# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=563 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 564 --- ## [Is there any reason that airlines couldn't ditch the pre-flight safety demonstration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-that-airlines-couldnt-ditch-the-pre-flight-safety-demonstration/448122)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-that-airlines-couldnt-ditch-the-pre-flight-safety-demonstration/448122 "2009-01-16T18:55:04Z")
Besides legislative requirements, of course. I recently flew down to Sydney to visit some museums and, as I sat there reading my Bill Bryson book and only half-listening to the same pre-flight safety demonstration I’ve… --- ## [Propaganda. Wherefore a dirty word?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-wherefore-a-dirty-word/481276)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2009, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propaganda-wherefore-a-dirty-word/481276 "2009-01-16T11:05:27Z")
Yeah, that’s right. Wherefore. The question is inspired by its use to dismiss information in several of the Israel/Palestinian threads (see for example herefrom posts# 88, 92 and some following, and herefrom post# 386, … --- ## [Why isn't Hamas using IEDs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-hamas-using-ieds/481052)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2009, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-hamas-using-ieds/481052 "2009-01-16T10:02:17Z")
You’d think if they were firing rockets on population centers, with the associated high likelihood of getting invaded that Hamas might have had some IED placement plans ready to go just in case, but so far not a peep abo… --- ## [Walkfit Infomercial Balance Test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walkfit-infomercial-balance-test/480798)
**Author:** [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walkfit-infomercial-balance-test/480798 "2009-01-16T02:11:09Z")
This seems so easy to detect, I’m not sure it even belongs in debates, but didn’t know where else to put it, and perhaps some will disagree. Over one million of these Walkfit shoe inserts have been sold. At least one a… --- ## [Is there a historical precedent for the current digital filesharing situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-historical-precedent-for-the-current-digital-filesharing-situation/477520)
**Author:** [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-historical-precedent-for-the-current-digital-filesharing-situation/477520 "2009-01-15T21:38:57Z")
I think that a large part of the confusion, misinformation, and constant debate about mp3’s and digital filesharing is that there simply is no historical precedent for what’s going on right now - that is, there has never… --- ## [Society is doomed - 14,528 texts in one month](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-is-doomed-14-528-texts-in-one-month/481076)
**Author:** [@haymarketmartyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haymarketmartyr)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/society-is-doomed-14-528-texts-in-one-month/481076 "2009-01-15T20:31:31Z")
A 13 year old California girl recently sent 14,528 text messages in one month. This must be one of the warning signs of the either the Four Horsemen, the End of Days, or just plain flushing of society down the crapper… --- ## [Well, it probably won't shut up creationists... \[self-replicating RNA enzyme systems\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-it-probably-wont-shut-up-creationists-self-replicating-rna-enzyme-systems/480901)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 202\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-it-probably-wont-shut-up-creationists-self-replicating-rna-enzyme-systems/480901 "2009-01-15T16:06:43Z")
…but it goes a long way towards a really elementary and convincing argument regarding the origins of life: For the first time, indefinitely self-replicating RNA enzyme systems have been created in the lab. And what’s ev… --- ## [Who was the Most Important Person in History?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-most-important-person-in-history/479753)
**Author:** [@Spin\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spin_Master)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2009, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-most-important-person-in-history/479753 "2009-01-15T03:30:22Z")
There have been many greats in human history: Emperors, military generals, philosophers, inventors, industrialists, scientists, and statesmen. But let’s focus on the top of the top–the best of the best. Much more than th… --- ## [Should Obama Reconsider Closing Gitmo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-reconsider-closing-gitmo/481127)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-reconsider-closing-gitmo/481127 "2009-01-14T22:24:58Z")
Gitmo releasees “return” to terrorism:Pentagon: 61 ex-Guantanamo inmates return to terrorism | Reuters In view of this, may we reconsider that locking up these monsters was the right decision? of course, if they wind up… --- ## [The Constitution does not forbid religious symobls on government property](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-constitution-does-not-forbid-religious-symobls-on-government-property/480973)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-constitution-does-not-forbid-religious-symobls-on-government-property/480973 "2009-01-14T22:01:55Z")
