandments, this seems to be pretty specific. But it’s been interpreted to have a broadly symbolic mea… --- ## [Can I legally close a car door on an annoying pandhandler's hand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-legally-close-a-car-door-on-an-annoying-pandhandlers-hand/521217)
**Author:** [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2009, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-legally-close-a-car-door-on-an-annoying-pandhandlers-hand/521217 "2009-12-17T14:33:37Z")
Say I’m walking down the street, and someone starts walking with me, asking for money. He’s polite and respectful, never threatens me or touches me. I tell him no, but he continues walking with me and telling me his st… --- ## [ACORN workers caught on tape apparently advising on child prostitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 879\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2009, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acorn-workers-caught-on-tape-apparently-advising-on-child-prostitution/509681 "2009-12-17T14:13:55Z")
Here’s the CNN report. Scott Levenson, a spokesman at ACORN’s national offices, says “The portrayal is false and defamatory and an attempt at 'gotcha journalism.” But Not sure how both can be true. Having watched the… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=488) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=490)