# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=649 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 650 --- ## [Linda Buck and Scientific Ethics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-buck-and-scientific-ethics/442132)
**Author:** [@nameless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nameless)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-buck-and-scientific-ethics/442132 "2008-03-20T21:28:35Z")
Here’s the link. Here’s what happened– Linda Buck won the Nobel Prize in Medecine in 2004 for her work on olfaction (that’s the sense of smell). Part of the work she drew on for this award was a Nature paper authored i… --- ## [WHY report this? (CNN, Clinton, Monica, and when)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-report-this-cnn-clinton-monica-and-when/442066)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-report-this-cnn-clinton-monica-and-when/442066 "2008-03-20T19:29:26Z")
Obviously I am no great fan of HRC but this seems like scraping the bottom of the barrel for trying to manufacture controversy. Why should any of us care if she “in the house” while Bill was messing around? What I want t… --- ## [Is Black Patriotism different than White Patriotism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-black-patriotism-different-than-white-patriotism/441947)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2008, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-black-patriotism-different-than-white-patriotism/441947 "2008-03-20T15:28:47Z")
I hit on something in the Obama Speech thread I’d like to explore in a little more depth. I wrote: We are fundamentally imperfect in this country on the issue of race. To help get on the path of perfection we have to ac… --- ## [The proximity of Heaven and Hell.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-proximity-of-heaven-and-hell/441399)
**Author:** [@Jokershadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jokershadow)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-proximity-of-heaven-and-hell/441399 "2008-03-20T14:16:22Z")
Putting the dispute of any theology and the existence of God aside, I have a logical question about the proximity of Heaven and Hell. Heaven is geared up to be a glorious place of love and eternal happiness. No sadness,… --- ## [Artificial Intelligence and Consciousness (and dreams)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-intelligence-and-consciousness-and-dreams/441969)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2008, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-intelligence-and-consciousness-and-dreams/441969 "2008-03-20T05:09:14Z")
So guys, this might be a bit dense here but I’ve been wrestling with several issues here. When I was a teenager, I was interested in lucid dreaming. I read what was available on the internet at the time (1996 or so, so i… --- ## [McCain in Jordan: The Straight Talk Express Takes A Wrong Turn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-in-jordan-the-straight-talk-express-takes-a-wrong-turn/441817)
**Author:** [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-in-jordan-the-straight-talk-express-takes-a-wrong-turn/441817 "2008-03-19T19:34:36Z")
From today’s WaPo: McCain had a bit of a gaffe today in Jordan. I am ordinarily quite forgiving of political slips of the tongue. Candidates talk to many different audiences, hardly sleep, and out of context remarks … --- ## [UK's Royal College of Psychiatrists claims abortion could lead to mental illness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-royal-college-of-psychiatrists-claims-abortion-could-lead-to-mental-illness/441624)
**Author:** [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-royal-college-of-psychiatrists-claims-abortion-could-lead-to-mental-illness/441624 "2008-03-19T18:48:31Z")
Link here. The gist is as stated in the title. From the article: Question 1: Who are the Royal College of Psychiatrists? As an American, I don’t know anything about them other than what I read in Wikipedia. Are the… --- ## [Do you think we could be headed for a depression?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-we-could-be-headed-for-a-depression/441140)
**Author:** [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-we-could-be-headed-for-a-depression/441140 "2008-03-19T16:50:23Z")
Some of the posts in this thread and some discussions in another message board I read occasionally have started me thinking about the economy. As far as I can tell we are in the beginning of a recession and that this is… --- ## [Should the FBI be going after high end prostitution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-fbi-be-going-after-high-end-prostitution/441152)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2008, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-fbi-be-going-after-high-end-prostitution/441152 "2008-03-19T15:59:26Z")
With the whole Eliot Spitzer deal in the news it has occurred to me more than once why it is the FBI is expending resources going after high-end prostitution rings. While I personally think prostitution should not be il… --- ## [Did John McCain make a blunder about Al Qaeda in Iran?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-mccain-make-a-blunder-about-al-qaeda-in-iran/441850)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-mccain-make-a-blunder-about-al-qaeda-in-iran/441850 "2008-03-19T05:13:59Z")
