# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=535 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 536 --- ## [Same-sex marriage will have no negative impact on American society as a whole](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-marriage-will-have-no-negative-impact-on-american-society-as-a-whole/497593)
**Author:** [@cwthree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cwthree)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-marriage-will-have-no-negative-impact-on-american-society-as-a-whole/497593 "2009-05-26T04:13:40Z")
This thread died of old age, or perhaps loneliness. Specifically, some posters asserted that legalizing same-sex marriage and/or using the term “marriage” to refer to the legal union of two adults of the same sex and/or … --- ## [Scientists Unveil Missing Link In Evolution, Darwins theory now confirmed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-unveil-missing-link-in-evolution-darwins-theory-now-confirmed/496972)
**Author:** [@Winnipeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnipeg)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-unveil-missing-link-in-evolution-darwins-theory-now-confirmed/496972 "2009-05-26T04:04:50Z")
I doubt this will make much difference to the fundamentalist beliefs, but at least its an important link in the chain for those of us that give a damn. :slight\_smile: --- ## [The Aesthetical Jesus, Part I](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aesthetical-jesus-part-i/496611)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aesthetical-jesus-part-i/496611 "2009-05-26T02:15:31Z")
THIS OP IS WITNESSING Aesthetics has been treated different ways by different philosophers. At least, by those who didn’t ignore the topic altogether. There has been everything from Ayn Rand’s literal interpretation of … --- ## [Nationalized health care vs insane end of life medical costs in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nationalized-health-care-vs-insane-end-of-life-medical-costs-in-the-us/496701)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nationalized-health-care-vs-insane-end-of-life-medical-costs-in-the-us/496701 "2009-05-25T21:47:19Z")
I was listening to a CSPAN discussion this afternoon and at issue was how the coming reform in US health care is going to be shaped. A statistic was thrown out that kind of surprised me but them again it really didn’t af… --- ## [How would you respond to this high school student's question re torture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-respond-to-this-high-school-students-question-re-torture/496830)
**Author:** [@JHE1967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHE1967)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-respond-to-this-high-school-students-question-re-torture/496830 "2009-05-25T18:07:07Z")
My fiancee and I recieved the below email from a high school junior (my fiancee’s nephew). Really great kid and quite intelligent for his age. Unfortunately he has very little exposure to anything but extremely conservat… --- ## [Resolved: Morality is BS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-morality-is-bs/495820)
**Author:** [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2009, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-morality-is-bs/495820 "2009-05-25T12:12:37Z")
Alright folks, I’ve brought up this topic in several different threads, and several different posters have suggested I start a separate thread to discuss it. This is that thread. I have had a couple of sodey pops, so p… --- ## [Elixir of life...could you, would you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elixir-of-life-could-you-would-you/497263)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2009, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elixir-of-life-could-you-would-you/497263 "2009-05-25T09:42:53Z")
I was watching an episode of Time on the Science Channel this evening and at the end of show they took a random poll. I figured I’d ask here and see what 'dopers would do (and the check myself to see if my guess as to w… --- ## [China: Passer-By Pushes Suicide Jumper Off Bridge - Tired oF "Selfish Activity"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-passer-by-pushes-suicide-jumper-off-bridge-tired-of-selfish-activity/497424)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-passer-by-pushes-suicide-jumper-off-bridge-tired-of-selfish-activity/497424 "2009-05-25T04:04:41Z")
from this report: This is a debate because it’s China, not the US or other non-communist nations. China is pretty brutal towards the individual, both from the position of being the communist state that it is, and cult… --- ## [PC/audio setup question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-audio-setup-question/497523)
**Author:** [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2009, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-audio-setup-question/497523 "2009-05-25T02:24:11Z")
OK, I have an hp tx2000z (스포츠 양방배팅 하는 방법 - pacificgeek). In my bedroom I’ve got a Sanyo Z5 and a PS3 hooked up to the FP via component cable. I have a stereo on the way for audio, but that’s a week away. Looking for a t… --- ## [OK, So, What About Investing in Gold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-what-about-investing-in-gold/497302)
**Author:** [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2009, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-so-what-about-investing-in-gold/497302 "2009-05-24T21:00:05Z")
Often, when I’ve nothing sensible to do, I wander the radio, listening to raving loons rave about politics and I’ve noticed something that makes my curiosity bone itch. Extreme, screaming righties and perfectly sensible… --- ## [My problem with Liberals...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-problem-with-liberals/497305)
