# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=642 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 643 --- ## [Is the universe chaotic or perfectly ordered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-universe-chaotic-or-perfectly-ordered/445241)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2008, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-universe-chaotic-or-perfectly-ordered/445241 "2008-04-15T15:02:28Z")
I don’t claim to have a deep knowledge of chaos, time and infinity so I welcome anyone who can vet my assumptions (and logic) to have a go at it. Assumption #1: there is such thing as chaos. Assumption #2: there is suc… --- ## [Is war with Iran imminent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-war-with-iran-imminent/444324)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-war-with-iran-imminent/444324 "2008-04-15T14:10:13Z")
http://www.iranfocus.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=14774 --- ## [Good vs. Evil: Are They Really Balanced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-vs-evil-are-they-really-balanced/444872)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2008, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-vs-evil-are-they-really-balanced/444872 "2008-04-15T09:59:47Z")
Conventional wisdom would say good and bad are equally balanced in the universe. You know, the whole karma/ying-yang thing. But, I wonder…doesn’t bad have a tremendous advantage? a) It is so much easier to do wrong th… --- ## [The Divine Watchmaker Theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-divine-watchmaker-theory/444973)
**Author:** [@Eben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eben)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2008, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-divine-watchmaker-theory/444973 "2008-04-15T07:32:03Z")
I’m sure that this has been covered before, but since I can’t search… Basic argument: 1)Things are complex 2)The more complex things are, the more likely they are to be created more or less whole rather than through i… --- ## [Could Buchanan have done anything to avert the Civil War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-buchanan-have-done-anything-to-avert-the-civil-war/444935)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-buchanan-have-done-anything-to-avert-the-civil-war/444935 "2008-04-15T03:49:22Z")
In \[url=\]this thread, over whether history will account GWB the worst POTUS, Captain Carrot argues (at post #45) that Buchanan was the worst POTUS because he saw the Civil War coming and did nothing effective to prevent … --- ## [Resolved: Should we bring back Banishment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-should-we-bring-back-banishment/444694)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-should-we-bring-back-banishment/444694 "2008-04-15T03:43:17Z")
Today, each prisoner costs 20-40k / year. For half that amount, they could be housed in much better conditions in China or the Japans.(j/k about Japan). If they escape, they’ll be the local chinese cops problem. Those g… --- ## [UFOs - Alien Beings, Weather Balloons or Natural Phenomena?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ufos-alien-beings-weather-balloons-or-natural-phenomena/443858)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ufos-alien-beings-weather-balloons-or-natural-phenomena/443858 "2008-04-15T01:59:30Z")
I have no doubt that we are not the only planet in the universe that contains life. The odds of us being alone are, well astronomical. I do however think that the odds of us contacting, or being contacted by, another l… --- ## [If polygamy had not been prohibited, all Mormons would be like the FLDS sect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-polygamy-had-not-been-prohibited-all-mormons-would-be-like-the-flds-sect/444840)
**Author:** [@ragerdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ragerdude)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2008, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-polygamy-had-not-been-prohibited-all-mormons-would-be-like-the-flds-sect/444840 "2008-04-15T00:57:55Z")
The real LDS abandoned polygamy in 1890, in part for the purposes of appeasing the Union. If, upon admission to the Union in 1896, the State of Utah had been permitted to solemnize legal polygamous marriages, what would… --- ## [DoJ using "Deferred Prosecution Agreements" rather than indicting corporate offenders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-using-deferred-prosecution-agreements-rather-than-indicting-corporate-offenders/445342)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-using-deferred-prosecution-agreements-rather-than-indicting-corporate-offenders/445342 "2008-04-14T23:06:23Z")
The New York Times reports: Generally I would incline to the nail-the-bastards position, but I can’t lightly dismiss the argument that prosecution could shut down the company in question and throw a lot of innocent peo… --- ## [Where is Mexico headed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-mexico-headed/445358)
