# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=556 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 557 --- ## [Lincoln's Need for Speed, or, Was Honest Abe a True Log Cabin Republican?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincolns-need-for-speed-or-was-honest-abe-a-true-log-cabin-republican/485148)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincolns-need-for-speed-or-was-honest-abe-a-true-log-cabin-republican/485148 "2009-02-13T02:26:58Z")
It’s been debated in the past on these boards and even the subject of aCecilian report, but the posthumously published C.A. Tripp bookhas been released since then and it’s his 200th Birthday this week (though those who s… --- ## [Hope Bonds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hope-bonds/485563)
**Author:** [@Alonzo\_John\_Blitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alonzo_John_Blitz)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hope-bonds/485563 "2009-02-12T21:48:17Z")
This is an idea I heard recently, maybe on one of the Sunday morning talk shows, akin to War Bonds of the 40s. I googled and really only found this from the CONSTITUTION CLUB: Hope Bonds – The Conservative Citizen The… --- ## [what is "stimulus"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-stimulus/485178)
**Author:** [@MichaelJohnBertrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelJohnBertrand)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-stimulus/485178 "2009-02-12T20:38:05Z")
Xposted from another thread because it turned out longer than I thought it would and I figured that meant “new thread time”. Well, we have to go back to our basic Keynes here. Problem : bad bad economic mojo goes down.… --- ## [Who had a bigger impact on world history: Abraham Lincoln or Charles Darwin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-had-a-bigger-impact-on-world-history-abraham-lincoln-or-charles-darwin/485543)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-had-a-bigger-impact-on-world-history-abraham-lincoln-or-charles-darwin/485543 "2009-02-12T18:41:24Z")
Recent thread on the same subject, as a reference. --- ## [Did New Deal or WWII end Depression?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-new-deal-or-wwii-end-depression/485361)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-new-deal-or-wwii-end-depression/485361 "2009-02-12T18:29:28Z")
For the last couple of months, I’ve been seeing a lot of liberal frustration over the repetition of the CW that the boost in industrial production for WWII ended the Great Depression. Their argument (to the best of my m… --- ## [stimulus versus waste](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-versus-waste/484976)
**Author:** [@MichaelJohnBertrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelJohnBertrand)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-versus-waste/484976 "2009-02-12T17:47:40Z")
OK, these tierms are flying around like drunk pigeons lately, and it’s Definition Time. What makes a given program waste as opposed to stimulus? And vice versa, naturally. How are we to tell the difference? --- ## [Abolishing income tax--would this work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abolishing-income-tax-would-this-work/484011)
**Author:** [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abolishing-income-tax-would-this-work/484011 "2009-02-12T17:08:42Z")
Okay, I was over at DailyKos and I ran across a comment in which an interesting proposal was made: \[QUOTE=DocGonzo @ DailyKos\] But then, practically all income tax arguments are bad arguments. They measure what to take… --- ## [Did the Economy Almost Melt Down on Sept. 18?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-economy-almost-melt-down-on-sept-18/485368)
**Author:** [@BJMoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BJMoose)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-economy-almost-melt-down-on-sept-18/485368 "2009-02-12T16:28:39Z")
Tuesday night on Countdown they did a story that included a clip of a C-SPAN interview with someone, probably with the Fed, who said the economy appeared to be heading for a complete meltdown last September. It’ll be a … --- ## [No bailout exec can earn more than $500,000. Good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-bailout-exec-can-earn-more-than-500-000-good-idea/484413)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 190\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-bailout-exec-can-earn-more-than-500-000-good-idea/484413 "2009-02-12T14:52:26Z")
Obama is announcing plans to cap executive compensation to $500,000 for any business receiving TARP funds. Is this a bold move or short sighted economic populism? My gut reaction is that it’s ill conceived but thinking … --- ## [Eluana Englaro dies, 17 years in a coma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eluana-englaro-dies-17-years-in-a-coma/485210)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eluana-englaro-dies-17-years-in-a-coma/485210 "2009-02-12T07:00:58Z")
The woman died in Italy after being in a coma for 17 years following a traffic accident. The doctors, family, and high court agreed to stop the feeding. She died unexpectedly soon after the treatment was suspended Friday… --- ## [Israel's election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israels-election/485276)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israels-election/485276 "2009-02-12T05:44:41Z")
