# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=651 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 652 --- ## [Will we find civilizations much older than is currently believe possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-find-civilizations-much-older-than-is-currently-believe-possible/435416)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-find-civilizations-much-older-than-is-currently-believe-possible/435416 "2008-03-11T16:50:38Z")
Was just watching a show on History Channel talking about the supposed pyramids off the coast of Japan. They look like natural formations to me, though some of it…well, it’s hard to say. The idea they might have been a… --- ## [The Wikileaks.org case. Freedom of speech vs freedom to money laundering.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wikileaks-org-case-freedom-of-speech-vs-freedom-to-money-laundering/439802)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2008, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wikileaks-org-case-freedom-of-speech-vs-freedom-to-money-laundering/439802 "2008-03-11T12:59:53Z")
First some background: A wiki is software that allows users to create, edit, and link web pages easily. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites and to power community websites. These wiki websites are ofte… --- ## [Did Obama misjudge Michigan ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-misjudge-michigan/440812)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2008, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-misjudge-michigan/440812 "2008-03-11T11:41:21Z")
You’ll remember that Clinton and Obama both agreed not to campaign in Michigan and Florida in order to qualify for running in the other states. However Clinton wisely left her name on the ballot in Michigan while Obama w… --- ## [As the Border Crisis Calms Down.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-the-border-crisis-calms-down/440916)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2008, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-the-border-crisis-calms-down/440916 "2008-03-11T08:56:18Z")
As the border troubles of Colombia versus Venezuela and Ecuador are starting to calm down, President Bush (according to an AP news article) is taking this particular moment to see about having Venezuela designated as a n… --- ## [Has Condoleeza Rice actually accomplished anything since becoming Sec. of State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-condoleeza-rice-actually-accomplished-anything-since-becoming-sec-of-state/440621)
**Author:** [@Squarebubble1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squarebubble1)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-condoleeza-rice-actually-accomplished-anything-since-becoming-sec-of-state/440621 "2008-03-11T02:03:23Z")
If she has, what? Seems like all she does is jet around the world and nothing of substance comes out of it. (Not that any foreign government really works with the U.S. anyways, unless there’s big money involved.) --- ## [John McCain and John Hagee strange bedfellows?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-mccain-and-john-hagee-strange-bedfellows/440888)
**Author:** [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2008, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-mccain-and-john-hagee-strange-bedfellows/440888 "2008-03-11T01:22:36Z")
I have heard no major outrage about McCain accepting the endorsement of Christian Zionist John Hagee (the guy who called the Catholic Church “The Great Whore”). Is this the same John McCain that referred to the religiou… --- ## [What is a fair way to evaluate a legislator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-fair-way-to-evaluate-a-legislator/440554)
**Author:** [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-fair-way-to-evaluate-a-legislator/440554 "2008-03-10T22:36:50Z")
Here in Cleveland we’ve just finished the primary election season and Congressman Dennis Kucinich survived against opponent who said that he spent too much time running for president and not enough being a congressman. O… --- ## [Why does Clinton suggest Obama take a VP slot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-clinton-suggest-obama-take-a-vp-slot/440709)
**Author:** [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-clinton-suggest-obama-take-a-vp-slot/440709 "2008-03-10T22:31:12Z")
I’m not as savvy on this as perhaps the rest of you, but I don’t understand this, really. In the past several days I keep seeing stories of the Clinton Campaign suggesting that a Clinton/Obama ticket would be a good ide… --- ## [Clinton's add with sleeping children](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clintons-add-with-sleeping-children/439674)
**Author:** [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clintons-add-with-sleeping-children/439674 "2008-03-10T21:57:14Z")
I read on the CNN web site that the Clinton campaign is showing a television commercial advertisement featuring sleeping children in their beds, and a narrator asking who you’d like to have answering that phone at 3 AM i… --- ## [Senate defies veto threat, passes torture ban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-defies-veto-threat-passes-torture-ban/437515)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-defies-veto-threat-passes-torture-ban/437515 "2008-03-10T21:55:29Z")
