# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=566 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 567 --- ## [Do Objectivists do better at life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-objectivists-do-better-at-life/479620)
**Author:** [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2009, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-objectivists-do-better-at-life/479620 "2009-01-03T05:09:45Z")
I know this is going to turn into a train wreck, but maybe we can get some statistics out of it first. Our board’s beloved Ayn Rand fans always seem to be full of advice when someone has a problem in their life. And thi… --- ## [Religions that preach hate are evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religions-that-preach-hate-are-evil/478879)
**Author:** [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religions-that-preach-hate-are-evil/478879 "2009-01-03T03:00:38Z")
Can this be said to be true? This question is based on the documentary “Obsession, Radical Islam’s War Against the West.” This is admittedly a right wing film yet the basic premise that radical Islam preaches hate ring… --- ## [10 million preventable child deaths per year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-million-preventable-child-deaths-per-year/479310)
**Author:** [@CalD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalD)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-million-preventable-child-deaths-per-year/479310 "2009-01-02T21:48:01Z")
Here’s an email I sent to World Vision: The response.. Over 10 million children die per year from “preventable deaths”. While this is more believeable than 10 million dieing from starvation, is it really true? It jus… --- ## [Morality in Gone Baby Gone (open spoilers for the movie)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-in-gone-baby-gone-open-spoilers-for-the-movie/478747)
**Author:** [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-in-gone-baby-gone-open-spoilers-for-the-movie/478747 "2009-01-02T21:47:09Z")
I’m putting this here rather than in Cafe Society because my questions are about the decisions made by the characters rather than the quality of the movie. If you haven’t seen the movie, in a nutshell, a couple of polic… --- ## [Why did it take Jesus 3 days to rise from the dead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-it-take-jesus-3-days-to-rise-from-the-dead/478959 "2009-01-02T20:31:41Z")
What is the significance of the number “3” in the resurrection story? Is there a reason why it took so long for an omnipotent being to bring his only son back to life, and does it tie into the other 3’s in the Bible, s… --- ## [Software piracy defenders: what about violating open-source licenses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-piracy-defenders-what-about-violating-open-source-licenses/479231)
**Author:** [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-piracy-defenders-what-about-violating-open-source-licenses/479231 "2009-01-02T14:53:32Z")
In a previous thread in the Pit, several people stated that they have no problem with pirating commercial software, and mentioned simultaneously that they think the open-source model is a better way to operate. They say… --- ## [Virginity Pledges. Well so much for that idea!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginity-pledges-well-so-much-for-that-idea/479069)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2009, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginity-pledges-well-so-much-for-that-idea/479069 "2009-01-02T12:49:58Z")
Virginity pledges have been promoted as one method of decreasing early sexual activity and consequently sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies. But does it work? Anecdotally no. Britney Spears was one famous pu… --- ## [What is the number one reason why some people succeed in life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-number-one-reason-why-some-people-succeed-in-life/477994)
**Author:** [@Spin\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spin_Master)\ **Replies:** 183\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2009, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-number-one-reason-why-some-people-succeed-in-life/477994 "2009-01-02T02:27:06Z")
Lets say you were asked to examine every person in history who has ever achieved something significant to the lives of millions. These people would range from Abraham Lincoln to Bill Gates to Martin Luther King, Jr. What… --- ## [Corporate Deathwatch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-deathwatch/479492)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-deathwatch/479492 "2009-01-02T00:59:22Z")
According to CNN, a company called 24/7 Wall Street says 10 corporations won’t be around this time next year - or will be radically different: Chrysler Sirius XM AIG Fannie Mae Rite Aid NY Times Nortel Pier 1 Ch… --- ## [What is a US Representative doing running a blockade anyway? (Gaza)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-us-representative-doing-running-a-blockade-anyway-gaza/479224)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2009, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-us-representative-doing-running-a-blockade-anyway-gaza/479224 "2009-01-01T19:31:32Z")
A boat trying to run the known Israeli blockade of Gaza (apparently with relief supplies, reporters, and a US Representative - Cynthia McKinney) is rammed by an Israeli patrol boat to stop it. Reports differ on if they… --- ## [Should there be a CDC for Computer Malware?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-cdc-for-computer-malware/479363)
