# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=569 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 570 --- ## [Sterilization and Sexism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sterilization-and-sexism/477044)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2008, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sterilization-and-sexism/477044 "2008-12-18T16:03:48Z")
I’ve heard it’s virtually impossible for a woman who hasn’t had any kids to get her tubes tied, whereas it’s relatively easy for a man in a similar situation to get a vasectomy. If this is indeed the case, shouldn’t the… --- ## [Does Chicago's "Daley Machine" exist any more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-chicagos-daley-machine-exist-any-more/477422)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-chicagos-daley-machine-exist-any-more/477422 "2008-12-18T14:49:58Z")
I had thought that all of America’s urban political machines had passed from the scene decades ago, but in discussions of the Blagojevich scandal, everybody seems to assume that there still is a “Daley Machine” (and that… --- ## [The UAW's Culpability in the Current Unpleasantness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uaws-culpability-in-the-current-unpleasantness/475605)
**Author:** [@Grither](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grither)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2008, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uaws-culpability-in-the-current-unpleasantness/475605 "2008-12-18T09:12:06Z")
I wrestled with which forum to put this into, and arrived here. Mods, if this is the wrong place, I apologize in advance. Okay, so I’ve been doing a lot of reading about the Big 3, and their begging for a bailout. A c… --- ## [Canadian Separatism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-separatism/476422)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2008, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-separatism/476422 "2008-12-18T05:20:23Z")
Canadians are so easy-going, politically speaking, that it’s hard to imagne them having any major crisis generally. The last problem they had was with the near-miss Quebec votes (except it didn’t) for independance. So, … --- ## [Bush says Bible is not literally true](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-says-bible-is-not-literally-true/476744)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2008, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-says-bible-is-not-literally-true/476744 "2008-12-18T04:24:08Z")
In the recent ABC Nightline Interview with George W. Bush, he was asked by Cynthia McFadden asked Bush if the Bible was literally true. He replied: For debate: Is this belief something that Bush essentially kept unde… --- ## [What's Bush hiding about 9/11?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bush-hiding-about-9-11/110526)
**Author:** [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2008, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bush-hiding-about-9-11/110526 "2008-12-18T02:37:45Z")
So, G. W. Bush is opposed to the creation of a special commission to investigate the terror warnings of 9/11, while Dick Cheney decided to come out of his undisclosed location to flame anyone who dares to question the Ad… --- ## [Parenting,Child Abuse and Welfare payments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parenting-child-abuse-and-welfare-payments/475990)
**Author:** [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2008, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parenting-child-abuse-and-welfare-payments/475990 "2008-12-17T23:52:43Z")
Recently in the U.K. we have had a lot of justifiable outrage over two serious child abuse cases. In one we had a young,very immature and feckless mother whos baby was beaten to death by one of her boyfriends. In the o… --- ## [takecaredownthere.org](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/takecaredownthere-org/476814)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/takecaredownthere-org/476814 "2008-12-17T14:11:14Z")
Not sure whether to put this in GD or Cafe Society. This is a site sponsored by Planned Parenthood that presents a series of short educational videos. Here’s a description by someone who… doesn’t like it: I read this,… --- ## [Would contracts be simpler in Libertopia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-contracts-be-simpler-in-libertopia/477261)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2008, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-contracts-be-simpler-in-libertopia/477261 "2008-12-17T13:56:34Z")
I am, currently, party to at least a dozen contracts that I only partially understand. Employment, several credit cards, utilities, telephone, cable, lease, etc. Some of these I understand more than others, but I’m not a… --- ## ["Is Gay the New Black?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gay-the-new-black/476693)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2008, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gay-the-new-black/476693 "2008-12-17T07:48:02Z")
