# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=501 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 502 --- ## [Explain Jim DeMint's reaction to the Honduran Constitutional Crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-jim-demints-reaction-to-the-honduran-constitutional-crisis/514602)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-jim-demints-reaction-to-the-honduran-constitutional-crisis/514602 "2009-10-23T13:54:11Z")
So the apparently legitimately elected head of government of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, was ousted in a military coup this year. The interim government has not been recognized by anyone who matters. However, Senator Jim D… --- ## [Is this bestiality, and if so should it be illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-bestiality-and-if-so-should-it-be-illegal/514134)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Poster)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2009, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-bestiality-and-if-so-should-it-be-illegal/514134 "2009-10-23T04:58:05Z")
There are apocryphal tales of both men and women putting peanut butter (or similar) on their genitals and then having a dog lick it off. Is this bestiality, and ought it be illegal? For me the answers are “yes” and “no… --- ## [How to retire as a buddhist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-retire-as-a-buddhist/514758)
**Author:** [@curious11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious11)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2009, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-retire-as-a-buddhist/514758 "2009-10-23T04:50:44Z")
As a buddhist, following the BBR version of the 4 noble truths, the 4th of which is the 8-fold path, I have encountered the following dilema. I found lendingclub and decided to invest heavily in that as a way to help me… --- ## [Jundallah (Sunni/Balochi insurgency) claims responsibility for Iran suicide-bombing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jundallah-sunni-balochi-insurgency-claims-responsibility-for-iran-suicide-bombing/514710)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2009, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jundallah-sunni-balochi-insurgency-claims-responsibility-for-iran-suicide-bombing/514710 "2009-10-23T01:38:43Z")
Just when you thought things in that part of the world couldn’t get any more complicated . . . Jundallah claims responsibility for last week’s Pishin Bombing, which killed 42 people, including several Iranian Revolutiona… --- ## [Achievement-wise, how does Obama compare with earlier Presidents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievement-wise-how-does-obama-compare-with-earlier-presidents/514515)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achievement-wise-how-does-obama-compare-with-earlier-presidents/514515 "2009-10-22T21:42:46Z")
So, there are all the claims of Obama’s lack of ability; so what did other Presidents accomplish in their first 9 months? How does he compare? Ordinarily, I’d put this in GQ, but since it’s about Obama, GD is probably b… --- ## [Is Sexual Assault Being Redefined ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sexual-assault-being-redefined/513533)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sexual-assault-being-redefined/513533 "2009-10-22T19:10:26Z")
I briefly observed a program on the TV, I think it was the CBC while half asleep showing the antics of high school students in the hallways. Boys were cupping girls buttocks and breasts as the girls passed by, with girls… --- ## [Using subsidies to encourage hiring, will this work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-subsidies-to-encourage-hiring-will-this-work/514635)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-subsidies-to-encourage-hiring-will-this-work/514635 "2009-10-22T17:40:48Z")
http://www.newamerica.net/publications/policy/policy\_roundtable\_toward\_jobs\_solution Another limitation on the job creation ability of the Recovery Act is its high cost per job created. Through 2012, it will cost about… --- ## [Does "Birth Rape" exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-birth-rape-exist/513995)
**Author:** [@torie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torie)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-birth-rape-exist/513995 "2009-10-22T17:08:53Z")
I know someone on another board who bitterly regrets not pushing sexual abuse charges against her doctor, because he pushed her legs apart to look when she didn’t want him to for whatever reason. I thought this was unusu… --- ## [What if the RAF didn't join the Battle of Britain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-raf-didnt-join-the-battle-of-britain/513712)
**Author:** [@Dioptre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dioptre)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2009, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-raf-didnt-join-the-battle-of-britain/513712 "2009-10-22T07:40:33Z")
I’ve been reading about different historical viewpoints on the Battle of Britain. Two things stand out: In terms of aircraft “kills” and casualties, it really depends how you score the battle as to who “won”. In te… --- ## [Afghanistan to have runoff election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistan-to-have-runoff-election/514669)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2009, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistan-to-have-runoff-election/514669 "2009-10-22T04:09:34Z")