**Author:** [@MindWanderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindWanderer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2008, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-cdc-for-computer-malware/479363 "2008-12-31T22:09:32Z")
I think there should be a government organization similar to the CDC which would work towards preventing, containing and reacting to computer malware. Currently, there is the FBI’s cyber crime division which has to deal… --- ## [Is there such thing as a "White American Overclass"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-thing-as-a-white-american-overclass/478975)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2008, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-thing-as-a-white-american-overclass/478975 "2008-12-31T19:39:28Z")
In several other threads related to class or economics, Brain Glutton has posted the following excerpt from \[The Next American Nation, by Michael Lind\](The Next American Nation, by Michael Lind): So is there a formal a… --- ## [Should Obama keep or dismantle the Department of Homeland Security?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-keep-or-dismantle-the-department-of-homeland-security/478886)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2008, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-keep-or-dismantle-the-department-of-homeland-security/478886 "2008-12-31T06:46:13Z")
The creation of the DHS was really no more than a reorganization, hiving off 22 existing federal agencies from their parent departments and grouping them under a new one. I still think it was done only because the Admin… --- ## [News flash: Non Christians are OK with being wished 'Merry Christmas (really!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065)
**Author:** [@shallora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shallora)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2008, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-flash-non-christians-are-ok-with-being-wished-merry-christmas-really/478065 "2008-12-31T04:39:14Z")
Oh my Liberal guilt-o-meter detector just went to 11 when I read this on another thread. Is this person suggesting that saying “Merry Christmas” to someone would be offensive? To whom? To someone whom isn’t Christian? … --- ## [Educate me on Karelia vs. Palestine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educate-me-on-karelia-vs-palestine/478896)
**Author:** [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educate-me-on-karelia-vs-palestine/478896 "2008-12-31T02:24:56Z")
I’ll readily admit that I’m staggeringly ignorant of history. So could anybody give a “History for Drooling Idiots” summary on the differing outcomes of the loss of Karelia vs. the Palestinian conflict? Here’s the stagg… --- ## [U.S. Army report: Bad economy & civil unrest may require military action](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-army-report-bad-economy-civil-unrest-may-require-military-action/479125)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-army-report-bad-economy-civil-unrest-may-require-military-action/479125 "2008-12-30T23:31:18Z")
Story here: Issues for debate: Is it really possible things will get that bad? Would it be a cure worse than the disease? Would there be (organized) resistance? Would such action be legal, under the Posse C… --- ## [World of Goo has a 90% piracy rate, was no DRM the right choice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-of-goo-has-a-90-piracy-rate-was-no-drm-the-right-choice/478851)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-of-goo-has-a-90-piracy-rate-was-no-drm-the-right-choice/478851 "2008-12-30T23:22:56Z")
World of Goo is a highly acclaimed indie game which has received rave reviews and won numerous awards. It’s a product of love from two indie game developers and from the beginning, it was decided that it would be release… --- ## [What's the Straight Dope on "The God Who Wasn't There"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-the-god-who-wasnt-there/478621)
**Author:** [@BornOfStardust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BornOfStardust)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-the-god-who-wasnt-there/478621 "2008-12-30T17:44:54Z")
I just watched a pretty provocative clip from this movie: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=696492648668420724&ei=SQ5TScWBBYSQqALH9ontDg&q=the+god+who+wasn’t+there I also watched a sort of ghetto rebuttal to it, w… --- ## [Is church worth going to just to socialize?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-church-worth-going-to-just-to-socialize/478746)
**Author:** [@Spin\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spin_Master)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2008, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-church-worth-going-to-just-to-socialize/478746 "2008-12-30T05:36:22Z")
Let’s say that there’s a guy who doesn’t believe everything that was written in the Bible. He doesn’t believe that the Devil wants to control our thoughts, he doesn’t believe that the Earth was created in 6 days, and he … --- ## [How would the US be different today if Lincoln was never assassinated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-be-different-today-if-lincoln-was-never-assassinated/478924)
**Author:** [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2008, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-be-different-today-if-lincoln-was-never-assassinated/478924 "2008-12-30T05:32:17Z")
Presidents make decisions that shape this country for generations to come. Our decision to enter WWII when it did surely effected us in ways we might still see today. What type of decisions that Lincoln likely would have… --- ## [Ooops! Can a Presidential Pardon Be Rescinded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooops-can-a-presidential-pardon-be-rescinded/478604)
