# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=622 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 623 --- ## [South Carolina to issue Christian license plates: "church and state" violation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-to-issue-christian-license-plates-church-and-state-violation/455560)
**Author:** [@aerodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aerodave)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2008, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-carolina-to-issue-christian-license-plates-church-and-state-violation/455560 "2008-07-08T05:59:06Z")
Here’s a link to the article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/07/sclicense.plates/index.html The short version is that South Carolina intends to issue a license plate design that didn’t work out when it was tried in Flor… --- ## [To my fellow California voters: \[gubernatorial race\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-fellow-california-voters-gubernatorial-race/455012)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-my-fellow-california-voters-gubernatorial-race/455012 "2008-07-08T01:37:42Z")
Please be advised, a very bad mayor has begun the process of running for governor of our fair benighted state in 2010. I am asking you now to look at his record as mayor\*, and when you have done so, I think you will agr… --- ## [The Joe Horn "He Needed Killin'" Shooting Case: Your Opinions on His Acquittal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joe-horn-he-needed-killin-shooting-case-your-opinions-on-his-acquittal/455100)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2008, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-joe-horn-he-needed-killin-shooting-case-your-opinions-on-his-acquittal/455100 "2008-07-07T22:23:49Z")
Apologies if there’s already a thread- I couldn’t find one through various searches. For those who haven’t been following the story through various print and cable news magazines, Wiki has a good synopsis of the case. … --- ## [Does Pizza Discrimination Exist? (No delivery to 'bad' neighborhoods)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pizza-discrimination-exist-no-delivery-to-bad-neighborhoods/454962)
**Author:** [@scrambledeggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scrambledeggs)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pizza-discrimination-exist-no-delivery-to-bad-neighborhoods/454962 "2008-07-07T21:38:41Z")
Back in the day, about 10 years ago, there was a big to-do about “pizza discrimination”. The Black Student Union of the university nearby had some kind of campaign against it, claiming that only one joint would actually … --- ## [Obama is only the vessel. What are the higher implications for electing him.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-only-the-vessel-what-are-the-higher-implications-for-electing-him/455455)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-only-the-vessel-what-are-the-higher-implications-for-electing-him/455455 "2008-07-07T19:37:09Z")
This past month I have been decidedly abscent from the boards. Due in no small part for a 2 week jaunt to the Rockies for some R&R. In that time I had the chance to read several books, while relaxing with the beautiful s… --- ## [The Blurry Line Between "Domestic Servant" and "Slave"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-blurry-line-between-domestic-servant-and-slave/455290)
**Author:** [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2008, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-blurry-line-between-domestic-servant-and-slave/455290 "2008-07-07T15:58:02Z")
This is a piece of news that I first read about in Spanish and Dutch newspapers. Here you have a couple of English-language links. Times of London Daily Telegraph SIGH I would say that words fail me, but it is my unde… --- ## [Why is Europe bothering with Mars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-europe-bothering-with-mars/455547)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2008, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-europe-bothering-with-mars/455547 "2008-07-07T14:36:52Z")
I was just reading this BBC article about budget cuts for the Mars mission. But really, why is Europe heading for Mars in the first place? America already has probes there doing good science. Wouldn’t it be more sensible… --- ## [Why does Africa suffer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-africa-suffer/454431)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2008, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-africa-suffer/454431 "2008-07-07T02:39:28Z")
Why is it that most African countries below the Sahara are in such a terrible state? By almost every yardstick most of them are suffering. In terms of politics, economics and human rights, they are below the standards th… --- ## [The Rationalization & The Exoneration of Jihad (Dr. Fadl & Al-Zawahiri)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rationalization-the-exoneration-of-jihad-dr-fadl-al-zawahiri/455498)
**Author:** [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2008, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rationalization-the-exoneration-of-jihad-dr-fadl-al-zawahiri/455498 "2008-07-06T23:07:43Z")
Lately, I’ve been consciously trying to pay more attention to perspectives on the occupation of Iraq and Al-Qaeda coming from the insides of those organizations. Not because I sympathize, but because I want to at least h… --- ## [Was the hostage rescue engineered to benefit McCain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-hostage-rescue-engineered-to-benefit-mccain/455175)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-hostage-rescue-engineered-to-benefit-mccain/455175 "2008-07-06T19:31:01Z")
