# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=522 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 523 --- ## [Method Man and Redman discuss Nas/Kelis divorce settlement. NSFW](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/method-man-and-redman-discuss-nas-kelis-divorce-settlement-nsfw/504325)
**Author:** [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2009, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/method-man-and-redman-discuss-nas-kelis-divorce-settlement-nsfw/504325 "2009-07-29T14:43:38Z")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prvEyPaNzGo NSFW(language) I don’t know much about divorce law. I have read enough about the music business to know that platinum albums don’t automatically mean riches but Nas has been a… --- ## [Creation ex nihilo vs. Gradualism: Is the former necessary to religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creation-ex-nihilo-vs-gradualism-is-the-former-necessary-to-religion/504660)
**Author:** [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2009, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creation-ex-nihilo-vs-gradualism-is-the-former-necessary-to-religion/504660 "2009-07-29T12:16:12Z")
Hi all, back for a short visit here again. I’ve just reread my favourite book, Bertrand Russell’s “A History of Western Philosophy”. It’s a masterpiece of clarity and brilliance which I recommend to theists and atheists… --- ## [Religion: Order or Chaos??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-order-or-chaos/504521)
**Author:** [@Da\_ICON](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Da_ICON)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-order-or-chaos/504521 "2009-07-29T02:39:19Z")
Has religion throughout the 6000+ years of recorded history created more order or chaos in our world?? This is not a debate as to whether anything supernatural exists or not…whether Jehovah/Yahweh/Allah is real, or whet… --- ## [National Review on Obama's birth & citizenship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-review-on-obamas-birth-citizenship/504559)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-review-on-obamas-birth-citizenship/504559 "2009-07-29T01:58:29Z")
There is no one voice that speaks for all conservatives, but over the years, National Review has come close. Their word on Barack Obama’s birth and citizenship is here: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTRjMTFhMzQx… --- ## [What if half the world were sterilized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-half-the-world-were-sterilized/504547)
**Author:** [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-half-the-world-were-sterilized/504547 "2009-07-28T21:35:14Z")
In the New York Times, David Brooks wrote a speculative piece about what would happen if there were some kind of crazy solar activity that caused the instant and immediate sterilization of everyone who was on the side of… --- ## [The problem with communism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-communism/503820)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-communism/503820 "2009-07-28T21:23:20Z")
Communism seems to stipulate that every problem is a result of systemic inequities, that if you just adjust the system to ameliorate inequity that civil strife will disappear and we can have a harmonious society. The pr… --- ## [To the State and Local governments: Just put up toll booths and shut down the speed traps.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-state-and-local-governments-just-put-up-toll-booths-and-shut-down-the-speed-traps/504266)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-state-and-local-governments-just-put-up-toll-booths-and-shut-down-the-speed-traps/504266 "2009-07-28T19:22:46Z")
I’ve had a clean driving record for over 20 years. In the last year I have been stopped 4 times in out-and-out speed traps such as 4-lane roads with a limit of 25 mph, no schools or other hazards, in the middle of the af… --- ## [Republican does not equal pro-Second Amendment!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-does-not-equal-pro-second-amendment/504213)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-does-not-equal-pro-second-amendment/504213 "2009-07-28T15:13:16Z")
A national concealed-carry reciprocity bill - which would allow officially licensed concealed-carry permit holders to carry their firearms in other states that allow CC - in other words, saving the law abiding gun owners… --- ## [Roman neopaganism-How would that work, exactly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-neopaganism-how-would-that-work-exactly/504202)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-neopaganism-how-would-that-work-exactly/504202 "2009-07-28T12:16:44Z")
There are, I know, in this world, neo-pagans, who believe in and have tried to revive the worship of religions that existed in Europe before Christianity. So, you have people worshiping the Celtic gods, people worshipin… --- ## [Slightly different US health-care reform thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slightly-different-us-health-care-reform-thread/504361)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slightly-different-us-health-care-reform-thread/504361 "2009-07-28T07:22:35Z")
