# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=494 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 495 --- ## [Is Global Warming science?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-global-warming-science/518856)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-global-warming-science/518856 "2009-11-26T23:29:11Z")
In SuperFreakonomics Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner devote a chapter towards global warming. The questions being posed are if we actually know what we think we know about climate change and possible solutions. They … --- ## [Gold Price Bubble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-price-bubble/517961)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2009, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-price-bubble/517961 "2009-11-26T11:18:01Z")
I’ve been reading this article on Asia Times, and it got me thinking, will there be another recession in respects to the huge amount of speculation in relation to commodities trading? I mean Gold, Silver and whole host o… --- ## [Both Death Penalty and Abortion or Neither](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/both-death-penalty-and-abortion-or-neither/513270)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 464\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2009, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/both-death-penalty-and-abortion-or-neither/513270 "2009-11-26T05:27:43Z")
If you had to choose between the following two paths for your nation which would you choose? 1) Is abortion is available with almost no restrictions and the death penalty used commonly or 2)abortion is legal only for the… --- ## [DC Sniper to be executed tonight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-sniper-to-be-executed-tonight/517078)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-sniper-to-be-executed-tonight/517078 "2009-11-26T02:29:29Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091110/ap\_on\_re\_us/us\_sniper\_execution I posted here because it will devolve into a capital punishment debate, and it should. I can’t think of a more worthwhile candidate in my lifetime for… --- ## [Help me understand the dislike for the ACLU](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-dislike-for-the-aclu/517979)
**Author:** [@Livardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Livardo)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2009, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-the-dislike-for-the-aclu/517979 "2009-11-26T02:00:06Z")
Why do people dislike (even hate) the ACLU? When I hear the Conservative pundits on the radio they’re quick to demonize this “liberal” organization. Don’t they defend issues that are not considered liberal as well? Seems… --- ## ["Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8." Is this over the line?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pray-for-obama-psalm-109-8-is-this-over-the-line/518567)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pray-for-obama-psalm-109-8-is-this-over-the-line/518567 "2009-11-25T21:21:25Z")
Story here: So, is this meme a good old American-style sassy political joke, or screaming-evil eliminationist hatred, or simply in poor taste? Or something else? For context, here’s the whole Psalm (KJV). --- ## [Marry a Conservative Catholic, Or You're Written Out of My Will!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marry-a-conservative-catholic-or-youre-written-out-of-my-will/511989)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marry-a-conservative-catholic-or-youre-written-out-of-my-will/511989 "2009-11-25T16:15:20Z")
The thing I best recall from my Property class was the odd pale-green tile ceiling. It evidently fascinated me so much that most of the actual law conveyed is now a blur. So I don’t have much in the way of scholarly res… --- ## [Is one teacher's verbatim use of test questions found on another teacher's website plagiarism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-one-teachers-verbatim-use-of-test-questions-found-on-another-teachers-website-plagiarism/517892)
**Author:** [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-one-teachers-verbatim-use-of-test-questions-found-on-another-teachers-website-plagiarism/517892 "2009-11-25T15:56:39Z")
The title pretty well sums up the question. This is not a hypothetical, though. One professor I know freely admitted that he did this once in order to come up with problems for an exam. The problems in question were pret… --- ## [Has the term "misogynistic" lost all of its meaning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-term-misogynistic-lost-all-of-its-meaning/518597)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-term-misogynistic-lost-all-of-its-meaning/518597 "2009-11-25T15:46:52Z")
I was just looking at the thread Is Twilight Misogynistic? And I thought to myself…is this really what the phrase “misogynistic” has come to mean? A situation where a woman gives up her independence for a man is “misogyn… --- ## [How I explain my religious experiences (long Opening Post)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-explain-my-religious-experiences-long-opening-post/517297)