In a recent thread a poster insists that Christians “despite the fact that the constitution clearly forbids it, continue to put religious symbols and statements onto our money, into the pledge of allegiance, and frequent… --- ## [Stealing is always at least one part good](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stealing-is-always-at-least-one-part-good/481046)
**Author:** [@jessesheeran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jessesheeran)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stealing-is-always-at-least-one-part-good/481046 "2009-01-14T21:52:22Z")
wheras killing is can be easily seen to be 100% bad. This has to be catergorized. --- ## [does "the west" give enough respect \[to Buddha\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-west-give-enough-respect-to-buddha/481053)
**Author:** [@jessesheeran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jessesheeran)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-west-give-enough-respect-to-buddha/481053 "2009-01-14T16:35:26Z")
to Bhudda for the intellectual acheivement respond yes or no or say more too --- ## [Did Olmert make Rice change UN vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-olmert-make-rice-change-un-vote/481112)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-olmert-make-rice-change-un-vote/481112 "2009-01-14T16:04:41Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/washington/13olmert.html?ref=world Now I am firmly in the camp which believes that the Israel lobby has too much influence in DC but this is pretty hard to believe especially the bit a… --- ## [Question for Christians. What are the fundamentals of Christianity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-christians-what-are-the-fundamentals-of-christianity/481202)
**Author:** [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-christians-what-are-the-fundamentals-of-christianity/481202 "2009-01-14T15:02:47Z")
I started this thread so as not to hijack further this threadin General Questions. It seems that whenever I object to a particular part of Christianity that bothers me, some Christian stands up and says, “Well you know,… --- ## [Does Africa love the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-africa-love-the-usa/481051)
**Author:** [@mrpayday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrpayday)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-africa-love-the-usa/481051 "2009-01-14T14:51:49Z")
per george Bush’s speech today. America wasn’t involved in the colonisation of Africa but it did use a lot of slaves. America hasn’t interfered in African politics as far as I know and gives a lot of id. So is America… --- ## [What do you do with a mentally deficient pedophile?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-with-a-mentally-deficient-pedophile/481041)
**Author:** [@Sierra\_Indigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sierra_Indigo)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-with-a-mentally-deficient-pedophile/481041 "2009-01-14T14:45:25Z")
A man with a severely limiting mental disability has just been declared mentally unfit to stand trial on charges of possessing child pornography. He was hoarding video tapes and images in his bedroom, which were found b… --- ## [The ADA and small businesses-what constitutes "undue hardship"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ada-and-small-businesses-what-constitutes-undue-hardship/481002)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ada-and-small-businesses-what-constitutes-undue-hardship/481002 "2009-01-14T04:11:23Z")
This thread was inspired by my own experiences and this case. I do understand that people may benefit from an interpreter, but as somebody who has been in the same situation as the above doctor it scares me. I take ho… --- ## [Does it always make sense to rely on long-term incarceration as the means of justice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-always-make-sense-to-rely-on-long-term-incarceration-as-the-means-of-justice/480725)
**Author:** [@Vox\_Imperatoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vox_Imperatoris)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-always-make-sense-to-rely-on-long-term-incarceration-as-the-means-of-justice/480725 "2009-01-14T04:10:20Z")
Industrialized nations around the world have pretty much all turned to using prisons (as well as fines for certain kinds of crime) as the main method of punishing wrongdoers and ostensibly “rehabilitating” them (with the… --- ## [Obama's Trillion-$ Public Works: Graft city?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-trillion-public-works-graft-city/480398)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2009, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-trillion-public-works-graft-city/480398 "2009-01-14T02:43:13Z")
Coming from Boston, i know how these things work (like the “Big Dig”). The government announces huge new construction projects-so the local politicians alert their friends who own construction companies. They form compan… --- ## [Will Obama choose unity over justice regarding Bush?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-obama-choose-unity-over-justice-regarding-bush/480637)