**Author:** [@E72521](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E72521)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-mexico-headed/445358 "2008-04-14T22:21:27Z")
How will Mexico look 50-100 years from now? Will they be our economic peer? Will Americans one day be the ones sneaking across the border? Or will it pretty much be the same fun place to hang out and party, but you would… --- ## [The Voice of God endorses Obama!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-of-god-endorses-obama/445332)
**Author:** [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voice-of-god-endorses-obama/445332 "2008-04-14T19:20:19Z")
Well, the Voice of God in Pittsburgh, anyway… Dan Rooney endorses Barack Obama Now, you have to understand how the Rooneys are viewed in western Pennsylvania. If Dan’s father Art were still alive and had endorsed Obama… --- ## [Let us pay for those government programs we choose to support. Why not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-us-pay-for-those-government-programs-we-choose-to-support-why-not/444847)
**Author:** [@Civil\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civil_Guy)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-us-pay-for-those-government-programs-we-choose-to-support-why-not/444847 "2008-04-14T18:14:50Z")
I don’t know about ‘debate’, but I’d like to hear the discussion. It just seems to me that there might be enough diversity among the US population that we could pull it off, and leave everyone with more sense of satisfa… --- ## [Gender and bathrooms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-and-bathrooms/445136)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-and-bathrooms/445136 "2008-04-14T17:57:14Z")
2 questions: 1: Why isn’t it discriminatory to have male and female bathrooms and 2: Is it illegal for a guy to use a girls bathroom? --- ## [Hamas would accept an Israel and a Palestinian state within 1967 borders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamas-would-accept-an-israel-and-a-palestinian-state-within-1967-borders/443839)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamas-would-accept-an-israel-and-a-palestinian-state-within-1967-borders/443839 "2008-04-14T16:21:03Z")
So says Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal. OK, they’re still claiming East Jerusalem, but for Hamas to back down from the drive-the-Jews-into-the-sea line is a big step forward, don’t you think? Maybe some negotiation is pos… --- ## [Door to Door Soliciting: Should it be made illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/door-to-door-soliciting-should-it-be-made-illegal/444632)
**Author:** [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/door-to-door-soliciting-should-it-be-made-illegal/444632 "2008-04-14T16:09:38Z")
Especially for private residences. I’m sick of the glut of solicitors that bother me throughout the year. From fly-by-night roofing companies, to the Latter Day Saints. If I need your ahem services, I’ll come to you, not… --- ## [Explain Tibet to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-tibet-to-me/444898)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-tibet-to-me/444898 "2008-04-14T15:18:45Z")
I understand that Tibet has a long cultural history with varying levels of autonomy from and de facto control by China. I also understand that the history of China is one of uniting (by force) a variety of disparate cult… --- ## [Bad reasons to vote for Obama or Hillary in the primaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-reasons-to-vote-for-obama-or-hillary-in-the-primaries/445001)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-reasons-to-vote-for-obama-or-hillary-in-the-primaries/445001 "2008-04-14T15:12:15Z")
Legally and practically speaking, a vote is a vote and there can be no bad reason as long the voter isn’t coerced. No debate there. Morally-speaking, however, are there any popular bad reasons\* to vote for Obama? What a… --- ## [Office gossip emails still safe in Australia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-gossip-emails-still-safe-in-australia/445265)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/office-gossip-emails-still-safe-in-australia/445265 "2008-04-14T13:33:06Z")
The Australian Government is bringing in a new law to allow companies to read workers’ emails. Gillard: All Workers are Possible Terrorists --- ## [Pizza Hut driver suspended for carrying a gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-hut-driver-suspended-for-carrying-a-gun/444085)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2008, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-hut-driver-suspended-for-carrying-a-gun/444085 "2008-04-14T04:26:13Z")
Story here. The driver possesses a valid handgun permit. Pizza Hut has a policy that no one is allowed to carry a weapon. I understand why they would make such a rule. There are people who shouldn’t have a gun, even… --- ## [What are the Democratic Superdelegates Obligated to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-democratic-superdelegates-obligated-to-do/445152)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-democratic-superdelegates-obligated-to-do/445152 "2008-04-13T20:50:36Z")
I was having a long chat with Mrs.Phlosphr last night over dinner, we were looking at the current state of affairs in the democratic battle for the nomination and were in good conscious looking at the role the superdeleg… --- ## [Should people with "bad" genes be legally restricted from mating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-with-bad-genes-be-legally-restricted-from-mating/444404)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-with-bad-genes-be-legally-restricted-from-mating/444404 "2008-04-13T20:12:06Z")