Based on the questions raised in this video from NewsWeek. Is it offensive or somehow inappropriate to compare the current gay rights movement to the African-American civil rights movement? It doesn’t seem to me to be … --- ## [Should "rogue" states be allowed to serve on the UN Human Rights Commission?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-rogue-states-be-allowed-to-serve-on-the-un-human-rights-commission/477114)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2008, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-rogue-states-be-allowed-to-serve-on-the-un-human-rights-commission/477114 "2008-12-17T06:18:36Z")
From a few years back, when Bolton was US Rep at the UN. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/26/opinion/26sun2.html?\_r=2&n=Top%2FOpinion%2FEditorials%20and%20Op-Ed%2FEditorials&oref=slogin \[QUOTE=New York Times\] Editorial … --- ## [Presidential Loophole](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-loophole/477499)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2008, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-loophole/477499 "2008-12-17T04:07:39Z")
In this thread, I gave my understanding of how things stand in regards to presidential immunity and constitutional law. Obviously the chance is decent that my understanding it incorrect, but I have read many debates on t… --- ## [Who's going down with Blago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-going-down-with-blago/476875)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-going-down-with-blago/476875 "2008-12-17T03:55:24Z")
Who’s going to get caught up in the Blago scandal? Whether criminally or just enough to have their political careers significantly damaged? JJ Jr? Rahm … Looks like he already has the “spend more time with the family… --- ## [Are neoliberals actually conservatives in disguise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-neoliberals-actually-conservatives-in-disguise/477396)
**Author:** [@shallora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shallora)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-neoliberals-actually-conservatives-in-disguise/477396 "2008-12-17T00:53:13Z")
Another thread introduced to me the term “neoliberalism” which I had never fully explored before. Here’s basic information on the definition neoliberals Reading this, would you say that neoliberalism embraces much of t… --- ## [Hillary can't be Secretary of State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-cant-be-secretary-of-state/474485)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-cant-be-secretary-of-state/474485 "2008-12-16T23:42:53Z")
MSNBC’s Pete Williams reportsthat Article 1 Section 6 of the Constitution would block Hillary from being Sec. of State because, as a Senator, she voted to increase the salary of the position. Previous administrations h… --- ## [Left Lane Slowpokes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-lane-slowpokes/476562)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-lane-slowpokes/476562 "2008-12-16T23:17:23Z")
Just having read this article I honestly have to agree that nothing irritates me more than someone blocking the passing lane. But in truthful reality in 95% of the cases the person blocking the lane probably is doing th… --- ## [Who Should Be Nominated to New York's Junior Senate Seat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-nominated-to-new-yorks-junior-senate-seat/476623)
**Author:** [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-nominated-to-new-yorks-junior-senate-seat/476623 "2008-12-16T23:10:53Z")
With Hillary Clinton slotted to become the next Secretary of State that will leave NY’s junior senate seat open. Per the Constitution the Governor of NY, David Paterson, will then place someone into the seat to finish o… --- ## [Canadian Dopers: Is it unacceptable to have the BQ allied with the government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-it-unacceptable-to-have-the-bq-allied-with-the-government/475536)
**Author:** [@serious\_lark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/serious_lark)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-is-it-unacceptable-to-have-the-bq-allied-with-the-government/475536 "2008-12-16T23:03:50Z")
Prime Minister Harper is currently harping on the issue that the potential coalition government, by being supported by the BQ on votes of confidence in its 1st 18 months, would be “in bed with separatists” etc. While th… --- ## [What will happen to the presidency under an Obama Administration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-to-the-presidency-under-an-obama-administration/477086)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-to-the-presidency-under-an-obama-administration/477086 "2008-12-16T19:59:01Z")
As discussed in this thread, the Bush Administration has made a very sustained and impressive effort to expand the presidency’s power over the “permanent government” of career civil servants, and to expand its power rela… --- ## [Anti-Natalism and the case for human extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-natalism-and-the-case-for-human-extinction/476433)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-natalism-and-the-case-for-human-extinction/476433 "2008-12-16T19:38:36Z")
In this post I will outline the reasons why creating new human beings is wrong. If everybody followed my moral philosophy, the human race would go extinct. However, I will argue that this is the most preferable outcome f… --- ## [Iraq - a lesson from history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-a-lesson-from-history/477224)
