# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=496 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 497 --- ## [Do Palin's leaked speeches alter your opinion of her?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-palins-leaked-speeches-alter-your-opinion-of-her/516486)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2009, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-palins-leaked-speeches-alter-your-opinion-of-her/516486 "2009-11-18T04:31:17Z")
Story here Here’s her concession speech. Pretty good, I think. Being at a great distance, I’m aware that I have a rather more lenient view of her than many here, but these speeches do give me a slightly more positive… --- ## [Re this overturned court case - Why did the initial Judge rule the way he did? - Warning graphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-this-overturned-court-case-why-did-the-initial-judge-rule-the-way-he-did-warning-graphic/517864)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-this-overturned-court-case-why-did-the-initial-judge-rule-the-way-he-did-warning-graphic/517864 "2009-11-17T16:50:01Z")
About two years ago a nasty little local case popped up where newly minted policeman decided to throw his career away after five months on the job. The news details are here. The site and the commentary are not pro-poli… --- ## [Is the Ft. Hood shooter a terrorist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-ft-hood-shooter-a-terrorist/517478)
**Author:** [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2009, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-ft-hood-shooter-a-terrorist/517478 "2009-11-17T14:16:47Z")
Are the actions of Major Hasan terrorism? Why or why not? --- ## [What motivates people to vote other people's rights away](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motivates-people-to-vote-other-peoples-rights-away/516261)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 887\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motivates-people-to-vote-other-peoples-rights-away/516261 "2009-11-16T16:57:55Z")
Leading question. And I’m 99.999% certain this issue has never been discussed here either. But even though all precints in Maine haven’t reported in yet, the repeals seem to be winning 52-48. Supposedly there have been … --- ## [Live from New York, it's Khalid Sheikh Mohammed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-from-new-york-its-khalid-sheikh-mohammed/517510)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-from-new-york-its-khalid-sheikh-mohammed/517510 "2009-11-16T15:06:09Z")
WASHINGTON – In the biggest trial for the age of terrorism, the professed 9/11 mastermind and four alleged henchmen will be hauled before a civilian court on American soil, barely a thousand yards from the site of the Wo… --- ## [Ethical to adopt dog under false pretenses then give it away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-adopt-dog-under-false-pretenses-then-give-it-away/517358)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-adopt-dog-under-false-pretenses-then-give-it-away/517358 "2009-11-16T13:50:31Z")
From this thread, where the OP adopted a dog under false pretenses. This thread wasn’t a debate so I decided to make my own thread debating it: In response to that: So, let’s get into that discussion. Why is it wron… --- ## [Is the Immaculate Conception of Mary or Jesus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-immaculate-conception-of-mary-or-jesus/515548)
**Author:** [@The\_Cleveland\_Steamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Cleveland_Steamer)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2009, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-immaculate-conception-of-mary-or-jesus/515548 "2009-11-16T06:56:23Z")
Today I encountered another person that thought the Immaculate Conception referred to Jesus’ conception without sex. This belief seems more common than the view expressed in the Catholic dogma. This encounter got me thi… --- ## [God Spoke to Me: Why is this Good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-spoke-to-me-why-is-this-good/514821)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-spoke-to-me-why-is-this-good/514821 "2009-11-16T04:13:35Z")
Going through Google, I have identified the following unique cases from the first five pages of results returned: “God told me to kill” - 1999, 2000 2003 2004 2004 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2009 On the other hand,… --- ## [Saudi court upholds child rapist crucifixion ruling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-court-upholds-child-rapist-crucifixion-ruling/516190)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-court-upholds-child-rapist-crucifixion-ruling/516190 "2009-11-16T03:27:02Z")
Saudi court upholds child rapist crucifixion ruling Barbaric. I should be absolutely horrified by such a punishment. But in this case I just can’t rouse up any indignation at all. If ever a person deserved such a fate … --- ## [Why I believe the Second Amendment protects a personal right to firearms (long)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-believe-the-second-amendment-protects-a-personal-right-to-firearms-long/516990)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-believe-the-second-amendment-protects-a-personal-right-to-firearms-long/516990 "2009-11-15T19:04:13Z")
In the trainwreck thread started by haymarketmartyr about “Second Amendment Heroes” Second Amendment Heroes - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board , the inevitable debate about the meaning of “militia” has arisen.… --- ## [God did it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-did-it/517573)
