# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=505 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 506 --- ## [Rep. Betty McCollum proposes ACORN Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-betty-mccollum-proposes-acorn-act/512772)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-betty-mccollum-proposes-acorn-act/512772 "2009-10-06T18:40:59Z")
From The Nation: :smiley: So – how, oh how, is any Pub going to spin this bill in a way that makes it sound like a bad idea? --- ## [What are the benchmarks for Black Americans to 'overcome'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benchmarks-for-black-americans-to-overcome/482683)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benchmarks-for-black-americans-to-overcome/482683 "2009-10-06T17:22:53Z")
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10729419#post10729419 In this thread Duckster says: So what are the benchmarks for overcoming? A fair incarceration policy would be one obvious one. But what are … --- ## [Orchestrated Trolling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orchestrated-trolling/263356)
**Author:** [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2009, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orchestrated-trolling/263356 "2009-10-06T12:27:34Z")
I’ve heard rumours of such a thing. With the US elections approaching and several others too FWIW I am beginning to wonder. Is there an informal campaign to flood the new media, the internet and so forth, with argumen… --- ## [Do you personally know someone who's been to a Tea Party or yelled at a town hall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-personally-know-someone-whos-been-to-a-tea-party-or-yelled-at-a-town-hall/510841)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2009, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-personally-know-someone-whos-been-to-a-tea-party-or-yelled-at-a-town-hall/510841 "2009-10-06T07:56:48Z")
I know several people who I can imagine doing those things, but as far as I know actually haven’t. But I’m curious as to what sort of person actually takes the time (presumably taking a day off work) to go to these thin… --- ## [What are the political predictions of bruce bueno de mesquita for international affairs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-political-predictions-of-bruce-bueno-de-mesquita-for-international-affairs/512776)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2009, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-political-predictions-of-bruce-bueno-de-mesquita-for-international-affairs/512776 "2009-10-06T06:37:28Z")
I’m not sure if this is a question or a debate, since it is both. GD it is. But Bruce Bueno de Mesquita is a political scientist who uses game theory and choice theory to try to determine the outcome of international eve… --- ## [Why does the U.S. need more than one federal law-enforcement agency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-u-s-need-more-than-one-federal-law-enforcement-agency/512474)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-u-s-need-more-than-one-federal-law-enforcement-agency/512474 "2009-10-06T01:02:41Z")
Every town and city in America has (no more than) one police department, every county has one sheriff’s office, every state has one state police force. But at the federal level we have the FBI, the DEA, the ATF, the U.S… --- ## [Should these 5 "bikini baristas" be charged with prostitution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-these-5-bikini-baristas-be-charged-with-prostitution/511429)
**Author:** [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-these-5-bikini-baristas-be-charged-with-prostitution/511429 "2009-10-05T20:07:51Z")
…'cuz that’s exactly what appears to be happening. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33003900/ns/us\_news-weird\_news/?GT1=43001 Essentially, these five (hot) young entrepreneurs are making a bit of tip money on the side by fl… --- ## [9/11/1857 Meadows Massacre by Mormons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-1857-meadows-massacre-by-mormons/512265)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-1857-meadows-massacre-by-mormons/512265 "2009-10-05T19:10:29Z")
In1857 a wagon train of settlers heading for California was killed by Mormons as they passed through Utah. There were about 120 killed. There were men women and children. The Mormons circled the wagons and attacked them.… --- ## [Iranian Nucear Enrichment Faciity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iranian-nucear-enrichment-faciity/512022)
**Author:** [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iranian-nucear-enrichment-faciity/512022 "2009-10-05T17:11:03Z")
I’m surprised there hasn’t been a thread on this yet. Recently it was discovered that Iran has a secret (not secret anymore, of course) nuclear enrichment facility.. They have promised to let inspectors in, but it has ye… --- ## [Arctic Sea Hijacking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arctic-sea-hijacking/508300)
**Author:** [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2009, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arctic-sea-hijacking/508300 "2009-10-05T17:07:28Z")
Have seen very little discussion of this strange hijacking case of the Russian freighter, the Arctic Sea Latest reports, including this NY Times article are claiming the cargo was nuclear instead of the lumber listed. … --- ## [Why does almost every U.S. state have a two-house legislature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-almost-every-u-s-state-have-a-two-house-legislature/512298)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-almost-every-u-s-state-have-a-two-house-legislature/512298 "2009-10-05T13:59:08Z")
