# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=572 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 573 --- ## [What would "realistic" space combat be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-realistic-space-combat-be-like/475124)
**Author:** [@Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hero_From_Sector_7G)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-realistic-space-combat-be-like/475124 "2008-12-06T03:11:52Z")
Obviously hypothetical, but I’m interested in what kind of strategies would be best used for space combat if the technology was kept as plausible as possible. I’m willing to concede the vehicle’s energy source as “impos… --- ## [Ammunition Accountability Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ammunition-accountability-act/475513)
**Author:** [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Replies:** 307\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ammunition-accountability-act/475513 "2008-12-06T02:49:42Z")
I just received an email from someone who is positively outraged by the idea that the government (in several states) is trying to pass a law that requires all ammunition to have identification numbers on it. This ammo wi… --- ## [Canadian Dopers: Looks like another government is coming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-looks-like-another-government-is-coming/475264)
**Author:** [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-looks-like-another-government-is-coming/475264 "2008-12-06T02:31:44Z")
I almost put this in the Pit but I can’t really work my frustration into outrage. Per the venerable CBC, the Bloc, NDP and Liberals have decided to form a coalition government and topple the Conservatives when the next c… --- ## [The war on The War On the war on Christmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-on-the-war-on-the-war-on-christmas/475093)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-on-the-war-on-the-war-on-christmas/475093 "2008-12-05T16:05:02Z")
Here’s may latest rant on my favorite Culture War issue: It’s War on Christmas season again. Every year the season that is supposed to be a celebration of good will gets caught in the crossfire between those who compla… --- ## [A lack of belief is not equivalent to belief](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lack-of-belief-is-not-equivalent-to-belief/475131)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2008, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lack-of-belief-is-not-equivalent-to-belief/475131 "2008-12-05T15:20:02Z")
OK, it’s time we did this. Taken directly from this post et seq. but related to other discussions I’ve had on these boards, my contention here is that it is fundamentally wrong to think that a lack of belief is ever equi… --- ## [Moderated Debates, Recruitment Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderated-debates-recruitment-thread/473232)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2008, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moderated-debates-recruitment-thread/473232 "2008-12-05T06:56:03Z")
This thread is not a debate. A couple of problems with standard debate threads are at the end of this post. So to skip on past that, what are moderated debates? Well a moderated thread is one in which there is a specif… --- ## [Explain the Xian Trinity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-xian-trinity/473534)
**Author:** [@Jesus\_Harold\_Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesus_Harold_Christ)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2008, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-xian-trinity/473534 "2008-12-05T05:52:02Z")
Is this right? Jesus is God (Godhead). All of it. Same for the Father and Holy Ghost But, Jesus is not the Father or Holy Ghost or a combination of the two. The Father is not Jesus or the Holy Ghost or a combination … --- ## [Bush Sr. pardoning himself??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-sr-pardoning-himself/475570)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2008, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-sr-pardoning-himself/475570 "2008-12-05T04:50:54Z")
As suggested in this threadhttp://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=495758 I was intrigued that Pres. Bush the first would have considered pardoning himself for something. I can’t recall him doing anything … --- ## [Heads up - mass terrorist attack in India - developing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heads-up-mass-terrorist-attack-in-india-developing/474605)
**Author:** [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Replies:** 289\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heads-up-mass-terrorist-attack-in-india-developing/474605 "2008-12-05T04:16:57Z")
No link but watching CNN & BBC. At least 78 killed in multiple gun and grenade attacks on tourists in Mumbai. British and US singled out. Hostages taken. Hotel burning. Edit: BBC link --- ## [Are Synthetic Fabrics "greener"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-synthetic-fabrics-greener/475403)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-synthetic-fabrics-greener/475403 "2008-12-05T03:04:06Z")
