# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=574 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 575 --- ## [Immoveable V Unstoppable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoveable-v-unstoppable/474238)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2008, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immoveable-v-unstoppable/474238 "2008-11-26T23:09:10Z")
Supposing an unstoppable object hurtling through space was to hit an immovable object also in space. Which one would give? --- ## [Bush Makes an Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-makes-an-exit/474308)
**Author:** [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2008, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-makes-an-exit/474308 "2008-11-26T22:53:53Z")
Is Georgie Boy relaxing rules and throwing around bailout money as recklessly as he can just to make things more difficult for Obama to succeed? Or is he just being his usual boneheaded self? I think both. --- ## [Do you support open carry firearms laws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-support-open-carry-firearms-laws/474072)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-support-open-carry-firearms-laws/474072 "2008-11-26T21:53:28Z")
I do. 100 percent. If you are going to carry a firearm, then display it in a holster. Arizona is an open carry state and the only time I’ve ever seen a firearm in Phoenix is with a late hour convenience store worker. Op… --- ## [Are triangles real or just abstractions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-triangles-real-or-just-abstractions/473489)
**Author:** [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2008, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-triangles-real-or-just-abstractions/473489 "2008-11-26T09:42:48Z")
During a rather lively debate on SSM, the thread, somehow, ended discussing the reality of geometric shapes. Do triangles exist? Are triangular-shaped objects really triangles? I undertand that, for shorthand and conve… --- ## [Cruel and Unusual? Judge enlists Barry Manilow for punishment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruel-and-unusual-judge-enlists-barry-manilow-for-punishment/474529)
**Author:** [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2008, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruel-and-unusual-judge-enlists-barry-manilow-for-punishment/474529 "2008-11-26T05:21:26Z")
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/bizarre&id=6524304&rss=rss-wpvi-article-6524304 Fort Lupton Municipal Judge Paul Sacco has been sentencing repeat noise ordinance violators to listening to music they don’t… --- ## [Obama's appointsments...oh yeah, big change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-appointsments-oh-yeah-big-change/473515)
**Author:** [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-appointsments-oh-yeah-big-change/473515 "2008-11-25T23:59:07Z")
Obama’s mantra of CHANGE helped get him elected. With the new Health Secy appointment, anybody notice every single appointment so far is a Washington politician or an insider? Still waiting for the change. --- ## [US Congress should raise taxes sooner rather than later](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-congress-should-raise-taxes-sooner-rather-than-later/474346)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-congress-should-raise-taxes-sooner-rather-than-later/474346 "2008-11-25T23:57:16Z")
We shouldn’t be putting off raising taxes on the top 1% of Americans. I know this is counter-intuitive, due to the current depression. But…\[ul\]\[li\]I think the US Congress needs to drastically raise spending to get the e… --- ## [What is the difference between a cynic, a pessimist, and a nihilist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-cynic-a-pessimist-and-a-nihilist/474368)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-a-cynic-a-pessimist-and-a-nihilist/474368 "2008-11-25T21:39:34Z")
Not much literature on these different but similar philosophical attitudes. It seems that a nihilist would be exteme and a pessimist rather moderate. And a cynic would be optimistic compared to the other two. Why haven’… --- ## [How would American unions modernize for the 21st century?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-american-unions-modernize-for-the-21st-century/474465)
**Author:** [@Snag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snag)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-american-unions-modernize-for-the-21st-century/474465 "2008-11-25T21:30:30Z")
I don’t know a lot about the current state of unions in America. Other than their numbers are low and I believe, in part, that they have not fully made the jump from the post industrial era to the computer age. Overall,… --- ## [What should be done with historically oppressed minority groups?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-with-historically-oppressed-minority-groups/474428)
