# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=570 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 571 --- ## [Did Blago commit a federal crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-blago-commit-a-federal-crime/477012)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-blago-commit-a-federal-crime/477012 "2008-12-14T16:29:10Z")
I know a federal complaint has been filed against Blago, and it should not be news to any Illinois resident that he is a scumbucket, but my wife and I were discussing the propriety of charging him under federal law. It … --- ## [How much is a trillion dollars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-a-trillion-dollars/476782)
**Author:** [@Paleface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paleface)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2008, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-a-trillion-dollars/476782 "2008-12-14T05:44:10Z")
We have now reached the era of the trillion dollar expenditure. This past September, the national debt surpassed the 10 trillion dollar mark. Total estimated costs for the War on Terror range from one to three trillion … --- ## [Question for fellow Catholics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-fellow-catholics/477052)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-fellow-catholics/477052 "2008-12-14T04:23:47Z")
I am not debating anything, and I’m only placing this in GD because of my question’s religious nature. For a long time I quit going to Sunday mass, or any other holy day of obligation for that matter. Then, about a yea… --- ## [Monster turns on Dr. Frankenstein \["Joe the Plumber" and John McCain\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monster-turns-on-dr-frankenstein-joe-the-plumber-and-john-mccain/476608)
**Author:** [@haymarketmartyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haymarketmartyr)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2008, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monster-turns-on-dr-frankenstein-joe-the-plumber-and-john-mccain/476608 "2008-12-14T00:54:06Z")
The Christian Science Monitor has an article about tone Joe Wurzlebacher - aka Joe the Plumber of recent fame. It looks like someone has quickly ghost written a book about Joe and his beliefs and it will be out soon. S… --- ## [Frank Schaeffer, Co-founder of the Religious Right Movement Tells His Story](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-schaeffer-co-founder-of-the-religious-right-movement-tells-his-story/476459)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frank-schaeffer-co-founder-of-the-religious-right-movement-tells-his-story/476459 "2008-12-13T19:27:15Z")
On another of my interminable drives to a client meeting this evening, I heard Frank Schaeffer on NPR’s Fresh Air program talk about his book Crazy for God. He delves forthrightly into his past, what brought him to promo… --- ## [Does Canada Really Need Economic Stimulus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-canada-really-need-economic-stimulus/475533)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-canada-really-need-economic-stimulus/475533 "2008-12-13T18:56:43Z")
At the moment, Canada is in much better shape than the US. But our economy will worsen as the demand for our products and services in the US declines. Most of our companies will suffer, especially the exporters but they… --- ## [The Big 3 automakers' plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-3-automakers-plan/475427)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-3-automakers-plan/475427 "2008-12-13T16:42:36Z")
Well the Big 3 automakers are back and they have a plan. They want to be financially bailed out, and they are willing to make concessions. What do you think? Is it enough to warrant the huge loans they are asking for? … --- ## [Where will the water come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-will-the-water-come-from/476611)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2008, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-will-the-water-come-from/476611 "2008-12-13T04:33:31Z")
How will we continue to get fresh water to agricultural land that is land-locked in the future? Agriculture accounts for something like 69% of fresh water use. Many agricultural regions in the US and elsewhere are land… --- ## [The food bank problem: Your solutions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-food-bank-problem-your-solutions/475715)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2008, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-food-bank-problem-your-solutions/475715 "2008-12-13T04:05:30Z")
First of all, if your solution requires time-travel, you can write a science-fiction story and perhaps get published, but it’s of no value whatsoever to this thread. The food bank in my county has a crisis building. Do… --- ## [Actual results of Big Three bankruptcies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actual-results-of-big-three-bankruptcies/476800)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actual-results-of-big-three-bankruptcies/476800 "2008-12-12T19:53:13Z")
The automakers are screaming “Depression!” if they go, but of course, that’s to be expected. Ben Stein and other economists are extremely worried for their own reasons, as mentioned in other threads. Others insist that… --- ## [Canadian crisis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-crisis/476591)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2008, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-crisis/476591 "2008-12-12T13:43:39Z")
