# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=647 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 648 --- ## [Green McMansions - good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-mcmansions-good-or-bad/442703)
**Author:** [@onions\_without\_tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onions_without_tears)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/green-mcmansions-good-or-bad/442703 "2008-03-26T20:33:12Z")
It’s usually the film stars you hear about, but the majority are simply rich people who have gotten the Green Fever. They build huge homes with reflectors aimed at water towers and horizontal windmills to power the 10 g… --- ## [Alternative Power, but with existing tech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-power-but-with-existing-tech/442747)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-power-but-with-existing-tech/442747 "2008-03-26T20:18:45Z")
So, I just had an idea. I think about ways to reclaim power from things we would be doing anyway. So I wanted to know what people thought of this one. What about lining interstates with small wind turbines? Every tim… --- ## [Were the Jews a Fighting People?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-jews-a-fighting-people/437248)
**Author:** [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-jews-a-fighting-people/437248 "2008-03-26T19:18:14Z")
Okay the holocaust/gun thread is getting really sidetracked with the discussion because of a side remark by the OP. To get that thread back on track, would you say that historically the Jews were a fighting people? Per… --- ## [Superdelagate primary? Any chance of this happening?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superdelagate-primary-any-chance-of-this-happening/442790)
**Author:** [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superdelagate-primary-any-chance-of-this-happening/442790 "2008-03-26T16:38:59Z")
Governor Phil Bredesen of Tennessee is pushing the idea of a “Superdelagate Primary” to help the Dems settle on a nominee and avoid a protracted summer-long battle between Obama and Clinton that he fears will damage the … --- ## [Anonymous versus Scientology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-versus-scientology/441782)
**Author:** [@Bedlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bedlo)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-versus-scientology/441782 "2008-03-26T16:32:45Z")
Okay, this topic comes out of a hijacked Pit Thread where I was asked what Anonymous was and why it’s battling the Church of Scientology. This isn’t exactly witnessing, I’m not here to tell you that everyone should hate… --- ## [Do Most non-Americans Know How Despised Bush is in the U.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-non-americans-know-how-despised-bush-is-in-the-u-s/441818)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-most-non-americans-know-how-despised-bush-is-in-the-u-s/441818 "2008-03-26T15:29:27Z")
This may have been asked before but in absence of search I’ll ask again. Do most non-Americans (I’m referring mostly to western democracies with reasonably high standards of living and full access to news and net) know … --- ## [Believer vs. Atheist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believer-vs-atheist/441961)
**Author:** [@Jokershadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jokershadow)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believer-vs-atheist/441961 "2008-03-26T11:51:47Z")
OK, I may seem to be on a religious fixation right now but I am just searching for answers (like Cane in Kung-Fu). Again, I am thinking logical here What is the benefit of not believing in God? I did a small chart with… --- ## [Five Years of Iraq: Where Do We Stand, How Do We Leave?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-years-of-iraq-where-do-we-stand-how-do-we-leave/441929)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-years-of-iraq-where-do-we-stand-how-do-we-leave/441929 "2008-03-26T04:24:17Z")
The front page of TPM (note: page content subject to frequent changes) says: And the Easter Bunny will show up on Sunday. But there’s no ‘winning’ to this war - there’s just the balancing of competing interest groups … --- ## [What should Olympic broadcasters say about China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-olympic-broadcasters-say-about-china/442649)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-olympic-broadcasters-say-about-china/442649 "2008-03-26T02:42:42Z")
Well, things are falling apart for the Olympics already. China Bars Olympics Coverage From Tiananmen Square. This was a place that was going to me a major source of standups. Reporters were supposed to get freer access, … --- ## [Blumenthal pleads guilty to DUI. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blumenthal-pleads-guilty-to-dui-why/442599)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blumenthal-pleads-guilty-to-dui-why/442599 "2008-03-26T01:29:00Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080324/ap\_on\_el\_pr/clinton\_aide I was stunned by the end of the article. The officer will be in Iraq and a trial will be impossible. Well, why plead to anything? Shouldn’t the state have … --- ## [Has the Bush Admin. in any way violated international law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-bush-admin-in-any-way-violated-international-law/442715)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-bush-admin-in-any-way-violated-international-law/442715 "2008-03-25T23:51:29Z")