The only exception is Nebraska. Why is that? I mean, wouldn’t a one-house legislature be more efficient, and reach decisions more quickly, and more accountably (since there’s no way to blame the result on the other hou… --- ## [Our means of thought is destructive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-means-of-thought-is-destructive/512513)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2009, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-means-of-thought-is-destructive/512513 "2009-10-05T13:14:22Z")
Manifesto of the half closed eye There is no distinction between man and nature. We are born out of our blind mother’s deep cavernous slimy womb and we are her hands, her eyes, her thoughts, her body, and her joy. We a… --- ## [Anarchy: What's the deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anarchy-whats-the-deal/511656)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2009, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anarchy-whats-the-deal/511656 "2009-10-05T07:28:52Z")
We live near Pittsburgh, and with the recent G20 making history, we checked things out. Anarchists were demonstrating (without a permit, which I guess is their M.O.). As I know no Anarchists, I was wondering if anyone c… --- ## [How inclusive can the fashion/beauty industry become?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-inclusive-can-the-fashion-beauty-industry-become/512287)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-inclusive-can-the-fashion-beauty-industry-become/512287 "2009-10-04T18:46:06Z")
There has been a lot of talk about how maybe things are changing–there was that woman who posed nude (or partly nude) in some mag, showing that she had a bit of flesh on her stomach that was praised. And Crystal Renn, th… --- ## [Is it a good idea to have longer school days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-good-idea-to-have-longer-school-days/511926)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-good-idea-to-have-longer-school-days/511926 "2009-10-04T14:53:49Z")
http://azstarnet.com/news/310869 "Obama says American kids spend too little time in school, putting them at a disadvantage compared with other students around the globe… "The president… wants schools to add time to cla… --- ## [Did Clinton's failure on healthcare cause the 1994 Republican landslide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-clintons-failure-on-healthcare-cause-the-1994-republican-landslide/511630)
**Author:** [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-clintons-failure-on-healthcare-cause-the-1994-republican-landslide/511630 "2009-10-04T14:51:29Z")
People will probably correct me on historical details, but, as I recall things, healthcare reform was a major issue in both the presidential and congressional election of 1992, that brought Bill Clinton to power, with a … --- ## [Smile Train and Third World kids with cleft palates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smile-train-and-third-world-kids-with-cleft-palates/512436)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2009, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smile-train-and-third-world-kids-with-cleft-palates/512436 "2009-10-04T05:35:47Z")
I keep getting gimme-money letters from Smile Train. Are there really that many kids out there with cleft palates who need surgery? Is it an epidemic or something? --- ## [Health Care: Where does the Money Go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-where-does-the-money-go/509952)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2009, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-where-does-the-money-go/509952 "2009-10-04T04:59:21Z")
Lots of people believe that they know where health care spending goes (i.e. why American spending is roughly double that of any other modern nations.) You probably believe you know. Most likely, though, you are wrong. S… --- ## [Punishment and Luck](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punishment-and-luck/512354)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2009, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punishment-and-luck/512354 "2009-10-04T04:58:35Z")
There’s some technical term for the topic I’m about to discuss, but I can’t remember what it is just now. Suppose you’ve got two drivers, Bill and Ted. They are driving identical cars which handle identically, they are … --- ## [Are There STILL People Who Deny Global Warming Is Happening?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-people-who-deny-global-warming-is-happening/511156)
**Author:** [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2009, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-still-people-who-deny-global-warming-is-happening/511156 "2009-10-04T03:44:54Z")
I know there are holocaust deniers, and I’m not an Al Gore fan, but isn’t the evidence… well…evident? Aren’t melting glaciers an indication? Polar bears coming into humans’ habitats looking for food? Regarding the hol… --- ## [Under Class, Lower Class, Working Class,Middle Class](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-class-lower-class-working-class-middle-class/511132)