For a while when watching or listening to discussions about reforming health-care there seemed to be two main points of view. \[ol\] \[li\]We should change our system to be more in line with European countries and Canada.\[… --- ## [The Aesthetical Jesus - Part IV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aesthetical-jesus-part-iv/499898)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 264\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aesthetical-jesus-part-iv/499898 "2009-07-28T06:17:59Z")
WITNESSING THREAD The Aesthetical Jesus - Part I (Aesthetics) The Aesthetical Jesus - Part II (Morality and Ethics) The Aesthetical Jesus - Part III (The Nature of Reality and Existence) or (Metaphysics and Ontology) … --- ## [Why hasn't the Muslim world come out in protest against China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-muslim-world-come-out-in-protest-against-china/502974)
**Author:** [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-muslim-world-come-out-in-protest-against-china/502974 "2009-07-28T04:30:37Z")
This opinion piece in Foreign Policy magazine asks a great question: if Islamic governments and religious leaders have enough outrage to speak out against Danish cartoons, why have they not been vocal in their opposition… --- ## [7 in North Carolina Charged With Supporting Terrorism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-in-north-carolina-charged-with-supporting-terrorism/504514)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-in-north-carolina-charged-with-supporting-terrorism/504514 "2009-07-28T04:25:07Z")
The very existence of such domestic terrorists and traitors worries me. I hope there aren’t any more of these types. --- ## [Christians, will you explain how this parody comment misses the mark? (regarding the atonement)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-will-you-explain-how-this-parody-comment-misses-the-mark-regarding-the-atonement/504389)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-will-you-explain-how-this-parody-comment-misses-the-mark-regarding-the-atonement/504389 "2009-07-28T03:21:07Z")
This is from this Pit thread and is obviously a snarky attempt at summing up the atonement. Frylock stated that it was not just snarky, but incorrect. I would like to be educated about how it misses the mark (while ac… --- ## [Folk Hero or Murderer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folk-hero-or-murderer/498228)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 668\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/folk-hero-or-murderer/498228 "2009-07-28T03:16:58Z")
Story here. IMO, this guy should be found guilty of murder, but given some recent vigilante cases in Texas, where the state’s new(ish, now) Castle law was invoked, I’m not at all confident that things will play out tha… --- ## [Is The US Government Dysfunctional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-government-dysfunctional/504424)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-government-dysfunctional/504424 "2009-07-28T03:04:17Z")
There’s a reason why the US does not have universal health care. They have been trying for decades since Eisenhour I believe. Every other western country has adopted some form of it. It seems to me that when a parliame… --- ## [The Best Nation on Earth...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-nation-on-earth/503958)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-nation-on-earth/503958 "2009-07-28T01:50:06Z")
What is the best nation on earth? I suppose to determine this you should include happiness, healthiness, how much leisure time, how many below the poverty line, etc. I assume this nation would be in europe. But of cours… --- ## [Did Freud Bring Down GM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-freud-bring-down-gm/504458)
**Author:** [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-freud-bring-down-gm/504458 "2009-07-28T01:48:13Z")
This is Part 1 of a 4 part BBC doc, The Century of the Self, the story of Edward Bernays, Freud’s nephew and father of PR who applied his uncle’s theories to managing the masses. The thread title might seem at first dis… --- ## [I love Jesus (the rapist)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-jesus-the-rapist/504472)
**Author:** [@ashman165](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashman165)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-jesus-the-rapist/504472 "2009-07-27T22:54:30Z")
We spend a lot of time here in GB discussing god. Liberal seems to think he’s all that and a bucket of fried chicken. So, I’m curious why Liberal and other Jesus Freaks, don’t seem to support rape. Now, I am myself ag… --- ## [What if the Roman Empire had collapsed in the 2nd century?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-roman-empire-had-collapsed-in-the-2nd-century/503043)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-roman-empire-had-collapsed-in-the-2nd-century/503043 "2009-07-27T21:57:36Z")
It came close. After Alexander Severus was assassinated there was a prolonged period of chaos and civil war. Successor states like the Gallic Empire and Palmyra eventually achieved some regional stability but it didn’t l… --- ## ["Psycho letters from men": Did this guy deserve the article?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psycho-letters-from-men-did-this-guy-deserve-the-article/504037)
