# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=571 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 572 --- ## [So about time ... for real.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-about-time-for-real/476176)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2008, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-about-time-for-real/476176 "2008-12-10T10:50:27Z")
A problem with the threads posted by a certain cross-poster, like this one is that there is sometimes, buried in its babble, a kernel of a discussion starter. And I know better now than to try to uncover those kernels in… --- ## [How much of the Internet is to blame for the low approval for Bush?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-internet-is-to-blame-for-the-low-approval-for-bush/475978)
**Author:** [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2008, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-the-internet-is-to-blame-for-the-low-approval-for-bush/475978 "2008-12-10T06:40:59Z")
Bush came into office in what 2001? Thinking back then not to many people had broadband Internet did they? This was before youtube, before a lot of blogs. Before many things. Does the internet have anything to do with Bu… --- ## [Stossel or Stein: Should we bail 'em out or find a floor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stossel-or-stein-should-we-bail-em-out-or-find-a-floor/476309)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stossel-or-stein-should-we-bail-em-out-or-find-a-floor/476309 "2008-12-10T01:32:36Z")
and “Could Federal Bailouts have stopped the Great Depression?” Larry King (that avatar of all investigative virtues) had as his guests the other night John Stossel (the 20/20 correspondent, bestselling author) and Ben … --- ## [Ways to Curtail Gun Crime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-curtail-gun-crime/475885)
**Author:** [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-to-curtail-gun-crime/475885 "2008-12-10T01:23:23Z")
The thread about guns killing people has been hijacked enough, and I know that there have been threads on this topic in the past, but how can we reduce gun crime in America? I posited that if we get rid of handguns, or … --- ## [Educational Leadership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educational-leadership/476138)
**Author:** [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/educational-leadership/476138 "2008-12-09T20:45:51Z")
In this thread, Drum God makes the point that teachers should be better paid. (Since that would mean more money for me, I ain’t about to say no… :wink: I do think that the pay to work ratio could be considered lower th… --- ## [Bailout alternative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bailout-alternative/476374)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2008, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bailout-alternative/476374 "2008-12-09T09:38:12Z")
I keep hearing the back and forth about should bail out this industry, or shouldn’t we? The biggest reason I hear that we should bail out, the auto industry, for example, is because of all the jobs that will be lost if … --- ## [Did we really go to the moon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-really-go-to-the-moon/476055)
**Author:** [@keepsakeequine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keepsakeequine)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2008, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-we-really-go-to-the-moon/476055 "2008-12-09T07:02:05Z")
Some of my friends believe that Nasa sending men to the moon in 1969 was an elaborate hoax; only a television production. Is there any way to prove they are wrong? --- ## [It’s about time!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-about-time/476127)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2008, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-s-about-time/476127 "2008-12-09T05:38:34Z")
It’s about time! How does cognitive science, as constructed by the embodied realists, look at ‘time’? Cognitive science examines concepts as they come ready-made from the unconscious. Language expresses our ready-made… --- ## [Would proof of Ghosts Challenge Religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-proof-of-ghosts-challenge-religion/476239)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-proof-of-ghosts-challenge-religion/476239 "2008-12-09T03:07:28Z")
Would proof of human survival (after death) as “ghosts” challenge religions? I cannot think of anything that would cause a more problems for devout believers, than to have scientific proof of the existence of ghosts: -J… --- ## [Fate of Obama's Judicial Appointments...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fate-of-obamas-judicial-appointments/472412)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2008, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fate-of-obamas-judicial-appointments/472412 "2008-12-09T02:58:22Z")
I was just wondering, with a reportedly liberal president-elect, what will be the probable fate of his judicial nominees? I know when the Democrats were in the minority, they filibustered George W. Bush’s ultraconservati… --- ## [Pistol-packing soccer mom's loss of carry permit causes her vagina to close up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pistol-packing-soccer-moms-loss-of-carry-permit-causes-her-vagina-to-close-up/474391)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 261\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pistol-packing-soccer-moms-loss-of-carry-permit-causes-her-vagina-to-close-up/474391 "2008-12-09T01:49:03Z")
This is the final sorry episodeof the story reported some time ago about the woman who liked to attend various community and social functions like soccer games etc. while packing heat. --- ## [Suppose drugs were legalized tomorrow--what happens to those involved in the trade?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-drugs-were-legalized-tomorrow-what-happens-to-those-involved-in-the-trade/476288)
**Author:** [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-drugs-were-legalized-tomorrow-what-happens-to-those-involved-in-the-trade/476288 "2008-12-08T22:37:09Z")
This has been on my mind since a Financial Times article\* on the recent drugs-related violence in Mexico. The article suggested, in passing, that part of the blame for the violence was the decline of imported cocaine as … --- ## [Obama should form a junta and storm the White House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-should-form-a-junta-and-storm-the-white-house/476011)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-should-form-a-junta-and-storm-the-white-house/476011 "2008-12-08T19:14:32Z")
Or so you would think, if you’re listening to talking heads talking about Democratic leaders. Barney Frank’s humorous comment yesterday seems to have spawned cries of revolution amongst the famously spineless Congress cr… --- ## [The world will end in 2012, yes indeedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-will-end-in-2012-yes-indeedy/475194)
**Author:** [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-will-end-in-2012-yes-indeedy/475194 "2008-12-08T16:53:11Z")
I figure either in December, a magic black hole will swallow the sun or the sun will explode, I’m not sure which. If that doesn’t happen, I’m banking on May 14, 2013, exactly 65 years (sounds like a good number) after t… --- ## [Are US no-go areas worse than European no-go areas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-us-no-go-areas-worse-than-european-no-go-areas/475687)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2008, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-us-no-go-areas-worse-than-european-no-go-areas/475687 "2008-12-08T15:57:36Z")
