# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=653 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 654 --- ## [Academic dopers - Are rules on "civility" in the classroom appropriate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-dopers-are-rules-on-civility-in-the-classroom-appropriate/439708)
**Author:** [@Galena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galena)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2008, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academic-dopers-are-rules-on-civility-in-the-classroom-appropriate/439708 "2008-03-06T07:11:24Z")
I just read some very interesting commentary from a professor who believes that all civility in the university classroom/lecture hall is gone, and that he needs to express and enforce rules of behavior for his students. … --- ## [An Islamic Reformation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-islamic-reformation/439234)
**Author:** [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2008, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-islamic-reformation/439234 "2008-03-06T05:32:05Z")
Okay - I’m not exactly Islam’s greatest fan but in the interest of fairness I want to share this and ask: Is this Islam’s Reformation beginning (or maybe Reclamation)? Turkey in radical revision of Islamic texts For … --- ## [How much physical credence should we give to solutions that "the math allows"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-physical-credence-should-we-give-to-solutions-that-the-math-allows/440210)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2008, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-physical-credence-should-we-give-to-solutions-that-the-math-allows/440210 "2008-03-06T02:09:21Z")
Inspired by this thread on time travel, but this is a more general question about how much weight we should put on solutions that come out of the math of a particular problem in physics. People may state things like … --- ## [Political questions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-questions/440237)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Socks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Socks)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-questions/440237 "2008-03-05T23:11:51Z")
Why do states and areas of the United States vote the way they do in elections? For example, what makes Rhode Island heavily Democratic and Arkansas heavily Republican? Also, why are Appalachian areas like Eastern Kentuc… --- ## [Hypothetical: John McCain has to bow out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-john-mccain-has-to-bow-out/440232)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-john-mccain-has-to-bow-out/440232 "2008-03-05T22:37:46Z")
Sort of related to the melanoma thread about John McCain. I was wondering…what would happen at this stage of the race if McCain DID have to bow out? Would they need to re-run all of the primaries? COULD they do that? … --- ## [McCain's melanoma returns (unattributed rumor) \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccains-melanoma-returns-unattributed-rumor-ed-title/440206)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccains-melanoma-returns-unattributed-rumor-ed-title/440206 "2008-03-05T22:29:12Z")
I got an email from someone who is in the medical field who told me McCains melanoma has returned. The lump in his jaw is pretty obvious. Anybody have any real info pro or con about it? McCain has had 2 previous bouts w… --- ## [So, Global Warming is out, and Ice Age is back in....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-global-warming-is-out-and-ice-age-is-back-in/440221)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-global-warming-is-out-and-ice-age-is-back-in/440221 "2008-03-05T20:07:12Z")
From here. And.. --- ## [No such thing as the greenhouse effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-such-thing-as-the-greenhouse-effect/439477)
**Author:** [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-such-thing-as-the-greenhouse-effect/439477 "2008-03-05T17:42:52Z")
This Big PDF paper By a German Mathematical Physicist and some other guy purports to entirely refute the existence of any greenhouse effect. He has an extraordinary facility to present simple concepts in the form of impe… --- ## [Is "local and sustainable" agriculture sustainable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-local-and-sustainable-agriculture-sustainable/439537)
**Author:** [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-local-and-sustainable-agriculture-sustainable/439537 "2008-03-05T17:06:27Z")
I’ve read The Omnivore’s Dilemna, and I appreciate and understand the arguments against industrial agriculture, particularly as they concern fossil fuel inputs in the growth, shipment, and processing of commoditized food… --- ## [Will Repubicans ever be able to distance themselves from the nutcases in their party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-repubicans-ever-be-able-to-distance-themselves-from-the-nutcases-in-their-party/440008)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-repubicans-ever-be-able-to-distance-themselves-from-the-nutcases-in-their-party/440008 "2008-03-05T15:51:57Z")
