# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=538 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 539 --- ## [Convince me that anthropogenic golobal warming is a load of horsehooey.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-anthropogenic-golobal-warming-is-a-load-of-horsehooey/491716)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-that-anthropogenic-golobal-warming-is-a-load-of-horsehooey/491716 "2009-05-11T13:38:15Z")
I’m going to be something of a dick and NOT begin this thread by stating a position one way or the other, partly because my degree is in a whole 'nother discipline and partly because I am opening this thread so as to div… --- ## [Does Earth's natural environment have value in and of itself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-earths-natural-environment-have-value-in-and-of-itself/494018)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-earths-natural-environment-have-value-in-and-of-itself/494018 "2009-05-11T03:20:57Z")
That is, should human beings regard Earth’s non-human biosphere as having some value independent of its usefulness to humans? (Including esthetic usefulness, i.e., human appreciation of nature’s beauty.) I think so. B… --- ## [Is this the most retarded study conclusion ever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-most-retarded-study-conclusion-ever/495818)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2009, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-most-retarded-study-conclusion-ever/495818 "2009-05-10T20:46:43Z")
Here is the headline of the news story about the study: Study: Most Liberal States Are Least Free. I’m not even questioning the methodology of study because I don’t know exactly what they did. I just think their conclus… --- ## [Quebec, secession and taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-secession-and-taxes/495918)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2009, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-secession-and-taxes/495918 "2009-05-10T12:49:18Z")
A college friend of mine considers this toxic stew: Saideman's Semi-Spew: The Nationalist Tax: Where Does It Go? What do you think? --- ## [The "full faith and credit" clause and recent gains in same-sex marriage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-full-faith-and-credit-clause-and-recent-gains-in-same-sex-marriage/495633)
**Author:** [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2009, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-full-faith-and-credit-clause-and-recent-gains-in-same-sex-marriage/495633 "2009-05-10T11:38:55Z")
I’m guessing that this topic has been fully discussed here, but I’m slow and search sucks so I’m starting it up again. I’m also not very bright so I don’t think I’ll actually participate much in the ensuing discussion; … --- ## [Defend Picketing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defend-picketing/494696)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2009, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defend-picketing/494696 "2009-05-10T01:09:57Z")
Even looking back historically, the only purpose I can see to picketing is to try and harass someone into moving elsewhere (unless you’re protesting outside of where your legislators are). Historically, back when there w… --- ## [Ethanol gets boondoggler. Biomass for electricity generation efficienter.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethanol-gets-boondoggler-biomass-for-electricity-generation-efficienter/495745)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethanol-gets-boondoggler-biomass-for-electricity-generation-efficienter/495745 "2009-05-10T01:02:48Z")
Some who have participated in past transportation related threads may have heard me posit this before: using biomass to produce ethanol may have its advantages but burning it to produce electricity would be more efficien… --- ## [Should humans feel guilty for our treatment of animals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-humans-feel-guilty-for-our-treatment-of-animals/495487)
**Author:** [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-humans-feel-guilty-for-our-treatment-of-animals/495487 "2009-05-09T22:05:20Z")
Should humans feel guilty for our treatment of animals, from an evolutionary point of view? I eat plenty of meat and I don’t necessarily feel guilty, but I’d like to keep this from going into a vegetarianism debate and d… --- ## [BMIs, Replicants, and the Individual](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bmis-replicants-and-the-individual/495704)
**Author:** [@A.Selene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.Selene)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bmis-replicants-and-the-individual/495704 "2009-05-09T21:19:59Z")
Hi Dopers! Long time lurker here finally deciding to add something (hopefully something interesting) to this community. I imagine that sometime in the (near) future, people will begin to get more BMIs (Brain Machine In… --- ## [What is gravity really? Take II](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-gravity-really-take-ii/495180)