Whille inspired by this thread, I don’t want to talk just to incest. I’m more interested in broadening the discussion to include all couples who, because of their genetic make-up, have a high chance of producing handica… --- ## [Arguments in favour of legalized handguns in Canada?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-favour-of-legalized-handguns-in-canada/444378)
**Author:** [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-in-favour-of-legalized-handguns-in-canada/444378 "2008-04-13T03:13:42Z")
There are no constitutional protections for gun ownership in Canada. The mayor of Toronto (and others) are calling for a handgun ban across the country. I have never really thought much about this: I have never used a … --- ## [Whatever happened to the Population Bomb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-the-population-bomb/428790)
**Author:** [@Donna\_Gedde\_Mistarted](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donna_Gedde_Mistarted)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-the-population-bomb/428790 "2008-04-13T01:56:15Z")
Nobody seems to be interested anymore in overpopulation. Why isn’t that a popular topic whenever world hunger comes up? Or countries awash in disease, or slums. How did overpopulation become disconnected from discussi… --- ## [The SDMB mock election debate - #5 Military and Veterans Affairs; #7 Foreign Policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election-debate-5-military-and-veterans-affairs-7-foreign-policy/443894)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election-debate-5-military-and-veterans-affairs-7-foreign-policy/443894 "2008-04-12T22:32:58Z")
Welcome to the fifth SMDB multiparty 2008 campaign debate. What Exit? began this series of debates, but has granted me permission to begin the final thread, as he has moved on to other SDMB pursuits. As I am a candidat… --- ## [What Were the Warring Globes at Nuremberg?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-warring-globes-at-nuremberg/444969)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2008, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-warring-globes-at-nuremberg/444969 "2008-04-12T21:07:07Z")
In 1561 at Nuremberg, Germany a fantastic sight was seen in the skies. Globes, balls and disks were seen seemingly fighting each other. Also crosses and a large arrow were seen. This site (although I have problems with t… --- ## [Life = Mutation = Intelligence = Morality (well... in time)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-mutation-intelligence-morality-well-in-time/444980)
**Author:** [@Anomalous\_Reading](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anomalous_Reading)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-mutation-intelligence-morality-well-in-time/444980 "2008-04-12T19:21:24Z")
Submitted for your approval (or dismemberment :slight\_smile: ) a counterpoint to this thread. I have but a few givens: Life Life - that survives the early bouts with the environment, with small errors occurring with … --- ## [Nothing is.............](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nothing-is/444763)
**Author:** [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nothing-is/444763 "2008-04-12T14:08:38Z")
What? What is “Nothing?” Are there words in the English language to describe “Nothing?” If you describe it then isn’t it “Something?” --- ## [Is the Corwin Amendment still on the table?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-corwin-amendment-still-on-the-table/444709)
**Author:** [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2008, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-corwin-amendment-still-on-the-table/444709 "2008-04-12T04:06:44Z")
I just read about the Corwin Amendment. Could this actually pass? If so, who would be enslaved? Would there be one group? I don’t think any one racial group would be a victim if it passed today, so where would the sla… --- ## [What is the possiblity of a school shooting this month?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-possiblity-of-a-school-shooting-this-month/443690)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2008, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-possiblity-of-a-school-shooting-this-month/443690 "2008-04-12T03:40:26Z")
We’re nearing the one year anniversary of Virginia Tech. All college students have a lot on their minds. I don’t think it will happen with the security tightened at colleges. But what are the odds someone would? --- ## [What is the ultimate goal of the police, FBI, Interpol etc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-goal-of-the-police-fbi-interpol-etc/444873)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2008, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-ultimate-goal-of-the-police-fbi-interpol-etc/444873 "2008-04-12T01:07:26Z")
Is their objective just to reduce crime? Does any organisation have a goal of wiping out organised crime? I would be interested in what these organisations really have as stated goals. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=641) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=643)