Conventional political wisdom dictates that you generally to want to alienate anyone supporting you, but I wonder if Republicans will ever distance themselves from the nutcases that support them. I’m not talking about th… --- ## [Hillary Clinton on "The Daily Show", March 3rd](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-on-the-daily-show-march-3rd/439913)
**Author:** [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-on-the-daily-show-march-3rd/439913 "2008-03-05T15:30:08Z")
Seems like a bit of a coup for Clinton’s campaign- that’ll give Hillary a lot of exposure to a core Obama demographic; politically active college kids. What do y’all think- is this a big deal? Will it have much effect? … --- ## [What does Howard Dean do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-howard-dean-do/440159)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-howard-dean-do/440159 "2008-03-05T13:38:16Z")
As DNC chairman, he obviously wants to avoid a brokered convention. He also needs to deal with the situations in Florida and Michigan; a situation that becomes more urgent as Hillary views those delegates as a necessity… --- ## [US Senate issues apology to Native Americans for historic mistreatment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-senate-issues-apology-to-native-americans-for-historic-mistreatment/439988)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-senate-issues-apology-to-native-americans-for-historic-mistreatment/439988 "2008-03-05T06:21:53Z")
Good thing? Bad thing? Unnecessary thing? --- ## [If Clinton drags this out will it do irreparable harm to dem party for November?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-clinton-drags-this-out-will-it-do-irreparable-harm-to-dem-party-for-november/439993)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-clinton-drags-this-out-will-it-do-irreparable-harm-to-dem-party-for-november/439993 "2008-03-05T05:34:46Z")
I was reading an article on ‘doing the math’ with regards to delegate counts and Clinton draging this race out past Mississippi. The variables are many, but one constant is Obama’s 11 straight wins and his lead in overal… --- ## [Alberta Dopers - How could the PCs lose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-dopers-how-could-the-pcs-lose/438695)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-dopers-how-could-the-pcs-lose/438695 "2008-03-05T05:09:02Z")
I watched most of the debate tonight and Ed Stelmach and the Conservatives would get my vote hands down. The rest weren’t even close in policy, vision and direction. Wildrose party? Huh? I’m a fairly decent observer … --- ## [McCain goes for the lunatic fringe vote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-goes-for-the-lunatic-fringe-vote/440104)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-goes-for-the-lunatic-fringe-vote/440104 "2008-03-05T02:36:19Z")
McCain now claims that Wow. Y’know before, when I said I might vote McCain over HRC, if she was the nominee? Scratch that. --- ## [Vermont Eyes Lowering Drinking Age.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vermont-eyes-lowering-drinking-age/439635)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vermont-eyes-lowering-drinking-age/439635 "2008-03-05T00:53:11Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080229/ap\_on\_re\_us/drinking\_age I haven’t had a good drinking age debate in years. I have my opinions, and feel free to debate the drinking age, but my #1 question is one that keeps popping… --- ## [Open thread: Road to the White House, the Issues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-thread-road-to-the-white-house-the-issues/440069)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-thread-road-to-the-white-house-the-issues/440069 "2008-03-04T22:43:24Z")
Was reading this section on CNN that gives a thumb nail view of each of the major candidates stances on several issues and thought it would make a good thread for an open discussion. I’m going to list each category and… --- ## [How many immigrants can the U.S absorb every year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-immigrants-can-the-u-s-absorb-every-year/439304)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-immigrants-can-the-u-s-absorb-every-year/439304 "2008-03-04T18:56:22Z")
In part, this is a country of exiles, refugees and adventurers. Many find this part of our national identity appealing; many others, who do not, still see wisdom in attracting the foreign elites and letting their blood f… --- ## [Stick a fork in her: Clinton's done](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-her-clintons-done/437402)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 1002\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stick-a-fork-in-her-clintons-done/437402 "2008-03-04T18:35:41Z")
Three weeks ago, in a thread about the chance of a brokered convention, I posted : On the Democratic side, I see a very small chance of a brokered convention. At this point, it’s a two person race, and it comes down to … --- ## [How many good muslims do you know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-good-muslims-do-you-know/439533)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-good-muslims-do-you-know/439533 "2008-03-04T18:24:08Z")