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0308/McCain\_flubbed\_alQaedaIran\_a\_second\_time.html John McCain has been talking about support for Al Qaeda from Iran. Does he have a valid point or is he making a core mista… --- ## [Whose words/actions should the candidates answer for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-words-actions-should-the-candidates-answer-for/441585)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whose-words-actions-should-the-candidates-answer-for/441585 "2008-03-19T01:43:34Z")
Candidates have always had to answer for those who are even remotely associated with them. Seems like Obama’s preacher is a special case though. He’s chosen to follow him. The preacher didn’t chose Obama. How often d… --- ## [Into the Great Wide Open: the Dem Race after Mississippi](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/into-the-great-wide-open-the-dem-race-after-mississippi/441148)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/into-the-great-wide-open-the-dem-race-after-mississippi/441148 "2008-03-19T01:38:48Z")
Now that Obama’s won Mississippi and we can look forward to forty days without a primary, it’s time for us political junkies to \[del\]check into Betty Ford\[/del\] assess where the race stands now, or at least open a new th… --- ## [Why Don't Christians Think Bush and Cheney Are The Devil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-think-bush-and-cheney-are-the-devil/441719)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-christians-think-bush-and-cheney-are-the-devil/441719 "2008-03-18T20:27:17Z")
I was looking at the news about the SC ruling on gun control today and came across the phrase “Cheny is taking a harder line than the administration”. It just made me realize again that on every policy for which Jesus wo… --- ## [AARP elects the next president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarp-elects-the-next-president/441617)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarp-elects-the-next-president/441617 "2008-03-18T20:10:27Z")
On Election Day 2008, Obama will be 47 and McCain will be 72. The AARP is considered the most powerful lobby and the baby boomers are pushing retirement age. Can this make a difference in the next election? Will this … --- ## [Proposed response to mortgage crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-response-to-mortgage-crisis/440382)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-response-to-mortgage-crisis/440382 "2008-03-18T19:10:56Z")
I saw a stat today that 2% of US mortgages are in foreclosure. Wow! That’s a huge number! Within the past week the Fed chief suggested that lenders ought to take various steps to assist borrowers in trouble. I’ve got… --- ## [Unequal Law Enforcement: A Problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unequal-law-enforcement-a-problem/441282)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2008, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unequal-law-enforcement-a-problem/441282 "2008-03-18T11:36:37Z")
It is well-established (and even if you disagree, let’s just stipulate) that some crimes are unequally enforced against certain groups. Consider, for example, drug crimes. While study after study shows that white peopl… --- ## [Obama's earmark for UCH: did he declare his interest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-earmark-for-uch-did-he-declare-his-interest/441346)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2008, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-earmark-for-uch-did-he-declare-his-interest/441346 "2008-03-18T05:06:16Z")
Obama apparently requested $1M for his wife’s hospital. Did Obama declare his interest? Is this the smoking gun for which Clinton’s been waiting? Or was he fulfilling a promise his predecessor made? And is it a coinci… --- ## [The atheist double-standard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-atheist-double-standard/440973)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 225\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2008, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-atheist-double-standard/440973 "2008-03-18T02:54:07Z")
In debates it’s common for atheists to obsess over certain past crimes committed by Christians. When one mentions that far greater crimes committed by atheists, the debater responds with some version “those don’t matter… --- ## [Cell Phones, cancer, and health](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-cancer-and-health/441673)
**Author:** [@human\_extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/human_extinction)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-cancer-and-health/441673 "2008-03-17T21:46:11Z")
After having an hour-long conversation on my cell phone yesterday, and having the whole right side of my head feel hot for a while afterward, I thought I would look into the negative (and some have argued positive) healt… --- ## [NY Gov Spitzer Admits Involvement in Prostitution Ring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-gov-spitzer-admits-involvement-in-prostitution-ring/440859)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 269\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-gov-spitzer-admits-involvement-in-prostitution-ring/440859 "2008-03-17T20:36:34Z")