John Ridley, a novelist, screenwriter, and occasional talking head for MSNBC, raised questions this morning about the timing and circumstances of the US led rescue of hostages (including Americans) in Colombia yesterday.… --- ## [Obama promises to expand Bush's faith-based initiatives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-promises-to-expand-bushs-faith-based-initiatives/454908)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-promises-to-expand-bushs-faith-based-initiatives/454908 "2008-07-06T18:19:46Z")
Story here: Issue for debate: What the FUCK?! --- ## [When will the next big names drop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-next-big-names-drop/453673)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-the-next-big-names-drop/453673 "2008-07-05T20:23:02Z")
Of course the current speculation is when (or if) Bill Clinton will step out to help in this Presidential cycle. I could definitely see him helping out in Appalachia and in some Southern states that are now in play. My g… --- ## [Gun-rights advocates, how do you feel about...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-rights-advocates-how-do-you-feel-about/454422)
**Author:** [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2008, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-rights-advocates-how-do-you-feel-about/454422 "2008-07-05T06:37:30Z")
I mean the following as a poll, not really as a thought exercise. I’d put it in IMHO, if the subject weren’t so touchy. My assumption going in is that no one is so much of an absolutist on the subject that they’d permi… --- ## [Men - Does it bother you that everybody assumes you're a child molester?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-does-it-bother-you-that-everybody-assumes-youre-a-child-molester/454972)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 293\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2008, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-does-it-bother-you-that-everybody-assumes-youre-a-child-molester/454972 "2008-07-05T02:35:08Z")
This is a spinoff from the thread here, which is a spinoff from the terrifying thread where norinew’s little girl was sexually assaulted by neighborhood teenagers. The thread this comes from is mainly about teenagers, b… --- ## [McCain Goes Over-the-Top (GI Bill)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-goes-over-the-top-gi-bill/450375)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-goes-over-the-top-gi-bill/450375 "2008-07-04T21:17:57Z")
Obama criticized John McCain for his no-show on the GI Bill yesterday. Here are his comments: A fair, respectful criticism in my opinion. Now McCain would respond, as can be expected, in equally diplomatic and fair r… --- ## [McCain in Mexico](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-in-mexico/455267)
**Author:** [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-in-mexico/455267 "2008-07-04T18:36:58Z")
Full disclosure: I’m a mexican, born, raised and living in Mexico. As such, I only have an indirect (albeit rather large personal) interest in U.S. politics. Just today I was discussing with some co-worker the tour thro… --- ## [The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prosecution-of-george-w-bush-for-murder/455107)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-prosecution-of-george-w-bush-for-murder/455107 "2008-07-04T17:26:55Z")
The thread title is the title of a new book by the well known L.A. County prosecutor and author, Vincent Bugliosi. I heaed Bugliosi on a local radio interview yesterday talking about this book, and he isn’t kidding with … --- ## [The Future of Slavery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-slavery/455101)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2008, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-slavery/455101 "2008-07-04T14:29:29Z")
It’s not cool to post a contentless OP aside, I’ll have to go back through the following clip again to decide what all comments I would want to make about it. But I’d like to post it for others first. And being a short v… --- ## [Red & Blue geography, Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-blue-geography-why/455217)
**Author:** [@focusonz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/focusonz)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2008, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-blue-geography-why/455217 "2008-07-04T11:01:01Z")
This is a map of the Presidential election 2004. You can characterize the map as red rural. And futher characterized as northern Blue cities and souther red cities. The Blue rural can be explained by Atlas black afri… --- ## [How to torture like a Commie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-torture-like-a-commie/455026)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2008, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-torture-like-a-commie/455026 "2008-07-04T07:47:27Z")
Turns out that’s what we’ve been doing at Gitmo, and presumably elsewhere in the American gulag from Bagram through Abu Ghraib to those mysterious Eastern European holding locations and prison ships: I’m old enough to … --- ## ["I belive marriage is between a man and woman." = Homophobic Comment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-belive-marriage-is-between-a-man-and-woman-homophobic-comment/454910)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2008, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-belive-marriage-is-between-a-man-and-woman-homophobic-comment/454910 "2008-07-04T05:39:34Z")
