# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=623 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 624 --- ## [Is the AGW debate about Results or Science?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-agw-debate-about-results-or-science/454390)
**Author:** [@Public\_Animal\_No.9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Public_Animal_No.9)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-agw-debate-about-results-or-science/454390 "2008-07-02T21:54:21Z")
I’ve been reading through (and periodically posting in) the various global warming debates, and I come away from them with the feeling that the debates are not so much about whether there is agreement or disagreement ove… --- ## [Nelson Mandela is not longer considered a terrorist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nelson-mandela-is-not-longer-considered-a-terrorist/454700)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nelson-mandela-is-not-longer-considered-a-terrorist/454700 "2008-07-02T19:07:42Z")
I thought that Mandela admitted his terrorist deeds in his biography. Mandela was part of the military wing of the ANC. The ANC’s terrorist arm, which Mandela headed in 1963 was called Umkhonto we Sizwe. As a terrorist … --- ## [Joseph McCarthy: Did he serve a positive purpose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joseph-mccarthy-did-he-serve-a-positive-purpose/454445)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2008, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joseph-mccarthy-did-he-serve-a-positive-purpose/454445 "2008-07-02T11:42:02Z")
Joe McCarthy has been the villain in almost all depictions of him or the era named for him at least for most of my life. However, in recent years he seems to have come into a more positive revisionism. The fact that An… --- ## [McCain tries to buddy up with Religious Right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-tries-to-buddy-up-with-religious-right/454453)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2008, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-tries-to-buddy-up-with-religious-right/454453 "2008-07-02T11:23:00Z")
McCain comes out in support of California SSM amendment. Does McCain just not get it? The Religious Right do not like him and will not like him. They may hold their nose to vote for him as “Anyone But Obama.” But, they w… --- ## [Do human rights exist beyond the law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-human-rights-exist-beyond-the-law/454375)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2008, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-human-rights-exist-beyond-the-law/454375 "2008-07-02T10:24:46Z")
Does a person have any rights beyond the legal rights that he can have enforced? I am not sure what people mean when they talk about basic human rights. For example, saying that the American slaves had their human rights… --- ## [Right to Bear Arms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-bear-arms/453034)
**Author:** [@Flipbustle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flipbustle)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-bear-arms/453034 "2008-07-02T03:28:12Z")
I don’t know where my thoughts fit. I may be a square peg- - -so be it. My father quit the NRA , of which he had been a sporting member for half a century. He shot game-birds and clay pidgeons. From the moment Ch… --- ## [John McCain: Swift Boating looks good on Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-mccain-swift-boating-looks-good-on-obama/454895)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2008, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-mccain-swift-boating-looks-good-on-obama/454895 "2008-07-01T23:25:36Z")
As reported by Reuters, Republican presidential candidate John McCain has enlisted the help of smear merchants from the 2004 campaign, the so-called Swift Boaters. He hated them then; he likes them now. In 2004, McCain d… --- ## [Is chaos good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chaos-good/454629)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2008, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chaos-good/454629 "2008-07-01T22:15:00Z")
Let’s see if you can poke holes in this theory: If we start with the assumption that what is most desirable is that anything be possible, isn’t then a truly chaotic universe, where quantum randomness is absolute, necess… --- ## [Should McCain drop out of the 2008 elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mccain-drop-out-of-the-2008-elections/454306)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mccain-drop-out-of-the-2008-elections/454306 "2008-07-01T17:47:04Z")
I know this sounds rash, but hear me out. Clearly, McCain is going to lose these elections. Why, he’s 15 points behind, running as the oldest ever president against one of the youngest, most popular candidates in decade… --- ## [Re: Oil supply shortages -- Are any gas stations running out of gas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-oil-supply-shortages-are-any-gas-stations-running-out-of-gas/453812)
