# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=499 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 500 --- ## [Centralization vs. decentralization: Not a "liberal-conservative" issue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/centralization-vs-decentralization-not-a-liberal-conservative-issue/516054)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2009, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/centralization-vs-decentralization-not-a-liberal-conservative-issue/516054 "2009-11-02T20:51:00Z")
In the U.S., conservatives seem to own the idea of “states’ rights,” local autonomy, limited federal government. My opinion is that that is not an essentially conservative position; it has only worked out that way becau… --- ## [New hate crimes bill passed: good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-hate-crimes-bill-passed-good-or-bad/515509)
**Author:** [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-hate-crimes-bill-passed-good-or-bad/515509 "2009-11-02T18:12:22Z")
President Obama signed new hate crimes legislation today. \[QUOTE=CNN\] President Obama on Wednesday signed a law that makes it a federal crime to assault an individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender … --- ## [My heart is broken... (about Obama)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-heart-is-broken-about-obama/515144)
**Author:** [@lurking\_guest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurking_guest)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2009, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-heart-is-broken-about-obama/515144 "2009-11-02T10:46:32Z")
Are you kidding me? We “Loved” that Oboma was “different”… That he promisded change… One again…another potlitician has been an abject liar. Lets let the ‘Reality’ discourse begin. Something…hmm…something makes Obama … --- ## [Can a free market work if everyone's an idiot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-free-market-work-if-everyones-an-idiot/514622)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2009, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-free-market-work-if-everyones-an-idiot/514622 "2009-11-02T05:11:02Z")
Does a free market require a certain amount of intelligence in the populace in order to function? Does it require a certain amount of education in the populace? If so for either of these, what’s the lower boundary? If… --- ## [Are there cavemen in heaven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-cavemen-in-heaven/514718)
**Author:** [@Dorothy\_Mantooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorothy_Mantooth)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-cavemen-in-heaven/514718 "2009-11-02T03:59:33Z")
And if so, at what point did God grant humans souls? --- ## [Who are we, what are we and why are we?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-we-what-are-we-and-why-are-we/514524)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-we-what-are-we-and-why-are-we/514524 "2009-11-02T00:37:34Z")
Can science explain everything (soon or later)? Can it explain the why and the how of existence? Why are we and how are we, regarding how existence came into being. I’m not talking the Big Bang, because we don’t know … --- ## [U.S. calls Honduran coup a coup, cuts aid, might not recognize November election results](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-calls-honduran-coup-a-coup-cuts-aid-might-not-recognize-november-election-results/508918)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2009, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-calls-honduran-coup-a-coup-cuts-aid-might-not-recognize-november-election-results/508918 "2009-11-01T21:17:30Z")
Story here and here. (Followup to this thread.) So, now pretty much the entire Western Hemisphere opposes the Micheletti government and wants Zelaya restored to the presidency. But will it make any difference? Obviou… --- ## [Was there really such thing as Satanism/Diabolism/Black Mass, ever, before LaVey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-really-such-thing-as-satanism-diabolism-black-mass-ever-before-lavey/515567)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2009, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-really-such-thing-as-satanism-diabolism-black-mass-ever-before-lavey/515567 "2009-11-01T07:51:57Z")
Witch trials in medieval and early modern Europe were based on the assumption that “witches” were Devil-worshipers. Black Mass figured in popular imagination from the Baroque period onward. But did such a thing as Sata… --- ## [Exclusionary Rule Question/Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exclusionary-rule-question-debate/514733)
**Author:** [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exclusionary-rule-question-debate/514733 "2009-10-31T20:55:05Z")
I’ll preface this with the statement that I am a big fan of the exclusionary rule - the idea that evidence obtained in violation of the constitution cannot be used against someone. It’s not anywhere near as absolute as i… --- ## [Can a state pass an act that recognizes the personhood of a fertilized ovum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-state-pass-an-act-that-recognizes-the-personhood-of-a-fertilized-ovum/515257)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-state-pass-an-act-that-recognizes-the-personhood-of-a-fertilized-ovum/515257 "2009-10-31T17:24:09Z")