Just as the thread title asks. Myself, I really don’t know. --- ## [Lawyers: Are reporters legally obligated to keep confidential sources confidential?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-are-reporters-legally-obligated-to-keep-confidential-sources-confidential/442724)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-are-reporters-legally-obligated-to-keep-confidential-sources-confidential/442724 "2008-03-25T23:32:11Z")
The title pretty much sums it up. If a reporter obtains confidential information from someone and then reveals the source, and that source suffers some ramification, whether, legal, professional, or monetary, can the rep… --- ## [Patriot Act "Secret Search" Used in Domestic Drug Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patriot-act-secret-search-used-in-domestic-drug-case/442676)
**Author:** [@BJMoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BJMoose)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patriot-act-secret-search-used-in-domestic-drug-case/442676 "2008-03-25T23:24:23Z")
There’s an interesting case working its way through the federal court at Wichita, Kans. Story from The Wichita Eagle . Basically, ATF used the Patriot Act to obtain a “secret search warrant” to toss the crib of a guy th… --- ## [US death toll in Iraq reaches 4,000](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-death-toll-in-iraq-reaches-4-000/442493)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-death-toll-in-iraq-reaches-4-000/442493 "2008-03-25T23:22:59Z")
The odometer clicked over again U.S. death toll in Iraq reaches 4,000. --- ## [Should Clinton Reject and Denounce Geraldine Ferraro?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-clinton-reject-and-denounce-geraldine-ferraro/441033)
**Author:** [@Paper\_Pusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paper_Pusher)\ **Replies:** 258\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-clinton-reject-and-denounce-geraldine-ferraro/441033 "2008-03-25T21:35:00Z")
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/11/757137.aspx So… is it just me or are Clinton supporters ridiculously frustrated and bitter? At what point can we say that Clinton is ready to go down fighting and is ha… --- ## [Most popular US president overseas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-popular-us-president-overseas/441374)
**Author:** [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-popular-us-president-overseas/441374 "2008-03-25T17:40:29Z")
I kind of hate to bring this up, because I made an ass of myself in another thread. I said something to effect of “clinton is the most popular overseas president in almost 2 generations”. I promptly had my ass handed t… --- ## [President Chavez Closes Colombian Border](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-chavez-closes-colombian-border/439868)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-chavez-closes-colombian-border/439868 "2008-03-25T17:35:46Z")
President Hugo Chavez has closed the Colombian Embassy and sent 10 battalions of troops to the Colombian border. (according to an AP report.) Is a shooting war next? Will Chavez have his army link-up with the FARC insi… --- ## [Is fear of hell a legitimate reason to believe in God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fear-of-hell-a-legitimate-reason-to-believe-in-god/442470)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fear-of-hell-a-legitimate-reason-to-believe-in-god/442470 "2008-03-25T13:12:32Z")
Furthermore, will said fear alone get one into heaven? Can God be fooled into thinking one loves him? (Assuming said person has fooled him/herself) --- ## [Free Will Zombies Should Be Punished](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-zombies-should-be-punished/440076)
**Author:** [@the\_PC\_apeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_PC_apeman)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-zombies-should-be-punished/440076 "2008-03-25T12:09:27Z")
Preface This thread was inspired by a sub-discussion within the Free Will - Does it exist? thread. For the purposes of this thread, “free will” refers to what I think of as compatibilist free will: the experience of fe… --- ## [Have We Entered The Low point of This Recession?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-entered-the-low-point-of-this-recession/442292)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-entered-the-low-point-of-this-recession/442292 "2008-03-25T11:40:35Z")