than natural fibers? I am not so sure that the cultivation of cotton or the culturing of wool is any better for the environment. Consider cotton: it usesa LOT of water, fertilizers, and requires a big expenditure of ener… --- ## [\[REFEREED\] How much worth is there in fighting global warming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refereed-how-much-worth-is-there-in-fighting-global-warming/475643)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2008, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refereed-how-much-worth-is-there-in-fighting-global-warming/475643 "2008-12-05T02:12:32Z")
Please, do not post to this thread. Format As discussed in this thread, we will be trying a refereed debate. Rather than trying to arrange for a particular set of debaters, though, anyone is free to join in. To join, … --- ## [In what way is math distinct from notation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-way-is-math-distinct-from-notation/475527)
**Author:** [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2008, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-way-is-math-distinct-from-notation/475527 "2008-12-05T00:23:30Z")
This thread got me thinking about what exactly constitutes mathematics, especially how important notation is to the field. In his “Lectures on Physics”, Richard Feynman said: I tend to agree with him, but I’m finding … --- ## [Basis for movie/book convention about angels envying humans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basis-for-movie-book-convention-about-angels-envying-humans/475166)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2008, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/basis-for-movie-book-convention-about-angels-envying-humans/475166 "2008-12-04T19:26:00Z")
In at least three different movies and one book, I’ve come across the plot device that angels envy humans for the unique position the latter have vis-a-vis God’s grace. The Angel Gabriel in Constantine: Lucifer in The… --- ## [Are our actions eternal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-actions-eternal/475186)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-actions-eternal/475186 "2008-12-04T14:46:36Z")
If the universe is to ever be understood, then would our actions not be seen if someone could rewind it and play it back? Or would our entire existence contribute nothing more than noise compared to routinely occurring … --- ## [What's better: any easy life, or hard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-better-any-easy-life-or-hard/474892)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2008, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-better-any-easy-life-or-hard/474892 "2008-12-04T14:02:46Z")
I think it’s probably nearly a given that a hard life (define as you see fit) is likely to make you more \*interesting \*than an easy life. But is that better? Are there any other benefits to a life of obstacles and challe… --- ## ["Wait, what?" Actual or potential Obama disillusionment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-what-actual-or-potential-obama-disillusionment/474778)
**Author:** [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2008, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-what-actual-or-potential-obama-disillusionment/474778 "2008-12-04T11:09:50Z")
We are already seeing this on the SDMB. Obama supporters are being disappointed/enraged/whatever by his choices as he prepares to take office. E.g., his choices of longtime Beltway insiders as opposed to his promises of … --- ## [If India and Pakistan go at it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-india-and-pakistan-go-at-it/475008)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2008, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-india-and-pakistan-go-at-it/475008 "2008-12-04T06:54:25Z")
Estimates vary between 50 and 100 nuclear weapons. What will they throw at each other, and what will they aim at? --- ## [Convince me there's no pension tsunami about to happen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-theres-no-pension-tsunami-about-to-happen/475134)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2008, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-theres-no-pension-tsunami-about-to-happen/475134 "2008-12-04T00:46:32Z")
Really. Please. I’d love to be wrong on this one. As I see it, the pension crisis is already upon us. There’s no way we have enough money in the next 50 years to pay off all the social security, government retirees, p… --- ## [Replace taxes with an annuity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-taxes-with-an-annuity/474190)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replace-taxes-with-an-annuity/474190 "2008-12-03T22:03:34Z")
I heard that about half of Harvard’s budget is covered by an annuity. I wonder if this would work as a replacement for taxation. Granted, we’d have at least a decade of high taxes and slim budgeting in order to pay off t… --- ## [Does Infinity Really Exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-infinity-really-exist/474269)
**Author:** [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-infinity-really-exist/474269 "2008-12-03T19:57:58Z")
I doubt this has a truly factual answer, so I’ll put it here. Beyond the conceptual and mathematical constructs, is there anything we’ve discovered, measured, or observed that can truly be said to be infinite? If not, i… --- ## [What do conservatives have against labor unions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-conservatives-have-against-labor-unions/475071)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-conservatives-have-against-labor-unions/475071 "2008-12-03T17:57:47Z")