Perhaps someone can explain something to me. Some Canadian dopers (usually left-er ones) seem to blame Stephen Harper for something, but it’s not clear what. I gather he pissed off the opposition. It seems like they wer… --- ## [Would the Republican Party be able to survive without religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-republican-party-be-able-to-survive-without-religion/476241)
**Author:** [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2008, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-republican-party-be-able-to-survive-without-religion/476241 "2008-12-12T11:01:04Z")
Many of the Republican social policies seem to come right out of religious tradition, and so I wonder, would the Repblican party, as we know it today continue to exist in some form without religion? What do you think ab… --- ## [Could the Electoral College be abolished state by state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-electoral-college-be-abolished-state-by-state/476027)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2008, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-electoral-college-be-abolished-state-by-state/476027 "2008-12-12T07:44:09Z")
The most obvious way to abolish the EC is through a constitutional amendment which is in general difficult to accomplish and practically impossible in this case because swing states would oppose it tooth and nail. Howev… --- ## [Tobacco Subsidy and Textile Tarrifs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tobacco-subsidy-and-textile-tarrifs/476622)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tobacco-subsidy-and-textile-tarrifs/476622 "2008-12-12T04:30:23Z")
Boy those southern Senators opposing the bailout are REALLY pissing me off. Yeah, you have foreign car companies in your state, so you want to screw over the mid west’s economy to give your own state an advantage? Do we … --- ## [Eyewitnesses to Jesus' miracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyewitnesses-to-jesus-miracles/476041)
**Author:** [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eyewitnesses-to-jesus-miracles/476041 "2008-12-12T03:52:40Z")
I’m debating someone on another board about his supposed evidence that God exists. He’s using eyewitness testimony as evidence: Since I don’t know much about the Bible, I figured I’d come here for the straight dope. An… --- ## [Will all real creationists please stand up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-all-real-creationists-please-stand-up/474949)
**Author:** [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-all-real-creationists-please-stand-up/474949 "2008-12-11T21:55:08Z")
I’ve talked to a lot of creationists over the years and not one of them has given me much in terms of proof of creationism, or even that the Bible should be taken literally in any respect. The best retort I’ve heard is p… --- ## [I doubt the existence of ghosts/God/supernatural things will ever be factually proved](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-doubt-the-existence-of-ghosts-god-supernatural-things-will-ever-be-factually-proved/475750)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-doubt-the-existence-of-ghosts-god-supernatural-things-will-ever-be-factually-proved/475750 "2008-12-11T21:31:16Z")
I almost started this in GD but then I figured I didn’t want a huge debate about it. After all, I’m not here to debate it. But I was thinking about this off and on for the past five or six years. I’m positive that ther… --- ## [Kopbusters has it's first sting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kopbusters-has-its-first-sting/476189)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kopbusters-has-its-first-sting/476189 "2008-12-11T20:13:56Z")
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Raw\_footage\_from\_KopBusters\_first\_sting\_1207.html Kopbusters is an attempt to duplicate the “Catch a Predator” type show by catching cops who break the rules.They set them up and wait for c… --- ## [Obama's Cabinet (not the kind that's made of wood)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282)
**Author:** [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-cabinet-not-the-kind-thats-made-of-wood/471282 "2008-12-11T18:04:02Z")
So, because someone has to start this thread: Let’s have rampant speculation about Obama’s Cabinet. (President-elect Obama. President Obama! I’m still in shock.) I think Bill Richardson has a great shot at Secretary… --- ## [Is it time to revise the old canards about United States math and science education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-revise-the-old-canards-about-united-states-math-and-science-education/426408)
**Author:** [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-revise-the-old-canards-about-united-states-math-and-science-education/426408 "2008-12-11T17:08:38Z")
There’s no shortage of informed people on The Dope and elsewhere whom, when queried about the status of the United States educational system, will reflexively offer up the opinion that our schools, particularly in the fi… --- ## [Did the republicans fool \[the Democrats on the financial bailout plan\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-republicans-fool-the-democrats-on-the-financial-bailout-plan/476544)