**Author:** [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-obama-choose-unity-over-justice-regarding-bush/480637 "2009-01-13T23:22:43Z")
Obama pledged to be bipartisan and he talked a lot about no blue America or red America, just America. An example of his bipartisanship is keeping Gates as SecDefense. I heard a WTF idea that he may make concessions to… --- ## [Kid Shoots Parents over Halo 3--Judge Says Kid Didn't Know They'd Be Dead Forever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kid-shoots-parents-over-halo-3-judge-says-kid-didnt-know-theyd-be-dead-forever/481088)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kid-shoots-parents-over-halo-3-judge-says-kid-didnt-know-theyd-be-dead-forever/481088 "2009-01-13T21:14:58Z")
I wasn’t sure which forum to post this on. I actually have kind of a factual question about it. On the other hand, merely posting the story is practically an act of RO in itself, making the Pit sound like an inviting spo… --- ## [Bush's "Good, Strong Record"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-good-strong-record/481080)
**Author:** [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-good-strong-record/481080 "2009-01-13T20:03:04Z")
Sorry if there’s already a thread about this; the Search function is, once again, non-functional. In Bush’s last press conference, he said he’s got a “good, strong record” as President. That makes me want to vomit a li… --- ## [So what do we do about the job situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-we-do-about-the-job-situation/480661)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-we-do-about-the-job-situation/480661 "2009-01-13T18:04:38Z")
CN argues that it’s the lynchpin problem, and I can’t see any reason to disagree. So what do we do about it? Obama thinks more public works will help. Conservatives think that a tax cut for businesses would produce mo… --- ## [Would promoting bringing back slavery be protected as free speech?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-promoting-bringing-back-slavery-be-protected-as-free-speech/480994)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-promoting-bringing-back-slavery-be-protected-as-free-speech/480994 "2009-01-13T15:24:52Z")
I am not suggesting this is a good idea or that I wouldn’t oppose the idea of bringing back slavery, so don’t flame on. This is just a hypothetical free speech question. I say that I could write a book, or publish a we… --- ## [It began in Africa.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-began-in-africa/481054)
**Author:** [@jessesheeran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jessesheeran)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-began-in-africa/481054 "2009-01-13T08:20:44Z")
did it? I saw something on PBS about how they found a hobbit race in New Zealand. This will chage saying It Began in Africa in a deep voice forever less meaningful. /looking for link --- ## [I've heard the view...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-heard-the-view/481047)
**Author:** [@jessesheeran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jessesheeran)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-heard-the-view/481047 "2009-01-13T06:36:15Z")
that the United States is following the exact same path as post WWII Germany. with Bush as \_\_\_\_\_\_spolier and Obama as dictator.spoiler :smack: This has to be moved to cafe society. mm waiting for the link. --- ## [What is to protect us from real bad stuff, like...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-to-protect-us-from-real-bad-stuff-like/425869)
**Author:** [@bonitahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonitahi)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-to-protect-us-from-real-bad-stuff-like/425869 "2009-01-13T06:09:48Z")
Economically, I think, in our country, our collective scrotums are being slowly cut at the top of its cage. If life were a chess game, China is making two moves for our one. At its will, in its proper time, they could h… --- ## [Obama and 'Cracking Down on Excessive Energy Speculation'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-cracking-down-on-excessive-energy-speculation/478269)
**Author:** [@IdahoMauleMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IdahoMauleMan)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-cracking-down-on-excessive-energy-speculation/478269 "2009-01-13T05:17:22Z")
I was browsing through the change.gov website, to pick up useful tips and hints on how the Obama administration will kick-start the economy and secure our energy independence. One of the promised agenda items is to ‘Cra… --- ## [How much input should the President-elect have on policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-input-should-the-president-elect-have-on-policy/480916)
**Author:** [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-input-should-the-president-elect-have-on-policy/480916 "2009-01-13T04:43:45Z")
President Bush in a press conference said that he was willing to release additional bailout funds, but that Senator Obama had not asked for them. Cite. I like Obama, I voted for Obama, but until he takes the oath of off… --- ## [Agriculture and civilization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agriculture-and-civilization/480007)
**Author:** [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agriculture-and-civilization/480007 "2009-01-13T00:49:41Z")
I’ve thought, heavily influenced as I am by Guns, Germs and Steel, one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read, that agriculture is a prerequisite for advanced civilization. The latter requires professionals who don… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=562) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=564)