# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=614 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 615 --- ## [Is China singlehandedly undoing the rest of the planet's CO2 control efforts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-china-singlehandedly-undoing-the-rest-of-the-planets-co2-control-efforts/459883)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2008, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-china-singlehandedly-undoing-the-rest-of-the-planets-co2-control-efforts/459883 "2008-08-14T14:48:43Z")
The recent thread on reducing meat consumption as a way of cutting back on CO2 emissions got me to thinking: it might be a nice gesture, but is it worth it? What does it matter what we do to reduce CO2 emissions if someo… --- ## [Could the US Navy enter the Black Sea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-us-navy-enter-the-black-sea/459733)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-us-navy-enter-the-black-sea/459733 "2008-08-14T14:19:00Z")
Not that I’m recommending any such thing. But if the decision were to be made to send warships to confront the Sov-, er, Russian fleet blockading the Georgian coast, would there be any military or diplomatic hurdles vis… --- ## [Does the show "COPS" demonize black men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-show-cops-demonize-black-men/459023)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2008, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-show-cops-demonize-black-men/459023 "2008-08-14T12:56:09Z")
The other day I was at a dinner with a pretty liberal crowd (grad students, music people) and I said I liked the show COPS. Someone said, “How can you watch that? It demonizes black people!” I was thrown by this, because… --- ## [Dinziger Incident case thrown out.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinziger-incident-case-thrown-out/459941)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dinziger-incident-case-thrown-out/459941 "2008-08-14T03:44:45Z")
Story here. What do you think? Is this a case of the dreaded ‘Freed on a technicality’? Were they justified in shooting into the crowd because they thought they were being shot at? (People trapped by flood waters ap… --- ## [Norm Coleman's Elitist Platform?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norm-colemans-elitist-platform/459484)
**Author:** [@SuntanTigerTamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanTigerTamer)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/norm-colemans-elitist-platform/459484 "2008-08-14T02:30:55Z")
Norm Coleman Ad - Bowling Buddies Anyone in Minnesota will recognize the above ad for Norm Colemans Senate bid. In it, three salt of the Earth bowling buddies dicuss all the reasons that Al Franken, Coleman’s rival, is… --- ## [The Debates - Here they come!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-debates-here-they-come/459528)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2008, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-debates-here-they-come/459528 "2008-08-14T01:00:29Z")
The debates have been set, with the first of three to be held on Friday, September 26. There is also one Vice-Presidential debate scheduled for Thursday, October 2. You have to believe Obama will completely own the deb… --- ## [Did the Democrats ever have a real chance to beat Eisenhower in '52 & '56?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-democrats-ever-have-a-real-chance-to-beat-eisenhower-in-52-56/459468)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2008, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-democrats-ever-have-a-real-chance-to-beat-eisenhower-in-52-56/459468 "2008-08-13T21:14:55Z")
In the official history classes, most people are given the story that Eisenhower was nearly unbeatable: War hero, statesman, dignified. The democrats had been in power so long they were stale, and Truman was very unpopul… --- ## [Funding 3rd level education](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funding-3rd-level-education/459856)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2008, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funding-3rd-level-education/459856 "2008-08-13T18:46:18Z")
This is a massive topic, so I expect that this may wander a bit. In Ireland, we have the free fees scheme, so you pay a regestration fee (close to a grand) a year, and thats all you pay to go to college. A government M… --- ## [What if it was Obama? \[Had Obama been caught in Edwards's situation?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-it-was-obama-had-obama-been-caught-in-edwardss-situation/459500)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2008, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-it-was-obama-had-obama-been-caught-in-edwardss-situation/459500 "2008-08-13T17:58:19Z")
Its pretty clear to me that a good portion of Dopers and media reported Democrats are pretty disgusted with Edwards. What I want to know is what if it was Obama. How would you feel about supporting him and how do you th… --- ## [The rights of sucessionist movements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rights-of-sucessionist-movements/459619)