**Author:** [@lightwait](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lightwait)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-did-it/517573 "2009-11-15T15:45:48Z")
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Gen. 1:1 While thinking about this writing, a truth about myself cropped up. I found that I often think and write from a negative/critical point of view. In my sear… --- ## [Could Pickett's Charge have succeeded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-picketts-charge-have-succeeded/516670)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-picketts-charge-have-succeeded/516670 "2009-11-15T00:08:52Z")
Let’s say Ewell hadn’t siphoned off some of the artillery and the supply trains were close enough that Longstreet’s barrage kept up as planned. I’ve stood on Cemetery Ridge and that damned cornfield is still a literal m… --- ## [Should we (US Military) stay in Afghanistan or GTFO?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-us-military-stay-in-afghanistan-or-gtfo/517568)
**Author:** [@Taenia\_spp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taenia_spp)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-us-military-stay-in-afghanistan-or-gtfo/517568 "2009-11-14T17:58:28Z")
Regardless of the original motivations that lead to the US to invade Afghanistan, the fact is we’re in the country with a significant amount of troops. Should those troops continue to remain in the country, or should we… --- ## [If the US disengages from involvement in middle east affairs what would happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-us-disengages-from-involvement-in-middle-east-affairs-what-would-happen/516446)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-us-disengages-from-involvement-in-middle-east-affairs-what-would-happen/516446 "2009-11-14T16:40:10Z")
Let’s say the US populace gets so sick of being involved in the middle east that even the politicians say “enough” to the foreign and US special interests who want us to be involved. How would the middle east get along … --- ## [Pro-UHC Dopers: Make Me Feel Better About My Family Getting Screwed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-uhc-dopers-make-me-feel-better-about-my-family-getting-screwed/517048)
**Author:** [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2009, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-uhc-dopers-make-me-feel-better-about-my-family-getting-screwed/517048 "2009-11-13T22:53:09Z")
In various UHC threads around here, I often bring up my HSA, and no one seems willing to address it. So I started my own thread. The background: My family has a high-deductible insurance policy. It has a $10,000 year… --- ## [The Lieutenant Governor position.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lieutenant-governor-position/514159)
**Author:** [@heavybuhbuh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heavybuhbuh)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lieutenant-governor-position/514159 "2009-11-13T21:47:07Z")
The Lieutenant Governor of the state of California, John Garamendi, makes $163,974, with most of his expenses paid for on top of that. Not to mention, he takes a pension from all the other offices he has held over the y… --- ## [2009 Election Results](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-election-results/516238)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2009, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2009-election-results/516238 "2009-11-13T16:59:35Z")
Looks like a GOP sweep of Virginia’s top three spots. And it looks like an early lead in NJ for the GOP candidate, too. I’m not unhappy. --- ## [Carbs don't matter, it's only the calories](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carbs-dont-matter-its-only-the-calories/517110)
**Author:** [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2009, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carbs-dont-matter-its-only-the-calories/517110 "2009-11-13T15:04:35Z")
This might migrate to IMHO or MPSIMS, but the debate is, I guess, do you agree? Do you have comparative experiences? --- ## [On Corporal Punishment versus Imprisonment, or maybe new ideas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-corporal-punishment-versus-imprisonment-or-maybe-new-ideas/517100)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-corporal-punishment-versus-imprisonment-or-maybe-new-ideas/517100 "2009-11-13T14:17:47Z")
Prison really started in theory as a way of removing offenders from society and hopefully redeeming or morally improving them. In theory, rehabilitation removes the human from the criminal element and makes them into bet… --- ## [Second Amendment Heroes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-amendment-heroes/516719)
**Author:** [@haymarketmartyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haymarketmartyr)\ **Replies:** 351\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2009, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-amendment-heroes/516719 "2009-11-13T08:07:14Z")
It is about time that we established something like a Hall of Fame to honor true American heroes of the US Constitution. Just like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, we need a building to house an ongoin… --- ## [what does a sperm feel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-sperm-feel/516884)