**Author:** [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-with-historically-oppressed-minority-groups/474428 "2008-11-25T21:19:34Z")
Should they be banished or simply locked up? Just kidding, but seriously the Jim crow/reparation thread got me a thinkin’ It seems to me that the African-Americas (I think I just made up this term) community got some p… --- ## [What is holding back electronic books?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-holding-back-electronic-books/473372)
**Author:** [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-holding-back-electronic-books/473372 "2008-11-25T21:07:29Z")
This came up in a recent GQ thread on stripped books in which another thread on whether or not paper books are obsolete was referenced. While some of the issues are discussed, I think this deserves a separate thread. … --- ## [Is the Moon terraformable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-moon-terraformable/473657)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-moon-terraformable/473657 "2008-11-25T17:30:28Z")
In theory, I mean, and hang the expense. To start with, is one-sixth g enough gravity to hold an atmosphere? --- ## [Is acknowledgement of a spirit reasonable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-acknowledgement-of-a-spirit-reasonable/472529)
**Author:** [@nd\_n8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nd_n8)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-acknowledgement-of-a-spirit-reasonable/472529 "2008-11-25T13:26:14Z")
In the interest of moving away from the Scientific Proof of Godthread and into something more on the lines of reason and logic (as metaphysics is not a science per Kant) I would like to continue the debate of “Is acknowl… --- ## [We can clone woolly mammoths. Should we?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-clone-woolly-mammoths-should-we/473561)
**Author:** [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-clone-woolly-mammoths-should-we/473561 "2008-11-25T09:41:41Z")
Well, not today, but in our lifetime. Link. 80% complete mapping the genome and according to co-author Stephan Schuster, we would be able to attempt cloning in 10-20 years. Should we? Personally, I’m going to say yes… --- ## [Handjobs and hypocrispy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handjobs-and-hypocrispy/474009)
**Author:** [@Jesus\_Harold\_Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesus_Harold_Christ)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handjobs-and-hypocrispy/474009 "2008-11-25T01:49:06Z")
In the Harold and Kumar sequel President Bush (played by an actor), says a person is a hypocrite if he enjoys getting handjobs but not enjoy giving them. Do you agree? Should a person enjoys getting something also enjoy … --- ## [President Chavez & Sunday's Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-chavez-sundays-election/473764)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2008, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-chavez-sundays-election/473764 "2008-11-25T01:12:32Z")
I saw in an online news report from AP concerning President Hugo Chavez and the upcoming election this Sunday, specifically the upcoming election for governor of the state of Barinas. The reports are saying that should … --- ## [Okay to create a subhuman species ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-to-create-a-subhuman-species/473683)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-to-create-a-subhuman-species/473683 "2008-11-24T23:37:11Z")
Engineered Genetics Inc. have created a subhuman species incorporating the genes of a human, bonobo and a dog. This species exhibits an IQ sufficient to communicate with humans orally, and easily trained in hygiene. It… --- ## [Government should recognize ONLY civil unions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-should-recognize-only-civil-unions/473498)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-should-recognize-only-civil-unions/473498 "2008-11-24T21:29:06Z")
Instead on continuing on with the 20-page pit thread I’d like to throw out the basic idea Jack Batty espouses with this post. Why is this not the ideal solution? Take the term “marriage” out of all legal and goverment … --- ## [Resolved: The 'quarter-life crisis' will disappear in 10 years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-the-quarter-life-crisis-will-disappear-in-10-years/473506)
**Author:** [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-the-quarter-life-crisis-will-disappear-in-10-years/473506 "2008-11-24T19:53:54Z")
My generation is a bunch of whiners. The ‘quarter-life crisis’ has infected the 23-30 year old age group like the plague. Perfectly able adults whining like children about how they don’t know what to do with their fancy… --- ## [Rescuing the automakers: A good thing or a waste of money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rescuing-the-automakers-a-good-thing-or-a-waste-of-money/473046)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rescuing-the-automakers-a-good-thing-or-a-waste-of-money/473046 "2008-11-24T19:45:45Z")
The American auto companies want 25 billion for emergency loans. Some say this is vital to keeping our economy afloat. Others say it is a total waste of money and the companies deserve to go out of business if they can… --- ## [Can Obama Close Guantanamo Prison?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-obama-close-guantanamo-prison/473846)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-obama-close-guantanamo-prison/473846 "2008-11-24T18:14:02Z")
