# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=554 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 555 --- ## [GM and Chrysler 'viability plans'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gm-and-chrysler-viability-plans/486285)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2009, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gm-and-chrysler-viability-plans/486285 "2009-02-22T15:51:41Z")
Today GM and Crysler are presenting their plans to Congress showing how they will change their businesses in order to become viable. According to this More Billions for General Motors and Chrysler? - ABC News "Since De… --- ## [Texans first, Americans second?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texans-first-americans-second/485899)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2009, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texans-first-americans-second/485899 "2009-02-22T03:31:41Z")
The Mrs. and I were recently staying at a resort where we encountered another couple, who within minutes of meeting anyone new, quickly made sure that it was known that they were Texans (an odd behavior I’d previously on… --- ## [Custody battle: gay sperm donor vs. dead mother's identical twin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custody-battle-gay-sperm-donor-vs-dead-mothers-identical-twin/486863)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2009, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/custody-battle-gay-sperm-donor-vs-dead-mothers-identical-twin/486863 "2009-02-22T00:57:13Z")
Say a woman gets a gay friend to donate sperm and then dies in childbirth. Her identical twin sister claims a “genetic connection” to the child and demands custody. The sperm donor decides to contest it and sue for custo… --- ## [How likely is a major, three-way war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-a-major-three-way-war/486824)
**Author:** [@AllWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllWalker)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-likely-is-a-major-three-way-war/486824 "2009-02-21T16:05:44Z")
This is a question I keep coming back to every now and then: how likely is a three way war, now, or at some point in our past or future? By that I mean there are three (or more) armies in the same area, each of which reg… --- ## [Will recent Republican politics increase or decrease their seats in congress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-recent-republican-politics-increase-or-decrease-their-seats-in-congress/485666)
**Author:** [@Crocodiles\_And\_Boulevards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crocodiles_And_Boulevards)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2009, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-recent-republican-politics-increase-or-decrease-their-seats-in-congress/485666 "2009-02-21T05:46:53Z")
The fight over the stimulus package (admittedly still raging) has been only a little more bitter than I expected, but the staunch devotion to tax cuts as the basis of the Republican dissent was startling to me. With the… --- ## [Nationalize the Banks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nationalize-the-banks/486755)
**Author:** [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2009, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nationalize-the-banks/486755 "2009-02-21T03:39:32Z")
Time for this debate. Despite my life-long commitment to the conservative wing of the extreme left, I do not intend to argue from my own clear authority and expertise. Such as it were. I am a frequent visitor to Washi… --- ## [Is there a left-on-right hated organization to match ACORN, community organizers, etc](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-on-right-hated-organization-to-match-acorn-community-organizers-etc/486583)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-left-on-right-hated-organization-to-match-acorn-community-organizers-etc/486583 "2009-02-20T23:52:15Z")
–on ACORN. Yes, it’s partisan, but is it fair? If so, it does point out a difference between the two major parties. --- ## [Ayn Rand's philosophy on the middle and working classes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ayn-rands-philosophy-on-the-middle-and-working-classes/485381)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 369\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ayn-rands-philosophy-on-the-middle-and-working-classes/485381 "2009-02-20T20:34:58Z")
So I’m reading Atlas Shrugged (slowly…I like the story but it’s a bit of an arduous read). So far about a quarter of the way into it. I get that she has a hard-on for self made people and industrialists, but what is he… --- ## [Changing the basis for the American Economy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-the-basis-for-the-american-economy/486623)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-the-basis-for-the-american-economy/486623 "2009-02-20T19:45:11Z")
For years, I’ve heard criticisms about American spending habits, and I agree with some of them, to an extent. I think a lot of people do live beyond their means and that we rely on credit way to much. But I don’t have … --- ## [What is Scooter Libby going to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scooter-libby-going-to-do/486489)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-scooter-libby-going-to-do/486489 "2009-02-20T17:19:11Z")
