# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=663 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 664 --- ## [What's Up With Angels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-angels/435192)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-angels/435192 "2008-01-29T06:39:35Z")
They don’t seem to factor in these days! In the Old Testament times, they were frequently mentioned as interacting with humans. In NT times, JC had contatc with them, and they are mentioned as being present at his birth.… --- ## [Let's talk policy differences between Obama and Clinton (#1: Environment)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-policy-differences-between-obama-and-clinton-1-environment/435231)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-policy-differences-between-obama-and-clinton-1-environment/435231 "2008-01-29T06:26:48Z")
Amidst all the talk about candor and integrity in the past few weeks, the assumption seems to be that these two don’t have real policy differences. I thought it would be nice to have some threads to discuss whether such… --- ## [FCC fines "NYPD Blue"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-fines-nypd-blue/435212)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-fines-nypd-blue/435212 "2008-01-29T05:49:15Z")
The FCC has just announced it is fining ABC for broadcasting an episode of NYPD Blue at 9:00pm on February 25, 2003. The episode, like many episodes of that series, featured a scene with partial female nudity. cite Pers… --- ## [Center for Public Integrity accuses Bush Administration of false pretenses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/center-for-public-integrity-accuses-bush-administration-of-false-pretenses/434739)
**Author:** [@JohnnieEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnieEnigma)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/center-for-public-integrity-accuses-bush-administration-of-false-pretenses/434739 "2008-01-29T02:32:02Z")
If this has already been posted, please delete: http://www.publicintegrity.org/WarCard/Default.aspx?src=home&context=overview&id=945 So a non profit journalism organization is accusing the Bush administration of false … --- ## [Should western democracies self-censor to suit Islamic militancy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-democracies-self-censor-to-suit-islamic-militancy/432507)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-democracies-self-censor-to-suit-islamic-militancy/432507 "2008-01-29T01:39:01Z")
In a disturbing news story, another liberal, democratic country is making moves to self-censor (or to be more precise, is leaning on a citizen to limit his freedom of expression) for fear of fanatical, violent and extrem… --- ## [Seat Belt Laws: Why did the public opinion change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-belt-laws-why-did-the-public-opinion-change/435160)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seat-belt-laws-why-did-the-public-opinion-change/435160 "2008-01-28T22:54:01Z")
I remember back in the 1980s when seatbelt laws were first proposed. IIRC, most people thought the idea was outrageous. The government could tell you to follow a safety directive that affected nobody else but you? Nev… --- ## [I'm really glad the Giuliani 9/11 campaign didn't work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-glad-the-giuliani-9-11-campaign-didnt-work/435017)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-glad-the-giuliani-9-11-campaign-didnt-work/435017 "2008-01-28T20:33:41Z")
All signs point to Rudy Giuliani’s campaign not doing well. I’m very glad for this. He ran his entire campaign on 9/11 and it hasn’t worked. I was afraid that it would. Why didn’t it work? Have most voters begun to thin… --- ## [Billary Clinton takes a hit on National TV..no more false info slinging!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billary-clinton-takes-a-hit-on-national-tv-no-more-false-info-slinging/434660)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2008, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billary-clinton-takes-a-hit-on-national-tv-no-more-false-info-slinging/434660 "2008-01-28T18:21:08Z")
I turned on the morning brain vacuum \[Good Morning America\] and finally they are reporting that Hillary and Bill are firing False claims at Obama - Jake Tapper, National Senior Political Correspondent debunked the Billar… --- ## [Possibility of an Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama Ticket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-an-obama-clinton-or-clinton-obama-ticket/435165)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possibility-of-an-obama-clinton-or-clinton-obama-ticket/435165 "2008-01-28T15:49:01Z")