**Author:** [@rwjefferson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwjefferson)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2009, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-gravity-really-take-ii/495180 "2009-05-09T12:16:53Z")
Is space flowing into mass is consistent with a theory of everything unifying all force into one? I find observation in verse reason supports it is. Please feel free to offer observation and reason not. Please feel … --- ## [Alternate History: Enrico Rey de España y Anglia,](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-history-enrico-rey-de-espana-y-anglia/494572)
**Author:** [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-history-enrico-rey-de-espana-y-anglia/494572 "2009-05-09T02:21:48Z")
Okay, this is an exercise in alternate history building. Here’s the premise: Two sisters’ deaths, in October four years apart, lead to a massive change in European alignments and rule. First, in Lier, now in Belgium, … --- ## [Democrats strip Arlen Specter of his seniority](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-strip-arlen-specter-of-his-seniority/495530)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2009, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-strip-arlen-specter-of-his-seniority/495530 "2009-05-09T00:23:22Z")
According to this Washington Post story, in a voice vote last night Specter was made the most junior Democratic member. I think this is a very good move. Especially since the Dems said the question might be revisited a… --- ## [Obesity and Health Care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obesity-and-health-care/495515)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obesity-and-health-care/495515 "2009-05-08T22:33:22Z")
Looking at Japan and the US, which are respectively the countries with the lowest and highest obesity rates, and also noticing that Japan had nearly the highest lifespan of all nations in the world where the US has a non… --- ## [Is the Economic Crisis a self-fulfilling prophecy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-economic-crisis-a-self-fulfilling-prophecy/495643)
**Author:** [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-economic-crisis-a-self-fulfilling-prophecy/495643 "2009-05-08T20:34:47Z")
I am no economist. I am completely confused by the onslaught of statistics, explanations, stimulus packages, and public speculation on what caused it and what we can do about it. It seems to me that, if economic stimulu… --- ## [When will the swastika be freed of Nazi associations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-swastika-be-freed-of-nazi-associations/437592)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-swastika-be-freed-of-nazi-associations/437592 "2009-05-08T20:28:14Z")
The swastika is a very old symbol, used by a huge array of cultures. Of course, one of those happened to be the Third Reich. Time for some logic. Wheee! (1) Eventually, given a long-enough span of human history, numeou… --- ## [Obama Slashes Budget](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-slashes-budget/495676)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-slashes-budget/495676 "2009-05-08T19:36:10Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090507/ap\_on\_go\_pr\_wh/us\_obama\_budget Wow…17 billion. And the best part is that he spends this money on other programs. What happened to the idea that he was going to go “line by line” and… --- ## [Why does God need a name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-god-need-a-name/495484)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-god-need-a-name/495484 "2009-05-08T19:23:00Z")
What is a name? An identifier differentiating one from another. Why would God need a name when He is the only one there is? Sure, pagans over the millenia have imagined pantheons, filling the rosters with specific-pu… --- ## [ID Cards in the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-cards-in-the-uk/495550)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/id-cards-in-the-uk/495550 "2009-05-08T19:07:10Z")
It seems that ID cards are to be introduced in the Autumn and the first place they’ll be available is in my fair city of Manchester. The initial cost will be around £30 and while I’m not against the idea of ID cards I a… --- ## [Arlen Specter's take on Norm Coleman . . . huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arlen-specters-take-on-norm-coleman-huh/495473)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arlen-specters-take-on-norm-coleman-huh/495473 "2009-05-08T15:56:52Z")
The New York Time published a 10 minute interview with Arlen Specter. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/magazine/10wwln-q4-t.html?partner=rss&emc=rss Specter said this: I would like an explanation. Where’s he coming … --- ## [Should there be opposite-sex role models for children of gay parents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-opposite-sex-role-models-for-children-of-gay-parents/494990)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-opposite-sex-role-models-for-children-of-gay-parents/494990 "2009-05-08T15:55:51Z")
A book called “Adoptive and Foster Parent Screening” states: Focus on the Family’s website, citizenlink.org, goes into more detail when it states: And according to NARTH (page 50 of the linked pdf) John Gonsiorek, … --- ## [Messiah Plan B](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messiah-plan-b/495619)
