# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=576 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 577 --- ## [When is a boycott justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-boycott-justified/472731)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-boycott-justified/472731 "2008-11-20T17:57:45Z")
There’s a huge thread in the Pit that touches on the ethics of boycotts. I think that is a good topic for its own thread, so here it is. A creative director of a Californian theater donated money to help defeat same-se… --- ## [Iraqi Cabinet approves 3-year security pact with U.S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqi-cabinet-approves-3-year-security-pact-with-u-s/473018)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqi-cabinet-approves-3-year-security-pact-with-u-s/473018 "2008-11-20T17:52:42Z")
IOW, our troops have permission to stay three years after the UN mandate expires at the end of this year. U.S. soldiers and foreign contractors now can be tried under Iraqi law for crimes committed there (with certain l… --- ## [Is Murdoch right, is there a culture of "complacency and condescension" in newsrooms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-murdoch-right-is-there-a-culture-of-complacency-and-condescension-in-newsrooms/473217)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2008, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-murdoch-right-is-there-a-culture-of-complacency-and-condescension-in-newsrooms/473217 "2008-11-20T16:33:49Z")
I don’t often agree with Rupert Murdock but i think he might have a point in his latest comments. Are newspaper journalists out of sync with their customers? --- ## [Changing your mind the night after sex = rape (Does this ever happen?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-your-mind-the-night-after-sex-rape-does-this-ever-happen/472082)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2008, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-your-mind-the-night-after-sex-rape-does-this-ever-happen/472082 "2008-11-20T07:52:44Z")
In a lot of threads on rape on this board, people will often claim that the meaning of rape has been so broadened and stretched (probably by “the feminists”) into meaning sex that the woman regrets the morning after. My… --- ## [Public works?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-works/473025)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2008, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-works/473025 "2008-11-20T06:07:39Z")
I understand the basic rationale: get people working again by putting money into the roads and bridges and other things that need a-fixin’. Sound infrastructure benefits businesses by ensuring efficient transport of goo… --- ## [Why haven't we heard from Bin Laden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-we-heard-from-bin-laden/473492)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2008, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-we-heard-from-bin-laden/473492 "2008-11-20T05:27:39Z")
Was reading this on CNN today and figured I’d see what 'dopers think of it. Basically the question is why haven’t we heard from Bin Laden about the US election and our new President. As a side discussion…could AQ have … --- ## [What are Obama's biggest flaws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-obamas-biggest-flaws/471842)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2008, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-obamas-biggest-flaws/471842 "2008-11-20T02:08:00Z")
Most people here are happy to see Obama be elected as our next president. But every president makes mistakes, major ones. And these are often seen, in retrospect, as because of some inherent flow in the man himself. W… --- ## [Will violent gay secular fascists impose their will on Christian America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-violent-gay-secular-fascists-impose-their-will-on-christian-america/473382)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2008, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-violent-gay-secular-fascists-impose-their-will-on-christian-america/473382 "2008-11-20T01:48:35Z")
That’s what Newt Gingrich predicts: \[QUOTE=Newt Gingrich\] “I think there is a gay and secular fascism in this country that wants to impose its will on the rest of us, is prepared to use violence, to use harassment. I t… --- ## [Should Obama end Cuban problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-end-cuban-problems/473165 "2008-11-19T23:11:16Z")
Should Obama end the boycott and enter into diplomatic relationships with Cuba? I think it is way late and we should have done so long ago. The Cuban people have suffered a long time and a trading partner that close woul… --- ## [How dangerous were the Apollo missions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-were-the-apollo-missions/472888)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-dangerous-were-the-apollo-missions/472888 "2008-11-19T21:26:53Z")
Did they make any estimates on the chance of success vers. failure on the moon landings? How dangerous did they consider the first Apollo missions at the time? And how dangerous are they estimated to have been, with toda… --- ## [Daschle is Health and Human Services Sec.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-is-health-and-human-services-sec/473477)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschle-is-health-and-human-services-sec/473477 "2008-11-19T17:22:22Z")
President-elect Obama has chosen ex-Senator Tom Daschle to be Health and Human Services secretary, sources tell CNN. CNN is just reporting. A good choice? --- ## [Recessions caused by "Paradox of Thrift"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recessions-caused-by-paradox-of-thrift/473304)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recessions-caused-by-paradox-of-thrift/473304 "2008-11-19T15:29:43Z")
OK, we Americans do not save enough-we spend. J.M. Keynes noted that excessive thriftyness (the paradox of Thrift) could cause problems for an economy, as demand would drop. So, is the solution for this recession a massi… --- ## [Questions (and some videos) regarding JFK's assasination.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-and-some-videos-regarding-jfks-assasination/472061)
**Author:** [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-and-some-videos-regarding-jfks-assasination/472061 "2008-11-19T15:26:59Z")
I’ve always been intrigued, like many of you, on the John F. Kennedy assasination. This case seems to be of special value to conspiracy theorists and I’d have to say that if there ever was a case in history, in which on… --- ## [Abortion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion/470098)
**Author:** [@Emery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emery)\ **Replies:** 261\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion/470098 "2008-11-19T04:12:01Z")
I’ve got to ask this, since this board is primarily quite liberal by the looks of it. How can anybody support abortion? By what means do you justify killing an unborn child, which is what it is. I’m very intersted in … --- ## [Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay/472950)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay/472950 "2008-11-19T03:38:50Z")