That is the intention of an initiative certified by Alaska Lieutenant Governor Craig E. Campbell last Thursday. The proposed language of the bill supplied by the sponsors (PDF) is direct and to the point: The office of… --- ## [Two treats in one! (Obese people and health care/workman's comp)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-treats-in-one-obese-people-and-health-care-workmans-comp/515711)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-treats-in-one-obese-people-and-health-care-workmans-comp/515711 "2009-10-31T16:51:09Z")
In 2007, Adam Childers was working as a cook for an Indiana restaurant when he suffered an injury to his back. At the time of the injury, he was 26 years old, six feet tall and weighed 340 pounds, and smoked a pack and a… --- ## [How dire is California's financial situation? We keep hearing warnings, but nothing is ever done](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dire-is-californias-financial-situation-we-keep-hearing-warnings-but-nothing-is-ever-done/515471)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2009, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dire-is-californias-financial-situation-we-keep-hearing-warnings-but-nothing-is-ever-done/515471 "2009-10-31T05:11:59Z")
Are people warning about California’s pending financial collapse crying wolf? It seems California been on the brink for (seemingly) years now but nothing ever really gets done re the situation. How do they keep hanging o… --- ## [Causing Deaths in the Commission of a Crime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/causing-deaths-in-the-commission-of-a-crime/514743)
**Author:** [@GregH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GregH)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/causing-deaths-in-the-commission-of-a-crime/514743 "2009-10-30T20:37:24Z")
I’d like to ask about things that happen during the commission of a crime. If I rob a jewellery store with a gun and the clerk behind the counter has a heart attack and dies, am I legally culpable for his/her death? … --- ## [I Should Be Able To Do Whatever I Want With My Body (and its bone marrow)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-should-be-able-to-do-whatever-i-want-with-my-body-and-its-bone-marrow/515642)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-should-be-able-to-do-whatever-i-want-with-my-body-and-its-bone-marrow/515642 "2009-10-30T19:31:02Z")
From a recent thread on a woman arrested for prostitution: Now let’s talk about bone marrow. The National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA), 42 U.S.C. § 274e(a), provides: The penalty is $50,000 and five years in prison… --- ## [Execution by drowning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/execution-by-drowning/514928)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/execution-by-drowning/514928 "2009-10-30T19:30:33Z")
I don’t want this to turn into a debate about whether or not we should have capital punishment at all, please. If we’re going to have capital punishment in the U.S. - which seems likely, in at least several dozen states… --- ## [Did Schwarzenegger compose a "Fuck You" acrostic in a veto letter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-schwarzenegger-compose-a-fuck-you-acrostic-in-a-veto-letter/515469 "2009-10-30T17:39:29Z")
It appears so but was this plausibly just a coincidence as his office claims? The phrasing of the letter seems odd to me, which is evidence that the acrostic was intentional. But then, I haven’t read anything else he (o… --- ## [Fired Home Depot cashier - how do Right-leaning people feel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fired-home-depot-cashier-how-do-right-leaning-people-feel/515609)
**Author:** [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fired-home-depot-cashier-how-do-right-leaning-people-feel/515609 "2009-10-30T16:08:47Z")
Sorry, “Home Depot associate” Front page of Yahoo news: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us\_god\_button\_home\_depot So, how do the righties handle it? It’s like the perfect scenario where their two cherished beliefs - the ex… --- ## [Do my informal research for me re: Liberalism, Post-modernism, Conservatism, and which likes which](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-my-informal-research-for-me-re-liberalism-post-modernism-conservatism-and-which-likes-which/515047)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-my-informal-research-for-me-re-liberalism-post-modernism-conservatism-and-which-likes-which/515047 "2009-10-30T04:20:26Z")
I was going to go find cites for the following claim and post it in a thread here on the SDMB. But I’m being rushed out the door and probably can’t come back today. So instead of waiting, I want to impatiently offload th… --- ## [Sex Offenders Living in Society](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-offenders-living-in-society/514741)
**Author:** [@GregH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GregH)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2009, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-offenders-living-in-society/514741 "2009-10-30T01:22:18Z")
Hello all- glad to be here. For my first post, I want to bring up the story of Somer Thompson, a 7-year old girl who went missing the other day and whose body was found this morning in a landfill, 55 miles from where sh… --- ## [conspiracies and pseudoscience hubbajub](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracies-and-pseudoscience-hubbajub/511689)