Story here. But, wait: Apparently this will ban all forms of interrogation but those spelled out in the Army Field Manual on Interrogation – but that apparently has been updated (or will be updated, it’s hard to know) … --- ## [Hillary Clinton and her campaign are nothing but smoke & mirrors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-and-her-campaign-are-nothing-but-smoke-mirrors/440362)
**Author:** [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-and-her-campaign-are-nothing-but-smoke-mirrors/440362 "2008-03-10T21:38:27Z")
Inspired by the latest of the unfounded claims that Barack Obama is little more than smoke and mirrors, I’d like her supporters to give me one substantial piece of legislation of any significance that Hillary Clinton has… --- ## [Are people to willing to pull life support, revisited.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-to-willing-to-pull-life-support-revisited/440878)
**Author:** [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-to-willing-to-pull-life-support-revisited/440878 "2008-03-10T20:37:44Z")
Bringing back the old http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=354825&page=1&pp=50 in it I argued that we where to willing to “pull the plug” on people and was argued with from top to bottom in regards to th… --- ## [What tactics will Democrats use against McCain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-democrats-use-against-mccain/440166)
**Author:** [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-democrats-use-against-mccain/440166 "2008-03-10T19:36:05Z")
Companion thread. I’d guess the Democrats are frankly spoilt for choice here. “Vote McCain for war with Iran” could resonate. What else could they run on that would and will really hit home with the voters McCain need… --- ## ["A guide for the Perplexed" Discussion Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-guide-for-the-perplexed-discussion-thread/438905)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-guide-for-the-perplexed-discussion-thread/438905 "2008-03-10T19:09:56Z")
This starts the second round of book discussions related to religious topics. We are discussing A Guide for the Perplexed, by E. F. Schumacher. As before, the rules are (1) no insults and (2) you must read the book to … --- ## [Why doesn't the U.S. just give up on Middle East peace?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-u-s-just-give-up-on-middle-east-peace/440620)
**Author:** [@Squarebubble1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squarebubble1)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-u-s-just-give-up-on-middle-east-peace/440620 "2008-03-10T18:44:37Z")
We’ve been trying to bring peace to that region for decades…seems like some progress is made, then one of the sides violates it, and back to Square 1. It’s obvious that Arabs, Palestinians and Jews will NEVER reach any l… --- ## [Split the CIA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/split-the-cia/440780)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/split-the-cia/440780 "2008-03-10T18:43:19Z")
I was kinda thinking the other day… The CIA needs to be divided into two parts. One half should focus on the technical/electronic suveillance, as well as general data collection and analysis. The other should focus on… --- ## [The Florida and Michigan delegates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-florida-and-michigan-delegates/440350)
**Author:** [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-florida-and-michigan-delegates/440350 "2008-03-10T18:11:53Z")
There is talk of asking Florida and Michigan to have a do-over primary so the delegates will count in the Democratic Primary. The states were “punished” for moving up their primary by having their delegates not count, b… --- ## [Concerning Lazarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-lazarus/440733)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-lazarus/440733 "2008-03-10T17:17:34Z")
In John 11:1-44, the topic is the resurrection of Lazarus. Now, in verses 23-25, this exchange takes place: \[QUOTE=Bible\] 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise a… --- ## [23rd psalm etc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/23rd-psalm-etc/440111)
**Author:** [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/23rd-psalm-etc/440111 "2008-03-10T16:35:51Z")
Not wishing to further hijack the “Greatest thing ever written thread,” I give you some replies (here) to things written (there). To mod CKDexter…thanks. I can take the heat, but it’s good to know there are rules and m… --- ## [WH: Congress has no say in long-term Iraq security agreement -- 2002 AUMF covers it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wh-congress-has-no-say-in-long-term-iraq-security-agreement-2002-aumf-covers-it/440506)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wh-congress-has-no-say-in-long-term-iraq-security-agreement-2002-aumf-covers-it/440506 "2008-03-10T15:49:09Z")
Seriously. I’m not making this up. Can anyone seriously defend this reasoning? And why are they even bothering? If such a security agreement were entered by administration fiat alone, such an agreement would not be b… --- ## [PGA tour golfer kills red shouldered hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-tour-golfer-kills-red-shouldered-hawk/440591)