I’ve been teaching one or two American students. They commented on how safe Dublin was. I was saying that it is generally quite safe and that my general perception is that it has got safer over the last 15 years. One of … --- ## [Our Ignorance is no Accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-ignorance-is-no-accident/475332)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-ignorance-is-no-accident/475332 "2008-12-08T13:47:21Z")
Our Ignorance is no Accident One technique used to maintain the slave economy in the Antebellum South was to outlaw any form of behavior that allowed the slave to become learned. It was necessary that the slave not onl… --- ## [Major Moral Dilemma: It Started with Viagra](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-moral-dilemma-it-started-with-viagra/475850)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2008, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-moral-dilemma-it-started-with-viagra/475850 "2008-12-08T04:10:08Z")
Major Moral Dilemma: It Started with Viagra It is obvious even to the most casual observer (no Critical Thinking required) that we must quickly deal with the problem that medical technology has left on our door step. … --- ## [Is lighting your fart on fire cool?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lighting-your-fart-on-fire-cool/476187)
**Author:** [@Time\_Burger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Time_Burger)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lighting-your-fart-on-fire-cool/476187 "2008-12-08T01:23:20Z")
I say yes. --- ## [What do you think of Obama's National Security Team](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-obamas-national-security-team/475198)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-obamas-national-security-team/475198 "2008-12-08T00:08:09Z")
So it is oficial today, here is the national security team: Hillary Clinton as secretary of state General James Jones as National Security Adviser Janet Napolitano as Homeland Security Chief Robert Gates as Defense S… --- ## [Believers in faith healing: why doesn't God restore amputated limbs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-in-faith-healing-why-doesnt-god-restore-amputated-limbs/475741)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-in-faith-healing-why-doesnt-god-restore-amputated-limbs/475741 "2008-12-07T23:01:25Z")
A few days back I started a post about my brother-in-law’s attempt to treat his high blood glucose with the power of prayer; here’s a link. In that thread, \*\*kanicbird \*\*has asserted that God may, in fact, answer my bro… --- ## [UK Army Sikh regiment: racist or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-army-sikh-regiment-racist-or-not/475849)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-army-sikh-regiment-racist-or-not/475849 "2008-12-07T20:44:34Z")
Plans were drawn up last year to form a Sikh Regiment in the UK army. Presumably this was to capitalise on the long tradition of Sikh’s serving with the British army, as well as to bolster falling enlistment numbers. R… --- ## [Employee Free Choice Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employee-free-choice-act/474272)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 470\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/employee-free-choice-act/474272 "2008-12-07T16:07:59Z")
This is going to be a watershed event in my opinion if the Democrats and Obama get it passed in January. It will slowly strangle the entire US economy like the unions have done for Detroit. Here’s the gist of it The… --- ## [What's so bad about a "service economy"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-a-service-economy/475571)
**Author:** [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2008, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-a-service-economy/475571 "2008-12-07T16:03:25Z")
With all the economic trouble in the news lately, I’ve been pondering a question I occasionally ponder: what’s so bad about a service economy? I’m not sure what else to really say in this OP, so let’s go with that. Mod… --- ## [Is the NDP selling themselves short?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-ndp-selling-themselves-short/475908)
**Author:** [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2008, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-ndp-selling-themselves-short/475908 "2008-12-07T15:03:32Z")
I see there are other threads on the current Canadian parliamentary dispute, but I’m interested in discussing just one specific aspect of it: namely, are the NDP selling themselves short with respect to their role in th… --- ## [Writing a new Bill of Rights--1st Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-a-new-bill-of-rights-1st-amendment/475792)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2008, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/writing-a-new-bill-of-rights-1st-amendment/475792 "2008-12-07T14:53:57Z")
It’s the year 2010 and a historian uncovers a shocking document. It turns out the Bill of Rights was never really ratified, so we have to start over (yeah, I know. Just work with me here). Would the 1st Amendment pas… --- ## [Would the METHANOL Economy worK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-methanol-economy-work/475884)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2008, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-methanol-economy-work/475884 "2008-12-07T13:25:48Z")
Methanol is an alcohol which any (retooled) oil refinery can synthesize from natural gas or bio-gas (methane). It can run in automobiles , with a few modifications. It is clean and non-polluting. And, unlike ethanol, it… --- ## [It's official - we're in a recession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-official-were-in-a-recession/475265)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2008, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-official-were-in-a-recession/475265 "2008-12-07T08:14:25Z")
Article. The recession began, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, in December 2007. While this is not exactly earth shattering news, I’ve got asubject for debate: What’s the best way to stimulate t… --- ## [Ethical pedants, reality check please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-pedants-reality-check-please/475538)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-pedants-reality-check-please/475538 "2008-12-06T06:28:54Z")
This is akin to one of those IMHO validation threads — while I’m fairly (obnoxiously?) fixed in my opinion of the situation, I’d like to be sure I didn’t overlook something or that my thinking is far outside the norm. Bu… --- ## [This test brought to you by....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-test-brought-to-you-by/475568)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-test-brought-to-you-by/475568 "2008-12-06T06:09:49Z")
So a teacher in California found a creative funding solution… CNN link \*(CNN) – In tests for teacher Tom Farber’s high school class, students can demonstrate their mastery of calculus and find out where to get braces o… --- ## [Should we prevent children from killing themselves? \[8 y.o. w/Uzi incident question\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-prevent-children-from-killing-themselves-8-y-o-w-uzi-incident-question/469877)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-prevent-children-from-killing-themselves-8-y-o-w-uzi-incident-question/469877 "2008-12-06T05:13:36Z")
Boy, 8, killed in Mass. gun show accident Was this an unavoidable accident, or should someone be held responsible for this tragedy? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=570) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=572)