**Author:** [@confission](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/confission)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-sperm-feel/516884 "2009-11-12T23:58:52Z")
i wonder what sperm think or feel. they want to find the egg, don’t they? or does a sperm just happen to swim, just for the heck of it, it doesn’t even care, and happens to find the egg, with no sense of reason or purpos… --- ## [Without Christianity's influence, what would the western calander system look like today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-christianitys-influence-what-would-the-western-calander-system-look-like-today/516940)
**Author:** [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-christianitys-influence-what-would-the-western-calander-system-look-like-today/516940 "2009-11-12T20:55:56Z")
I’m pretty sure this doesn’t have a straight factual answer, so in GD it goes. It is currently the year 2009 Anno\_Domini. Suppose that Christianity never caught on, and ended up like Mithraism and other cults. Dionysi… --- ## [I admit it: gay marriage is having an effect on my straight marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-admit-it-gay-marriage-is-having-an-effect-on-my-straight-marriage/517072)
**Author:** [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-admit-it-gay-marriage-is-having-an-effect-on-my-straight-marriage/517072 "2009-11-12T20:40:48Z")
It’s true. I often hear pro-SSM folks argue that same-sex marriage doesn’t have any actual effect on traditional marriages. Well, I live in Massachusetts, and was married in 2003 – about 7 months before SSM was made l… --- ## [Ambassador Eikenberry's position on more troops for Afghanistan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-eikenberrys-position-on-more-troops-for-afghanistan/517312)
**Author:** [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ambassador-eikenberrys-position-on-more-troops-for-afghanistan/517312 "2009-11-12T20:31:38Z")
Not sure this is playing big in the US but it’s been of interest here because: \[ul\] \[li\] Eikenberry is the current US ambassador to Afghanistan\[/li\]\[li\] He was formerly the senior US military commander US in country\[/… --- ## [What psychological factors go into terrorism's impact](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-psychological-factors-go-into-terrorisms-impact/517284)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-psychological-factors-go-into-terrorisms-impact/517284 "2009-11-12T18:38:03Z")
With the recent shooings in Ft. Hood being labeled a likely terrorist act, a handful of people I have seen in the media are getting pissed that there is not much of an uproar over this issue. However, anyone who thinks … --- ## [Why do people attempt to discredit the discovery of the New World?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-attempt-to-discredit-the-discovery-of-the-new-world/516878)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2009, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-attempt-to-discredit-the-discovery-of-the-new-world/516878 "2009-11-12T00:06:26Z")
I have noticed a certain line of reasoning lately which goes like this: It’s wrong to say that Christopher Columbus (or any European explorer) “discovered” the New World, because there were already civilizations living … --- ## [Prohibition does not reduce supply. That is marketing bullshit.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prohibition-does-not-reduce-supply-that-is-marketing-bullshit/516786)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prohibition-does-not-reduce-supply-that-is-marketing-bullshit/516786 "2009-11-11T22:40:43Z")
Where did people get this idea that prohibition reduces the supply of narcotics? All the data in the world supports the fact that the supply of almost every major drug has increased over the past 30 years. It’s incontr… --- ## [President Barack Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama/517185)
**Author:** [@Dynastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dynastic)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama/517185 "2009-11-11T17:52:09Z")
Why do so many people oppose Barack Obama? I think it is rascism. He wants to bring change why would people be against taht unless they are rich or something? I worked in the election and I was so proud to see him win… --- ## [Edmunds publishes Cash-for-Clunkers analysis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edmunds-publishes-cash-for-clunkers-analysis/516065)
**Author:** [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2009, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edmunds-publishes-cash-for-clunkers-analysis/516065 "2009-11-11T07:43:48Z")
In this article, Edmunds.com concludes that the cost to taxpayers for each additional vehicle sold during “Cash-for-Clunkers” was around $24,000 (based on analysis of the number of vehicles that would have been sold in t… --- ## [Father of 9/11 victim fights to have "Murdered by Muslim Terrorists" inscribed on son's memorial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/father-of-9-11-victim-fights-to-have-murdered-by-muslim-terrorists-inscribed-on-sons-memorial/516414)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/father-of-9-11-victim-fights-to-have-murdered-by-muslim-terrorists-inscribed-on-sons-memorial/516414 "2009-11-10T23:49:21Z")
I don’t have a problem with it; the text for the plaque seems accurate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=495) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=497)