The current political wrangling over the Employee Free Choice Act is breaking down along clear ideological lines, professed conservatives being against it – as they have consistently been against pro-union legislation, a… --- ## [Should the Mets' stadium be renamed Taxpayer's Field?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-mets-stadium-be-renamed-taxpayers-field/475338)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2008, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-mets-stadium-be-renamed-taxpayers-field/475338 "2008-12-03T05:29:24Z")
A proposal by 2 NY lawmakers to rename the Mets’ stadium is in the news today. I read also that CitiBank, AIG and others who are receiving federal bailout money say they have no plans to stop their multimillion dollar/… --- ## [Is autofabrication on the verge of changing the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-autofabrication-on-the-verge-of-changing-the-world/473460)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2008, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-autofabrication-on-the-verge-of-changing-the-world/473460 "2008-12-03T04:44:27Z")
Inspired by the \[del\]record-setting hijack\[/del\] discussion in THIS thread by Tuckerfan and Lobohan. Is this the next big paradigm shift? Something that’s going to introduce a “gee-whiz” alteration of how the world works… --- ## [Guns are not designed to kill people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-are-not-designed-to-kill-people/471402)
**Author:** [@Kaboodle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaboodle)\ **Replies:** 360\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2008, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-are-not-designed-to-kill-people/471402 "2008-12-03T03:58:25Z")
Every time I read a gun thread I see the comment Guns are designed to kill people and every time I see it it irritates me. That means despite being a hunter and competitive shooter, firing thousands of rounds using diff… --- ## ["Beam Rider" weapon - attainable now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beam-rider-weapon-attainable-now/475202)
**Author:** [@DirkGntly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DirkGntly)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beam-rider-weapon-attainable-now/475202 "2008-12-03T01:05:59Z")
I don’t know if this should go here, IMHO, or GQ…but here goes… Seems to me, a “beam rider” weapon would be attainable, now…I imagine it would consist of a small object, or several small objects, placed in orbit. Somet… --- ## [Why are the Russians being more militarily expansive? Who exactly do they fear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-russians-being-more-militarily-expansive-who-exactly-do-they-fear/474225)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-russians-being-more-militarily-expansive-who-exactly-do-they-fear/474225 "2008-12-02T23:41:38Z")
We obviously have an up and down history with the Russians over the past 70 years of so, but now that they are a nominal democracy (in theory at least) what exactly are they so stressed about that they feel the need to r… --- ## [Woman suing radio station for date gone wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-suing-radio-station-for-date-gone-wrong/475352)
**Author:** [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2008, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-suing-radio-station-for-date-gone-wrong/475352 "2008-12-02T22:14:15Z")
CNN spot (warning: video) I think it’s BS, and I agree with the defense attorney who speaks first. Why should the radio station be held at fault? Terms like “kind” and “great guy” are entirely subjective, and maybe I’m … --- ## [Questions about the federal reserve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-federal-reserve/474928)
**Author:** [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-federal-reserve/474928 "2008-12-02T15:55:07Z")
I have some friends (Ron Paul supporters) who are strongly against the federal reserve, to the point that they feel real progress in the country is impossible within the confines of the current system. I am a little leer… --- ## [How long will bin Laden remain at large?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-bin-laden-remain-at-large/474674)
**Author:** [@Ferris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferris)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2008, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-will-bin-laden-remain-at-large/474674 "2008-12-02T05:08:50Z")
How likely is this scenario? "Soon after President-elect Obama enters office, military efforts against al-Qaeda in the Pakistan/Afghanistan border area will be stepped up. As the withdrawal of troops from Iraq starts, s… --- ## [So where IS it ok to carry a firearm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-where-is-it-ok-to-carry-a-firearm/474982)
**Author:** [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2008, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-where-is-it-ok-to-carry-a-firearm/474982 "2008-12-02T02:14:12Z")
Recently I’ve seen quite a few people (not only on this board) post something to the effect of “I’m not against guns, but only a criminal / crazy gun nut would want to carry a gun THERE.” So far, the places that are sup… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=571) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=573)