**Author:** [@The\_Falling\_Reverend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Falling_Reverend)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-class-lower-class-working-class-middle-class/511132 "2009-10-03T23:38:14Z")
I’ve been perusing the threads on UHC here over the last couple of days & I keep seeing these terms being thrown around. Now I’m sure people may have different views on the exact definition of each term but some people s… --- ## [What is "identity" in regards to feminism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-identity-in-regards-to-feminism/511639)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-identity-in-regards-to-feminism/511639 "2009-10-03T15:41:23Z")
I put up a similar question on another board: Given that we have: Genital mutilation in Egypt Bride burning in India Sex tours in Thailand The “AIDS Highway” in Africa and A UN resolution specifically for women Wh… --- ## [Why are the Democrats such pussies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669)
**Author:** [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2009, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-democrats-such-pussies/511669 "2009-10-03T14:19:17Z")
It’s my understanding that in addition to a Democratic president, the Democrats also control the Senate and the House. That boils down to controlling government. Why then, are they continuously struggling with the Republ… --- ## [Why are all the Afghan refugees in Calais desperate to get to the UK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-afghan-refugees-in-calais-desperate-to-get-to-the-uk/511149)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2009, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-all-the-afghan-refugees-in-calais-desperate-to-get-to-the-uk/511149 "2009-10-03T11:15:47Z")
British news reports have been covering the forced closure of an ad hoc refugee camp, populated mostly by Afghans, outside Calais, over the past few days. Living conditions in the camp, home to an estimated 800 people, … --- ## [Can something exist without purpose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-something-exist-without-purpose/511923)
**Author:** [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2009, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-something-exist-without-purpose/511923 "2009-10-03T09:52:56Z")
Somewhere a billion light years away, there is a dead airless planet that no intelligent creature will ever see. On a plain on that planet, there is a boulder. It exists; it has no purpose and never will. --- ## [Mercenary takeover of lawless area....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mercenary-takeover-of-lawless-area/511571)
**Author:** [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mercenary-takeover-of-lawless-area/511571 "2009-10-03T04:11:43Z")
So, I was thinking earlier today about PMC’s, specifically Xe (formerly known as Blackwater). Xe has quite a bit more capability than I first thought. They have a fleet of aircraft, mostly cargo planes and helicopters,… --- ## [It is hypocritical to be against hate crime laws and to be against terrorism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-hypocritical-to-be-against-hate-crime-laws-and-to-be-against-terrorism/512336)
**Author:** [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-hypocritical-to-be-against-hate-crime-laws-and-to-be-against-terrorism/512336 "2009-10-02T22:01:13Z")
Sure, it is right to be against people flying planes into buildings and blowing stuff that is not theirs, those acts are crimes, but not against terrorism which means creating a climate of fear as that would legislate ag… --- ## [Playing Darts with a Rembrandt - Should there be limits to what owners can do with their property?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-darts-with-a-rembrandt-should-there-be-limits-to-what-owners-can-do-with-their-property/511611)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-darts-with-a-rembrandt-should-there-be-limits-to-what-owners-can-do-with-their-property/511611 "2009-10-02T20:59:58Z")
This book explores that issue So… should I be able to shoot paint balls at my internationally renowned collection of art if the whim takes me? Can I burn my Leonardo sketchbook or make a paper mache pinata donkey with t… --- ## [Can the Republicans fall in love again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-republicans-fall-in-love-again/511697)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-republicans-fall-in-love-again/511697 "2009-10-02T19:25:56Z")
My visceral disgust with George W. Bush is largely what drove me away from the Republican party although I am still a registered Republican. Obama is the current bright spark and most of the more intellectual Republicans… --- ## [Despite the town halls, the people feel shut out of the health-care debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/despite-the-town-halls-the-people-feel-shut-out-of-the-health-care-debate/512183)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/despite-the-town-halls-the-people-feel-shut-out-of-the-health-care-debate/512183 "2009-10-02T16:31:34Z")
According to a new poll: Can anything be done about this? I mean, it seems like members of Congress have been inviting public input on a scale unprecedented in the deliberation of any national issue. How can that not… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=504) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=506)