I listen to Sirius OutQ Radio Show in the mornings. It’s a gay radio station on Sirius (obviously) and the host, Larry Flick is a very intelligent, openly gay radio host and has a great show I might add. Now, I’m not g… --- ## [What is Obama gaining by not naming, or even hinting at a VP choice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-obama-gaining-by-not-naming-or-even-hinting-at-a-vp-choice/454503)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2008, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-obama-gaining-by-not-naming-or-even-hinting-at-a-vp-choice/454503 "2008-07-04T00:10:55Z")
The title sums it up. Why in the world isn’t Obama campaigning with a VP choice yet? He’s shown us so far that he’s excellent at playing his political cards at the perfect time, but for the life of me I just can’t figu… --- ## [D.C. gun ban overturned! Now I want to buy one!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-c-gun-ban-overturned-now-i-want-to-buy-one/454561)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-c-gun-ban-overturned-now-i-want-to-buy-one/454561 "2008-07-03T23:33:31Z")
Ok, let’s assume that I am a D.C. resident, and I just got done celebrating the idea that I can now lawfully possess a handgun in my home for personal protection. I go down to the ATM, pull out a thousand bucks (I want … --- ## [Google Ordered to Turn Over Youtube Records](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-ordered-to-turn-over-youtube-records/455241)
**Author:** [@Ducktail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ducktail)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-ordered-to-turn-over-youtube-records/455241 "2008-07-03T22:41:24Z")
I am posting this in GD because I get the feeling that a debate is going to emerge, but first I have some questions regarding this. My first question is about the simple reason behind this. Why is it necessary to have … --- ## [Are medical malpractice cases really driving out doctors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-medical-malpractice-cases-really-driving-out-doctors/455169)
**Author:** [@scrambledeggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scrambledeggs)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-medical-malpractice-cases-really-driving-out-doctors/455169 "2008-07-03T21:52:25Z")
OK back a few years ago the big to-do was “evil lawyers suing doctors out of business, malpractice insurance rates too high”. especially in places like Nevada, supposedly there was a shortage of OB GYN’s because the proc… --- ## [Global Warming bullies: Does the Weather channel founder have a point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-bullies-does-the-weather-channel-founder-have-a-point/454169)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-bullies-does-the-weather-channel-founder-have-a-point/454169 "2008-07-03T16:50:41Z")
So, I just saw this, and I saw another interview on videosift yesterday with the same guy, John Coleman, founder of the Weather Channel. What I want to know is whether or not this is all just hype or not. Is there real… --- ## [Equality vs Freedom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equality-vs-freedom/453740)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equality-vs-freedom/453740 "2008-07-03T15:22:15Z")
As I mentioned in other threads. I saw George Will on Colbert and was intrigued by his discription of the difference between consevative and liberal paraphrased How accurate is this discription? It occurs to me tha… --- ## [Christians: is the opprobrium heaped on Judas fundamentally unfair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-is-the-opprobrium-heaped-on-judas-fundamentally-unfair/454277)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-is-the-opprobrium-heaped-on-judas-fundamentally-unfair/454277 "2008-07-03T12:42:08Z")
Judas ISCARIOT of course. Nobody’s got any issues with the Zealot that I know of. As the story is generally told, Jesus was entirely unsurprised by his crucifixion. It was part of his father’s plan, after all, and thoug… --- ## [Why are some congressman trying to kill THIS voucher program?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-congressman-trying-to-kill-this-voucher-program/452815)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 239\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2008, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-congressman-trying-to-kill-this-voucher-program/452815 "2008-07-03T02:14:28Z")
Evidently, some democrats in congress are trying to kill the Washington, DC Opportunity Scholarship Program. It serves about 2,000 low-income (average family income: $23,000) kids, allowing their parents to send them to … --- ## [Barack Obama - America's passionate patriot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama-americas-passionate-patriot/454801)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama-americas-passionate-patriot/454801 "2008-07-03T01:37:58Z")
Even as Senator McCain was rehashing day-old news to audible yawns from reporters, and revelling in political opportunities to take gratuitous swipes at Barack Obama, the Senator from Illinois was giving a rousing speech… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=621) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=623)