**Author:** [@horhay\_achoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horhay_achoa)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-problem-with-liberals/497305 "2009-05-24T17:18:54Z")
Full disclosure - I lean libertarian. Before anybody goes hog wild attacking me, I do not believe in “libertaria”…I would just like to see less (not zero) government involvement in pretty much every aspect of our lives.… --- ## [Why the big deal over torture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-big-deal-over-torture/495663)
**Author:** [@redshift](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redshift)\ **Replies:** 320\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2009, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-big-deal-over-torture/495663 "2009-05-23T15:21:34Z")
So, I have no idea if this is the right forum to post it, and a quick search didn’t find me a topic on this. But why does America make such a big deal over torturing enemy combatants? And especially considering most of… --- ## [Specific examples of politics causing interfaith conflict](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-examples-of-politics-causing-interfaith-conflict/496285)
**Author:** [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2009, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-examples-of-politics-causing-interfaith-conflict/496285 "2009-05-23T12:42:25Z")
I was listening to a rabbi speak recently and he asserted that the primary reason why religious conflict exists is not because of inherent differences in the doctrines of those religions, but rather a product of politici… --- ## [Why is the Pope against using condoms to help control AIDS in Africa?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-pope-against-using-condoms-to-help-control-aids-in-africa/497020)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2009, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-pope-against-using-condoms-to-help-control-aids-in-africa/497020 "2009-05-23T12:06:24Z")
I’m not a a Catholic and I realize that it’s very faith’s prerogative to make their own ethical rules, but in the face of the AID pandemic in Africa to hold fast to the “every sperm is sacred” notion seems almost immoral… --- ## [Is American health-care amazing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-health-care-amazing/496764)
**Author:** [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2009, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-american-health-care-amazing/496764 "2009-05-23T08:37:48Z")
I’m putting this in Great Debates because I know it’ll turn into an argument. I’m lacking the time and the inclination to really argue either side, but I really want to see what people think. There’s a very large segmen… --- ## [Fairies' fear of iron -- memory of Iron v. Bronze?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fairies-fear-of-iron-memory-of-iron-v-bronze/497112)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2009, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fairies-fear-of-iron-memory-of-iron-v-bronze/497112 "2009-05-23T04:06:15Z")
In Western European folklore, fairies cannot touch cold iron. I have a hypothesis about that: These “fairies” are distant cultural memories of Bronze Age peoples of Europe who were conquered by other peoples who had lea… --- ## [Closing Guantanamo Bay: Uh, How Is This Going To Transpire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-guantanamo-bay-uh-how-is-this-going-to-transpire/481065)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2009, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/closing-guantanamo-bay-uh-how-is-this-going-to-transpire/481065 "2009-05-23T03:50:40Z")
Glad to hear Obama is planning on closing Guantanamo, but will be interested in seeing exactly how that transpires. I mean, even a totally innocent accountant will be a wild-eyed. maniac terrorist by now…and could you bl… --- ## [Attention RWs: Anti-immigration is a form of labor unionism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-rws-anti-immigration-is-a-form-of-labor-unionism/497113)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-rws-anti-immigration-is-a-form-of-labor-unionism/497113 "2009-05-23T03:01:28Z")
RWs are always bashing labor unions – lazy, greedy, entitled slobs, crippling industry, driving up the price of the product, cutting into the margin of profit. RWs are always bashing illegal (or even legal) immigrants –… --- ## [When would World War III have occurred without nukes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-world-war-iii-have-occurred-without-nukes/496556)
**Author:** [@Altair33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Altair33)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2009, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-would-world-war-iii-have-occurred-without-nukes/496556 "2009-05-23T00:47:20Z")
Assume that the end of WW II played out as it actually did, except that nuclear weapons proved to be technologically unfeasible for some reason. You still would have had hundreds of Soviet divisions in Eastern Europe, bu… --- ## [Kennedy for Senate, again, but Chris this time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-for-senate-again-but-chris-this-time/497273)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-for-senate-again-but-chris-this-time/497273 "2009-05-22T21:56:50Z")