**Author:** [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2008, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rights-of-sucessionist-movements/459619 "2008-08-13T11:31:18Z")
Secessionist movements have always been a major cause of world conflict. Right now there are a few different secessionist movements making waves. But I think most people’s opinions on how the world should react to secess… --- ## [Free water on airlines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-water-on-airlines/459364)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2008, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-water-on-airlines/459364 "2008-08-13T04:36:24Z")
Should airlines be required to provide drinking water for passengers on demand? In light of the fact that you can’t bring it aboard? Restaurants in California are required to bring water to customers who request it, ii… --- ## [New (?) concept: Peak \*Price\* Oil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-concept-peak-price-oil/458889)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-concept-peak-price-oil/458889 "2008-08-13T04:16:19Z")
Coined (as far as I know) from this column that was sent to me. Are the ideas presented therein anything new? What do you think of them? How different, if at all, are they from “regular” Peak Oil arguments (asked beca… --- ## [Would Clinton be the nominee if Edwards' affair had come out earlier?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-clinton-be-the-nominee-if-edwards-affair-had-come-out-earlier/459680)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-clinton-be-the-nominee-if-edwards-affair-had-come-out-earlier/459680 "2008-08-13T01:20:04Z")
Howard Wolfson think so. Now, I generally take Wolfson’s musing with a large grain of salt, but this got me thinking… Is this a possible ploy to get some supers to switch at the Convention and give the nomination to i… --- ## [Creationism vs. Evolution: the only choices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-vs-evolution-the-only-choices/459055)
**Author:** [@zeno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zeno)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-vs-evolution-the-only-choices/459055 "2008-08-13T00:37:22Z")
I have been talking to a lot of people lately who take an ‘agnostic’ view of the debate, ie they take stock in neither creationism nor evolution. So I was wondering, if you don’t favor one over the other, what choice is … --- ## [Asian men and Black women: Left behind in the interracial dating game (?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-men-and-black-women-left-behind-in-the-interracial-dating-game/458369)
**Author:** [@Grey\_area](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey_area)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asian-men-and-black-women-left-behind-in-the-interracial-dating-game/458369 "2008-08-12T18:02:36Z")
A quick look at the US census shows that both groups, when compared to their opposite sex counterparts, are not seeing nearly as much success in terms of interracial marriages. Even just a day people-gazing in a multi-e… --- ## [What is the most signicant political text ever written?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-signicant-political-text-ever-written/459444)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-signicant-political-text-ever-written/459444 "2008-08-12T14:42:39Z")
What is the most signicant political text ever written? Using a broad definition of significant ie. Hitler’s Mein Kampf would be acceptable (although its an awful book :stuck\_out\_tongue: ) I would say it would be On Li… --- ## [Hamdan - do we have the right to charge him with anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamdan-do-we-have-the-right-to-charge-him-with-anything/459226)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2008, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamdan-do-we-have-the-right-to-charge-him-with-anything/459226 "2008-08-12T04:39:42Z")
Salim Hamdan has recieved a 5 1/2 year sentence, for driving and guarding Osama bin Laden. He’s already been in Guantanamo Bay for 5 years and one month, so his sentence will be finished in 5 months, even though the US m… --- ## [For Those Who Are Serious About AGW Part II \[carbon tax\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-are-serious-about-agw-part-ii-carbon-tax/459211)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-are-serious-about-agw-part-ii-carbon-tax/459211 "2008-08-12T04:02:16Z")
Several months ago my province British Columbia initiated a carbon tax on fuel of about 8 cents per gallon and to make it revenue neutral gave each of us back $100 to make it revenue neutral. I like the concept, exept th… --- ## [John Edwards' alleged lovechild: would you disqualify him as a VP choice due to this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-edwards-alleged-lovechild-would-you-disqualify-him-as-a-vp-choice-due-to-this/457500)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 198\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2008, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-edwards-alleged-lovechild-would-you-disqualify-him-as-a-vp-choice-due-to-this/457500 "2008-08-12T02:23:38Z")
This is both about John Edwards and a general question. The National Enquirer ran an article several months ago on Rielle Hunter, an alleged pregnant girlfriend of John Edwards. Nothing has been substantiated and she … --- ## [For Those Who are Seriously Concerned About AGW \[eating meat\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-are-seriously-concerned-about-agw-eating-meat/459083)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2008, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-are-seriously-concerned-about-agw-eating-meat/459083 "2008-08-11T23:29:56Z")