**Author:** [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-oil-supply-shortages-are-any-gas-stations-running-out-of-gas/453812 "2008-07-01T17:30:56Z")
During the oil embargo in the 70s, gas stations would routinely run out of gas and have to shut down for a few days until their next delivery. That made sense because there was a shortage. In our current crisis, I have… --- ## [Obama's campaign attacks McCain's military service.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-campaign-attacks-mccains-military-service/454677)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 213\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-campaign-attacks-mccains-military-service/454677 "2008-07-01T14:18:08Z")
Apparently Obama and his campaigners haven’t learned to keep their traps shut about McCain’s military service yet. http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080629/pl\_politico/11425 Questioning or attacking McCain’s military … --- ## [Do the political parties in your new democracy (present or historical) get along?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-political-parties-in-your-new-democracy-present-or-historical-get-along/454533)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2008, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-political-parties-in-your-new-democracy-present-or-historical-get-along/454533 "2008-07-01T13:51:04Z")
I was speaking recently to someone here in Taiwan about the political environment here. At one point, I said that I feel like, in Taiwan, that there are two governments: the DPP and KMT. I’ve never been anywhere the pa… --- ## [What do you do with a President who doesn't owe anyone anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-with-a-president-who-doesnt-owe-anyone-anything/454798)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2008, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-with-a-president-who-doesnt-owe-anyone-anything/454798 "2008-07-01T05:44:35Z")
I see in this election cycle Obama is trying his hardest not to take any money from pacs or federal lobbyists - but in the end I’m sure he will owe someone something…it’s just a fact of politics right now. On the other … --- ## [Does Obama write his own speeches?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-write-his-own-speeches/454807)
**Author:** [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2008, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-write-his-own-speeches/454807 "2008-07-01T03:20:59Z")
I know most presidents (and candidates) have speech writers. I can tell you that the Pinhead In Chief has probably never written a single sentence in any of the speeches he’s given in these last 8 years. But Obama sure … --- ## [Whence the scorn for "natural rights"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-the-scorn-for-natural-rights/454497)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-the-scorn-for-natural-rights/454497 "2008-07-01T02:21:03Z")
Occasionally the concept will come up for discussion here in some topic or another, and be immediately dismissed as ignorant and naive. I gather that it is considered as utterly discredited as the theory of phlogiston or… --- ## [Why are there so many lawyers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-lawyers/453438)
**Author:** [@scrambledeggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scrambledeggs)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-lawyers/453438 "2008-06-30T19:23:47Z")
Granted you need a lawyer just to guide you to the right forum here to ask a question . . . is this a debate or fact question? But anywayz. . . . Why are there so many lawyers in the U.S.? I took a business law course a… --- ## [What happens to military analysts who screw up? Are they held to account by anyone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-military-analysts-who-screw-up-are-they-held-to-account-by-anyone/454653)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2008, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-military-analysts-who-screw-up-are-they-held-to-account-by-anyone/454653 "2008-06-30T18:39:29Z")
Not really full GQ, and I think this question is better suited for this forum vs others. Per this new Report by the Us Army “On Point II: Transition to the New Campaign,” what happens in military academic culture if you… --- ## [Gordon Brown's first year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gordon-browns-first-year/454429)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gordon-browns-first-year/454429 "2008-06-30T14:56:13Z")
You may not have noticed, but we have a Prime Minister. His name is Gordon Brown, and he’s been Prime Minister for exactly a year. He was never elected prime minister; he and Tony Blair had a bit of chinwag at a restaura… --- ## [ICAAN plans to let anyone register TLDs. Ie, instead of ".com", ".anything"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icaan-plans-to-let-anyone-register-tlds-ie-instead-of-com-anything/454404)
**Author:** [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2008, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icaan-plans-to-let-anyone-register-tlds-ie-instead-of-com-anything/454404 "2008-06-30T12:36:29Z")
From a profiteering aspect this is absolutely huge. All the value of domains like “sex.com” absolutely plummets. That’s billions of dollars. Poof. And suddenly there’s an opportunity to make even more money getting in … --- ## [Will taxing the rich cause them to work less?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-taxing-the-rich-cause-them-to-work-less/454096)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-taxing-the-rich-cause-them-to-work-less/454096 "2008-06-30T04:16:18Z")
