# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=529 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 530 --- ## [Did Obama tell Israel to Raise a UN Flag at the Wailing Wall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-tell-israel-to-raise-a-un-flag-at-the-wailing-wall/500542)
**Author:** [@jason\_zee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jason_zee)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2009, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-tell-israel-to-raise-a-un-flag-at-the-wailing-wall/500542 "2009-06-26T03:52:02Z")
I’ve read on Israel & Jewish websites that Obama attempted to apply pressure on the israeli prime minister to fly a United Nations flag at the wailing wall. For some strange reason I have been unable to find a single we… --- ## [What if Pompey had defeated Caesar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-pompey-had-defeated-caesar/499762)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-pompey-had-defeated-caesar/499762 "2009-06-26T01:29:49Z")
After Julius Caesar defeated Pompey the Great in civil war, he (quite unconstutionally) had the Senate appoint him Dictator in Perpetuity (Dictator perpetuo), strongly implying that he had no intention of stepping down a… --- ## [What if Jesus was female?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-jesus-was-female/500611)
**Author:** [@Sacrilegium](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sacrilegium)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-jesus-was-female/500611 "2009-06-25T20:02:59Z")
I was just thinking about this today and wanted to throw it out there for discussion. Buying into the whole “Jesus was God” thing for the sake of argument, I wonder why God chose to appear as male instead of female. Gi… --- ## [Bible question: Why did God favor Abel's offering over Cain's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-question-why-did-god-favor-abels-offering-over-cains/500321)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-question-why-did-god-favor-abels-offering-over-cains/500321 "2009-06-25T17:01:25Z")
Genesis 4: Why did God reject Cain’s offering? The story does not say. Possibilities: The story is simply an instance of God’s favor being ineffable and inscrutable and arbitrary, a matter of free grace on His par… --- ## [Is the US planning a "Bank Holiday"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-planning-a-bank-holiday/500941)
**Author:** [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-planning-a-bank-holiday/500941 "2009-06-25T16:24:21Z")
I received an email from my father (recently converted to conspiracy thinking :() with a link to this article. Seems a little to conspiracy-y for me, but i thought about consulting the expertise of the Dope on this. I… --- ## [Which U.S. President had the best policy re: Native Americans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-u-s-president-had-the-best-policy-re-native-americans/500533)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-u-s-president-had-the-best-policy-re-native-americans/500533 "2009-06-25T15:30:44Z")
Define “best” as you see fit: devoted to the greatest good for the greatest number of Indians, committed to addressing their contemporary problems (unemployment and alcoholism nowadays, alas, IIRC), the most effective in… --- ## [What do Republicans think they can achieve in Iran?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-republicans-think-they-can-achieve-in-iran/500598)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-republicans-think-they-can-achieve-in-iran/500598 "2009-06-25T08:56:13Z")
Not surprisingly, the party out of power is criticizing the President of the other party. The assertion in this case is that our President is being to “timid” in his response to the situation in Iran. Criticism of the … --- ## [If something is not yet in existence, does it exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-something-is-not-yet-in-existence-does-it-exist/500156)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-something-is-not-yet-in-existence-does-it-exist/500156 "2009-06-25T06:29:57Z")
In an earlier thread Existence was described as: The state of all emerged essences. Aristotle is quoted as:the what it was to be. Essence was identified as : the nature that identifies a thing before it comes into existe… --- ## [Only one more week until the government protects me from me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-one-more-week-until-the-government-protects-me-from-me/500738)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-one-more-week-until-the-government-protects-me-from-me/500738 "2009-06-25T03:46:23Z")
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/1036026.html Florida will start enforcement of our new primary seat belt law. I feel better now that even more scarce police resources will be diverted from violent crime t… --- ## [Poll about taking the lord's name in vain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 381\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-about-taking-the-lords-name-in-vain/493590 "2009-06-25T01:06:32Z")
