# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=568 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 569 --- ## [The efficacy of Counterfactuals in Historical discussion.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-efficacy-of-counterfactuals-in-historical-discussion/477630)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-efficacy-of-counterfactuals-in-historical-discussion/477630 "2008-12-22T16:01:02Z")
I think that they are of limited utility. Perhaps in some econometric models they are useful, but based on the current economic crisis I am rather skeptical of all such models. However, in this thread, we have been deb… --- ## [Will the people ever rise again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-people-ever-rise-again/477905)
**Author:** [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2008, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-people-ever-rise-again/477905 "2008-12-22T15:20:04Z")
What would it take for Americans to repudiate those in power and start from scratch again through an armed conflict? --- ## [Could you press The Button?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-press-the-button/478275)
**Author:** [@Buran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buran)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-press-the-button/478275 "2008-12-22T14:27:01Z")
Inspired by the thread on torture in this forum and a debate I had with friends a few nights ago, which was itself inspired by an article on the BBC news website which asked several ex-MP’s who had nuclear-decision makin… --- ## [Was Bush Regime complicit in 9/11 attack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bush-regime-complicit-in-9-11-attack/477707)
**Author:** [@trumpsahead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trumpsahead)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2008, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bush-regime-complicit-in-9-11-attack/477707 "2008-12-22T06:33:33Z")
I believe yes, I’m sorry to say. But it seems there is more evidence suggesting complicitous behavior on US part than there is suggesting Arabs did it. I gave many reasons in another thread but my rebuttals are always … --- ## [Civil Rights Issues Should Not Be Put to a Popular Vote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-rights-issues-should-not-be-put-to-a-popular-vote/478050)
**Author:** [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2008, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-rights-issues-should-not-be-put-to-a-popular-vote/478050 "2008-12-22T04:05:35Z")
With all the recent brouhaha about Prop 8 in CA, and the other similar measures in '04, etc. I have come to the conclusion that civil rights issues should not be put to a popular vote. I don’t live in CA, I live in OR. … --- ## [Gay marriage is "redefining marriage"? I call BS.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-is-redefining-marriage-i-call-bs/477677)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-is-redefining-marriage-i-call-bs/477677 "2008-12-22T00:56:58Z")
Many of those who oppose legalizing same-sex marriage argue that it amounts to “redefining” marriage. Well the answer to that is, no it doesn’t, it depends, you’re the ones who are redefining marriage, it’s been redefin… --- ## [Girls who break the taboo will be infertile.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/girls-who-break-the-taboo-will-be-infertile/477643)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/girls-who-break-the-taboo-will-be-infertile/477643 "2008-12-21T22:03:20Z")
Apparently women are not allowed to play or even touch a didgeridoo. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/daring-book-for-girls-breaks-didgeridoo-taboo-in-australia-917751.html I would love to hear Nicole… --- ## [0% Interest - What will the Fed do now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/0-interest-what-will-the-fed-do-now/477551)
**Author:** [@Hellestal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hellestal)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2008, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/0-interest-what-will-the-fed-do-now/477551 "2008-12-21T13:04:51Z")
This topic is prolly too technical to have a right proper “debate” about it, but it’s still worth discussing on some level just to make sure we the peoples are aware of what’s happening with our glorious central bank. N… --- ## [Why don't we just disband Congress now? (Auto bailout)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-just-disband-congress-now-auto-bailout/477952)
**Author:** [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-just-disband-congress-now-auto-bailout/477952 "2008-12-20T22:15:19Z")
Maybe I’m misunderstanding this. Someone tell me if I’m missing something. Congress is supposed to control the government’s money. A bill in Congress to give the auto companies 14 billion in loans did not pass. Bush i… --- ## [Oil prices crippeling to oil producer nations - how?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-prices-crippeling-to-oil-producer-nations-how/478063)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-prices-crippeling-to-oil-producer-nations-how/478063 "2008-12-20T21:25:49Z")