**Author:** [@Shig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shig)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2009, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracies-and-pseudoscience-hubbajub/511689 "2009-10-29T23:44:32Z")
Hopethis is an ok forum for this. I couldn’t decide. I read a book a few years ago called “Why People Believe Weird Things” by Michael Shermer. I was fascinated at the time with this type of stuff because I worked wit… --- ## [Proposed Constitutional Amendments: Effecting Change and Tax as Stick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-constitutional-amendments-effecting-change-and-tax-as-stick/515492)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2009, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-constitutional-amendments-effecting-change-and-tax-as-stick/515492 "2009-10-29T22:28:33Z")
28th Amendment to the United States Constitution Any law that is expected to cause change in society must specify the intended effects, a methodology for measuring that effect over time, and scheduled review periods. Le… --- ## [Just what is so scary or unconstitutional about the Obama Admin's "czars"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-so-scary-or-unconstitutional-about-the-obama-admins-czars/508724 "2009-10-29T19:02:41Z")
I know Glenn Beck keeps saying these “czars” differ from ordinary executive-branch officials in that they are exempt from Congressional oversight . . . but I have never yet seen a credible cite for that. Yet it’s a RW m… --- ## [How would a benevolent, all powerful deity evolve a race of happy, peaceful humans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-benevolent-all-powerful-deity-evolve-a-race-of-happy-peaceful-humans/515130)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-benevolent-all-powerful-deity-evolve-a-race-of-happy-peaceful-humans/515130 "2009-10-29T18:34:32Z")
So assume there is a deity, and assume that this deity could provide for all of our material needs while protecting us from all forms of harm. What breeding pressures would the deity use to create a race of humans that … --- ## [Could Saturn Be Saved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-saturn-be-saved/515363)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-saturn-be-saved/515363 "2009-10-29T17:53:53Z")
I received a letter from Jill Lajdziak, the GM of saturn. She thanked me for my support, and said that the brand would be closed down (due the the breakdown of the Penske deal). A sad day-is there anyway that the brand… --- ## [Poll: 57% of Americans now support public-option health care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-57-of-americans-now-support-public-option-health-care/514531)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2009, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-57-of-americans-now-support-public-option-health-care/514531 "2009-10-29T08:08:27Z")
Washington Post: So – how, if at all, will that make a difference in what Congress comes up with? --- ## [Attitudes about Gardassil for men](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-about-gardassil-for-men/515544)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2009, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-about-gardassil-for-men/515544 "2009-10-29T02:27:58Z")
I recent found out from here among other sites that Gardasil has been approved for men. This is great news, but it has me wondering- Would conservatives have the same opposition to immunizing boys from a virus that coul… --- ## ['Desperate' Phillies fan arrested for offering sex in exchange for World Series tix](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-phillies-fan-arrested-for-offering-sex-in-exchange-for-world-series-tix/515356)
**Author:** [@fandango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fandango)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/desperate-phillies-fan-arrested-for-offering-sex-in-exchange-for-world-series-tix/515356 "2009-10-29T01:59:37Z")
Somebody wanted World Series tickets so badly they offered to do anything for them http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569841,00.html of course, the people who answered her ad were undercover cops and now she’s arreste… --- ## [Why should priests be afforded greater privilege than lawyers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-priests-be-afforded-greater-privilege-than-lawyers/514978)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-priests-be-afforded-greater-privilege-than-lawyers/514978 "2009-10-28T15:08:51Z")
Occasioned by questions raised in this thread. I’m talking about privileged communications between a priest and those he confesses, a lawyer and his client, a doctor and his patient, etc. Only the priest has absolute p… --- ## [Opinions on Unificationism? (Sun Myung Moon)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-unificationism-sun-myung-moon/515398)
**Author:** [@Blut\_Aus\_Nord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blut_Aus_Nord)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-unificationism-sun-myung-moon/515398 "2009-10-28T14:10:06Z")
The Unification Church has gained notoriety over the years for founder Sun Myung Moon’s supposed tax evasion and bizarre, heretical teachings. The thing is, I can’t find any evidence of illegality beyond malicious attack… --- ## [I am starting to think L. Ron Hubbard wasn't conning people.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-starting-to-think-l-ron-hubbard-wasnt-conning-people/514949)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-starting-to-think-l-ron-hubbard-wasnt-conning-people/514949 "2009-10-28T14:06:50Z")
I am fascinated by cults, and the biggest, craziest one of them all is, of course, Scientology. I have been browsing through the OT levels, and man that stuff reads like the Time Cube website. For those who would like t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=498) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=500)