# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=618 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 619 --- ## [Shared database between all local, state and federal branches a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shared-database-between-all-local-state-and-federal-branches-a-good-idea/457611)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2008, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shared-database-between-all-local-state-and-federal-branches-a-good-idea/457611 "2008-07-24T20:42:04Z")
I know that there are privacy issues that could be raised but what about the advantages of a really smooth information exchange system based on a unified database in which any information needed can be obtained by people… --- ## [Obama and McCain spar for Hispanic support](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-mccain-spar-for-hispanic-support/456521)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-mccain-spar-for-hispanic-support/456521 "2008-07-24T17:19:01Z")
Obama’s pitch. McCain’s. Will McCain make inroads or just po his conservative base? --- ## [Israel exchanges murderer for the bodies of two dead soldiers - why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-exchanges-murderer-for-the-bodies-of-two-dead-soldiers-why/457072)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2008, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-exchanges-murderer-for-the-bodies-of-two-dead-soldiers-why/457072 "2008-07-24T16:15:27Z")
I read this in the newspaper earlier today - here is a link to the story on CNN. I know we have members of this forum from Israel here, so I hope they’re not offended when I say - this seems really stupid to me. I cou… --- ## [Canadian ISPs conspiring to change free net access to cable like model. Truth or BS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-isps-conspiring-to-change-free-net-access-to-cable-like-model-truth-or-bs/457591)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2008, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-isps-conspiring-to-change-free-net-access-to-cable-like-model-truth-or-bs/457591 "2008-07-24T15:35:46Z")
Per this website. Any truth to these charges? http://www.realitycheck.typepad.com/ --- ## [Tomato scare in the U.S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomato-scare-in-the-u-s/456888)
**Author:** [@TazMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TazMan)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2008, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomato-scare-in-the-u-s/456888 "2008-07-24T07:03:31Z")
The topic that prompted the creation of this topic is the recent tomato scare in the USA. There was recently a nationwide scare about salmonella contaminated tomatoes. However, the FDA is still reporting that they cannot… --- ## ["If I'm old enough to die for my country, I'm old enough to drink a beer."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-old-enough-to-die-for-my-country-im-old-enough-to-drink-a-beer/457366)
**Author:** [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2008, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-old-enough-to-die-for-my-country-im-old-enough-to-drink-a-beer/457366 "2008-07-24T03:59:34Z")
I once believed this, being 18, in the military, and wanting to drink beer. But my 34-year-old self looks at my 18-year-old self and says: “No way.” I made it out alive, but I think the drinking age is 21 for all the … --- ## [Christians who have committed hate crimes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-who-have-committed-hate-crimes/457127)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-who-have-committed-hate-crimes/457127 "2008-07-24T03:13:48Z")
I am putting this on this board because it is pertaining to religion, but it’s a request for information. Can people please post any anecdotal stories regarding Christians committing hate crimes in recent history. Don’… --- ## [Are the feminists right in their claim of very high rape percentage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-feminists-right-in-their-claim-of-very-high-rape-percentage/457079)
**Author:** [@scrambledeggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scrambledeggs)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-feminists-right-in-their-claim-of-very-high-rape-percentage/457079 "2008-07-24T03:08:04Z")
Feminist literature seems to imply that the vast majority of men are rapists in either fact or wish. That many many more rapes are committed than are ever reported. That men think of rape constantly but only restrain the… --- ## [Which hurts more, the credit crunch or commodity prices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-hurts-more-the-credit-crunch-or-commodity-prices/457537)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-hurts-more-the-credit-crunch-or-commodity-prices/457537 "2008-07-23T22:45:20Z")
Which is hurting the economy more right now? Thanks for your help, Rob --- ## [Young, gay and murdered in junior high--hate crime/sexual harassment issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-gay-and-murdered-in-junior-high-hate-crime-sexual-harassment-issues/457396)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-gay-and-murdered-in-junior-high-hate-crime-sexual-harassment-issues/457396 "2008-07-23T18:23:28Z")
