# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=508 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 509 --- ## [Where is the evidence that Bush "lied"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-evidence-that-bush-lied/510983)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-evidence-that-bush-lied/510983 "2009-09-24T22:31:43Z")
I know that this will turn into a GD, but here goes. We went to war in Iraq looking for WMDs and we didn’t find any. There could be 2 reasons for this: Bush was mistaken. Bush lied. Where is the evidence that Bush k… --- ## [Understanding Money Saved](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-money-saved/509802)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-money-saved/509802 "2009-09-24T20:31:52Z")
I think this is a bit of a fallacy, though I’m not sure if it’s one with a name or anything. For instance, there’s the recent example that everyone thinks that reducing the price of health care is “good”. If we could se… --- ## ["Respect for Marriage Act" would repeal DOMA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/respect-for-marriage-act-would-repeal-doma/510250)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/respect-for-marriage-act-would-repeal-doma/510250 "2009-09-24T15:53:35Z")
From The Washington Blade (OK, not an unbiased source on this, never mind): Well! Does this have a chance of passing, in this year of grace? And if it does, will the political fallout be good or bad for the Dems and … --- ## [What does the UK gain from the special relationship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-uk-gain-from-the-special-relationship/511361)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-uk-gain-from-the-special-relationship/511361 "2009-09-24T13:11:22Z")
I’ve just been doin’ some thinking recently, and came across this article, it’s about the UK and the US so called ‘Special relationship’ In my opinion, it’s not particulary important, and even now, completely irreleva… --- ## [What odds did we beat by NOT having a nuclear war by now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-odds-did-we-beat-by-not-having-a-nuclear-war-by-now/511298)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2009, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-odds-did-we-beat-by-not-having-a-nuclear-war-by-now/511298 "2009-09-24T07:06:28Z")
\[“Doc” Emmett Brown\]“Radiation suit? Of course, because of all the fallout from the atomic wars!”\[/Doc\] So how fortunate are we? Did any think tank studies back in the 50s or 60s quantify how likely a future nuclear war… --- ## [Should White House aides be required to sign nondisclosure agreements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-white-house-aides-be-required-to-sign-nondisclosure-agreements/511230)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-white-house-aides-be-required-to-sign-nondisclosure-agreements/511230 "2009-09-24T05:38:32Z")
Another White House aide has a tattletale book coming out: http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article\_212256582.shtml I know that memoirs (self-serving as they usually are) contribute to our understanding of wha… --- ## [Net Neutrality wins; who loses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/net-neutrality-wins-who-loses/510774)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2009, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/net-neutrality-wins-who-loses/510774 "2009-09-24T05:33:23Z")
According to the Wall Street Journal: This was a campaign point by Obama, but I’ll admit I had kinda forgotten about it since the election. If I had been thinking of it, I would have guessed it was dead in the water s… --- ## [Conservative French President Sarkozy swinging to the left?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-french-president-sarkozy-swinging-to-the-left/510252)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-french-president-sarkozy-swinging-to-the-left/510252 "2009-09-23T16:14:26Z")
I thought Sarkozy was suppose to be a right-winger. But, according to John Nichols in The Nation: Try to imagine Bush 2 or Bush 1 or Reagan or even Nixon talking like that! Are European RWs RWs at all by American sta… --- ## [I was naive about Fox News](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-naive-about-fox-news/510896)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2009, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-was-naive-about-fox-news/510896 "2009-09-23T14:36:12Z")
I thought they had a lean, a tilt, if you will, that made them appeal to certain audiences, and that their lean was self-perpetuating. More good feedback for the lean leads to continuation of the lean. And, I believe t… --- ## [Why not government work projects for prisioners?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-government-work-projects-for-prisioners/510875)
**Author:** [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2009, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-government-work-projects-for-prisioners/510875 "2009-09-23T05:48:34Z")
The old excuse was that the unions opposed cheap labor taking their jobs. But with so much overseas, perhaps the answer is to only let people get prisoners if they are bringing back jobs that have already left. Let the i… --- ## [Is Garrett Lisi really onto something here? (E8 Theory Of Everything)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-garrett-lisi-really-onto-something-here-e8-theory-of-everything/511066)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-garrett-lisi-really-onto-something-here-e8-theory-of-everything/511066 "2009-09-23T03:34:41Z")
