# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=495 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 496 --- ## [NIMBY in Phoenix: Church Forbidden to Feed the Homeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nimby-in-phoenix-church-forbidden-to-feed-the-homeless/517790)
**Author:** [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Replies:** 237\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nimby-in-phoenix-church-forbidden-to-feed-the-homeless/517790 "2009-11-23T05:02:39Z")
I found this rather interesting. A Methodist Church in Phoenix has been told to stop its pancake breakfast/worship services because they are attracting the homeless, and city zoning codes mandate that you can only feed … --- ## [Fort Hood Shooter Hasan: Coward? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fort-hood-shooter-hasan-coward-edited-title/517305)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fort-hood-shooter-hasan-coward-edited-title/517305 "2009-11-23T03:09:47Z")
I wonder how many dopers watched the CNN program about Major Hasan and saw the 2 radical Muslims in New York praising Osama. One was ranting about his beliefs, but were he in a different religion in a Muslim country he … --- ## [Bill Moyers / PBS / LBJ's Dilemma / Vietnam / Afghanistan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-moyers-pbs-lbjs-dilemma-vietnam-afghanistan/518546)
**Author:** [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-moyers-pbs-lbjs-dilemma-vietnam-afghanistan/518546 "2009-11-23T01:19:01Z")
Some of you may already have seen Bill Moyers PBS show this week; an apropos study of the dilemma facing LBJ in the Spring and early summer of 1964 in relation to Vietnam – to deploy more “young men”, to withdraw or to … --- ## [Who are the scariest prominent conservatives who are not household names?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-scariest-prominent-conservatives-who-are-not-household-names/517686)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-scariest-prominent-conservatives-who-are-not-household-names/517686 "2009-11-22T23:03:36Z")
So the thread is precisely what it is asking for. This is really just asking for opinions but I figure people will start debating, if the mods want it in IMHO that’s cool. The rules of the thread: All celebrities are … --- ## [What ethics apply to defending your interests (war, politics, self, family)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ethics-apply-to-defending-your-interests-war-politics-self-family/518445)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ethics-apply-to-defending-your-interests-war-politics-self-family/518445 "2009-11-22T18:16:35Z")
In This thread there is a debate on ethics and fairness in politics and the role things like bribery or intimidation can or should play in the political process. In my day to day life I am fairly equitable and polite, h… --- ## [Life, or Death for Monfort?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-or-death-for-monfort/518410)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-or-death-for-monfort/518410 "2009-11-22T02:20:05Z")
Link. I’m ambivalent about capital punishment. As a human being, I am disturbed by the planned, ritualistic homicide of another human being; and it’s a bit worrying that The State has the power to kill its citizens. … --- ## [Jobs saved or created in congressional districts that don't exist.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-saved-or-created-in-congressional-districts-that-dont-exist/517944)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jobs-saved-or-created-in-congressional-districts-that-dont-exist/517944 "2009-11-21T18:45:50Z")
What is wrong here? Is someone looking at the data wrong? Is someone actively cooking the books? Is it a typo? What’s up here? --- ## [Lou Dobbs screed on immigration reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-screed-on-immigration-reform/517802)
**Author:** [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lou-dobbs-screed-on-immigration-reform/517802 "2009-11-21T18:36:06Z")
Has anybody else seen this commentary by Lou Dobbs? Somebody forwarded it to me and I can’t find anything on Snopes or Factcheck that rebuts Dobbs’ claims about the bill. --- ## [What if KSM's defense team subpoenas Bush?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-ksms-defense-team-subpoenas-bush/518206)
**Author:** [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-ksms-defense-team-subpoenas-bush/518206 "2009-11-21T17:53:50Z")
I can’t find any real discussion of this, but it’s certainly conceivable. What would happen if Khalid Sheikh Mohammad’s defense team formally subpoenaed the former President? Presumably, as a private citizen he’s gran… --- ## [Is China practising a Mercantilistic Policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-china-practising-a-mercantilistic-policy/518205)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-china-practising-a-mercantilistic-policy/518205 "2009-11-21T02:47:10Z")