Given that most post-WWII American recessions have lasted about 18 months, is there hope that we have already hit bottom? I date the start of this recssion about mid-2007, so (hopefully) we should start to emerge by mi… --- ## [Will mutual distrust of Hispanics repair race relations in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-mutual-distrust-of-hispanics-repair-race-relations-in-america/442629)
**Author:** [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-mutual-distrust-of-hispanics-repair-race-relations-in-america/442629 "2008-03-25T03:55:41Z")
Due to my weirdo nomad schizo artist lifestyle, I’ve recently picked up a bit of freelance, under-the-table work in a restaurant on evenings and weekends. Good cash, and a fun return to my proletariat roots - it’s always… --- ## [no Peanut Butter for lunch in school](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-peanut-butter-for-lunch-in-school/441867)
**Author:** [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-peanut-butter-for-lunch-in-school/441867 "2008-03-25T03:23:23Z")
This is a serious question, and is not intended for the Pit, so bear with me. One of my children is a picky eater, and LOVES peanut butter and jelly. However, due to kids with peanut allergies, there are no peanut prod… --- ## [Another economic domino falls - Bear Stearns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-economic-domino-falls-bear-stearns/441605)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-economic-domino-falls-bear-stearns/441605 "2008-03-25T03:06:35Z")
I don’t have a debate question but I’d like to generate a debate about what this means, why it happened, and what the next casualty will be. Bear Stearns was sold to JP Morgan today for 250 million dollars. Thats right… --- ## [Bribing the Enemy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bribing-the-enemy/442041)
**Author:** [@Crocodiles\_And\_Boulevards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crocodiles_And_Boulevards)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bribing-the-enemy/442041 "2008-03-25T01:25:14Z")
I’m sure I’ve seen references to this before, but this was the first time I’ve seen it in on a website I’m willing to call reliable. Not that CNN is the peaches and cream of news outlets, but I feel like I can trust at … --- ## [What are your thoughts on the new X-Prize?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-thoughts-on-the-new-x-prize/442290)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-thoughts-on-the-new-x-prize/442290 "2008-03-24T20:44:22Z")
Was reading this article about the new Green Car X-Prize challenge and thought I’d see what fellow 'dopers think about it. I can hardly wait to see what the various contestants come up with from my own perspective. I… --- ## [Governor David Paterson (NY)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-david-paterson-ny/441266)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-david-paterson-ny/441266 "2008-03-24T19:17:25Z")
So, now David Paterson will, as of next Monday, become governor of New York (first African-American in that post; first legally blind person to become governor of any U.S. state). What does this mean for New York’s futu… --- ## [Pros/Cons of having separate brances of the Military](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pros-cons-of-having-separate-brances-of-the-military/441366)
**Author:** [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pros-cons-of-having-separate-brances-of-the-military/441366 "2008-03-24T19:03:43Z")
I’ve never served in the armed forces, or worked for them, so I’m approaching this with a fair degree of ignorance. I’m interested in honest, informed (if possible) opinions. Besides institutional inertia, is there a c… --- ## [Transgendered (FtM) students at women's colleges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-ftm-students-at-womens-colleges/441665)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgendered-ftm-students-at-womens-colleges/441665 "2008-03-24T16:54:01Z")
This NYTimes Article on transgendered students at all female schools piqued my interest. A transgendered student, Rey, enters a women’s college at Columbia and eventually leaves (enrolls in the general studies program).… --- ## [What would Iraq look like if the Chinese had occupied instead of US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-iraq-look-like-if-the-chinese-had-occupied-instead-of-us/441977)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-iraq-look-like-if-the-chinese-had-occupied-instead-of-us/441977 "2008-03-24T16:46:11Z")
Suppose, hypothetically, that China had led the coalition into Iraq 5 years ago. What would Iraq look like today? --- ## ["Why Work When Unemployment Pays Me?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-work-when-unemployment-pays-me/441834 "2008-03-24T16:21:29Z")
Such is the thesis of this piece in the Washington DC City Paper (of tangential interest: this is the local outlet for “The Straight Dope” print column). So far as I can tell, the author is absolutely sincere. I conte… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=646) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=648)