Results as they come in. Kadima may be leading but will they get a coalition together? Alternatively can Lieberman and Shas coexist in a Right coalition? What do you think? --- ## [New Hampshire legislation -- beginnings of a civil war or what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-hampshire-legislation-beginnings-of-a-civil-war-or-what/485292)
**Author:** [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-hampshire-legislation-beginnings-of-a-civil-war-or-what/485292 "2009-02-12T02:44:20Z")
I haven’t seen any discussion of this but it does look interesting… So what is everyone’s take on it? Do we have the beginning of a civil war here (half-jokingly, I sincerely doubt it will ever get close to that point)? … --- ## [Respond to this Anti-Obama Gun Freak](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/respond-to-this-anti-obama-gun-freak/472687)
**Author:** [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/respond-to-this-anti-obama-gun-freak/472687 "2009-02-12T01:31:51Z")
From a local (Southern Illinois) message board Re: Obama: “I don’t have an axe to grind because of race. However, I don’t trust him at all about not tinkering with gun owners and what they will be allowed to have. He, a… --- ## [16 illegal immigrants sue Arizona rancher](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/16-illegal-immigrants-sue-arizona-rancher/485334)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/16-illegal-immigrants-sue-arizona-rancher/485334 "2009-02-12T00:45:10Z")
Link. It seems to me that Roger Barnett performed citizen’s arrest of people who were in the act of breaking laws; specifically: illegally entering the country, and trespassing on private property. The complaint seems… --- ## [Is currency devaluation inevitable in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-currency-devaluation-inevitable-in-the-us/484026)
**Author:** [@Altair33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Altair33)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2009, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-currency-devaluation-inevitable-in-the-us/484026 "2009-02-12T00:17:00Z")
I tend to think so. It is becoming increasingly clear that our financial system is at least $2-3 trillion in the hole, and it is the commercial banks which create most of the money in our economy through their lending. T… --- ## [progressive tax, by eighths](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/progressive-tax-by-eighths/484763)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/progressive-tax-by-eighths/484763 "2009-02-11T23:08:54Z")
What’s wrong with this tax plan? Set a standard tax rate, say 12%, for the first X of income, where X is continually adjusted to the mean adult income the previous year. Set thresholds at powers of 8 times X. Past … --- ## [There's a dead Canary in a Florida McMansion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-dead-canary-in-a-florida-mcmansion/485286)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-a-dead-canary-in-a-florida-mcmansion/485286 "2009-02-11T21:54:49Z")
So I’m going to just take it for granted that you’ve been reading about Florida’s real-estate bubble, by far the worst hit state of the mortgage crisis. So, let’s talk about parallels between early twentieth century d… --- ## [Obama continuing Bush's legal tactics with detainees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-continuing-bushs-legal-tactics-with-detainees/485327)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-continuing-bushs-legal-tactics-with-detainees/485327 "2009-02-11T17:43:10Z")
According to the Washington Monthly Obama is continuing practices that he severely criticized Bush for during his campaign. Is there truth to their charges? I can imagine that Obama has good reason but on the surface i… --- ## [Free Speech vs Schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-speech-vs-schools/484613)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-speech-vs-schools/484613 "2009-02-11T17:05:06Z")
Link. Basically, a 16 year old girl was punished by her school for calling administrators “douche bags” on her blog, which she wrote from home. \*Doninger’s digital disdain became a national cause after school authoriti… --- ## [Which of the world’s largest economies are handling the financial crisis the best?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-the-world-s-largest-economies-are-handling-the-financial-crisis-the-best/485072)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-the-world-s-largest-economies-are-handling-the-financial-crisis-the-best/485072 "2009-02-11T14:30:51Z")
According to Wiki, the world’s largest economies in 2007 were: United States - 13,807,550 Japan - 4,381,576 Germany - 3,320,913 China (PRC) - 3,280,224h United Kingdom - 2,804,437 France - 2,593,779 Italy - 2,104,666 S… --- ## [the Jon Stewart economic solution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jon-stewart-economic-solution/484281)