A month or so ago, a friend and I were discussing string theory and she brought up the name Garrett Lisi. She told me about an article she had read in The New Yorker about this surfer/physicist who had come up with a ne… --- ## [Fed. Judge rejects SEC ,Bank of America deal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-judge-rejects-sec-bank-of-america-deal/510184)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2009, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-judge-rejects-sec-bank-of-america-deal/510184 "2009-09-23T03:30:38Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/business/15bank.html?\_r=2&hp Fed. Judge Rakoff has rejected a deal made by the SEC and Bank of America to pay 33 million of stockholder money to settle the Bank of America bonus looting… --- ## [Census Bureau report: Average Americans better off under Clinton, worse off under W](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-bureau-report-average-americans-better-off-under-clinton-worse-off-under-w/511034)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/census-bureau-report-average-americans-better-off-under-clinton-worse-off-under-w/511034 "2009-09-23T03:17:23Z")
From The Atlantic Monthly: I guess the issue for debate is: What, if anything, does this show or signify? As the article goes on to say: --- ## [Are some crimes (or sins) unredeemable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-crimes-or-sins-unredeemable/510621)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-crimes-or-sins-unredeemable/510621 "2009-09-22T22:55:51Z")
This may not be easy to phrase, but it’s about whether all people deserve redemption or if some should never receive it. Let’s take three completely unconnected events from the summer of 1969: Ted Kennedy drives off … --- ## [Trend: Men happier, women not so much. Reckon why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trend-men-happier-women-not-so-much-reckon-why/510574)
**Author:** [@Maia\_s\_Well](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maia_s_Well)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trend-men-happier-women-not-so-much-reckon-why/510574 "2009-09-22T22:52:18Z")
So, apparently extensive studies over the past 40 years show that women have grown unhappier, while men have grown happier: Marcus Buckingham’s Huffpost blog: What’s Happening to Women’s Happiness?. (I am linking to hi… --- ## [Corporation personhood: what if we got rid of it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporation-personhood-what-if-we-got-rid-of-it/510076)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporation-personhood-what-if-we-got-rid-of-it/510076 "2009-09-22T21:15:58Z")
I read the column on how this thing got started. How can a corporation be legally considered a person? I guess I can understand that a corporation does do the things the column says like buy and sell property, hire and… --- ## [President Obama extends Cuban embargo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-extends-cuban-embargo/510174)
**Author:** [@lalenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalenin)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-extends-cuban-embargo/510174 "2009-09-22T19:49:02Z")
From this article: " President Barack Obama has signed a one-year extension of the law used to impose the trade embargo on Cuba, disappointing those who favored allowing the law to expire as a friendly nod to Havana whi… --- ## [Is it time for Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-nancy-pelosi-and-harry-reid-to-go/509527)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-nancy-pelosi-and-harry-reid-to-go/509527 "2009-09-22T08:00:10Z")
In this thread Stan Shmenge said: \[QUOTE=Stan Shmenge\] Tip O’neil would have had this a done deal by now. The Democrats, apparently, have zero party discipline at this time. They own the House, the Senate, and the Pres… --- ## [Would Ringo's Background-Paranoia Be Justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-ringos-background-paranoia-be-justified/510659)
**Author:** [@Zeke\_N.Destroi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeke_N.Destroi)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-ringos-background-paranoia-be-justified/510659 "2009-09-22T07:02:15Z")
Let’s suppose that Jack, Diane and Ringo are all college student friends. Ringo starts hanging out with a chick from the Frothing Allegiance Party and over the course of a frustratingly platonic month or so he drops $10… --- ## [What's the solution to the hysterical right's shadow government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-solution-to-the-hysterical-rights-shadow-government/510752)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-solution-to-the-hysterical-rights-shadow-government/510752 "2009-09-22T04:57:15Z")