Karzai has accepted the decision of the election panel. Obvious issues for debate: Will it be run honestly this time? If so, who will win? How will the result affect the U.S. presence, etc.? --- ## [Limbaugh's Bid to Buy the St. Louis Rams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaughs-bid-to-buy-the-st-louis-rams/513223)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 316\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaughs-bid-to-buy-the-st-louis-rams/513223 "2009-10-22T01:45:48Z")
Unless you ahven’t heard Rush Limbaugh is a minority partner in a bid to buy the St. Louis Rams (Link) That has, as could be guessed, some hand wringing on the Left and also not too surpisingly, some NFL players have co… --- ## [Resolved: no action has any moral value outside of a specific context](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-no-action-has-any-moral-value-outside-of-a-specific-context/514370)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-no-action-has-any-moral-value-outside-of-a-specific-context/514370 "2009-10-21T22:46:34Z")
In other words, another thread on situational ethics! I’ll start by saying that I dislike the term situation ethics because the first thing that comes to most person’s minds upon hearing it is “The end justifies the mea… --- ## [Why can't South America have a common currency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-south-america-have-a-common-currency/514025)
**Author:** [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-south-america-have-a-common-currency/514025 "2009-10-21T21:58:55Z")
Europe, which has had a bit of testy feelings among the other kiddies in their sandbox, has managed to somehow get rid of the mark, the franc, the peso, the lira, etc. South America would appear to, on its face, be star… --- ## [Is the "pursue your dreams" thing a little overblown?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-pursue-your-dreams-thing-a-little-overblown/514263)
**Author:** [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bith_Shuffle)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-pursue-your-dreams-thing-a-little-overblown/514263 "2009-10-21T14:50:32Z")
I think that people (especially white people) tend to overemphasize the idea that you should “follow your dreams”. A few points. 1. The world does not have a market nearly large enough for all of the people who want t… --- ## [Apolitical people: How do you explain to the Politicised that you don't care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apolitical-people-how-do-you-explain-to-the-politicised-that-you-dont-care/514312)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2009, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apolitical-people-how-do-you-explain-to-the-politicised-that-you-dont-care/514312 "2009-10-21T12:10:21Z")
I am- largely- apolitical. I really don’t care what Politician A said to Politician B or what the Silly Party’s views on Carbon Trading are when contrasted with the Serious Party’s views on the subject. Nor do I care t… --- ## [What would be the medium-term effects of long-term cheap oil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-medium-term-effects-of-long-term-cheap-oil/514168)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2009, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-medium-term-effects-of-long-term-cheap-oil/514168 "2009-10-21T07:44:52Z")
Imagine someone creates a process to mass-produce oil from CO2 and H2O that is cheap. All you need is energy. Which you can get from your local nuclear reactor / wind farm / whatever. What would be the medium-term effec… --- ## [Another Obama Giveaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-obama-giveaway/513911)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2009, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-obama-giveaway/513911 "2009-10-21T03:49:55Z")
OK, Obama is now moving steadily towards my dumbass politician list. For the first time in umpteen years, there will not be a COLA increase for Social Security recipients in 2010, because consumer prices actually fell o… --- ## [Should PORN be allowed at PUBLIC LIBRARIES??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-porn-be-allowed-at-public-libraries/511880)
**Author:** [@JesmanVA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JesmanVA)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-porn-be-allowed-at-public-libraries/511880 "2009-10-20T20:49:12Z")
Very interesting debate taking place in Michigan: http://www.eeekonomy.com/discussion/Should-Adult-Content-at-the-Library-be-Shelved-/62 --- ## [The single age with the greatest number of sex offenders is 14](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-single-age-with-the-greatest-number-of-sex-offenders-is-14/514302)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-single-age-with-the-greatest-number-of-sex-offenders-is-14/514302 "2009-10-20T18:16:52Z")
From the US DoJ report in PDF form, PDF page 11 (report page 8): On the next page, a series of charts shows that sex offenders tend to keep to victims within a few years of their own age. When you apply that thinking t… --- ## [Should we revamp the degree system in the U.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-revamp-the-degree-system-in-the-u-s/514388)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-revamp-the-degree-system-in-the-u-s/514388 "2009-10-20T17:53:24Z")