Stop eating meat ! It isn’t that hard you know. Many of us can’t afford it anyway and have to rely on grains fruits and vegetables for our nutrition. Not a big deal really, even for a meat lover like me. Look, sure go … --- ## [Anthrax letters -- Are you kidding me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthrax-letters-are-you-kidding-me/458532)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2008, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthrax-letters-are-you-kidding-me/458532 "2008-08-11T22:44:32Z")
Do we all remember the anthrax-laced letters that were sent to members of Congress and media figures. Two postal workers were killed. The letters, which came just on the heels of the Sept. 11 attacks, were pointed to as… --- ## [Has an "unlawful combatant" any legal recourse to challenge that designation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-an-unlawful-combatant-any-legal-recourse-to-challenge-that-designation/459651)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-an-unlawful-combatant-any-legal-recourse-to-challenge-that-designation/459651 "2008-08-11T20:03:50Z")
All the news coverage of the recent trial and sentencing of Salim Hamdan emphasizes that, even though he received a sentence just six months in excess of the time he’s already been in custody and he will get credit for t… --- ## [Nixon's 1971 wage and price controls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixons-1971-wage-and-price-controls/459568)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixons-1971-wage-and-price-controls/459568 "2008-08-11T19:04:08Z")
Was it good policy at the time? Was it done just (or mostly) to help ensure his reelection the next year? Is there any consensus among historians and economists about the Nixon policy today? --- ## [Ongoing attacks in Xinjiang, China](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-attacks-in-xinjiang-china/459581)
**Author:** [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2008, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-attacks-in-xinjiang-china/459581 "2008-08-11T07:37:45Z")
So apparently there were a whole bunch of attacks yesterday in Xinjiang province, link here. Obviously, I’m not getting anything from Chinese media, but I’m surprised this isn’t getting more central coverage during the… --- ## [Will marijuana be legalized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-be-legalized/458265)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2008, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-marijuana-be-legalized/458265 "2008-08-11T03:15:08Z")
The main story on CNN today is that Rep. Barney Frank has proposed decriminalizing the possession of fewer than 100 grams of marijuana. Any chance of this passing? --- ## [The particle accelerator in CERN - is this scary or what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-particle-accelerator-in-cern-is-this-scary-or-what/458620)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-particle-accelerator-in-cern-is-this-scary-or-what/458620 "2008-08-11T01:19:13Z")
I’m not educated in advanced physics, but as I understand, the worst scenario is the creations black wholes that will destroy the earth. http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/27/823924.aspx The experiment is e… --- ## [We need to stop taking the "War on Terror" seriously](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-to-stop-taking-the-war-on-terror-seriously/458675)
**Author:** [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-to-stop-taking-the-war-on-terror-seriously/458675 "2008-08-10T23:42:11Z")
First of all, its a horrible phrase. You can’t fight an emotion. You might as well call it the “Fight on Fear.” I am aware it is a shortening of the “War on Terrorism or Terrorists” Second of all, and probably more i… --- ## [Why are you such sick perverts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-such-sick-perverts/459282)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-such-sick-perverts/459282 "2008-08-10T23:11:22Z")
(Deliberately provocative title.) There was a thread recently (which I can’t find, but then the SD search engine and I have never been friends) about films that make you squeamish or uncomfortable or something like that… --- ## [COPS and racial diversity.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-and-racial-diversity/459517)
**Author:** [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2008, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-and-racial-diversity/459517 "2008-08-10T18:47:16Z")
I started this thread due to some questions raised here . I watched 20 episodes of COPS, tracking the racial makeup of the suspects. Note: There were a number of (uncounted) segments responding to auto accidents, hou… --- ## [Is it true that Obama "should" be way more ahead than he is now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-obama-should-be-way-more-ahead-than-he-is-now/458849)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-true-that-obama-should-be-way-more-ahead-than-he-is-now/458849 "2008-08-10T18:30:59Z")
In commenting on this set of polls that show McCain with a lead, this blog comment is typical: This is hardly the first time this has been suggested, that given various factors (different ones almost every time: concei… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=613) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=615)