# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=619 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 620 --- ## [Streetside Anti-Abortion posters - what are their goals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streetside-anti-abortion-posters-what-are-their-goals/456561)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2008, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/streetside-anti-abortion-posters-what-are-their-goals/456561 "2008-07-19T04:56:05Z")
Every once in a while the downtown Chicago streets I walk between my office and the train station will be lined with anti-abortion activists. Yesterday evening was such a day. Every 20 or so feet for a couple of blocks… --- ## [Are Republicans deliberately throwing the presidential election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-republicans-deliberately-throwing-the-presidential-election/456720)
**Author:** [@scrambledeggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scrambledeggs)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2008, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-republicans-deliberately-throwing-the-presidential-election/456720 "2008-07-19T04:01:05Z")
I notice that McCain is: old compared to obama Can’t speak well Is hated by his own party (although not the cross over voters) Seems mentally unstable Obama has major strengths compared to McCain. Umm so how did Mc… --- ## [Should we just be philosophical about capital punishment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-just-be-philosophical-about-capital-punishment/456391)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-just-be-philosophical-about-capital-punishment/456391 "2008-07-18T21:54:05Z")
William Saleton is one of my favorite writers because his articles for Slate make me think really hard about what I believe. His latest gives me real pause to think about my take on the death penalty. I’ve been devoutly … --- ## [D.C.'s proposed gun law is flatly inconsistent with the Heller decision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-c-s-proposed-gun-law-is-flatly-inconsistent-with-the-heller-decision/456480)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-c-s-proposed-gun-law-is-flatly-inconsistent-with-the-heller-decision/456480 "2008-07-18T21:25:47Z")
Let me preface this by saying that I am not a gun rights advocate. I despise handguns, and if I could push a Shiny Red Button to ban all handgun ownership in the United States, I’d do it in a heartbeat. So, I have a grea… --- ## [The Soul - A second level of conciousness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-soul-a-second-level-of-conciousness/456975)
**Author:** [@epb5007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epb5007)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-soul-a-second-level-of-conciousness/456975 "2008-07-18T19:36:36Z")
Descartes once said “I think therefore I am”, which he thought was the only credible belief that existance was real. The fact that he could think and use his mind was the ultimate proof that he was alive. Later there w… --- ## [Does this count as Bill's public endorsement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-count-as-bills-public-endorsement/456896)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-count-as-bills-public-endorsement/456896 "2008-07-18T16:21:02Z")
Link. I’ve been expecting it this week and am unsure if this counts. Not the fanfare I was expecting. Per Bill If so, then why isn’t Obama getting him out there in those areas in which Bill really could help (e.g. ac… --- ## [Secret Red Cross report says administration officials could face war crimes charges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-red-cross-report-says-administration-officials-could-face-war-crimes-charges/456755)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2008, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-red-cross-report-says-administration-officials-could-face-war-crimes-charges/456755 "2008-07-18T16:14:20Z")
The New York Times wrote about this on the 11th. I tried to do a search for this topic and didn’t find anything, so here goes … The book in question is The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How The War on Terror Turned i… --- ## [Is the Vietnam War technically classified as a military "defeat" by the US or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-vietnam-war-technically-classified-as-a-military-defeat-by-the-us-or-not/455868)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2008, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-vietnam-war-technically-classified-as-a-military-defeat-by-the-us-or-not/455868 "2008-07-18T14:05:26Z")
How does the US military classify our being kicked out of Vietnam? --- ## [Susan Atkins may be Released](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-atkins-may-be-released/452817)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/susan-atkins-may-be-released/452817 "2008-07-18T12:49:06Z")
Over here is the short version of the story. Susan Atkins is up for a compassionate release from the California jails after serving 40 years of a life sentence\* for the 1969 killing of actress Sharon Tate and her unborn… --- ## [Executive ban on offshore drilling lifted](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executive-ban-on-offshore-drilling-lifted/456494)
