# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=547 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 548 --- ## [Educating children about recreational drugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educating-children-about-recreational-drugs/490800)
**Author:** [@New\_Beginning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Beginning)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educating-children-about-recreational-drugs/490800 "2009-03-28T20:40:13Z")
From this story : This is a tragedy to put it mildly. Ecstasy overdoses are extremely rare, so if two of these kids overdosed and died, it must mean that it was an unintentionally insane dosage, or (more likely) the p… --- ## [CO2 emmissions: There's nothing to be done except trimming some of the earths populat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co2-emmissions-theres-nothing-to-be-done-except-trimming-some-of-the-earths-populat/490381)
**Author:** [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co2-emmissions-theres-nothing-to-be-done-except-trimming-some-of-the-earths-populat/490381 "2009-03-28T19:39:34Z")
ion. I came across this article in a magazine. The guy did some calculations and concluded that CO2 atmospheric concentration is closely correlated to the number of people on earth. He also concluded that it doesn’t rea… --- ## [Obama's Deficits have Consequences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-deficits-have-consequences/490766)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-deficits-have-consequences/490766 "2009-03-28T19:28:01Z")
For those who haven’t seen it, have a look at this chart. if you are someone who thought Bush’s deficits were irresponsible and unsustainable, have a REAL good look at it. Obama’s economic plan is going to DOUBLE the t… --- ## [House Bill H.R. 875 does it hurt backyard gardens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-bill-h-r-875-does-it-hurt-backyard-gardens/491037)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2009, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-bill-h-r-875-does-it-hurt-backyard-gardens/491037 "2009-03-28T14:29:04Z")
I have seen in a couple of places people concerned about their right to grow their own food. What does this bill really mean for organic growers growing their own food? --- ## [Is Obama the Republicans' Bush? Deliberately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obama-the-republicans-bush-deliberately/490556)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2009, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obama-the-republicans-bush-deliberately/490556 "2009-03-28T05:21:48Z")
This conservative blog entry, especially the insults hurled at Obama in it, struck a thought in me. It seems to me that many conservative pundits I’m reading out there are attributing to Obama the same qualities that li… --- ## [What might a communist Germany in the 1930s have been like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-a-communist-germany-in-the-1930s-have-been-like/489369)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-might-a-communist-germany-in-the-1930s-have-been-like/489369 "2009-03-27T23:50:04Z")
Karl Marx espoused his theory that industrialized societies would eventually undergo communist revolutions. Historically however, the only nations that have become communist were underdeveloped or undeveloped, as ideolog… --- ## [The Lies of Richard Dawkins, Episode 6: Saint Thomas Aquinas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lies-of-richard-dawkins-episode-6-saint-thomas-aquinas/485591)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 470\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lies-of-richard-dawkins-episode-6-saint-thomas-aquinas/485591 "2009-03-27T22:55:17Z")
Dawkins says: Several things stand out about this. First of all, what Dawkins presents as Aquinas’ proofs were not actually written by Aquinas. They were written by Dawkins. (Or maybe he borrowed them from elsewhere… --- ## [Geithner's Toxic Asset Plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geithners-toxic-asset-plan/490522)
**Author:** [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geithners-toxic-asset-plan/490522 "2009-03-27T17:53:59Z")
I’m trying to understand the new “toxic asset” plan Geithner revealed today. As I understand it, the Feds are going to attempt to solicit bids for these assets from institutions (banks, pension funds, mutual funds, hedg… --- ## [Alien/human gene splicing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-human-gene-splicing/490288)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-human-gene-splicing/490288 "2009-03-27T17:48:31Z")
This is a ‘what if…’ scenario: Assume, hypothetically, for a moment that aliens came to earth and announced that what we refer to as human beings, ourselves, were the result of nothing more than an ‘experimental gene sp… --- ## [How would major religions react to the aftermath of the film Armageddon? (spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-major-religions-react-to-the-aftermath-of-the-film-armageddon-spoilers/490733)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-major-religions-react-to-the-aftermath-of-the-film-armageddon-spoilers/490733 "2009-03-27T14:22:30Z")