Here’s a loyal Cheney-ite who,it is said, took the hit for Dick, perjured himself, was found guilty and sentenced accordingly. Also a Bush supporter, Scooter saw W commute his sentence, but without a pardon. As a resul… --- ## [About abortion and child support.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-abortion-and-child-support/485052)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 325\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2009, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-abortion-and-child-support/485052 "2009-02-20T08:06:06Z")
Sorry for the vague title but couldn’t possibly cram it all in the title. And please read fully before reaching for the flamethrowers. I am having a hard time reconciling how is it that a woman can at the same time dec… --- ## [Conservatives: Do you hope that the stimulus plan fails to work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-do-you-hope-that-the-stimulus-plan-fails-to-work/486136)
**Author:** [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2009, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-do-you-hope-that-the-stimulus-plan-fails-to-work/486136 "2009-02-20T07:33:17Z")
Do you hope that the stimulus plan fails to lift us out of this recession? I am not asking if you think it will, but do you hope that it will? I have heard that Republicans in the House and most Republicans in the Senate… --- ## [Is inflation a given?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-inflation-a-given/485945)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2009, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-inflation-a-given/485945 "2009-02-20T01:22:56Z")
I won’t show my ignorance by trying to lay out the economic factors but it seems that many pundits are predicting future inflation. Is there a contrary school of thought given the same economic factors? Are the classic… --- ## [Resolved: Woman is the Nigger of the World (Thank you, John Lennon)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-woman-is-the-nigger-of-the-world-thank-you-john-lennon/486154)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-woman-is-the-nigger-of-the-world-thank-you-john-lennon/486154 "2009-02-19T22:55:45Z")
I don’t know that it will generate all that much debate, I’d find it gratifying if it doesn’t because everyone sees it. (here’s a you tube clip of John Lennon explaining it on Dick Cavett and then singing the song.) But… --- ## [Quiz in honor of Darwin's 200 anniversary, and why many Republicans would not take it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiz-in-honor-of-darwins-200-anniversary-and-why-many-republicans-would-not-take-it/485557)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quiz-in-honor-of-darwins-200-anniversary-and-why-many-republicans-would-not-take-it/485557 "2009-02-19T22:40:48Z")
I was not sure if this should go in IMHO or GD, but this subject is depressingly still controversial in the USA so here is goes. Stephen Bratteng, a biology teacher at Westwood High School in Austin Texas made this que… --- ## [How would "global economic collapse" really work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-global-economic-collapse-really-work/486524)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-global-economic-collapse-really-work/486524 "2009-02-19T22:31:43Z")
It’s a scary buzzphrase we’re hearing a lot lately, but is it really something to worry about? I’m way over my head here, as economics is something that doesn’t interest me at all, and I haven’t spent much time reading o… --- ## [Did Bush ever try to include Democrats to the extent that Obama has?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-ever-try-to-include-democrats-to-the-extent-that-obama-has/485209)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-ever-try-to-include-democrats-to-the-extent-that-obama-has/485209 "2009-02-19T22:30:44Z")
Did Bush ever try to include Democrats to the extent that Obama has when Republicans were the majority parties in Congress? By this I mean, did he ever go to Capitol Hill to talk with Congressional Democrats? Did he ev… --- ## [the Obama report card after month 1?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-obama-report-card-after-month-1/486496)
**Author:** [@MichaelJohnBertrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelJohnBertrand)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-obama-report-card-after-month-1/486496 "2009-02-19T21:22:28Z")
We’re nearing the end of Obama’s first month in power, so it’s time to give our Student in Chief a letter grade so we can check his progress. You know how these work. They go from A+ for fantastic to F for FAIL. Option… --- ## [Gregggate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gregggate/485693)
**Author:** [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gregggate/485693 "2009-02-19T21:15:22Z")
This thread is chock-full of people with hate n’ rage but not serious argument, so a new one in GD it is. Judd Gregg is named Commerce secretary. After a few days, he says that on second thought his differences with Ob… --- ## [The Curse of Commerce](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-curse-of-commerce/485610)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-curse-of-commerce/485610 "2009-02-19T19:42:16Z")
