# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=645 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 646 --- ## [Hillary and Sniper Fire in Bosnia: What's the Defense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-and-sniper-fire-in-bosnia-whats-the-defense/442581)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 291\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-and-sniper-fire-in-bosnia-whats-the-defense/442581 "2008-04-03T17:56:38Z")
I ask this in all sincerity: has Team Hillary provided any believable explanation for her “sniper fire” account of her landing in Bosnia in 1996? Does anyone else have a reasonable explanation or defense? Or is Team Hi… --- ## [Global warming has stopped?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-has-stopped/442421)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2008, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-has-stopped/442421 "2008-04-03T11:22:22Z")
With both sides having axes to grind one never knows what to believe in this debate but the implications in this article are rather startling, if the facts are correct. Are they? --- ## [Economists are generally conservative, aren't they?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economists-are-generally-conservative-arent-they/443116)
**Author:** [@shigyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shigyu)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2008, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economists-are-generally-conservative-arent-they/443116 "2008-04-03T04:38:08Z")
If so, why don’t more people believe in economic conservatism? --- ## [Will Race Scuttle Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-race-scuttle-obama/443523)
**Author:** [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-race-scuttle-obama/443523 "2008-04-02T21:06:53Z")
I wanted to maybe consolidate this line of talk from the many Obama threads. About me: I am an Obama fan, a lapsed Catholic, and a suburb-raised white man. I became involved with him as a candidate over a year ago, but… --- ## [New US constitutional convention: what would (or should) get changed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-us-constitutional-convention-what-would-or-should-get-changed/442829)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-us-constitutional-convention-what-would-or-should-get-changed/442829 "2008-04-02T18:33:04Z")
Imagine, if you would, a grass-roots effort leading (improbably enough) to a new constitutional convention. Let’s further stipulate that the terms are similar to those in force in 1787: each state gets a single vote, and… --- ## [Does it even make SENSE that Iran is behind the Green Zone shelling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-even-make-sense-that-iran-is-behind-the-green-zone-shelling/442595)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-even-make-sense-that-iran-is-behind-the-green-zone-shelling/442595 "2008-04-02T18:32:06Z")
That’s what St. David Petraeus is saying: Why? I don’t know if Petraeus speculated, but neocon wingnut Michael Ledeen sez: I suppose that would make sense if Iran’s leaders desired more than anything else to embarra… --- ## [Did Israel barter US secrets to the USSR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-israel-barter-us-secrets-to-the-ussr/443678)
**Author:** [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-israel-barter-us-secrets-to-the-ussr/443678 "2008-04-02T16:42:28Z")
Israel has long acknowledged that Jonathan Pollard spied for Israel. Seymour Hersh claimed in the New Yorker that Israel traded these secrets to the USSR in exchange for the USSR permitting the continued emigration of S… --- ## ["Rights" - What are they? Social construct, nonexistent, birthright... what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rights-what-are-they-social-construct-nonexistent-birthright-what/443440)
**Author:** [@Anomalous\_Reading](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anomalous_Reading)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rights-what-are-they-social-construct-nonexistent-birthright-what/443440 "2008-04-02T15:50:48Z")
Over these few years I’ll call a life I’ve heard the word “right” used a lot. And people have very divergent ideas on what their rights are - and others’ aren’t. What are rights? I’m curious from a legal perspective, … --- ## [Has there ever been a female president elected in the world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-female-president-elected-in-the-world/441049)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-female-president-elected-in-the-world/441049 "2008-04-02T15:05:57Z")
Black presidents sure. Plenty in Africa. And there have been several female prime ministers and a chancellor, but their elections are not entirely based on the popular choice of a leader but the popular choice of a part… --- ## [Hillary is going to STEAL the democratic nomination, mark my words!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-is-going-to-steal-the-democratic-nomination-mark-my-words/442922)