**Author:** [@MichaelJohnBertrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelJohnBertrand)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2009, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-jon-stewart-economic-solution/484281 "2009-02-11T13:01:54Z")
Jon Stewart, of the Daily Show, has an interesting idea for economic stimulus. In a nutshell, he thinks the best idea is for the government to give people money, but in the form of paying down people’s consumer debt. T… --- ## [Is it dishonest to ask for help in a debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-dishonest-to-ask-for-help-in-a-debate/485290)
**Author:** [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2009, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-dishonest-to-ask-for-help-in-a-debate/485290 "2009-02-11T09:05:36Z")
I’ve noticed these threads pop every now and then in GD. The OP usually goes like this: “I got in a heated discussion on another forum with some creationists/evolutionists/pro-lifers/whatever and I am getting my ass han… --- ## [A bunch of pre-abortion ultrasound bills in the wings - Any traction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-pre-abortion-ultrasound-bills-in-the-wings-any-traction/484956)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2009, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bunch-of-pre-abortion-ultrasound-bills-in-the-wings-any-traction/484956 "2009-02-10T23:09:31Z")
Re this article itappears that a bushel load of these "look at the baby you are going to kill’ bills are being proposed in various state legislatures. DO these things have any serious traction politically or is it simpl… --- ## [Gaza poll - some hope?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaza-poll-some-hope/485161)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gaza-poll-some-hope/485161 "2009-02-10T22:05:19Z")
Here’s a poll that some may find interesting. Now of course we need to see what tomorrow’s poll of the Israeli public brings forth, but there really does seem to be window of opportunity here that must not be squandere… --- ## [Torture, for fun and profit.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torture-for-fun-and-profit/484818)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torture-for-fun-and-profit/484818 "2009-02-10T21:31:27Z")
People like to say torture’s no good because the victim will tell you anything just to get you to stop—the inference being that everything he tells you will be bullshit. But what about verifiable bullshit? I’m sure you … --- ## [Obama wants nukes-reduction deal with Russia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wants-nukes-reduction-deal-with-russia/484572)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2009, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wants-nukes-reduction-deal-with-russia/484572 "2009-02-10T21:28:50Z")
Story here: Issues for debate: Is there any downside to this? Any at all? What does this approach portend for U.S.-Russian relations? What does it portend for arms-reduction globally? Will China be next? … --- ## [O.J. Simpson's sock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/o-j-simpsons-sock/484904)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/o-j-simpsons-sock/484904 "2009-02-10T21:18:07Z")
Okay, I didn’t really follow the details of the trial. My understanding was that the main line of the defense was to create reasonable doubt by producing evidence that the police might have had racist motives to frame Si… --- ## [What would our daily lives lack had the theory of evolution never been articulated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-our-daily-lives-lack-had-the-theory-of-evolution-never-been-articulated/484053)
**Author:** [@Crocodiles\_And\_Boulevards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crocodiles_And_Boulevards)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-our-daily-lives-lack-had-the-theory-of-evolution-never-been-articulated/484053 "2009-02-10T19:51:55Z")
\*Had Darwin never articulated and pushed for the advancement of his theories, what would modern science and technology look like? Especially, what specific commodities, medicines, technologies, etc. would likely not exi… --- ## [Castle theory of guns and protection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castle-theory-of-guns-and-protection/484368)
**Author:** [@Thesmartestidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thesmartestidiot)\ **Replies:** 290\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2009, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castle-theory-of-guns-and-protection/484368 "2009-02-10T15:30:24Z")
Alright so I was educating myself with some high-quality fox news this night and there was especially interesting story. A man who was VERY intoxicated broke into someones house thinking it was his own. The owners of the… --- ## [Does the deficit really matter if owed to ourselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-deficit-really-matter-if-owed-to-ourselves/485074)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2009, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-deficit-really-matter-if-owed-to-ourselves/485074 "2009-02-10T15:14:31Z")
People seem to fret a lot about the national debt and how it will take forever to dig out of it, but as long as it’s not foreign debt is it really that bad to have? Isn’t most of the national debt internalized so we bas… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=555) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=557)