**Author:** [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-tour-golfer-kills-red-shouldered-hawk/440591 "2008-03-10T14:54:11Z")
Well, it’s just like the title says, story here. A PGA tour golfer filming a video was annoyed by a noisy hawk, and took multiple shots at it with golf balls, eventually killing it. This story doesn’t seem to have the… --- ## [What if Prince Harry was captured by the Taliban?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-prince-harry-was-captured-by-the-taliban/439568)
**Author:** [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-prince-harry-was-captured-by-the-taliban/439568 "2008-03-10T12:16:49Z")
Seeing the news today got me wondering, what would be the likely outcome if Prince Harry was captured in Afghanistan? My guess is that they would try to use him to demand that Britain withdraw its troops from Afghanista… --- ## [Is Billy Graham a heretic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-billy-graham-a-heretic/440531)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-billy-graham-a-heretic/440531 "2008-03-10T11:38:58Z")
Is Billy Graham considered a heretic by the standards of the Southern Baptist Convention? After his wife’s death, Graham stated that she was in Heaven and that he could not wait to join her. But doesn’t the Southern Bapt… --- ## [Political Unification in C/S America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-unification-in-c-s-america/440593)
**Author:** [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-unification-in-c-s-america/440593 "2008-03-10T11:32:34Z")
Given that the E.C with very different languages and cultures is gradually coming together as one unit why doesn’ t there appear to be a similar progressive cohesion with the central and south American Spanish speaking c… --- ## [Who's the Dems compromise candidate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-dems-compromise-candidate/440421)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2008, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-dems-compromise-candidate/440421 "2008-03-10T04:57:11Z")
Let’s say we get to the DNC and with this fiasco in MI and FL, neither Obama or Clinton can take the vote. Furthermore, let’s postulate that by this time, the campaigning was so brutal that few if any will switch votes … --- ## [A question primarily for those against Affirmative Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-primarily-for-those-against-affirmative-action/439606)
**Author:** [@Ensign\_Edison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ensign_Edison)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-primarily-for-those-against-affirmative-action/439606 "2008-03-09T20:45:54Z")
Note: I don’t mean this as a rhetorical trap, because I understand how futile such devices are. I’m truly interested in the responses, and those pro-AA are welcome to answer too. I would supply my own answer, but I’m ask… --- ## [Parents - would you sacrifice SOMEONE ELSE'S life for your child?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-would-you-sacrifice-someone-elses-life-for-your-child/439582)
**Author:** [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2008, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parents-would-you-sacrifice-someone-elses-life-for-your-child/439582 "2008-03-09T19:25:28Z")
Inspired by this thread, which I just don’t get. Not that I don’t get parents willing to sacrifice their life for their child (which, well, I comprehend the idea, but as I don’t have a child, I don’t comprehend the exec… --- ## [Is it okay for women to wear slacks religious-wise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-for-women-to-wear-slacks-religious-wise/440589)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2008, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-okay-for-women-to-wear-slacks-religious-wise/440589 "2008-03-09T15:41:28Z")
Any religion. Your religion. Can women wear slacks and if not, why not? --- ## [Architecs: Rate Frank lloyd Wright!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architecs-rate-frank-lloyd-wright/440108)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2008, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/architecs-rate-frank-lloyd-wright/440108 "2008-03-09T13:20:19Z")
Having just finished a book on his works, I am definately sure that he was the world’s greatest architect! His houses (Fallingwater, The Oak Park homes) are simply brilliant. And the Marin County Civic Center is amazing!… --- ## [Iran's role in Iraq's and the Gulf States' future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irans-role-in-iraqs-and-the-gulf-states-future/440387)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2008, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irans-role-in-iraqs-and-the-gulf-states-future/440387 "2008-03-09T09:32:33Z")
This past Sunday and Monday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made what amounted to a triumphal visit to Baghdad, embracing and kissing President Talabani and promising “brotherly” relations with Iraq in the future.… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=650) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=652)