**Author:** [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/messiah-plan-b/495619 "2009-05-08T11:48:55Z")
A basic tenet of mainstream Christian faith is that JC’s death and resurrection were necessary to redeem the original social contract that was broken in Teh Snake Incident, and patched repeatedly by agreements via Abraha… --- ## [Is It More Shocking When Whites Show Bigotry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-more-shocking-when-whites-show-bigotry/494966)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-more-shocking-when-whites-show-bigotry/494966 "2009-05-08T03:34:12Z")
In this thread about prejudicehttp://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=516036 some examples of inter-non-white predjudice were cited. Of course, I’d like to think everyone is trying to conquer their own bigo… --- ## [The mother's day conundrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mothers-day-conundrum/495370)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mothers-day-conundrum/495370 "2009-05-08T02:47:58Z")
A hypothetical individual “Scylla” has a living mother, a wife, and two small children. He has not lived with his mother or received mothering services from her for 20 years. Mother’s day is coming up. “Scylla” is obl… --- ## [Is God getting weaker?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-god-getting-weaker/495505)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-god-getting-weaker/495505 "2009-05-07T23:13:54Z")
In six days, God created the universe and all thats in it. God flooded the planet in a 40 day rainfall. God “Nuked” Sodom and Gomorrah. God parted The Red Sea. As time goes by, The Almighty’s power seems to manifest … --- ## [Is the notion of "a life" conceptually clear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-notion-of-a-life-conceptually-clear/495265)
**Author:** [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bith_Shuffle)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-notion-of-a-life-conceptually-clear/495265 "2009-05-07T21:25:23Z")
People moralize over “lives”. “500 lives were lost Sunday”, you might hear. This denotation seems convenient when we define a “life” as a homo sapien from the age of 0 to the time his heart stops beating. But when you… --- ## [Souter to retire- let the speculation begin!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/souter-to-retire-let-the-speculation-begin/494924)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/souter-to-retire-let-the-speculation-begin/494924 "2009-05-07T21:11:38Z")
“WASHINGTON - Supreme Court Justice David Souter plans to retire, sources told NBC News Thursday night.” He’s been on the bench about 19 years now. Who will be nominated to replace him? --- ## [How U.S. Religious Righters Managed to Miss the Whole Point of Their Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-u-s-religious-righters-managed-to-miss-the-whole-point-of-their-religion/495296)
**Author:** [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2009, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-u-s-religious-righters-managed-to-miss-the-whole-point-of-their-religion/495296 "2009-05-07T18:35:50Z")
I’ve had the idea of this thread in my mind for years, but reading the “Churchgoing Torturer” thread inspired me to write it. I’m a dyed in the wool atheist, but I was brought up nominally Catholic and even as a disinte… --- ## [Terms of the Chrysler Bankruptcy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terms-of-the-chrysler-bankruptcy/494964)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terms-of-the-chrysler-bankruptcy/494964 "2009-05-07T18:17:48Z")
From the NY Times ISTM that the administration is subverting the legal process, in using political pressure to essentially extort/steal money from those legally entitled to it, on behalf of more politically favored g… --- ## [Republican Expresses Concerns Over Dems & Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-expresses-concerns-over-dems-obama/495524)
**Author:** [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-expresses-concerns-over-dems-obama/495524 "2009-05-07T17:22:35Z")
Here is an email I just got from someone I know. The author of the email is a Republican with a libertarian bent expressing concerns over the Dems. He enjoys The Economist magazine and The Cato Institute. Feel free to… --- ## [GOP welcoming moderates now. This strategy work for you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-welcoming-moderates-now-this-strategy-work-for-you/495423)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 188\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-welcoming-moderates-now-this-strategy-work-for-you/495423 "2009-05-07T17:21:39Z")
The latest from Mr Steele: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/44203877.html Is this a viable strategy to get disaffected moderates back to the GOP? Can you suggest a more viable strategy? As someone who regu… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=537) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=539)