For those of you who haven’t seen the film, Bruce Willis & co go and destroy an asteroid which would otherwise destroy humanity, if not life on Earth. So, how would major religions, particularly Christianity, react to t… --- ## [Is it time for polygamy to be legalized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-polygamy-to-be-legalized/490347)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-polygamy-to-be-legalized/490347 "2009-03-27T04:31:22Z")
New campaign to legalise polygamy. If polygamy is legalized wouldn’t children of polygamous unions be less at risk as they would not be forced to live in cloistered compounds where they are subject to abuse and have no … --- ## [Are there any circumstances in which lying is a moral good (or even neutral)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-circumstances-in-which-lying-is-a-moral-good-or-even-neutral/488662)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-circumstances-in-which-lying-is-a-moral-good-or-even-neutral/488662 "2009-03-27T03:35:35Z")
In a thread about my agnostic/rebellious teenage cousin and her asshole fundamentalist parents, at least one Doper opined that she should flat-out lie to them about rejecting of their faith until she turns 18 and can mov… --- ## [Race: What is it good for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-what-is-it-good-for/490530)
**Author:** [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2009, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-what-is-it-good-for/490530 "2009-03-27T00:53:41Z")
The following note was sent home today with my son’s assignments and other Things to be Signed: First, I’m struggling to see the potential value in collecting this information. The accompanying note claims that “the D… --- ## [Obama, Iran, and Where We Go From Here (TM)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-iran-and-where-we-go-from-here-tm/490509)
**Author:** [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-iran-and-where-we-go-from-here-tm/490509 "2009-03-26T23:19:55Z")
For those of you who aren’t up on it, Obama took the fairly amazing step of creating a video which was a direct appeal to the Iranian people and the leaders of Iran for peaceful, warmer relations. The Ayatollah, in turn… --- ## [The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lilly-ledbetter-fair-pay-act-of-2009/490740)
**Author:** [@Paleface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paleface)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lilly-ledbetter-fair-pay-act-of-2009/490740 "2009-03-26T16:49:42Z")
An Affirmitive Action Myth: “Women are paid less than men when doing the same job.” Truth: If women were paid less than men when doing the same job, and when I say “same”, I don’t mean same job description, but rather… --- ## [Is marriage an antiquated institution that should be eliminated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marriage-an-antiquated-institution-that-should-be-eliminated/490552)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2009, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marriage-an-antiquated-institution-that-should-be-eliminated/490552 "2009-03-26T10:58:18Z")
Note: For the purposes of this thread, I’m talking about marriage in the legal sense, not whatever Religion X chooses to do with its adherents. I’d like to hear some views from both sides (if there even is an anti- sid… --- ## [conservative Christians are going to Hell (with the rest of us)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-christians-are-going-to-hell-with-the-rest-of-us/488375)
**Author:** [@MichaelJohnBertrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelJohnBertrand)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2009, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-christians-are-going-to-hell-with-the-rest-of-us/488375 "2009-03-26T06:52:52Z")
I wrote this article a long time back and, well, I haven’t been part of a rip-roaring religious debate in a while, so I thought I’d post this and stir the embers a bit. Think you’ll make it to the Pearly Gates? Better r… --- ## [Prison Sentence in Germany for Holocaust Denial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-sentence-in-germany-for-holocaust-denial/487715)
**Author:** [@carrizagi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrizagi)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prison-sentence-in-germany-for-holocaust-denial/487715 "2009-03-26T01:29:34Z")
I was following the news of the suspended, then reinstated, Bishop Richard Williamson. Vatican rejects bishop's apology for 'harm and hurt' of Holocaust denial | World news | The Guardian Further, it appears that holoc… --- ## [Should financial innovation be stifled?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-financial-innovation-be-stifled/490624)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-financial-innovation-be-stifled/490624 "2009-03-25T21:11:38Z")
There is a portion of the criticism of the latest financial debacle that goes like this: it sounded too good to be true, so of course it was; anything that does is bound to fail the latest real estate/CDO bubble was ju… --- ## [Cleopatra was black/white???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleopatra-was-black-white/489626)
**Author:** [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleopatra-was-black-white/489626 "2009-03-25T20:37:47Z")
AHHHH!!! Now, I’m getting mad. 1- Due to a lifetime of Eurocentric history classes (and popular cultural portrayals of history/historical figures) it was confirmed to me that everything of importance in the current and … --- ## [Obama: "...by the end of my first term..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-by-the-end-of-my-first-term/490668)