Gregg is now out. Commerce loses another candidate, this time because the candidate didn’t quite get it until now that he’d be working for someone who doesn’t quite share his views, and that while his views would be hear… --- ## [Hong Kong is NOT a libertarian success story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hong-kong-is-not-a-libertarian-success-story/480927)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hong-kong-is-not-a-libertarian-success-story/480927 "2009-02-19T17:40:15Z")
In this postin the other libertarian thread Sam Stone described Hong Kong as a successful experiment in laisser-faire economics. I didn’t know much about the history of Hong Kong so I decided to do some googling. It turn… --- ## [Children arrested for child pornography](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/children-arrested-for-child-pornography/485691)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/children-arrested-for-child-pornography/485691 "2009-02-19T17:29:20Z")
A vast child pornography ring has been uncovered in a small town in Massachusetts. TV news has been making a huge deal of this shocking scandal, which they have been calling “sexting.” Apparently, a 14-year-old boy co… --- ## [Is it unreasonable to be apprehensive about sharing saliva with gay men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-unreasonable-to-be-apprehensive-about-sharing-saliva-with-gay-men/485886)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-unreasonable-to-be-apprehensive-about-sharing-saliva-with-gay-men/485886 "2009-02-19T02:54:31Z")
In this thread about sharing a communal fondue pot with a gay male guest lots of people comment on the ignorance of the outraged hostess, and about how relatively harmless the AIDS virus is unless you are making more or … --- ## [Is the idea of God enough?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-idea-of-god-enough/485053)
**Author:** [@MichaelJohnBertrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelJohnBertrand)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-idea-of-god-enough/485053 "2009-02-19T00:58:11Z")
Lately, I’ve been pondering whether or not it is possible to preserve God and what is good about the idea by simply divorcing God from any and all demands to be real. Get rid of all notions that there’s a real God out th… --- ## [Gun Proponents: What's Your End Game?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-proponents-whats-your-end-game/486243)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-proponents-whats-your-end-game/486243 "2009-02-18T14:54:26Z")
Gun rights proponents: what would society look like if the laws surrounding guns were to your liking? What percent of people would carry guns on a regular basis? Would people carry guns openly or concealed? Would you … --- ## ["ban the Box" - mayor seeks ban on asking applicants for past convictions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-the-box-mayor-seeks-ban-on-asking-applicants-for-past-convictions/485700)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-the-box-mayor-seeks-ban-on-asking-applicants-for-past-convictions/485700 "2009-02-18T14:39:19Z")
On NPR’s “Where We Live,” the guest yesterday was the mayor of New Haven, Connecticut. One of the things he said intrigued me: he’s trying to implement a policy he calls “Ban the Box,” which would forbid employment appli… --- ## [Proto-Hebrew tribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proto-hebrew-tribe/486346)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2009, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proto-hebrew-tribe/486346 "2009-02-18T09:13:42Z")
Jacob(Israel) and Joseph originally hailed from the land of Canaan. Their decendents were enslaved by the Egyptians, but they escaped and made their way to “the promised land”…back to Canaan. Back to Jacob and Joseph. … --- ## [Murder: Passion vs. Gain vs. Plotted Gain vs. Revenge vs Batshit Crazy - Equal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-passion-vs-gain-vs-plotted-gain-vs-revenge-vs-batshit-crazy-equal/486339)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2009, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-passion-vs-gain-vs-plotted-gain-vs-revenge-vs-batshit-crazy-equal/486339 "2009-02-18T09:08:55Z")
I was pondering how thoroughly strange it is to me that people who otherwise appear and function as though they are normal members of society and the human race, can make a decision to kill someone over money or other “t… --- ## [Why's Obama waiting until Tuesday to sign the stimulus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whys-obama-waiting-until-tuesday-to-sign-the-stimulus/485964)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2009, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whys-obama-waiting-until-tuesday-to-sign-the-stimulus/485964 "2009-02-18T07:00:15Z")
Not sure if this is GD worthy or more of a GQ question, I suppose a couple days doesn’t make that big a difference in the grand scheme of things, the stimulus is going to take months to implement. But I remember during t… --- ## [Debunking the financial 9/11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunking-the-financial-9-11/486139)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2009, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debunking-the-financial-9-11/486139 "2009-02-18T01:28:41Z")
I don’t know if anyone has seen this C-SPAN video that’s been making the rounds of the paranoiasphere. Rep. Paul Kanjorski (almost wrote “Ron Jaworski” there…) says that on September 11, 2008 (his meeting was on 9/15; h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=553) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=555)