http://www.newsweek.com/id/147790/page/1 Basically, the story is about a young boy murdered by a fellow schoolmate. The boy, Larry King, is gay and the boy who shot him, Brandon McInerney, is straight. From the article… --- ## [Does Bush have any idea how unpopular he is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bush-have-any-idea-how-unpopular-he-is/456962)
**Author:** [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bush-have-any-idea-how-unpopular-he-is/456962 "2008-07-23T16:21:25Z")
I would imagine many presidents have relied on their staffs to keep them abreast of what’s happening in the world; after all, they have among the largest and best equipped groups of people for information-gathering and d… --- ## [Should teens be allowed to parent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-teens-be-allowed-to-parent/457234)
**Author:** [@erleichda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erleichda)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2008, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-teens-be-allowed-to-parent/457234 "2008-07-23T03:35:19Z")
Some background: I was a teen mother who, because of my family’s religious beliefs, was pretty much forced into giving birth and raising my son (at 17). I was not given many skills or much support to accomplish his task,… --- ## [Chavez Doesn't Like Obama Either???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chavez-doesnt-like-obama-either/456897)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chavez-doesnt-like-obama-either/456897 "2008-07-23T01:43:36Z")
I’ve seen some online news reports from various news agencies (Reuters, etc.), that President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is now saying something to the effect that even with Barak Obama as President of the United States, r… --- ## [What does "Blessing" something actually do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-blessing-something-actually-do/456909)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-blessing-something-actually-do/456909 "2008-07-22T19:49:31Z")
I was raised Catholic but gave up the faith for lent. I can remember people showing up for dinner and being told “That food’s already been blessed so just dig in”. Another case would be giving a blessing to troops headed… --- ## [Old enough to have sex, not old enough to watch porn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-enough-to-have-sex-not-old-enough-to-watch-porn/457375)
**Author:** [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2008, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-enough-to-have-sex-not-old-enough-to-watch-porn/457375 "2008-07-22T17:15:55Z")
Prompted by the dying/drinking thread, this is one that has rattled around in my head for a while. In the UK the age of consent is 16 (and in other European countries it’s sometimes lower), but the age you have to be to… --- ## [Al Gore-Renewable energy by 2018: What is he smoking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-gore-renewable-energy-by-2018-what-is-he-smoking/456859)
**Author:** [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-gore-renewable-energy-by-2018-what-is-he-smoking/456859 "2008-07-22T14:57:15Z")
Al Gore said today that the U.S. must abandon fossil fuels within a decade. Much as I’d love to see us off fossil fuels, I can’t see that we’d effect much of a change in only 10 years. So much of our society is based ar… --- ## [Was Pope John Paul I assassinated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-pope-john-paul-i-assassinated/457261)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-pope-john-paul-i-assassinated/457261 "2008-07-22T14:11:59Z")
Does anyone still believe the consipiracy theories about Pope John Paul I being assassinated? It is covered briefly in the Wikipedia article. I don’t think he was. The assasssination theories came about because of his v… --- ## [What is the basic moral philosophy of modern man? How would it be categorized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-basic-moral-philosophy-of-modern-man-how-would-it-be-categorized/457344)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2008, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-basic-moral-philosophy-of-modern-man-how-would-it-be-categorized/457344 "2008-07-22T08:12:22Z")
What would a philosopher call the general moral philosophy of modern educated humans in industrialized societies? --- ## [Should the exclusionary rule be eviscerated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-exclusionary-rule-be-eviscerated/456986)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-exclusionary-rule-be-eviscerated/456986 "2008-07-21T20:27:57Z")
The exclusionary rule stands for the principle that evidence obtained via an unlawful search cannot be used in trial. Any “forbidden fruit” obtained via the search is also out. The NYT has an article today suggesting th… --- ## [How important is it to visit Iraq before coming up with a strategy to deal with it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-it-to-visit-iraq-before-coming-up-with-a-strategy-to-deal-with-it/456597)
**Author:** [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-it-to-visit-iraq-before-coming-up-with-a-strategy-to-deal-with-it/456597 "2008-07-21T16:32:55Z")
I listened to John McCain’s Town Hall meeting in Albuquerque this morning, and he lambasted Obama for having an Iraq strategy without actually having visited Iraq first, implying, if not outright saying (I don’t have the… --- ## [How will humanity react to a habitable world close by?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-humanity-react-to-a-habitable-world-close-by/457018)