**Author:** [@JohnnieEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnieEnigma)\ **Replies:** 213\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-is-going-to-steal-the-democratic-nomination-mark-my-words/442922 "2008-04-02T09:44:11Z")
At this point it’s clear that the democratic nomination will be decided by the super delegates. And although Obama is ahead in delegates and the popular vote, watch and see how the hillary machine overpowers the superdel… --- ## [Cell Phones Cause Brain Cancer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-cause-brain-cancer/443264)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-cause-brain-cancer/443264 "2008-04-02T06:55:41Z")
See the latest, from a respected brain surgeon:http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/mobile-phones-more-dangerous-than-smoking-or-asbestos-802602.html?r=RSS This seems serious to me; … --- ## [Improving Education](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-education/443470)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-education/443470 "2008-04-02T05:51:14Z")
In this thread, we have… \[QUOTE=mswas\] Heh, it’s not that simple. They reject a broken system of rote indoctrination that doesn’t really educate people but pushes groups of trivia designed to facilitate the standardiz… --- ## [Fed Court: Mumia must have new penalty hearing..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-court-mumia-must-have-new-penalty-hearing/442936)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fed-court-mumia-must-have-new-penalty-hearing/442936 "2008-04-02T05:45:08Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080327/ap\_on\_re\_us/mumia\_abu\_jamal This is my main problem with the death penalty as it is administered in the U.S. It is now 27 years after his conviction and just now the federal courts h… --- ## [Barack Obama is the Protagonist in this Election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama-is-the-protagonist-in-this-election/443473)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama-is-the-protagonist-in-this-election/443473 "2008-04-02T04:02:35Z")
Everyone talks about the media catering to an entertainment soaked culture. Well, in this election cycle it seems to me that Obama has taken on the role of the Protagonist. This more than anything says to me that he will… --- ## [Another historical "What If?" topic: Hubert Humphrey defeats Nixon in 1968.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-historical-what-if-topic-hubert-humphrey-defeats-nixon-in-1968/443327)
**Author:** [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-historical-what-if-topic-hubert-humphrey-defeats-nixon-in-1968/443327 "2008-04-02T02:23:41Z")
Partially inspired by this IMHO thread on the '68 Democratic Convention, I submit the following alternate history scenario. It’s Election Day 1968 and, at the last minute, several hundred thousand voters, deeply disturb… --- ## ["Regardless of what we do, the Shia are going to take control."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regardless-of-what-we-do-the-shia-are-going-to-take-control/443603)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regardless-of-what-we-do-the-shia-are-going-to-take-control/443603 "2008-04-02T00:13:55Z")
Spencer Ackerman has published a letter from a junior officer in Iraq that summarizes almost exactly my take on the the mess we’ve gotten ourselves into: Saddam Hussein was a bastard but he was a valuable secular coun… --- ## [Extreme Makeover - Hillary Style...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extreme-makeover-hillary-style/443562)
**Author:** [@JohnnieEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnieEnigma)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extreme-makeover-hillary-style/443562 "2008-04-02T00:01:03Z")
Has anyone else noticed the extreme makeover Hillary has received? She looks good! Her new hair style is very flattering; I understand she uses deep blue contacts for a positive effect; her big bushy eyebrows have been… --- ## [Environmental impact of extracting oil from Alberta's tar sands](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-impact-of-extracting-oil-from-albertas-tar-sands/442831)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-impact-of-extracting-oil-from-albertas-tar-sands/442831 "2008-04-01T20:37:32Z")
In These Times accuses British Petroleum of “greenwashing” its plan to mine the tar sands of Alberta: Can anyone make a case that the environmental impact as described above is exaggerated? Or that this is worth doing… --- ## [Kid Actors and WSTOFC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kid-actors-and-wstofc/443336)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kid-actors-and-wstofc/443336 "2008-04-01T20:09:08Z")
“Won’t Someone Think of the Children?” is the acronym. I considered CS for this thread, but … it seems to be an issue that’s not precisely The Arts. Anyway, if the mods choose to move it, I won’t cry. Anyway, the debat… --- ## [Has there been a democracy destroyed by handouts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-been-a-democracy-destroyed-by-handouts/443430)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-been-a-democracy-destroyed-by-handouts/443430 "2008-04-01T19:11:36Z")
Surely everyone knows of the quote that democracy lasts only so long until the people figure out they can vote themselves money from the public trough. Except that I can’t think of an example. Weimar Germany is the clo… --- ## [How's the Clinton / Trimble spat playing in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-clinton-trimble-spat-playing-in-the-us/443081)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-clinton-trimble-spat-playing-in-the-us/443081 "2008-04-01T18:44:11Z")