I’ve read many articles how the current oil price per barrel is really hurting the oil producing nations, from OPEC to Russia, and some in between. Now I can understand things like the Canadian sand tars and very deep o… --- ## [I don't think that Caroline Kennedy is qualified for the NY Senate seat.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2008, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-that-caroline-kennedy-is-qualified-for-the-ny-senate-seat/477436 "2008-12-20T14:58:56Z")
For those who don’t know, Caroline Kennedy (daughter of Jackie and JFK, sister of John-John) is actively seeking the Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton. I have nothing against her on a personal level, and gener… --- ## [Obama considering openly gay man for Secretary of the Navy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-considering-openly-gay-man-for-secretary-of-the-navy/477862)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-considering-openly-gay-man-for-secretary-of-the-navy/477862 "2008-12-20T14:37:45Z")
Really not sure where to put this one. I’m not sure there’s much to debate here, but it is not Mundane or Pointless. Might should have gone in IMHO. I suppose someone may want to take a contra position. In any event,… --- ## [Is the United States bankrupt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-united-states-bankrupt/477620)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2008, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-united-states-bankrupt/477620 "2008-12-20T08:49:43Z")
A foundation led by David Walker, a former comptroller who’s been brought up in similar topics before, says so. Of course, this particular link is light on details, but it’s the best cite I have right now. Is this part… --- ## [Chysler Shutting Down For 30 Days - Let The Brinkmanship Begin!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chysler-shutting-down-for-30-days-let-the-brinkmanship-begin/477657)
**Author:** [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2008, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chysler-shutting-down-for-30-days-let-the-brinkmanship-begin/477657 "2008-12-20T08:47:20Z")
Source: http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/17/autos/chrysler\_shutdown/index.htm?postversion=2008121717 Political brinksmanship with Congress to secure taxpayer bailout funding? Or just a prudent business decision caused b… --- ## [Cheney admits we would have invaded Iraq even w/o WMD evidence \[per Chris Matthews\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-admits-we-would-have-invaded-iraq-even-w-o-wmd-evidence-per-chris-matthews/477711)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2008, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-admits-we-would-have-invaded-iraq-even-w-o-wmd-evidence-per-chris-matthews/477711 "2008-12-20T01:53:07Z")
This is (IMO) a pretty stunning admissionand is the first move toward making a virtually existential justification for the war disconnected from even the pretext of WMD evidence. Why is Cheney doing this now vs the “well… --- ## [Could you torture someone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-torture-someone/477889)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2008, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-torture-someone/477889 "2008-12-20T01:27:49Z")
Back in 1963 Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment where volunteers were asked to deliver electric shocks of increasing severity to a person whose responses to the shocks they could hear, but not see. The majority were… --- ## [Why do we swear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-swear/476545)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-swear/476545 "2008-12-20T01:18:04Z")
Swear words generally are a lazy sort of shorthand, if they have any meaning at all. ‘Go fuck yourself’ can be shorthand for ‘I disagreee with you because…’, or it can mean ‘I hate you because…’ or it can be an involunt… --- ## [A debate on ONE SPECIFIC aspect of the gun issue (I hope)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-debate-on-one-specific-aspect-of-the-gun-issue-i-hope/476973)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-debate-on-one-specific-aspect-of-the-gun-issue-i-hope/476973 "2008-12-19T21:10:51Z")
I would be interested to hear what people have to say pro or con about one facet of the gun debate, which I would state as follows: “Resolved: the invention of repeating arms qualitively changed the nature of firearms, … --- ## [Valkyrie Thread: How would history have changed if the July Plot had succeeded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valkyrie-thread-how-would-history-have-changed-if-the-july-plot-had-succeeded/476904)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2008, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valkyrie-thread-how-would-history-have-changed-if-the-july-plot-had-succeeded/476904 "2008-12-19T14:17:36Z")
If von Stauffenberg’s bomb had killed Hitler on July 20, 1944, do you think it would have made the outcome of the war better, worse, or just different for the Allies and Axis powers? I’m not sure it would have changed h… --- ## [good pay for unskilled labor, why the hate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-pay-for-unskilled-labor-why-the-hate/477374)