It’s pretty clear now that it it WILL be either Obama or Clinton as the Democratic nominee in November. How likely is the possibility that the two will run together, and would that be desirable? --- ## [Any Clinton supporters would be unhappy with Obama candidacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-clinton-supporters-would-be-unhappy-with-obama-candidacy/433767)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2008, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-clinton-supporters-would-be-unhappy-with-obama-candidacy/433767 "2008-01-28T05:28:01Z")
It seems like plenty of people love both of the two Democrat front runners, but I’d like to hear from people that strongly support one over the other. How many people who strongly support Clinton would be upset if Obama… --- ## [Nostradamus, Lonesome Dove, History Channel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nostradamus-lonesome-dove-history-channel/435243)
**Author:** [@DocA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocA)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nostradamus-lonesome-dove-history-channel/435243 "2008-01-27T22:48:16Z")
I watched a TV program on The History Channel last night about Nostradamus. When they were talking about the opening of his tomb, I saw a Latin phrase engraved on the stone above the doorway to his tomb. The phrase was… --- ## [Biofuels, water shortages and Global Warming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biofuels-water-shortages-and-global-warming/435028)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biofuels-water-shortages-and-global-warming/435028 "2008-01-27T22:33:55Z")
I was recently reading some stories on biofuels that had an interesting take on an aspect I hadn’t considered before…water. Apparently many of the better feed stocks for biofuels use a lot more water than other existing… --- ## [2nd Amendment-Action and Consequence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2nd-amendment-action-and-consequence/434864)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2nd-amendment-action-and-consequence/434864 "2008-01-27T21:54:20Z")
In the other current 2nd Amendment thread, I asked a couple of questions about using the 2nd Amendment to protect ourselves from a tyrannical government. What is a definition of “tyrannical” that you believe most peopl… --- ## [Pakistani Missile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pakistani-missile/434931)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pakistani-missile/434931 "2008-01-27T18:18:48Z")
Hi Everyone! Has anyone heard any news of Pakistan’s successful firing of a nuclear-capable medium-range missile? I sincerely hope that’s not true! If it is, should we add this to our list of worries??? --- ## [Bill Clinton and the war on terror](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-and-the-war-on-terror/435182)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-and-the-war-on-terror/435182 "2008-01-27T16:22:44Z")
I was just wondering: what do you think would have happened if Bill Clinton had been POTUS in 2001. How would he have reacted to 9/11? How would the war on terror have been conducted? Would there have been a war on terro… --- ## [Big Billary Backfire this week and Kennedy endorsement(s) for Obama!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-billary-backfire-this-week-and-kennedy-endorsement-s-for-obama/435193)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-billary-backfire-this-week-and-kennedy-endorsement-s-for-obama/435193 "2008-01-27T15:11:56Z")
Listening to George Stephanopolos this morning in his This Weeks Roundup he sat with Cokie Roberts, George Will, Donna Brazile, Jacob Weisberg. They brought up some very interesting points - and I had no idea Caroline Ke… --- ## [An Economics Question: Casino Gambling as State Revenue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-economics-question-casino-gambling-as-state-revenue/435035)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-economics-question-casino-gambling-as-state-revenue/435035 "2008-01-27T14:57:43Z")
The State of Massachusetts wants to raise cash by authorizing casinos-and the new governor (Deval Patrick) wants to put the casino liciensing fees into the state budget. He claims that MA can realize up to $600 million p… --- ## [I'm utterly clueless about economics, but isn't the stimulus package really dumb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-utterly-clueless-about-economics-but-isnt-the-stimulus-package-really-dumb/434924)
**Author:** [@aliquot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aliquot)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-utterly-clueless-about-economics-but-isnt-the-stimulus-package-really-dumb/434924 "2008-01-27T06:44:22Z")
I know next to nothing about things fiscal, so I could be really off base here. So feel free to correct and/or mock my ignorance. But isn’t the stimulus package really, really stupid? One of the things I think I learn… --- ## [What if one or both the conventions were bombed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-one-or-both-the-conventions-were-bombed/435073)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-one-or-both-the-conventions-were-bombed/435073 "2008-01-27T03:31:49Z")