If you have no problem taking the lord’s name in vain, but did so around somebody who politely requested that you not do it in their presence, would you comply? --- ## [Copyright Infringement: Your Recommendation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-infringement-your-recommendation/500267)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-infringement-your-recommendation/500267 "2009-06-25T00:20:56Z")
Distribution rights are automatically ceded. Anyone can distribute any number of copies of any musical work to anybody else. Pros: Makes the buying public happy. Cons: There’s no motive to pay the originating artist o… --- ## [What is time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-time/500278)
**Author:** [@lstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lstein)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2009, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-time/500278 "2009-06-25T00:13:57Z")
I’ve always wanted to know if time exists and what it is. Is time just a human invention made for remembering events? if not than what is it? how, when, why, you know, the usual questions. I’m looking for the answer ab… --- ## [The President's rhetoric shouldn't be taken literally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-rhetoric-shouldnt-be-taken-literally/500581)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-presidents-rhetoric-shouldnt-be-taken-literally/500581 "2009-06-24T19:28:10Z")
Well, well. Who would suggest such a thing? Scheming members of the vast, right-wing conspiracy, no doubt. Nope. Turns out, according to the Associated Press, that it’s White House officials who say that the President’… --- ## [Was the Iranian election stolen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-iranian-election-stolen/500518)
**Author:** [@JonathanTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonathanTheRed)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-iranian-election-stolen/500518 "2009-06-24T15:24:49Z")
Well, was it? What evidence is there? I understand that Ahmedinejad won a larger-than-expected victory, but I had thought that Mousavi was an underdog anyway. Are the protestors in the streets fighting against a repressi… --- ## [Bill Maher on Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-on-obama/499822)
**Author:** [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2009, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-maher-on-obama/499822 "2009-06-24T13:15:43Z")
I’m not American so this doesn’t impact me directly, well the enviromental part may, but I’ve a big interest in US polictics and follow the stuff here and elsewhere closely. I was watching RealTime with Bill Maher yeste… --- ## [SC Governor disappears for days](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sc-governor-disappears-for-days/500705)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sc-governor-disappears-for-days/500705 "2009-06-24T01:59:19Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090623/ap\_on\_re\_us/us\_sc\_governor\_where And he is now found. I am a Sanford supporter, but I smell a rat here. I don’t want to be the first one to say what I think happened here, so I will… --- ## [Korea can hit us, can we hit Korea? WTF do we do then?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/korea-can-hit-us-can-we-hit-korea-wtf-do-we-do-then/500188)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/korea-can-hit-us-can-we-hit-korea-wtf-do-we-do-then/500188 "2009-06-24T00:36:52Z")
I’m a boomer who grew up counting on the idea that when it came to nations, at least, everybody understood that whole “mutual assured destruction” thing. You hit me, I hit you, we’re both dead and really, what good is th… --- ## ["A poor person today is richer than a rich person of the past"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poor-person-today-is-richer-than-a-rich-person-of-the-past/500448)
**Author:** [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poor-person-today-is-richer-than-a-rich-person-of-the-past/500448 "2009-06-23T17:28:19Z")
I’ve argued a few times here, but never posted a topic before. Recently I’ve seen a few variations of the title quote used in different debates, and I’ve always had a big problem with it. As a poor person myself, I have… --- ## [What are we all wrong about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-all-wrong-about/499308)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Poster)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2009, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-we-all-wrong-about/499308 "2009-06-23T07:09:17Z")
There is something that we are all wrong about, no doubt, and it’s a bloody nuisance. Any idea what it could be? It will seem to you to be right, no doubt, but it will perhaps be good if you guess :confused: --- ## [To my Anglo-Canadian Compatriots re: Plains of Abraham](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-anglo-canadian-compatriots-re-plains-of-abraham/500237)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 177\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-anglo-canadian-compatriots-re-plains-of-abraham/500237 "2009-06-23T02:47:12Z")