We’ve had a Kennedy among us for years - who knew? - and now he might run for Senate? Say what? No carbetbagger he. I don’t know what to think. Other than that I don’t know enough about him to have an opinion. Chicag… --- ## [Anger over 9th and 10th Amendments: Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anger-over-9th-and-10th-amendments-why/496989)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anger-over-9th-and-10th-amendments-why/496989 "2009-05-22T18:57:58Z")
Lately, some of the folks who are steamed at president Obama are accusing him of violating the 10th and/or 9th amendments of the US Constitution. I looked them both up, but I couldn’t figure out what they are angry about… --- ## [Was Pope Pius XII actually passive in the holocaust?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-pope-pius-xii-actually-passive-in-the-holocaust/495798)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-pope-pius-xii-actually-passive-in-the-holocaust/495798 "2009-05-22T16:24:42Z")
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/history/world/wh0004.html SR. MARGHERITA MARCHIONE argues that he ordered the church to provide sanctuary for any Jew who knocked on the door in Italy. --- ## [So why Huntsman to China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-huntsman-to-china/496689)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2009, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-huntsman-to-china/496689 "2009-05-22T14:25:48Z")
Moderate Republican and previously probable candidate in the GOP Presidential primaries for 2012 Jon Huntsman is given the nod for ambassador to China. So, is he being chosen for all those attributes, or is instead a p… --- ## [Political Empathy and Changing of the Guard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-empathy-and-changing-of-the-guard/496979)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2009, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-empathy-and-changing-of-the-guard/496979 "2009-05-22T12:23:27Z")
When a new party rises to power, many supporters also swap positions. This seems to happen on both procedural issues (e.g. propriety of filibustering) and substantive ones (e.g. importance of deficits). Observing insta… --- ## [Obama at Notre Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-at-notre-dame/496773)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2009, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-at-notre-dame/496773 "2009-05-22T09:57:51Z")
More MPSIMS perhaps, but since it’s live and since it will get a lot of watch over the next few days it’ll end up here. Since the speech is ongoing as of this writing I’ll just say “Damn”. I don’t think I’ve ever been … --- ## [Has anyone dared to suggest that 9/11 shouldn't have been that big of a deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-dared-to-suggest-that-9-11-shouldnt-have-been-that-big-of-a-deal/496751)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2009, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-dared-to-suggest-that-9-11-shouldnt-have-been-that-big-of-a-deal/496751 "2009-05-22T05:54:30Z")
Looking back on 9/11/2001, yes, it was a shock and around 3,000 people were killed tragically. But from the standpoint of us as a nation, might we have been better off if we had done not nearly so much, or even nothing? … --- ## ["YOU'RE a hooker!" (OR "Buy your mate on teh intarwebz!")](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-hooker-or-buy-your-mate-on-teh-intarwebz/496990)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-a-hooker-or-buy-your-mate-on-teh-intarwebz/496990 "2009-05-22T01:19:49Z")
Well, IMO prostitution is practical, but that’s beside the point. OT1H, what two consenting adults do is their own business, as long as no one is being hurt. But as upfront and reasonable as the two people in the s… --- ## [Michael Steele Doom Watch - A Poll, A Prediction, A Laugh Riot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-steele-doom-watch-a-poll-a-prediction-a-laugh-riot/495330)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2009, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-steele-doom-watch-a-poll-a-prediction-a-laugh-riot/495330 "2009-05-22T01:01:15Z")
I know it’s wrong to have fun at anyone’s expense, but I’ll have to, once again, make an exception in Michael Steele’s case. The man’s been an utter embarrassment since day one \[you decide which day in which year that wa… --- ## [Does Governor Mark Sanford actually have a legal leg to stand on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-governor-mark-sanford-actually-have-a-legal-leg-to-stand-on/497246)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-governor-mark-sanford-actually-have-a-legal-leg-to-stand-on/497246 "2009-05-22T00:25:27Z")
Sanford is suing the legislature for overturning his veto of stimulus funds. Leaving aside the debate over the stimulus bill, does he have any grounds for doing this? Isn’t legislative override of executive vetoes part o… --- ## [Do dogs love their owners?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-love-their-owners/496401)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2009, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-love-their-owners/496401 "2009-05-21T14:05:49Z")
I’m sure this has been done before, but a couple of recent newspaper columns brought it to mind. A couple of days ago Chicago Trib columnist Eric Zorn wrote a letter about a woman who jumped into a lake to save her dog.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=534) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=536)