**Author:** [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executive-ban-on-offshore-drilling-lifted/456494 "2008-07-18T02:21:18Z")
Bush lifts executive ban on offshore oil drilling. Obviously congress would still need to follow suit for this to have any real meaning; however, this does appear to be a first step. My opinion is that even if this doe… --- ## [How Do Big Game Hunters Justify Their 'Sport'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-big-game-hunters-justify-their-sport/455968)
**Author:** [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Replies:** 211\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-big-game-hunters-justify-their-sport/455968 "2008-07-17T22:12:41Z")
As I am unable to use the search function yet, I was wondering if there were links to any threads discussing this topic anywhere on the board? Personally, I find it hard to see how anyone killing an animal with a high p… --- ## [The Green Party has nominated a candidate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-green-party-has-nominated-a-candidate/456278)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-green-party-has-nominated-a-candidate/456278 "2008-07-17T21:14:43Z")
The Green Party has nominated a candidate for President of the United States. Cynthia McKinney. I think I speak for all of us when I say, “What the fuck?” I believe it is safe to make two statements: there will be no … --- ## [New Yorker cover too much? (Obama as a terrorist)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-yorker-cover-too-much-obama-as-a-terrorist/456451)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-yorker-cover-too-much-obama-as-a-terrorist/456451 "2008-07-17T20:05:45Z")
Here is a link to a story and a picture of the New Yorker cover in question. The cover is meant to lampoon the notion of Obama as a Muslim and so on. I get that. However, I suspect to many people they will just see … --- ## [Did Jesse Helms actually win in the end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesse-helms-actually-win-in-the-end/456820)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesse-helms-actually-win-in-the-end/456820 "2008-07-17T18:01:47Z")
Many comments in this Pit thread (including some of mine) assume the late Senator Jesse Helms lived long enough to see everything he believed and fought for in his public life defeated or discredited, to the point that w… --- ## [What will happen if Gas Prices keep rising (U.S.)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-gas-prices-keep-rising-u-s/456346)
**Author:** [@scrambledeggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scrambledeggs)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-if-gas-prices-keep-rising-u-s/456346 "2008-07-17T17:48:23Z")
As gas prices keep rising – $4.69 in California, will the US experience some lasting change in transportation? Such as mass transit being developed? Or will the cost of mass transit, as well as the political inefficiency… --- ## [Catholic doctrine and the Consecrated Host: The Facts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-doctrine-and-the-consecrated-host-the-facts/456432)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-doctrine-and-the-consecrated-host-the-facts/456432 "2008-07-17T17:20:32Z")
A number of threads active here are concerned with the Roman Catholic Sacrament of the Eucharist. So far as I can tell, the discussion began with a story about an attendee at a Mass who, after receiving a consecrated hos… --- ## [Is Russia A Threat...What Is Our Diplomatic State With Them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-russia-a-threat-what-is-our-diplomatic-state-with-them/456097)
**Author:** [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-russia-a-threat-what-is-our-diplomatic-state-with-them/456097 "2008-07-17T17:11:42Z")
Any dopers with Russian experience? Anyone know how they view us these days? Just curious as to the relevance vis a vis current affairs. --- ## [How does the anti-war movement envision the state of Iraq post-withdrawal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-anti-war-movement-envision-the-state-of-iraq-post-withdrawal/456585)
**Author:** [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-anti-war-movement-envision-the-state-of-iraq-post-withdrawal/456585 "2008-07-17T16:05:29Z")
In a perfect world, this should be in IMHO, but as the war generally elicits strong emotions, I ask the question here. I am a supporter of Obama for many reasons, but my support is not based on his Iraq position. I jus… --- ## [Bradley Effect & Automated Polling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bradley-effect-automated-polling/456832)
**Author:** [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bradley-effect-automated-polling/456832 "2008-07-17T15:24:22Z")
The Bradley Effect being, of course, the notion that a minority candidate will underperform in an election vs his polling numbers because people will give inaccurate responses to a poll in order to avoid sounding racist.… --- ## [Catholic Confession: Is Forgiveness Ever Denied?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-confession-is-forgiveness-ever-denied/456085)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-confession-is-forgiveness-ever-denied/456085 "2008-07-17T15:23:12Z")