The New York Times is reporting that NY Governor Eliot Spitzer has told his senior aides that he was involved in a prostitution ring. As is almost always the case, his decision to come clean about this was after months o… --- ## [why did China occupy Tibet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-china-occupy-tibet/441635)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-china-occupy-tibet/441635 "2008-03-17T14:45:41Z")
because of strategic reasons? --- ## [Obama mansion/Rezko Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-mansion-rezko-again/439324)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-mansion-rezko-again/439324 "2008-03-17T13:44:37Z")
Well I just got some new information on the land/mansion deal we’ve previously discussed where many have dismissed the story as not indicative of any wrongdoing . Well it turns out that the lot Rezko paid full price fo… --- ## [Subprime vs. S&Ls... Comparison?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subprime-vs-s-ls-comparison/441630)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subprime-vs-s-ls-comparison/441630 "2008-03-17T12:44:27Z")
Something I’ve read that sparks my interest: is there any way to compare what’s happening now with the savings and loan collapses of the Eighties? Could what happened then be a predictor for now? Contain lessons for to… --- ## [Pro-lifers - Is this person a father?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-lifers-is-this-person-a-father/441063)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-lifers-is-this-person-a-father/441063 "2008-03-17T12:06:59Z")
This might only apply to the life begins at conception pro-lifers. A man has sex with a woman and two weeks later she misses her period. A few days later she has an especially strong menstruation. She goes her doctor an… --- ## [oil prices and the mismaged economy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-prices-and-the-mismaged-economy/440483)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-prices-and-the-mismaged-economy/440483 "2008-03-17T03:33:42Z")
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/06/business/06oil.php OPEC responding to Bush’s request for increasing the oil supply has tossed the ball back into Bush’s court. They claim it is a mismanaged economy that has driven… --- ## [iPhone vs Android](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-vs-android/440544)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-vs-android/440544 "2008-03-16T22:30:29Z")
So, I’m reading about the iPhone and Android today, and I am curious as to how people think this battle will play out. Obviously Apple owns 2008. How will Google compete in the OS market? Apple has a jump on Google. … --- ## [No Daughter of Eve.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-daughter-of-eve/441362)
**Author:** [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2008, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-daughter-of-eve/441362 "2008-03-16T12:35:43Z")
I pose this question to the religious members of the Straight Dope. Although the non religious will certainly be posting their opinions, I really don’t intend to deal with the issue of whether God exists. Nor do I feel o… --- ## [Leave the fork in her: Clinton's still done](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-the-fork-in-her-clintons-still-done/440170)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 494\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2008, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leave-the-fork-in-her-clintons-still-done/440170 "2008-03-16T10:17:17Z")
After the Potomac primaries, I posted the Stick a fork in her thread, suggesting that Clinton was done, despite her strategy of ignoring everything else to make a goal line stand in Texas and Ohio. (To my surprise, the … --- ## [Brian Williams is a Conservative???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brian-williams-is-a-conservative/441511)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2008, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brian-williams-is-a-conservative/441511 "2008-03-16T05:06:39Z")
So it is a couple of weeks ago, and I am channel surfing. Just by chance, I happen to channel surf by the Tonight Show, and Brian Williams of NBC news is the guest. I just catch the last few words Williams says. I catch … --- ## [UK Oath of Allegiance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-oath-of-allegiance/440944)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-oath-of-allegiance/440944 "2008-03-15T21:43:03Z")
Ex-attorney general Lord Goldsmith ,is calling for such a ceremony as he says it would give teenagers a sense of belonging. In my opinion this is all Bollocks! and as Labour peer Baroness Kennedy says: “I think it’s all… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=648) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=650)