**Author:** [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psycho-letters-from-men-did-this-guy-deserve-the-article/504037 "2009-07-27T21:50:59Z")
For those that don’t know, Psychotic Letters from Men is a blog that basically offers up examples of its namesake for our general amusement. In most cases, the guy is a nutcase that’s practically stalking the woman. No… --- ## [Texas hate crime ignored by police](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-hate-crime-ignored-by-police/504391)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-hate-crime-ignored-by-police/504391 "2009-07-27T17:42:18Z")
From here, with pic: …which is of course nonsense. I am against hate crime legislation mainly because I think if you’re doing something criminal against certain groups, well, you’re doing something criminal and should … --- ## [Democrats for a Flat Tax in California?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-for-a-flat-tax-in-california/502746)
**Author:** [@IdahoMauleMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IdahoMauleMan)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2009, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-for-a-flat-tax-in-california/502746 "2009-07-27T13:24:50Z")
I guess sometimes it takes the spectre of impending insolvency to finally see the light. Full article here (it’s an editorial, but with quotes) One excerpt, with a quote from Karen Bass, State Democratic Speaker: It… --- ## [The "What If" machine (ideology vs. results)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-what-if-machine-ideology-vs-results/504146)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2009, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-what-if-machine-ideology-vs-results/504146 "2009-07-27T04:10:28Z")
You are given the temporary use of a “What If” machine. The machine allows you to travel forward in time by 50, 100, or 500 years to take a look around, then travel back to your current time. But it isn’t just a time m… --- ## [I don't care what Ford would think of my car, why care what Adams would think of my government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-care-what-ford-would-think-of-my-car-why-care-what-adams-would-think-of-my-government/503962)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2009, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-care-what-ford-would-think-of-my-car-why-care-what-adams-would-think-of-my-government/503962 "2009-07-27T00:04:16Z")
Lots of people like to bring up what the founding fathers thought and this or that opinion agrees with them, but why is that relevant? They aren’t alive. Sure, they set certain things in motion, but I wouldn’t fret ove… --- ## [School Choice and Vouchers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-choice-and-vouchers/500908)
**Author:** [@furlibusea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furlibusea)\ **Replies:** 342\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/school-choice-and-vouchers/500908 "2009-07-26T23:45:47Z")
This is from the thread on the GOP, but continuing the discussion there sidetracks that thread and this is its own fight. Vouchers may hand the money to the parents who in turn hand it to any charlatan who promises tha… --- ## [DC, representation in Congress, and home rule](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-representation-in-congress-and-home-rule/503686)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dc-representation-in-congress-and-home-rule/503686 "2009-07-26T22:30:06Z")
I carried this discussion over from another thread on taxation, where I mentioned that DC residents are the only US citizens who pay federal taxes without voting representation in Congress. That comment was met with thi… --- ## [The Word "Nigger"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-word-nigger/503857 "2009-07-26T22:12:45Z")
I very much get that it’s offensive to African-Americans. So I can see why it would be offensive to refer to an African-American as a Nigger. Like any number of other terms (Kike, Wop, Dago, Mick etc. etc.) to other ethn… --- ## [Subsidized health care? What about gas, water, etc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subsidized-health-care-what-about-gas-water-etc/504212)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subsidized-health-care-what-about-gas-water-etc/504212 "2009-07-26T21:06:19Z")
First of all, it’s not “universal health care”, it’s universal health insurance. Any American can get basic health care via free clinics or the charity work many doctors do. What if you have a major problem and you don… --- ## [What makes sense in the world? What doesn't?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-sense-in-the-world-what-doesnt/504302)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-sense-in-the-world-what-doesnt/504302 "2009-07-26T18:38:41Z")
I’ve been going over things from A to Z and I’ve come to a simple, sensible, but unsettling conclusion: school and work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=521) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=523)