**Author:** [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2008, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ooops-can-a-presidential-pardon-be-rescinded/478604 "2008-12-30T05:06:08Z")
Source: Bush orders pardon re-examined - CNN.com According to the news article, technically the pardon process has not been completed. At the same time, what does this say about the vetting process the current preside… --- ## [Scientific evidence of God's existence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-evidence-of-gods-existence/470043)
**Author:** [@CalD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalD)\ **Replies:** 362\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-evidence-of-gods-existence/470043 "2008-12-30T03:28:52Z")
Hi, I do a bit of reading up on some of the alleged “proofs of God” etc, and one thing that atheists often argue is that there is no scientific evidence of God’s existence. Theists try and argue things like “intelligenc… --- ## [Dogs feel envy? Grossly flawed study, or good science?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-feel-envy-grossly-flawed-study-or-good-science/478181)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2008, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-feel-envy-grossly-flawed-study-or-good-science/478181 "2008-12-29T23:51:42Z")
Inspired from this thread. There is a link to a study here: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1865847,00.html It says they proved that dogs are capable of a type of envy. But when you read about the mechan… --- ## [Who are the worst Americans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-worst-americans/478211)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 200\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2008, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-worst-americans/478211 "2008-12-29T23:10:26Z")
I had this thought last night when a conversation I was having touched on Joseph McCarthy. Surely he’s near the top of the list. Who else? Roy Cohn? Ronald Reagan? (Obviously this list will be different for people of dif… --- ## [Lets look to the future: What is the next great civil rights movment in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-look-to-the-future-what-is-the-next-great-civil-rights-movment-in-america/476774)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-look-to-the-future-what-is-the-next-great-civil-rights-movment-in-america/476774 "2008-12-29T17:35:07Z")
While prejudice can never truly be eradicated as long as there are different people with different beliefs, this country has taken large steps in the past to reduce bigotry. Many of these steps can be seen within their … --- ## [Should libraries offer movies, music CDs and video games?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-libraries-offer-movies-music-cds-and-video-games/478450)
**Author:** [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2008, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-libraries-offer-movies-music-cds-and-video-games/478450 "2008-12-29T12:26:08Z")
In this thread on whether or not libraries still serve a purpose, the question was raised about how libraries should be spending our tax dollars. Rather than continue to hijack that thread further, I’m starting another o… --- ## [Isn't it time for atheists to stop telling the Galileo myth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-atheists-to-stop-telling-the-galileo-myth/478411)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2008, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-for-atheists-to-stop-telling-the-galileo-myth/478411 "2008-12-29T05:46:00Z")
By the Galileo myth, I mean claims like the ones in this thread. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=482007&highlight=Galileo That thread is certainly not unique, and similar claims are made by just ab… --- ## [Is xmas morally bad for us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-xmas-morally-bad-for-us/478929)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-xmas-morally-bad-for-us/478929 "2008-12-29T02:46:53Z")
Think of it, it’s the most selfish event in a kid’s life. I know, there are carols, churce, gramma’s house and all that, but to (especially) kids it’s “shut up and gimme my toys”. And we oblige, even encourage. We are m… --- ## [My atheism is not a choice, therefore I can neither be blamed for it nor take credit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-atheism-is-not-a-choice-therefore-i-can-neither-be-blamed-for-it-nor-take-credit/478503)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2008, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-atheism-is-not-a-choice-therefore-i-can-neither-be-blamed-for-it-nor-take-credit/478503 "2008-12-28T23:51:35Z")
I didn’t choose to be an atheist. I grew up in a religious household and had myself pretty convinced that while I didn’t believe in quite the standard way, I still believed. That is, until I started really thinking abo… --- ## [LaHood for Transportation. Signifieth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lahood-for-transportation-signifieth/477685)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lahood-for-transportation-signifieth/477685 "2008-12-28T16:46:25Z")
Link. Not universally loved as a picked. Well add that in with this and we may see the direction that this signifies. Maybe highways won’t win over rail and other mass transit as much these next few years. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=565) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=567)