Inspired by some thread somewhere. We have a post-grad system whereby a professional can do master’s level work yet recieve a doctorate because it is their field’s terminal degree. This flies in the face of our traditi… --- ## [Laws: Too Long, Too Convoluted, Too Much hassle to be Read](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-too-long-too-convoluted-too-much-hassle-to-be-read/514036)
**Author:** [@Kearsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-too-long-too-convoluted-too-much-hassle-to-be-read/514036 "2009-10-20T16:56:26Z")
Currently the laws that are written are not read (in full) by those people voting on them. This is a common practice, it isn’t illegal or immoral. However, laws were never meant to be so freaking impossible to read or un… --- ## [Obama's New Marijuana Policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-new-marijuana-policy/514326)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2009, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-new-marijuana-policy/514326 "2009-10-20T13:19:31Z")
This is good news: Feds to issue new medical marijuana policy Basically, the federal government will not prosecute users and sellers of medical marijuana if it is legal in their state. About damned time. Bush was com… --- ## [Who still supports extraordinary rendition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-still-supports-extraordinary-rendition/514329)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2009, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-still-supports-extraordinary-rendition/514329 "2009-10-20T06:17:44Z")
In the cover story in the October Atlantic, an ostensibly conservative commentator takes the position that the extraordinary rendition measures taken over recent years were unquestionably torture and harmed the US’s posi… --- ## [Do uncircumcised men have better orgasms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-uncircumcised-men-have-better-orgasms/514118)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-uncircumcised-men-have-better-orgasms/514118 "2009-10-20T04:39:33Z")
Yeah, that’s right. Yes or no- why? --- ## [Which state (or alliance of states) would stand the best chance as a free and sovereign state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-state-or-alliance-of-states-would-stand-the-best-chance-as-a-free-and-sovereign-state/514283)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-state-or-alliance-of-states-would-stand-the-best-chance-as-a-free-and-sovereign-state/514283 "2009-10-19T23:32:06Z")
From time to time there’s still call of secession from cranks in a few states, most notably Texas but I’ve heard it from other southern states (worked so well the last time after all) and even from tinfoil hat California… --- ## [How Should We Combat Modern Racism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-we-combat-modern-racism/511736)
**Author:** [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Replies:** 214\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-we-combat-modern-racism/511736 "2009-10-19T20:33:52Z")
Despite the stupid way she went about of arguing it, I think Maureen Dowd was right about the essential motivation of the teabaggers, birthers, deathers, \[insert next hysteria-inducing myth here\]. Yes, racism is the glu… --- ## [Pagans (or other Magick-practioners): How's it WORK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pagans-or-other-magick-practioners-hows-it-work/513538)
**Author:** [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pagans-or-other-magick-practioners-hows-it-work/513538 "2009-10-19T19:17:38Z")
Quite a few years ago, I had a whole bunch of Wiccan/pagan/neopagan friends, and I used to occasionally read a Paganism message board that many of them frequented. I was mostly a lurker just there to absorb a little of … --- ## [Ready for more bonus fury?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ready-for-more-bonus-fury/513781)
**Author:** [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ready-for-more-bonus-fury/513781 "2009-10-19T17:32:20Z")
I’m not quite sure that this is GD worthy, but today the WSJ reported that Wall Street Firms are set to pay out record salaries this year. I’m actually speachless. I don’t know what else to say other than if there was… --- ## [What should I do when I see a drunk driver???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-do-when-i-see-a-drunk-driver/514075)
**Author:** [@heavybuhbuh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heavybuhbuh)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-i-do-when-i-see-a-drunk-driver/514075 "2009-10-19T17:24:56Z")
What should I do when I see a drunk driver? I get off work around 1- 2 in the morning, and I see drunk drivers all the time. Its really bad where I live. If I were to pick up my phone and call the police I would then … --- ## [If all rooftops were used, how much solar power could be generated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-rooftops-were-used-how-much-solar-power-could-be-generated/513948)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-rooftops-were-used-how-much-solar-power-could-be-generated/513948 "2009-10-19T15:17:00Z")
I was trying to get an upper limit on the amount of solar power that could be generated if all rooftops were covered with 15% efficient solar panels. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=500) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=502)