I thought this issue of not reenacting the 250th anniversary of the Conquest of Quebec on the Plains of Abraham had pretty well been setttled in March, judging by this thread http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthrea… --- ## [Why are so many people fixated on Scientology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-fixated-on-scientology/499979)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-people-fixated-on-scientology/499979 "2009-06-22T22:23:36Z")
I get it; it’s a fraudulent money-making scheme masquerading as a religion. But so are all the others. Who gives a shit? What do Scientologists do that’s all that worse than what Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Hindus do?… --- ## [Circumcision - advice sought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circumcision-advice-sought/497830)
**Author:** [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/circumcision-advice-sought/497830 "2009-06-22T21:18:20Z")
I’ve put this in GD because I believe it has been an emotive topic in the past, but I do hope that we can actually have an informative discussion rather than a flame fest… Our baby boy is due to be induced in two weeks … --- ## [New York Democrats Hide the Keys to the Senate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-democrats-hide-the-keys-to-the-senate/499605)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2009, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-democrats-hide-the-keys-to-the-senate/499605 "2009-06-22T16:44:03Z")
Can anyone explain and/or defend what’s going on the the New York legislature? As I understand it, the GOP convinced two Democrats to switch alleigances, and voted in a new Senate leader. In retaliation, the Democrats l… --- ## [Fraudulent Elections in Iran](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fraudulent-elections-in-iran/499671)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fraudulent-elections-in-iran/499671 "2009-06-22T14:04:17Z")
In this article Roger Simon gives a summary of recent activity: http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2009/06/12/voting-for-ahmadinejad-in-la-part-two-how-fraudulent-was-the-iranian-election/ He includes a link to an ant… --- ## [The Flight KAL007 Disaster-How Culpable Was the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flight-kal007-disaster-how-culpable-was-the-usa/500238)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2009, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flight-kal007-disaster-how-culpable-was-the-usa/500238 "2009-06-22T07:15:05Z")
As we all know, the Korean airliner was shot down over the coast of (then) Soviet Russia, by a Russian fighter plane. The Russians were on edge, because the US Airforce had been conducting intelligence overflights, some … --- ## [Supremes Rules That Judge Should Have Recused Himself](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supremes-rules-that-judge-should-have-recused-himself/499235)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supremes-rules-that-judge-should-have-recused-himself/499235 "2009-06-21T20:40:46Z")
http://onthedocket.org/articles/2009/06/08/divided-court-finds-judge-should-have-recused-himself-donor-case-june-8-2009 Here is the case, Caperton v. Massey Energy. Once again, I don’t see the federal issue involved. … --- ## [Is there a justification for this SC decision (RE: DNA))](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-justification-for-this-sc-decision-re-dna/500339)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-justification-for-this-sc-decision-re-dna/500339 "2009-06-21T19:17:58Z")
This decision by the Supreme Court kind of boggles my mind: I don’t get it, what the hell are they actually syaing here? I feel like I must be really missing something. Here is the actual decision. Bricker, DSYoungE… --- ## [How will we know when our economy doesn't suck anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-we-know-when-our-economy-doesnt-suck-anymore/500110)
**Author:** [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-we-know-when-our-economy-doesnt-suck-anymore/500110 "2009-06-21T18:42:19Z")
Simple question, but probably no real single answer I realize. Is it one of those things that can only be examined in future years? Or is there a big culminating event that will signal the American economy is back-on-tra… --- ## [Criminal Obscene Fantasy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-obscene-fantasy/500085)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-obscene-fantasy/500085 "2009-06-21T18:13:18Z")
I hope I have some history in these environs as a conservative, and, despite my former employment as a PD, some credibility as being generally on the “law and order” side of the fence. But the recent obscenity convictio… --- ## [What would a post-scarcity society be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-post-scarcity-society-be-like/499538)
**Author:** [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-post-scarcity-society-be-like/499538 "2009-06-20T23:56:06Z")
In this thread, we’ve just hijacked it - To The Future! Opinions seem to be differing on what a post-scarcity society with plentiful power and readily-available fabrication\* might be like. Me, I side with those who say… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=528) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=530)