In this thread, we’ll define a good muslim as one who strives to live by these attributes: \[ul\] \[li\]Forgiveness and mercy\*\[/li\]\[li\]Peacefulness and promoting peace\*\*\[/li\]\[li\]Being a good neighbor\[/li\]\[li\]Good hospitali… --- ## [How Much Stock Do you Put In HRCs First Lady Experience?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-stock-do-you-put-in-hrcs-first-lady-experience/439945)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2008, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-stock-do-you-put-in-hrcs-first-lady-experience/439945 "2008-03-04T18:11:20Z")
One of Hillary Clinton’s major debating points is her experience over Obama. Now it is obvious that she includes her time as First Lady and I think that is fair, although I think it is not a major thing I think it does c… --- ## [Obama, NAFTA and our neighbors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nafta-and-our-neighbors/437719)
**Author:** [@Lynwood\_Slim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynwood_Slim)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nafta-and-our-neighbors/437719 "2008-03-04T16:29:34Z")
I see that BHO is against NAFTA, as seems to be the left in general. Does anyone know how the NAFTA is thought in Canada and Mexico, and what how the suport or opposition there breaks down along party lines? Not really… --- ## [Can this obviously lying nutjob torpedo Obama's campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-obviously-lying-nutjob-torpedo-obamas-campaign/437775)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2008, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-obviously-lying-nutjob-torpedo-obamas-campaign/437775 "2008-03-04T02:29:15Z")
Anybody heard of this character named Larry Craig? He’s been putting up a series of videos on youtube (linkable at above linked blogspot site) claiming that he gave Barack Obama a blowjob and smoked crack with him in a l… --- ## [The Obama Hype](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-obama-hype/438667)
**Author:** [@Crocodiles\_And\_Boulevards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crocodiles_And_Boulevards)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2008, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-obama-hype/438667 "2008-03-04T02:25:09Z")
Maybe it’s just because I’m abroad these days and operate a life devoid of most media, but I’m having a difficult time understanding the almost fanatical following Barack Obama has built in the past few months. Several … --- ## [So what does Mend.. Medeb ... whatever ... foretell for Russia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-mend-medeb-whatever-foretell-for-russia/439877)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-mend-medeb-whatever-foretell-for-russia/439877 "2008-03-03T21:54:22Z")
Dmitry Medvedev (former lawyer and fan of Deep Purple) has been elected Russia’s new President. Stooge for Putin, holding his place until he is elgible to be President again (the rule is no more than two consecutive ter… --- ## [22nd Repealed; Has This Campaign Changed Your Mind About Bill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/22nd-repealed-has-this-campaign-changed-your-mind-about-bill/439710)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/22nd-repealed-has-this-campaign-changed-your-mind-about-bill/439710 "2008-03-03T21:40:50Z")
In late-breaking news, Congress passed a resolution last night repealing the 22nd Amendment, and this morning 38 state legislatures approved it. If Bill decided to take another stab at it… knowing what you know now… doe… --- ## [Is the removal of Musharraf good for Pakistan and the rest of the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-removal-of-musharraf-good-for-pakistan-and-the-rest-of-the-world/439673)
**Author:** [@wisernow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisernow)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-removal-of-musharraf-good-for-pakistan-and-the-rest-of-the-world/439673 "2008-03-03T19:42:59Z")
This question was discussed briefly in this thread but for some reason the discussion did not continue. I therefore present the same subject again with me taking a position. Musharraf has lost the election. He gave up … --- ## [The Virgin Mary Toast and the Neanderthal Mask](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virgin-mary-toast-and-the-neanderthal-mask/439732)
**Author:** [@red\_awning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_awning)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2008, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virgin-mary-toast-and-the-neanderthal-mask/439732 "2008-03-03T13:06:33Z")
While looking around google for information on dating and Neanderthals I found information about a supposed flute that was found and purported to be that of a Neanderthal. It was a bone seemed made with intent, and there… --- ## [USA in constant war to test out new weapons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-in-constant-war-to-test-out-new-weapons/439749)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2008, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-in-constant-war-to-test-out-new-weapons/439749 "2008-03-03T11:59:41Z")
this is an acusation that I hear now and then - that USA are in a constant war (more or less) to test out their new weapons true or false ? If true - how does this differ from the nazis who performed human experiment o… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=652) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=654)