Ok, so it’s pretty common knowledge that China holds alot of US treasury bonds and that it’s ownership has increased in the past decade, which got me thinking, since China exports alot of products to the US market, whils… --- ## [Is it appropriate for news organizations to "fact check" books?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-appropriate-for-news-organizations-to-fact-check-books/518029)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2009, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-appropriate-for-news-organizations-to-fact-check-books/518029 "2009-11-21T01:51:46Z")
And if it is appropriate, should we expect this fact-checking to be applied across the board? I ask this because the AP is dedicating straight news reporters and researchers to the task of fact-checking Sarah Palin’s bo… --- ## [Ft. Hood shootings a "terrorist attack"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ft-hood-shootings-a-terrorist-attack/518215)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2009, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ft-hood-shootings-a-terrorist-attack/518215 "2009-11-21T00:29:11Z")
Now that the hearings have started the usual suspects are ramping up the rhetoric. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/us/politics/20hood.html?exprod=myyahoo The scare labels are being thrown out there and roll off the t… --- ## [Is there anything inconsistent with the idea of "creative evolution"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-inconsistent-with-the-idea-of-creative-evolution/517916)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2009, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-inconsistent-with-the-idea-of-creative-evolution/517916 "2009-11-20T22:42:17Z")
I started this so as not to hijack the other thread. As a Christian, it seems to me that there doesn’t need to be a debate against evolution. Isn’t it possible that the creation story in Genesis referred to 7 days as i… --- ## [Was 9/11 an act of war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-9-11-an-act-of-war/517988)
**Author:** [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-9-11-an-act-of-war/517988 "2009-11-20T22:30:22Z")
I’m sure this has been debated ad nausem, but I feel it’s relevant again in light of recent decisions made in regards to the detainees and how and where they will be tried. I wanted to post this in recent threads floati… --- ## [What are reasonable lifestyle adjustments re: global warming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-reasonable-lifestyle-adjustments-re-global-warming/517768)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2009, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-reasonable-lifestyle-adjustments-re-global-warming/517768 "2009-11-20T21:23:57Z")
This thread quickly devolved into a debate over Al Gore’s hypocrisy, but there’s the kernel of an interesting question in there. What should we reasonably be expected to adjust, in our day-to-day lives, to counteract th… --- ## [Did Hitler succeed (re: jews in europe)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hitler-succeed-re-jews-in-europe/518107)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hitler-succeed-re-jews-in-europe/518107 "2009-11-20T18:12:06Z")
I know there are still jews in Europe, but 60+ years after WWII, have jews repopulated the eastern and western european countries in which they used to live? (i.e. what is the jewish population of Warsaw?) I’m guessing … --- ## [Is there a constitutional right to divorce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-constitutional-right-to-divorce/518156)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-constitutional-right-to-divorce/518156 "2009-11-20T16:09:39Z")
Pretty simple question, really. Couple gets married. Statute is passed by the state legislature banning divorce, on the grounds that divorces are expensive and unpleasant and tough on children and the state has a legitim… --- ## [Literacy Tests In, Poll Taxes Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literacy-tests-in-poll-taxes-out/518030)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2009, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/literacy-tests-in-poll-taxes-out/518030 "2009-11-20T12:23:46Z")
From Election Law Blog, a discussion of national survey results to several questions. Among them: I’m heartened by the strong public support for photo ID for voting, but somewhat disturbed that a majority think that we… --- ## [Seventh Circuit sez: Second Amendment individual rights get intermediate scrutiny!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seventh-circuit-sez-second-amendment-individual-rights-get-intermediate-scrutiny/518066)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2009, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seventh-circuit-sez-second-amendment-individual-rights-get-intermediate-scrutiny/518066 "2009-11-20T04:16:24Z")
From the wise and venerable Seventh Circuit panel of William Bauer, John Tinder, and Diane Sykes, this lovely little nugget of Second Amendment jurisprudence! Steven Skoien was accused of possessing a shotgun after havi… --- ## [What's the next country likely to abolish its military?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-next-country-likely-to-abolish-its-military/517409)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2009, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-next-country-likely-to-abolish-its-military/517409 "2009-11-20T02:42:18Z")