\[TLDP\]\* As has been made clear by this summer’s Townhall shenanigans and Joe Wilson’s outburst and its aftermath, politicians–let alone elected officials–no longer set the agenda of political debate in the US: rightwing… --- ## ["That's so gay"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-gay/508358)
**Author:** [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-so-gay/508358 "2009-09-22T04:30:16Z")
From http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/: There are over 154,000 websites that use the phrase “That’s so gay” as of 8/30/2009. This site is attempting to remove the pejorative connotations in using “TSG”. But it also seem… --- ## [Law & Ethics: Adult-Minor Sex](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-ethics-adult-minor-sex/510426)
**Author:** [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-ethics-adult-minor-sex/510426 "2009-09-22T03:20:05Z")
In this thread, the question came up of what a straight man would do if he suddenly discovered, to his surprise, the person performing fellatio on him was another man. Another question came up where it was asked what if… --- ## [Does God exist? Grab your popcorn.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-exist-grab-your-popcorn/511024)
**Author:** [@Blut\_Aus\_Nord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blut_Aus_Nord)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-exist-grab-your-popcorn/511024 "2009-09-22T01:56:40Z")
From what I saw in a couple minutes, the Dawkins thread only touches on it. But I’m bored and unsatisfied by the restrained anger and lack of bloodshed. I don’t really even need to kick things off; this will ride itself… --- ## [Drilling for oil (vs/and) the environment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drilling-for-oil-vs-and-the-environment/510153)
**Author:** [@yelimS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yelimS)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drilling-for-oil-vs-and-the-environment/510153 "2009-09-22T00:36:43Z")
Last night’s Norwegian election kept the coalition government, but supposedly changed the balance enough to open for expansion of oil-drilling to the north of Norway (Lofoten and Vesterålen). Initially, I opposed this, b… --- ## [Is a health care system where some die due to lack of care "Darwinism"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-health-care-system-where-some-die-due-to-lack-of-care-darwinism/510900)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-health-care-system-where-some-die-due-to-lack-of-care-darwinism/510900 "2009-09-22T00:21:29Z")
Is it fair to call it “Darwinism” if some will die due to being economically disadvantaged? --- ## [Discourse for the purpose of persuasion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discourse-for-the-purpose-of-persuasion/510047)
**Author:** [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discourse-for-the-purpose-of-persuasion/510047 "2009-09-21T23:37:26Z")
So, recently I’m getting a little numb to the political rhetoric of supporters both left and right seeming to end up little more than shouting matches decrying figures, and I came to a conclusion that, as a society, we m… --- ## [US tax code question: why does FICA cap out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-tax-code-question-why-does-fica-cap-out/505220)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-tax-code-question-why-does-fica-cap-out/505220 "2009-09-21T19:58:22Z")
My mother has worked a good quality white-collar job most of her life, and when we discuss taxes she often mentions that as her salary has increased, it constantly remains just under the “cap” of FICA contributions. Tha… --- ## [Universal health care- what's the problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-health-care-whats-the-problem/509173)
**Author:** [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-health-care-whats-the-problem/509173 "2009-09-21T19:33:41Z")
Boy-Who-Cried-“Death Panel!”-types aside, why exactly are people opposed to universal health care? From what I understand, everyone should be happy: -The people who don’t want government health care can stay with their… --- ## ["Jimmy Carter really didn't like to listen, he liked the appearance of listening" - Fair or unfair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-really-didnt-like-to-listen-he-liked-the-appearance-of-listening-fair-or-unfair/510894)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-really-didnt-like-to-listen-he-liked-the-appearance-of-listening-fair-or-unfair/510894 "2009-09-21T19:31:12Z")
“Jimmy Carter really didn’t like to listen to the advice of other people, he liked the appearance of listening”. This was a comment I heard on CSPAN radio this evening around 5:30 PM by an author or historian discussing… --- ## [Maureen Dowd and "You Lie, Boy"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maureen-dowd-and-you-lie-boy/510314)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maureen-dowd-and-you-lie-boy/510314 "2009-09-21T17:21:29Z")
I’ve been hearing about this lately – New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd speaks of the unvoiced “–boy!” at the end of Wilson’s outburst, and sees it as evidence of a racially-based dislike of Obama. http://www.thesta… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=507) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=509)