I know, he is on record, saying he will. But: a few problems: many countries WILL NOT take their people back (Algeria for one; they are facing a civil war, and DO not want more islamic terrorists) Afghanistan will tak… --- ## [Cato Institute: "Blocking Obama’s Health Plan Is Key to the GOP’s Survival"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cato-institute-blocking-obama-s-health-plan-is-key-to-the-gop-s-survival/474075)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cato-institute-blocking-obama-s-health-plan-is-key-to-the-gop-s-survival/474075 "2008-11-24T17:35:09Z")
Michael F Cannon of the Cato Institute doesn’t offer any sort of in-depth argument for his position, but he states (I am not familiar with Cannon, but Cato is a libertarian think-tank): He bases that on these statement… --- ## [The IDEA of the US - what does it represent to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-idea-of-the-us-what-does-it-represent-to-you/473978)
**Author:** [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-idea-of-the-us-what-does-it-represent-to-you/473978 "2008-11-24T17:21:53Z")
I’m from Northern Ireland. I thought I’d get that out of the way first as I know how little regard you hold for external comment on your way of life, your culture, your ideals and your country. So I will try to make this… --- ## [Do the Big 3 have too much auto production capacity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-big-3-have-too-much-auto-production-capacity/472434)
**Author:** [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-big-3-have-too-much-auto-production-capacity/472434 "2008-11-24T16:07:31Z")
Consider: The Big 3 are closing production lines and laying off workers. There are lots of unsold new cars sitting around. Those cars are being sold at considerably lower prices than a year or two ago. There is no sh… --- ## [Is Marriage a Right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marriage-a-right/473331)
**Author:** [@Saen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saen)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-marriage-a-right/473331 "2008-11-24T15:59:03Z")
Let me say first that I think same-sex marriage should be legal. The same as interracial marriage is and should be. However, I am hearing allot that Prop 8 and others is taking away a right from a class of citizen. I don… --- ## ["The desire to procreate may be our very reason for being."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desire-to-procreate-may-be-our-very-reason-for-being/473535)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-desire-to-procreate-may-be-our-very-reason-for-being/473535 "2008-11-24T14:32:11Z")
In a recent thread someone post the following: I view this as ridiculous, because I don’t know any person who thinks in this manner. I believe that we breath because our bodies need air and eat because our bodies need… --- ## [Durban II](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/durban-ii/473813)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/durban-ii/473813 "2008-11-24T11:37:19Z")
So what are we to do with the upcoming disaster called Durban II – the so called Wold Conference against Racism. To be held in Geneva in 2009 and which is smartly looking to be even more of a bloody disgrace than the fir… --- ## [Does purchasing/pirating DRM-protected content validate DRM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-purchasing-pirating-drm-protected-content-validate-drm/474018)
**Author:** [@Crocodiles\_And\_Boulevards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crocodiles_And_Boulevards)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-purchasing-pirating-drm-protected-content-validate-drm/474018 "2008-11-24T03:57:48Z")
In this thread, people are arguing over pirating and DRM inevitably came up. Some people think that purchasing DRM-protected content appropriately rewards both the publisher and the artist, and that buying this content … --- ## [Same Sex Marriage- State's Rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-marriage-states-rights/474096)
**Author:** [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-marriage-states-rights/474096 "2008-11-24T03:28:44Z")
I’m not a student of law (so please be kind in your responses), but I just had a thought and wonder what Dopers think. I’ve heard people speak of “state’s rights” when discussing same sex marriage. I heard someone actua… --- ## [The Supreme Court could rule the election invalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-supreme-court-could-rule-the-election-invalid/473939)
**Author:** [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-supreme-court-could-rule-the-election-invalid/473939 "2008-11-23T22:39:39Z")
Unlikely, but possible. After all, they chose our president in 2000. Apologies for the source. I couldn’t find anything else on short notice. What do you think would happen if this were taken to an unthinkable conclus… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=573) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=575)