It wasn’t until perhaps the late sixties when the word “gay” meaning homosexual came into vogue in my world. One didn’t say a group of macho men had a gay time when they were having fun. It certainly was said about women… --- ## [Will we ever develop a video game as addictive as cocaine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-ever-develop-a-video-game-as-addictive-as-cocaine/472815)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-ever-develop-a-video-game-as-addictive-as-cocaine/472815 "2008-11-19T03:26:00Z")
This thread on World of Warcraft addiction lead me to thinking about how video games have become increasingly more addictive as the technology and know how about game design increases and where is the logical conclusion … --- ## [Racism increased a lot after Obamas victory ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-increased-a-lot-after-obamas-victory/473036)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-increased-a-lot-after-obamas-victory/473036 "2008-11-19T00:36:13Z")
This according to WTOPnews http://www.wtopnews.com/?sid=1518607&nid=104 Is this the fact? --- ## [Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-as-secretary-of-state/472665)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-as-secretary-of-state/472665 "2008-11-18T23:41:31Z")
Hillary Rodham Clinton is apparently under consideration for Secretary of State!:eek: This is quite unexpected. HUD or HHS maybe, but Secretary of State? --- ## [Obama supporters: what's the first major mistake you expect him to make in office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-whats-the-first-major-mistake-you-expect-him-to-make-in-office/472224 "2008-11-18T22:32:02Z")
I will not lessen the uncharacteristic pith of this OP with blather. --- ## [Same-Sex Marriage and other Unions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-marriage-and-other-unions/472802)
**Author:** [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/same-sex-marriage-and-other-unions/472802 "2008-11-18T19:30:30Z")
I would like to see some surveys about the attitudes of supporters of same-sex marriage (SSSM) towards other types of marriage. I doubt that any survey of the type I am thinking of exists, so I will have to make do with … --- ## [Crack Cocaine vs Powder Cocaine distinction in our laws is a terrible policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crack-cocaine-vs-powder-cocaine-distinction-in-our-laws-is-a-terrible-policy/472810)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crack-cocaine-vs-powder-cocaine-distinction-in-our-laws-is-a-terrible-policy/472810 "2008-11-18T18:46:45Z")
I challenge anyone on this message board to come up with a sensible reason why crack and powder cocaine should be treated unequally under the law. As far as I can tell, this is a concrete example of institutional racis… --- ## [SSM, Dual Income, Social Security and Taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssm-dual-income-social-security-and-taxes/473321)
**Author:** [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssm-dual-income-social-security-and-taxes/473321 "2008-11-18T18:34:03Z")
Throwing a lot into one thread, but they do dovetail together. Background / impetus: My wife recently returned from a conference. One presenter showed data regarding Social Security payments and how they “discriminate… --- ## [Article on economic suggestions for Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-on-economic-suggestions-for-obama/473277)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-on-economic-suggestions-for-obama/473277 "2008-11-18T17:39:10Z")
Has anyone seen this? Article on CNN.com by UC Berkeley econ professor He has various suggestions for Obama’s first 100 days. The suggestions seem to make sense to me, but what the hell do I know. One is to let the a… --- ## [When was the latest a viable political candidate has emerged for a party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-latest-a-viable-political-candidate-has-emerged-for-a-party/473072)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-latest-a-viable-political-candidate-has-emerged-for-a-party/473072 "2008-11-18T15:38:09Z")
One thing notable about the recent election was that there really was no real frontrunner for the Republican nomination. Instead, we got what seemed like the last person to self-destruct. In 2006, there was a lot of talk… --- ## [Gay marriage: let's do this one more time (with Obama tangent)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-lets-do-this-one-more-time-with-obama-tangent/472955)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-lets-do-this-one-more-time-with-obama-tangent/472955 "2008-11-18T13:08:47Z")
So, those of you who oppose gay marriage: Now, \*why \*is it you care who I marry? I forget why it should be important to you. Can you explain it to me again? Thanks. Also, there was a rally for gay marriage in downtown S… --- ## [The Bible Questions its Own Veracity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bible-questions-its-own-veracity/472953)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bible-questions-its-own-veracity/472953 "2008-11-18T12:04:49Z")
So I came across this passage in Jeremiah, one of the major prophets. God says: How can you say, “We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD,” when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely? Isn… --- ## [Both Hillary and Richardson as Sec of St](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/both-hillary-and-richardson-as-sec-of-st/472897)
**Author:** [@Myself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myself)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/both-hillary-and-richardson-as-sec-of-st/472897 "2008-11-18T08:55:38Z")
Note, I’m not a Hillary supporter in any way. It’s a big world and Secretary of State is a big job, so why not share the responsibilities? Maybe like this: The Middle East and Africa vs Asia and the Western Hemisphere… --- ## [Marshall Plan for Republicans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marshall-plan-for-republicans/472811)
**Author:** [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marshall-plan-for-republicans/472811 "2008-11-18T05:47:53Z")
Tonight on Rachel Maddow, she and Arianna Huffington discussed this a bit. The suggestion is that a defeated party left alone to flounder about in a weakened and despondent state is dangerous. Prone to erratic and gene… --- ## [Is "Don't Ask - Don't Tell" a reasonable law or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dont-ask-dont-tell-a-reasonable-law-or-not/471791)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dont-ask-dont-tell-a-reasonable-law-or-not/471791 "2008-11-18T02:09:09Z")
I’ve always seen itas a somewhat absurd Kabuki dance but the world largest military has to abide by it’s structures. As laws go is this a relatively good law or a bad/stupid law? --- ## [Fooling the news media (maybe Palin knows where Africa is!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fooling-the-news-media-maybe-palin-knows-where-africa-is/473135)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fooling-the-news-media-maybe-palin-knows-where-africa-is/473135 "2008-11-18T01:47:09Z")
Meet Martin Eisenstadt, the source of the “Palin didn’t know Africa was a continent” leak. He’s a senior fellow at the Harding Institute for Freedom and Democracy. Well, that’s his name when he’s on camera. Off camera… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=575) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=577)