In response to Barak Obama’s tax proposa, the Weekly Standard is again trotting out the line that higher taxes on the rich will reduce their motivation for productive work. I’ve never understood this argument because it… --- ## [Does this definition of "well-regulated militia" wash?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-definition-of-well-regulated-militia-wash/454566)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2008, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-definition-of-well-regulated-militia-wash/454566 "2008-06-29T19:43:42Z")
(I know there must be a score of threads on this subject, but I didn’t want to reopen a non-recent one. Anyway:) As has been debated before, there are grounds to believe that “well-regulated” was not intended to mean “u… --- ## [Obama and Clinton keep "campaigning together." Does this mean...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-clinton-keep-campaigning-together-does-this-mean/454167)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2008, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-clinton-keep-campaigning-together-does-this-mean/454167 "2008-06-29T13:30:09Z")
I keep seeing news articles mentioning instances of Obama and Clinton “campaigning together.” And I just read one in which Obama has explicitly asked his fundraising people to find ways to help Clinton with her campaign… --- ## [Survey: 59% of American physicians now support UHC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-59-of-american-physicians-now-support-uhc/443526)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2008, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/survey-59-of-american-physicians-now-support-uhc/443526 "2008-06-27T12:48:02Z")
Up from 49% in 2002. Story here. Of course they’re doctors, not economists, dammit, but, still, isn’t this a rather persuasive statistic? --- ## [Any chance Colin Powell will endorse Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-colin-powell-will-endorse-obama/454393)
**Author:** [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2008, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-colin-powell-will-endorse-obama/454393 "2008-06-28T23:28:53Z")
Any chance of this happening? --- ## [SCOTUS: Death penalty for child rape unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-death-penalty-for-child-rape-unconstitutional/454204)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-death-penalty-for-child-rape-unconstitutional/454204 "2008-06-28T23:11:10Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080625/ap\_on\_go\_su\_co/scotus\_child\_rape Kennedy strikes back. --- ## [What causes a "Breakthrough" Idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-breakthrough-idea/454297)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-breakthrough-idea/454297 "2008-06-28T20:29:52Z")
Inspired by the "revelation " thread, i am wondering about revelations which result in a breakthrough. This has been noted by many famous matematicians…such as Karl Gauss, who reported wrestling with an equation, and get… --- ## [In anticipation of Heller... \[SCOTUS + 2d Amendment\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-anticipation-of-heller-scotus-2d-amendment/454161)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 269\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-anticipation-of-heller-scotus-2d-amendment/454161 "2008-06-28T17:00:29Z")
The Supreme Court is due to deliver the opinion in the case of DC v. Heller sometime in the next two days. It is almost universally anticipated that the decision will affirm an individual right to keep and bear arms, eve… --- ## [Steven Pinker! Human Dignity! Leon Kass! Bioethics! Ice Cream!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steven-pinker-human-dignity-leon-kass-bioethics-ice-cream/454348)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steven-pinker-human-dignity-leon-kass-bioethics-ice-cream/454348 "2008-06-28T14:18:24Z")
This article came out in The New Republic in May, but seems to have escaped the Straight Dope’s radar. There are so many different debates we could have about it that I’m just going to say it touches on all of the things… --- ## [How to Deal With Divine Revelations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-deal-with-divine-revelations/454183)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-deal-with-divine-revelations/454183 "2008-06-28T12:49:22Z")
You receive a revelation from God; what do you do? It seems to me that you first have to decide if the revelation is genuine: The revelation is indeed from God The revelation is from the Devil, intended to trap you, an… --- ## [Should I be offended by Giles v Calif?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-offended-by-giles-v-calif/454463)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2008, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-offended-by-giles-v-calif/454463 "2008-06-28T12:28:23Z")
Layman’s view from the newspaper articles? Guiles is on trial Ex-girlfriend testifies. Testimony includes stories of the defendent trying to kill her. Ex-girlfriend can’t continue testimony because THE DEFENDENT KILL… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=622) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=624)