I have to think it’ll be somewhere in Western Europe. The risk of Russian invasion is very low; the cost of a modern military can be quite high. There will always be civilian leaders in small countries which have enj… --- ## [Does my dog love me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-dog-love-me/517546)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-my-dog-love-me/517546 "2009-11-19T22:57:42Z")
I love my dog (not like that, you perv :D). Her energy and earnestness are endearing, and her expressions (she’s a Boston Terrier) are very adorable. She is beholden to a daily routine of walks that keeps me regimented… --- ## [Breast Panels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-panels/518142)
**Author:** [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-panels/518142 "2009-11-19T22:19:37Z")
On Tuesday, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended that women should not start routine mammograms until 50, whereas previously it was 40. This is in direct contradiction to recommendations by the… --- ## [Do you think Christians look down on non-Christians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-christians-look-down-on-non-christians/517731)
**Author:** [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-christians-look-down-on-non-christians/517731 "2009-11-19T21:44:33Z")
I am an agnostic who lives in the Bible belt. In my experience, it seems that many (or even most, but not all) Christians think that they and their fellow Christians are better than heathens like me. By better, I mean of… --- ## [Is Evolution universal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evolution-universal/516827)
**Author:** [@johna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johna)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evolution-universal/516827 "2009-11-19T19:30:46Z")
I believe that Evolution is universal, but obviously I can’t prove it either way. Simply imagining that it is not in effect on other planets in the Universe has a drastic effect on the probabilities of life on other plan… --- ## [Paul Clarke: Gun Possessor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-clarke-gun-possessor/517567)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-clarke-gun-possessor/517567 "2009-11-19T17:30:49Z")
Overview - A British ex-soldier finds a sawed off shotgun dumped in his garden. Knowing it to be an illegal item, he carries the shotgun in a plastic bag to the police to turn it in. He is promptly thrown in jail and con… --- ## [What is gambling supposed it be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-gambling-supposed-it-be/517938)
**Author:** [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-gambling-supposed-it-be/517938 "2009-11-19T16:09:22Z")
There’s a good group of people here on the Straight Dope, so I’m hoping this Great Debate works out with some good conclusions. Just like the title says – What is gambling for? What is it supposed to do, and what is it… --- ## [If Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Is Acquitted Will He Be Released?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-is-acquitted-will-he-be-released/517791)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 204\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-is-acquitted-will-he-be-released/517791 "2009-11-19T15:11:56Z")
Here’s an exchange between White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and ABC Senior WH Correspondent Jake Tapper: Granted: Gibbs is not Obama. But it seems to me that based on one of the cornerstones of Obama’s campaig… --- ## [should schools stop teaching the 3 4 5 triangle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-schools-stop-teaching-the-3-4-5-triangle/517886)
**Author:** [@confission](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/confission)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2009, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-schools-stop-teaching-the-3-4-5-triangle/517886 "2009-11-19T00:47:15Z")
the most amazing thing i’ve ever experienced in my life is the 3 4 5 triangle if you make a triangle with an angle that is EXACTLY 90 degrees with bases that are EXACTLY 3 and EXACTLY 4, the third side is not 4.99938347… --- ## [Do counter-insurgencies ever work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-counter-insurgencies-ever-work/516883)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-counter-insurgencies-ever-work/516883 "2009-11-18T17:26:43Z")
If a larger, wealthier nation invades a smaller, poorer nation and the people do not want them there, has the larger nation (in recent history) been able to subdue the population for any extended period of time? I do no… --- ## [Car Train/Platooning update](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-train-platooning-update/517135)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2009, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-train-platooning-update/517135 "2009-11-18T09:51:50Z")
We’ve discussed this before but just a quick update on progress made [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=494) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=496)