**Author:** [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2008, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-pay-for-unskilled-labor-why-the-hate/477374 "2008-12-19T06:20:02Z")
with all the threads and talk about the auto industry I am seeing a Lot of talk about overpaid workers in the factories, I am not arguing about that or the contracts they have. my question is if you have a company doing… --- ## [The great decade debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-decade-debate/477153)
**Author:** [@guyman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guyman)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-decade-debate/477153 "2008-12-19T04:16:59Z")
Last night lying in bed I got to thinking about dates and what they used prior to Christ. So I looked to see what Cecil said. I read it. It led to the natural discussion on when decades start. Cecil’s contention is that … --- ## [Bryan Ekers Sociopolitical impact of Christianity on Pagan Europe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bryan-ekers-sociopolitical-impact-of-christianity-on-pagan-europe/476271)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2008, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bryan-ekers-sociopolitical-impact-of-christianity-on-pagan-europe/476271 "2008-12-19T03:19:57Z")
One of the common arguments leveled against Christianity is that it is an intolerant system used to subject people to a false being and dictatorial being. I will take the position that: Christianity took root in Europe… --- ## [Obama wants to reconcile with the right.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wants-to-reconcile-with-the-right/477775)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wants-to-reconcile-with-the-right/477775 "2008-12-19T03:03:07Z")
As you may or may not know, Obama has chosen Rick Warren a pastor of an evangelical megachurch and author of “purpose driven” series of books. He’s also been a bit proponent of Proposition 8. Now obviously a lot of peop… --- ## [Does massive white collar crime deserve the Death Penalty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-massive-white-collar-crime-deserve-the-death-penalty/477762)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-massive-white-collar-crime-deserve-the-death-penalty/477762 "2008-12-19T01:32:38Z")
If serial killers deserve the death penalty, I contend that massive scale thievery also does. What do serial killers deprive their victims of? Time. The time that they otherwise would have been able to have had they not… --- ## [LA leaders urge Obama to end Cuba embargo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-leaders-urge-obama-to-end-cuba-embargo/477555)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2008, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-leaders-urge-obama-to-end-cuba-embargo/477555 "2008-12-19T01:30:01Z")
And more. Story here: The Rio Group. Ball’s in your court, O. How ya gonna play it? --- ## [Is Lying Endemic in American Culture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lying-endemic-in-american-culture/477478)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lying-endemic-in-american-culture/477478 "2008-12-19T00:51:33Z")
I seem to remember a study done years ago, by some business school professor-his conclusion was yes. From highly deceptive advertising, to the fine print on agreements, to general conversation. It seems to me the guy wa… --- ## [What will Obama's actions be on trade?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-obamas-actions-be-on-trade/477835)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-obamas-actions-be-on-trade/477835 "2008-12-19T00:39:56Z")
Some bloggers I read have generally feared protectionism, worrying that such actions would, like the Great Depression, make things a LOT worse for us economically. At least one is thus very worried by this story, partic… --- ## [U.S. Senate Elections Thread (and House too, if you want)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-elections-thread-and-house-too-if-you-want/471198)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-senate-elections-thread-and-house-too-if-you-want/471198 "2008-12-18T22:06:07Z")
Congrats to Mark Warner (VA), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Kay Hagan (NC), and the cousins Udall (NM, CO) for their wins! Much more Senate action still to come. :slight\_smile: --- ## [What would be better than religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-better-than-religion/477199)
**Author:** [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-better-than-religion/477199 "2008-12-18T21:53:09Z")
I’ve been meaning to start this thread for a long time: it seems to me to be the unanswered question in the whole religion versus atheism debate. I don’t honestly expect to get the question put to rest here. I expect to … --- ## [Sleaze or stoolie: Which is worse for Jesse Jackson Jr's future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleaze-or-stoolie-which-is-worse-for-jesse-jackson-jrs-future/477496)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2008, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleaze-or-stoolie-which-is-worse-for-jesse-jackson-jrs-future/477496 "2008-12-18T21:48:18Z")
Coming out about his federal-informant status at this time was the only way he could avoid getting his reputation besmirched in connection with the Blagojevich scandal. But, after this, how can he ever expect any other … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=567) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=569)