One of Hillary’s aides, James Rubin, called Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble a ‘sexist’ and a ‘crankpot’. BBC link. Belfast Telegraph report with MSNBC video. --- ## [Handicapping the time left until a "deal" is reached among the Democratic Candidates.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-time-left-until-a-deal-is-reached-among-the-democratic-candidates/443039)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2008, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-time-left-until-a-deal-is-reached-among-the-democratic-candidates/443039 "2008-04-01T13:50:35Z")
The Democratic Primary Debacle or DPD for short is tearing at the strings of the party. Democrats are at a point where actual harm could be done. One of the main problems is the dems are divided in terms of who we truly … --- ## [Is Bush's Government More Corrupt Than Others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bushs-government-more-corrupt-than-others/443459)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2008, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bushs-government-more-corrupt-than-others/443459 "2008-04-01T13:29:15Z")
Or are we just better informed about scandals and improper dealings than in the past? Today Bush’s HUD chief resigned, and that’s just the most recent of the long list of questionable appointments in his circle. However,… --- ## [Should the common good come before self-interest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-common-good-come-before-self-interest/443042)
**Author:** [@flex727](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flex727)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2008, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-common-good-come-before-self-interest/443042 "2008-04-01T12:46:13Z")
Spock says, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.” Is he right? --- ## [Hillary Clinton is Unqualified to be President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-is-unqualified-to-be-president/442923)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2008, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-is-unqualified-to-be-president/442923 "2008-04-01T10:37:50Z")
Hillary Rodham Clinton’s résumé: Faculty Member, School of Law, University of Arkansas, Fayetville, '74 - '76. Associate, later Partner, Rose Law Firm '77 - '92. Assorted Board/Chairman positions (Legal Services Corpo… --- ## [Innocent people harmed in the foreclosure thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocent-people-harmed-in-the-foreclosure-thing/442337)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocent-people-harmed-in-the-foreclosure-thing/442337 "2008-04-01T01:56:52Z")
Over in another semi-trainwrecked thread, I posted: "Aside from which, though may it never be said I am callous, I have a hard time seeing how people can be foreclosed out of a house unless they were messing around with… --- ## [Siegelman out on bond, will testify before House Judiciary Commitee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siegelman-out-on-bond-will-testify-before-house-judiciary-commitee/443387)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siegelman-out-on-bond-will-testify-before-house-judiciary-commitee/443387 "2008-03-31T20:04:51Z")
Don Siegelman, the former Governor of Alabama who was convicted of corruption and sent to prison in 2007, is out on bond pending resolution of his appeal. Meanwhile, the House Judiciary Committee wants him to testify re… --- ## [Have outspoken critics of the war emboldened the enemy and caused American deaths?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-outspoken-critics-of-the-war-emboldened-the-enemy-and-caused-american-deaths/442875)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2008, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-outspoken-critics-of-the-war-emboldened-the-enemy-and-caused-american-deaths/442875 "2008-03-31T18:32:49Z")
There have been a few times a while back where I suggested that by being too outspoken about one’s hatred of the war and our role in it, that one might unintentionally spurring the enemy on. Logically, this would result … --- ## [US Sovereignty versus International Court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-sovereignty-versus-international-court/422411)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-sovereignty-versus-international-court/422411 "2008-03-31T16:24:17Z")
Listening to Bud Hedinger on Fox Radio today and yesterday, http://www.540wfla.com/pages/bud\_hedinger.html podcast at: he referred to the MEDELLIN V. TEXAS case currently before the Supreme Court as a case of the In… --- ## [Why did George HW Bush pick Dan Quayle as his VP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-george-hw-bush-pick-dan-quayle-as-his-vp/443052)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-george-hw-bush-pick-dan-quayle-as-his-vp/443052 "2008-03-31T16:01:08Z")
I was recently reviewing info on Mr. Quayle, and the general consensus has always been that he isn’t smart. I don’t necessarily agree with this - malaprops notwithstanding - but the perception remains. Secondly, he cam… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=644) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=646)