**Author:** [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-i-explain-my-religious-experiences-long-opening-post/517297 "2009-11-25T15:41:21Z")
Some recent threads have seen me attempting to engage theists about why their experiences lead them to believe in God, since there appears to be a widespread assumption that if only atheists could share such experiences,… --- ## [Cigarette Tax Revenue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigarette-tax-revenue/518565)
**Author:** [@valleyofthedolls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/valleyofthedolls)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigarette-tax-revenue/518565 "2009-11-25T08:17:23Z")
Unsure whether to put this in GD or here. What if everyone stopped smoking and there was no cigarette tax revenue? The tax shortfall would be shifted to other products, presumably (unhealthy foods, drinks etc.). But s… --- ## [AGW Alarmists should not fly first class](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agw-alarmists-should-not-fly-first-class/517552)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 332\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agw-alarmists-should-not-fly-first-class/517552 "2009-11-25T06:36:37Z")
If one takes the position that AGW is real and that “we”–mankind–should do “something” about it, one has accepted a premise of responsibility to a greater good. Having accepted that premise constrains one to either acti… --- ## [Did Vietnam halt the spread of Communism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-vietnam-halt-the-spread-of-communism/518248)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2009, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-vietnam-halt-the-spread-of-communism/518248 "2009-11-25T03:40:49Z")
I have read various takes on the issue and will freely admit I don’t know enough on the topic to make an informed judgment. Some seemingly informed authorities say that the Domino Effect was a myth and that had there be… --- ## [There's Water on the moon!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-water-on-the-moon/517480)
**Author:** [@\_Undecided\_Adrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_Undecided_Adrian)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-water-on-the-moon/517480 "2009-11-24T22:36:27Z")
LCROSS has found strong evidence of water. Do you think that influences NASA’s decisions on whether to return to the moon in the near future? What will that mean for lunar exploration in the long run? --- ## [Will Mary Landrieu Sell Her Vote for $100M?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-mary-landrieu-sell-her-vote-for-100m/518375)
**Author:** [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-mary-landrieu-sell-her-vote-for-100m/518375 "2009-11-24T18:40:33Z")
I hope she doesn’t, but it doesn’t look good. Maybe Blanche Lincoln will save us all. --- ## [Resolved: Hunting is immoral.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-hunting-is-immoral/515930)
**Author:** [@Cort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cort)\ **Replies:** 287\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2009, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-hunting-is-immoral/515930 "2009-11-24T17:37:50Z")
Killing animals is immoral except in self-defence, for survival, and for reasons of population control. Discuss. --- ## [Should male/male sexual battery be treated the same as male/female?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-male-sexual-battery-be-treated-the-same-as-male-female/518679)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-male-male-sexual-battery-be-treated-the-same-as-male-female/518679 "2009-11-24T16:46:53Z")
Story here. (It includes a video but IMHO, it doesn’t add much to the story) A former chief investigator in the Oklahoma City medical examiner’s office is being charged with sexual battery for grabbing the breast of a m… --- ## [It's 1925. Please give me a defense of segregation.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-1925-please-give-me-a-defense-of-segregation/517606)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2009, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-1925-please-give-me-a-defense-of-segregation/517606 "2009-11-24T14:49:35Z")
I’ve posted this in General Questions. It may raise some ire and have to be moved, but my question is the topic. What would an ardent, and educated, segregationist from the year 1925 tell you his reasons for keeping se… --- ## [Are we heading for an education bubble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-heading-for-an-education-bubble/518095)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2009, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-heading-for-an-education-bubble/518095 "2009-11-24T13:27:57Z")
Are the rising costs of college tuitions together with the stagnation of wages leading us to a position where we’ll see massive defaults on student loans? Inspired by this diary on the DailyKOS http://www.dailykos.com/… --- ## [Gun Control: Why it's Important:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-why-its-important/518750)
**Author:** [@independentminded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/independentminded)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2009, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-why-its-important/518750 "2009-11-24T07:07:34Z")
Here is an essay about an equally important issue that has been debated for several decades, and is still being debated right now. Here goes: There has been much debate (albeit often shrill, and often heated) between G… --- ## [Any conservatives want to defend Palin on these quotes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-conservatives-want-to-defend-palin-on-these-quotes/517625)