**Author:** [@SomeBodyUK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomeBodyUK)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-a-lesson-from-history/477224 "2008-12-16T14:05:44Z")
Watch this video - the last part is partcularly prescient. Iraq presents a lesson from History Do you think Bush & Co were aware of this? --- ## ["too big to fail" antithetical to capitalism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-big-to-fail-antithetical-to-capitalism/476969)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-big-to-fail-antithetical-to-capitalism/476969 "2008-12-16T06:04:46Z")
If an entity, whether a banking industry, an auto industry, a defense contractor, or any other capitalistic entity is “too big to fail,” --i.e. the government will be obliged to bail it out when it shows signs of failing… --- ## [Should we discard the political label "progressive"? I say no](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-discard-the-political-label-progressive-i-say-no/476069)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-discard-the-political-label-progressive-i-say-no/476069 "2008-12-16T00:42:33Z")
In this recent article, political commentator Michael Lind argues that “progressives” should drop that label and start calling themselves “liberals” again – revive that once-honorable name, instead of trying to distance … --- ## [Have you changed your mind about where the economy/actions on it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-about-where-the-economy-actions-on-it/476849)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-changed-your-mind-about-where-the-economy-actions-on-it/476849 "2008-12-15T18:01:22Z")
About the time of the first big crashes in the housing market and the first banking failures, there were many threads on the subject of the economy. Some foresaw bad times that would soon get better, others bad times th… --- ## [Is America Cruel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-cruel/476654)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-cruel/476654 "2008-12-15T16:34:02Z")
We have- \[ul\] \[li\]Guantonimo Bay\[/li\]\[li\]A huge # of Americans in prison/jail\[/li\]\[li\]Very long prison sentences.\[/li\]\[li\]Seemingly ever-reducing rights\[/li\]\[li\]Too damn much war, too damn often\[/li\]\[/ul\] Are we cruel… --- ## [The Caucasian chalk circle - Non- Western perspective on the recent Caucasian War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-caucasian-chalk-circle-non-western-perspective-on-the-recent-caucasian-war/477068)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2008, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-caucasian-chalk-circle-non-western-perspective-on-the-recent-caucasian-war/477068 "2008-12-15T14:35:43Z")
Not a debate as such but more suited for here than elsewhere- It’s a well informed non-western take on the recent troubles in that area of the world. The Caucasian chalk circle --- ## [Is there a real possibility that the US could start slipping backward developmentally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-real-possibility-that-the-us-could-start-slipping-backward-developmentally/477096)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-real-possibility-that-the-us-could-start-slipping-backward-developmentally/477096 "2008-12-15T03:57:40Z")
With all the economic turbulence it seems that a lot bad decisions the US has made over the past 10+ years are coming home to roost. Is it remotely possible that the US in the next 10+ years will become less economical… --- ## [Religious Dopers – what evidence\* could make you question or reject your faith?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-dopers-what-evidence-could-make-you-question-or-reject-your-faith/475171)
**Author:** [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2008, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-dopers-what-evidence-could-make-you-question-or-reject-your-faith/475171 "2008-12-15T00:16:51Z")
If anything would? On both a personal and a collective level; what would it take to convince you that your current belief system is wrong? What landmark or exceptional act do you think could occur to disable the entire … --- ## [GM fails: Other car prices rise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gm-fails-other-car-prices-rise/476893)
**Author:** [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gm-fails-other-car-prices-rise/476893 "2008-12-14T19:42:28Z")
I am thinking of buying a non-GM new car. If GM fails, people will try to get rid of everything GM as there is no warranty, and many will anticipate a part shortage. Does this quickly drive up the cost of other cars (Ho… --- ## [Why would anyone oppose Nationwide Wi-Fi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-anyone-oppose-nationwide-wi-fi/476913)
**Author:** [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-anyone-oppose-nationwide-wi-fi/476913 "2008-12-14T17:08:53Z")
This happens to be a pet idea of mine - I think Nationwide wi-fi is something we MUST do. I think absolutely everyone in the country should have access to the internet. I could blab on and on about how I think the Inte… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=568) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=570)