According to the Bible, there is only one sin that is unforgivable, and that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. But if someone commits another, lesser sin over and over again, and goes to confession every week, does a p… --- ## [When is it time to flee one's home? (musings on WWII and now)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-time-to-flee-ones-home-musings-on-wwii-and-now/456811)
**Author:** [@Whiteknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiteknight)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-time-to-flee-ones-home-musings-on-wwii-and-now/456811 "2008-07-17T14:08:46Z")
My wife and I watched The Pianist last night and I couldn’t help but think that, as depicted in the film, the Warsaw Jews were awfully passive about their situation until it was way too late. I realize that this is a hi… --- ## [Evolutionary Psychology is a Bunch of Hooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolutionary-psychology-is-a-bunch-of-hooey/451323)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolutionary-psychology-is-a-bunch-of-hooey/451323 "2008-07-17T10:28:16Z")
By “evolutionary psychology” I mean the branch of psychology that seeks to explain current human behavior as the result of adaptations dating back to prehistoric times. My view is given in the title of this thread, name… --- ## [Guns facilitate suicide. Do you care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-facilitate-suicide-do-you-care/456064)
**Author:** [@ossity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ossity)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-facilitate-suicide-do-you-care/456064 "2008-07-17T07:32:25Z")
Rather a pushy thread title, I grant, but I just read this article which confirms something I’ve wondered: The Urge to End It: It makes sense to me. The gun is an “easy” way to suicide: it’s effective, doesn’t requi… --- ## [Bank employee outs tax cheats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-employee-outs-tax-cheats/456697)
**Author:** [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-employee-outs-tax-cheats/456697 "2008-07-17T07:00:03Z")
A bank employee in Liechtenstein has publicized a list of account holders that are using the country’s highly secretive banks to avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars (story ). Apparently, the computer technician w… --- ## [Who the heck are the "post gays"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-heck-are-the-post-gays/456410)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-heck-are-the-post-gays/456410 "2008-07-17T06:51:52Z")
Per this article what the heck does “post gay” mean? --- ## [What is Spirit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-spirit/456565)
**Author:** [@viccums](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/viccums)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-spirit/456565 "2008-07-17T06:07:16Z")
The word "spirit"seems to mean many different unrelated things, ranging from “the old school spirit” through “my horse has lots of spirit” to “the Holy Spirit” and “will my spirit go to heaven?” Can anyone give me a gene… --- ## [Did Senator Charles E. Schumer really cause a run on the IndyMac Bancorp bank?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-senator-charles-e-schumer-really-cause-a-run-on-the-indymac-bancorp-bank/456398)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-senator-charles-e-schumer-really-cause-a-run-on-the-indymac-bancorp-bank/456398 "2008-07-17T05:54:34Z")
According to this article that essentially what he’s being accused of by the federal regulators. Any truth to this allegation? Did he actually destroy this bank? Regulators Seize Mortgage Lender --- ## [At what point does a person not deserve any respect because of their POV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-a-person-not-deserve-any-respect-because-of-their-pov/456626)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-a-person-not-deserve-any-respect-because-of-their-pov/456626 "2008-07-17T05:49:41Z")
Inspired by this Pit thread. It’s a judgment call made all the time, here and IRL. Believers in Intelligent Design, for example, get little respect from anyone, either on the SDMB or (I firmly believe this) in the wide… --- ## [Did Bush lie to justify invading Iraq for bad reasons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-lie-to-justify-invading-iraq-for-bad-reasons/456368)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-lie-to-justify-invading-iraq-for-bad-reasons/456368 "2008-07-17T04:00:43Z")
I asserted in the Tony Snow Pit thread that Bush’s government “deliberately manipulated facts in order to justify declaring specious but ruinous invasions of countries whose policies they opposed in a misguided attempt t… --- ## [Should Fannie and Freddie be bailed out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fannie-and-freddie-be-bailed-out/456181)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fannie-and-freddie-be-bailed-out/456181 "2008-07-17T03:29:27Z")
The stock price of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been pummeled in the last few days. Some folks are very critical of these companies because of their past accounting irregularities and unique relationship with the gov… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=618) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=620)