**Author:** [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-humanity-react-to-a-habitable-world-close-by/457018 "2008-07-21T16:10:08Z")
Tomorrow NASA announces that they have determined that there is a planet located within, say, 15 light years. It appears to have liquid water, an earth-life friendly atmosphere, and albedo indicates the presence of soli… --- ## [World Financial Policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-financial-policy/456552)
**Author:** [@Walker\_in\_Eternity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walker_in_Eternity)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-financial-policy/456552 "2008-07-21T16:00:54Z")
Didn’t know whether to put this in GQ or here, but as the answers are likely to be speculative I settled for here. My question/point is: What can we do given the current financial situation that the western world is ex… --- ## ["Barack...he's talking down to black people...telling niggers how to behave"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-hes-talking-down-to-black-people-telling-niggers-how-to-behave/456789)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-hes-talking-down-to-black-people-telling-niggers-how-to-behave/456789 "2008-07-21T02:30:57Z")
At what point does it beccome unacceptable for black leaders to use the N word? Do they get a pass along with the rappers? Jesse Jackson: Yep, He Used the Other ‘N’ Word, But… --- ## [Why is Obama "black"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-obama-black/456733)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2008, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-obama-black/456733 "2008-07-21T00:03:33Z")
I am perplexed by the characterization of Barack Obama as being a black African-American man. I can’t say that I really object to it, and he certainly seems to embrace it. But, what, are we back to the one-drop rule? … --- ## [Two Theological Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-theological-questions/456567)
**Author:** [@viccums](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/viccums)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-theological-questions/456567 "2008-07-20T19:12:41Z")
Theoretically it is possible to obtain a sample of Christs DNA from the Shroud of Turin. If we cloned it we could raise a bunch of carbon copies of Jesus. Would they be Divine? In The Di Vinci Code it is suggested t… --- ## [Why do so many kids earn liberal arts degrees when they are not marketable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-kids-earn-liberal-arts-degrees-when-they-are-not-marketable/454414)
**Author:** [@scrambledeggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scrambledeggs)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2008, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-kids-earn-liberal-arts-degrees-when-they-are-not-marketable/454414 "2008-07-20T08:11:42Z")
Why do so many kids earn liberal arts degrees when they are not marketable? I notice that when I graduated high school i got TONS of advertisements from the endless numbers of liberal arts colleges. Not only those, but … --- ## [What are/were your perceptions of the Troubles in Northern Ireland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-were-your-perceptions-of-the-troubles-in-northern-ireland/456893)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-were-your-perceptions-of-the-troubles-in-northern-ireland/456893 "2008-07-20T03:27:13Z")
Inspired by the coded warnings thread: This is sort of IMHO but because it is about a political issue I posted it here. Mods can move it if they see fit. I’d like to hear peoples’ opinions on the Troubles, i.e. the blo… --- ## [Betancourt rescuer used Red Cross symbol as disguise](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betancourt-rescuer-used-red-cross-symbol-as-disguise/456800)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betancourt-rescuer-used-red-cross-symbol-as-disguise/456800 "2008-07-19T17:29:42Z")
There may not be much debate here, but I guess this is one of those questions about whether the end justifies the means. Reported today, one of the rescuers in Colombia who freed Ingrid Betancourt and 14 others wore the… --- ## [Who is Obama kidding? My take on his FISA statement (telecom immunity).](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-obama-kidding-my-take-on-his-fisa-statement-telecom-immunity/455380)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2008, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-obama-kidding-my-take-on-his-fisa-statement-telecom-immunity/455380 "2008-07-19T12:12:03Z")
In this thread, I translate \[Obama’s new statement on FISA\](the followinghttp://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/rospars/gGxsZF). \*\*Translation: \*\* My forums are in turmoil and I have to defuse this a bit now tha… --- ## [Obama moves to the center](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-moves-to-the-center/456321)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2008, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-moves-to-the-center/456321 "2008-07-19T11:56:51Z")
Haven’t seen any threads on this general subject. I know all candidates for President do it but still … Anyway, my question to each SDMB doper willing to share … Has he irretreivably lost any of your votes yet? I… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=617) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=619)