**Author:** [@MadJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadJack)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-republicans-fool-the-democrats-on-the-financial-bailout-plan/476544 "2008-12-11T15:46:02Z")
This occurred to me a couple of weeks ago while watching CSPAN and I submitt it for your consideration. Hank Paulson was testifying in the house about what has been going on with the financial bailout plan and I was imp… --- ## [Illinois Dopers - Constitutional Convention?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illinois-dopers-constitutional-convention/470493)
**Author:** [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illinois-dopers-constitutional-convention/470493 "2008-12-11T08:32:38Z")
So, Illinois Dopers, the title pretty much says it all. What’s your take on the proposal for the drafting of a new constitution? I’m not too sure what the ramifications are and exactly what the finer points are, but it’s… --- ## [Michael Ignatieff - next Canadian PM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-ignatieff-next-canadian-pm/476232)
**Author:** [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-ignatieff-next-canadian-pm/476232 "2008-12-11T04:20:57Z")
Last we heard, Harper, the PM (leader of the Conservative party) prorogued Parliament until the budget vote at the end of January. Stephan Dion (leader of the Liberal party) was becoming increasingly unpopular and annou… --- ## [Why would B of A extend credit to a company right after they pulled it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-b-of-a-extend-credit-to-a-company-right-after-they-pulled-it/476505)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-b-of-a-extend-credit-to-a-company-right-after-they-pulled-it/476505 "2008-12-11T02:51:53Z")
I looked for a thread about this, but I couldn’t find one. I think I must be missing something, but as I understand it, Republic Windows of Chicago had their credit pulled by Bank of America. The workers, who, evidently,… --- ## [Is Christianity just Judaism lite? (Or, how I lost my religion.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-christianity-just-judaism-lite-or-how-i-lost-my-religion/476181)
**Author:** [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-christianity-just-judaism-lite-or-how-i-lost-my-religion/476181 "2008-12-11T01:36:33Z")
okay as this is an honest posit and i will give full disclosure from where I am coming from. ( which is actually the whole posty!) I am agnostic going on weak atheist. I started my life raised as a catholic, altar boy … --- ## [Disproving Islam - challenge is set](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disproving-islam-challenge-is-set/475478)
**Author:** [@CalD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalD)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disproving-islam-challenge-is-set/475478 "2008-12-10T23:44:41Z")
Hi there, I spend a bit of time of religious forums, and one favourite debate topic of mine is “How do you know that yours is the true religion?”. A common response that I get on some Islamic forums is that the languag… --- ## ["Plain View" exception in the digital age](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plain-view-exception-in-the-digital-age/476395)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plain-view-exception-in-the-digital-age/476395 "2008-12-10T21:24:25Z")
Just back from yelling at those damn kids to get off my lawn, get a haircut, and stop listening to that rock and roll music… and reading about a case in the Ninth Circuit called United States v. Comprehensive Drug Testin… --- ## [Why gay rights now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-gay-rights-now/476125)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-gay-rights-now/476125 "2008-12-10T18:56:01Z")
Gay rights seems to be one of the defining issues of this generation and it seems to have swept the developed world all at roughly the same time. According to Wikipedia, the first gay marriage was only legal in 2001 in t… --- ## [Let's bail out the teachers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-bail-out-the-teachers/475911)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 159\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-bail-out-the-teachers/475911 "2008-12-10T15:31:27Z")
So many politicians bemoan the sorry state of public education in the United States today. The chief cause of this sorry condition of public education, according to some people, is the sorry teachers in the classrooms. … --- ## [Congress needs to get off their lazy asses and pass a Stimulus Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congress-needs-to-get-off-their-lazy-asses-and-pass-a-stimulus-bill/476270)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2008, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congress-needs-to-get-off-their-lazy-asses-and-pass-a-stimulus-bill/476270 "2008-12-10T12:31:11Z")
Waiting until January is unacceptable. Our economy is in a state of free fall. Even if George Bush had the audacity to veto for some crazy reason, the public outcry would cause enough GOPers to flip to override. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=569) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=571)