**Author:** [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-by-the-end-of-my-first-term/490668 "2009-03-25T17:40:35Z")
I’m watching the prime-time speech, and I just heard the president promise to slash the deficit “by the end of my first term.” Okay, clearly trend is for two-term presidents, especially with such popularity at the start… --- ## [The Evidence Against Global Warming? READ BEFORE FLAMING!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evidence-against-global-warming-read-before-flaming/489897)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-evidence-against-global-warming-read-before-flaming/489897 "2009-03-25T17:26:59Z")
Hey guys. First, before you all start flaming me as a super-conservative nutcase, hear me out: I’m not saying GW is fake; I just want to see opinions, and since it’s so easy to find pro-global warming studies, I need he… --- ## [Josef Mengele’s twin experiments in Brazil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/josef-mengele-s-twin-experiments-in-brazil/482730)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2009, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/josef-mengele-s-twin-experiments-in-brazil/482730 "2009-03-25T16:41:23Z")
The story has been going the rounds. An Argentine historian, Jorge Camarasa, with speciality in post-war Nazi flight to South America has written a new book on Josef Mengele, wherein he comes with the – rather bold – the… --- ## [Will Specter leave the GOP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-specter-leave-the-gop/488679)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-specter-leave-the-gop/488679 "2009-03-25T01:44:42Z")
The case for Specter leaving the GOP. Snowe and Collins have been making noises like they might jump too. For those two though party affiliation means little: they’ll vote how they feel they should and likely the sam… --- ## [Global Climate Change: AGW disproven](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-climate-change-agw-disproven/490213)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-climate-change-agw-disproven/490213 "2009-03-24T18:15:28Z")
Somewhat a complement to this thread. Suppose AGW were debunked. Suppose it is demonstrated that mankind has - and will have - no significant impact on global temperatures. How should we react? Note that secondary fact… --- ## [Megan's law: Counterproductive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/megans-law-counterproductive/490059)
**Author:** [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/megans-law-counterproductive/490059 "2009-03-24T18:10:44Z")
Resolved: Megan’s law decreases the likelyhood of an offender being convicted and identified, because the stigma of the sex offender registry provides a strong incentive for offenders to mount vigorous defenses. This is… --- ## [Military on the Mexico border -- what am I missing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-on-the-mexico-border-what-am-i-missing/489278)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-on-the-mexico-border-what-am-i-missing/489278 "2009-03-24T17:44:59Z")
At the risk of being accused of either whooshing or trolling, I have to ask this question, because it’s bothering me. And I assure you, I am neither whooshing nor trolling. With the increase in violence along the U.S.-M… --- ## [What can PR students learn from the AIG debacle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-pr-students-learn-from-the-aig-debacle/490185)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2009, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-pr-students-learn-from-the-aig-debacle/490185 "2009-03-24T00:36:37Z")
Is AIG something that PR students and professionals are discussing a lot right now? What lessons can students of PR take away from this debacle over the bonuses? --- ## [Obama's stance on marijuana and its role in the political spectrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-stance-on-marijuana-and-its-role-in-the-political-spectrum/490152)
**Author:** [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-stance-on-marijuana-and-its-role-in-the-political-spectrum/490152 "2009-03-23T23:53:55Z")
Yesterday, the Obama administration made clear that it would respect individual states and their decisions to distribute marijuana for medicinal purposes. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090319/ap\_on\_go\_ca\_st\_pe/medical\_ma… --- ## [Persuade me that the state should (or should not) be in the marriage business](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuade-me-that-the-state-should-or-should-not-be-in-the-marriage-business/490211)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2009, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/persuade-me-that-the-state-should-or-should-not-be-in-the-marriage-business/490211 "2009-03-23T23:18:17Z")
Here’s the link to the thread that suggested this one, in case you can’t guess. Put me in the “Government has no gosh-darned business deciding what is or is not a valid marriage except to protect children from sexual ex… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=546) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=548)