**Author:** [@The\_Cleveland\_Steamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Cleveland_Steamer)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2009, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-conservatives-want-to-defend-palin-on-these-quotes/517625 "2009-11-24T05:17:45Z")
Wow. What an idiot. Can anyone defend this crap? --- ## [How have America's allies reacted to the New York terrorist trials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-have-americas-allies-reacted-to-the-new-york-terrorist-trials/518674)
**Author:** [@Danimal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danimal)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2009, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-have-americas-allies-reacted-to-the-new-york-terrorist-trials/518674 "2009-11-24T04:27:39Z")
I have been reading several conservative columnists arguing against trying the 9/11 terrorist suspects in New York federal court. One of their major points seems to be that, by introducing evidence in open court that mi… --- ## [The future of physical media: DRM, the poor, and more...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-physical-media-drm-the-poor-and-more/518121)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-physical-media-drm-the-poor-and-more/518121 "2009-11-23T23:31:14Z")
So in my local comic store, there was a brief discussion on physical media like comic books, CDs, DVDs, etc. The general consensus seemed to be that pretty soon, they would be nonexistent, in favor of online/data-based … --- ## [Does government hold the right to deny or disparage liberty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-government-hold-the-right-to-deny-or-disparage-liberty/512493)
**Author:** [@rwjefferson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwjefferson)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-government-hold-the-right-to-deny-or-disparage-liberty/512493 "2009-11-23T21:28:21Z")
The Supreme Court announced it will hear a challenge to Chicago’s gun ban. It seems to me that the right to pursue and protect health and property is one retained by the people. Does government hold the right to constr… --- ## [How does one respond to someone who just doesn't care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-respond-to-someone-who-just-doesnt-care/518001)
**Author:** [@Blut\_Aus\_Nord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blut_Aus_Nord)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-respond-to-someone-who-just-doesnt-care/518001 "2009-11-23T19:08:34Z")
Whenever faced with moral issues or similar kinds, there are always those who don’t give a damn one way or the other. For example, I just can’t logically argue against hedonism, dishonesty, relativism, etc., because I do… --- ## [Origin of God and Boulder Question.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-god-and-boulder-question/518089)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-god-and-boulder-question/518089 "2009-11-23T18:25:42Z")
I’ve so far heard this question in a couple of places. (No answer was ever given though.) And my question, I guess, is two-fold: where did the theological thought puzzle originate? Who first said it? And what, if indeed… --- ## [Is the stimulus package working?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-stimulus-package-working/518551)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-stimulus-package-working/518551 "2009-11-23T17:44:23Z")
Even though unemployment in the U.S. has hit 10.2% – America’s first double-digit unemployment rate since 1983 – the consensus of economists seems to be that the stimulus package is working: Anyone see any reasons to d… --- ## [Fake Marine in full uniform at his High School reunion is found out by classmate & arrested With pic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-marine-in-full-uniform-at-his-high-school-reunion-is-found-out-by-classmate-arrested-with-pic/517292)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 228\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-marine-in-full-uniform-at-his-high-school-reunion-is-found-out-by-classmate-arrested-with-pic/517292 "2009-11-23T16:36:14Z")
Per this story This guy has more medals than… well anybody. --- ## [Is there really such thing as "decadence"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-such-thing-as-decadence/516988)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-such-thing-as-decadence/516988 "2009-11-23T15:07:28Z")
I mean as a nonnormative, purely technical, sociological-scientific designation of a condition of a culture. Tonight I was watching a rerun of Bones, where the victim was identified as a nine-year-old kiddie-pageant sta… --- ## [This is it. Allan Watts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-it-allan-watts/518616)
**Author:** [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-it-allan-watts/518616 "2009-11-23T14:21:29Z")
I’m looking for opinions pro/con regarding Mr. watts ideology. I’m not going to share my beliefs right off the bat. Please share your thoughts with me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=493) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=495)