What would happen if one or both of the party conventions were bombed with massive loss of life? Suppose the nominee and his VP-nominee and the other major candidates were killed, along with many of electors. Would the … --- ## [Is Islamic extremism rooted in poverty, or humiliated pride?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-islamic-extremism-rooted-in-poverty-or-humiliated-pride/434974)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-islamic-extremism-rooted-in-poverty-or-humiliated-pride/434974 "2008-01-27T02:29:52Z")
Ever since 9/11 it seems to have been the conventional wisdom, on both sides of the aisle, that Islamic extremism exists mainly because so many Islamic countries are poor and undeveloped; which implies that it will all g… --- ## [How long would it take Nature to destroy the evidence of human existence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-it-take-nature-to-destroy-the-evidence-of-human-existence/351228)
**Author:** [@Alive\_At\_Both\_Ends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alive_At_Both_Ends)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-it-take-nature-to-destroy-the-evidence-of-human-existence/351228 "2008-01-27T02:08:59Z")
Suppose for a moment that every human being on the planet were to die tomorrow. I don’t mean in some catastrophe such as an asteroid strike or a nuclear holocaust, but just a gigantic coincidence – everybody simultaneous… --- ## [Terrorists- Defenders or radical muslims?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorists-defenders-or-radical-muslims/434923)
**Author:** [@timtupp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timtupp)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorists-defenders-or-radical-muslims/434923 "2008-01-27T00:41:34Z")
Some Muslims (and maybe non-Muslims) claim that suicide bombers, those who crashed into the WTC, etc. aren’t doing God’s work by killing the unbelievers as the media sometimes claims, but are retaliating against innocent… --- ## [Islamofascism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islamofascism/432674)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islamofascism/432674 "2008-01-26T22:32:08Z")
Not long ago tomndebb posted their disapproval of the use of the word “islamfascism”. See thread and post#143 \[QUOTE=tomndebb\] Nah. If you use “Islamofascist” you will be admitting that you follow the ranting of a not… --- ## [Is Ron Paul a racist or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ron-paul-a-racist-or-not/434727)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2008, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ron-paul-a-racist-or-not/434727 "2008-01-26T17:28:15Z")
Question came up in this Pit thread on an (arguably) racist remark by Huckabee, which I don’t intend to discuss here. Paul has been photographed with the owner of Stormfront and his son, but that does not necessarily me… --- ## [Leonrado da Vinci's equestrian Statue-Could He cast it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leonrado-da-vincis-equestrian-statue-could-he-cast-it/435105)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leonrado-da-vincis-equestrian-statue-could-he-cast-it/435105 "2008-01-26T17:25:32Z")
I caught the tail end of a show on TDC, dealing with Leonardo Da Vinci and his achievements. one of his projects was the casting of an enormous bronze statue of a horse-I think it was about 5 times life size. Could 16th … --- ## [Rewrite the Pledge of Allegiance. Or give me reasons not to.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rewrite-the-pledge-of-allegiance-or-give-me-reasons-not-to/434605)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2008, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rewrite-the-pledge-of-allegiance-or-give-me-reasons-not-to/434605 "2008-01-26T06:20:18Z")
For you non-Americans, it goes thusly: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” No… --- ## [Tax rebate proposal: Gift Certificates instead of checks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-rebate-proposal-gift-certificates-instead-of-checks/435058)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2008, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-rebate-proposal-gift-certificates-instead-of-checks/435058 "2008-01-26T06:07:10Z")
The purpose of this upcoming rebate is to stimulate the economy by increasing spending, right? But I suspect a significant portion of that money will instead simply be socked away into bank accounts or used to pay down d… --- ## [Why are the methods of Gandhi and MLJ, Jr. being overlooked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-methods-of-gandhi-and-mlj-jr-being-overlooked/434224)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-methods-of-gandhi-and-mlj-jr-being-overlooked/434224 "2008-01-26T05:13:56Z")
I facilitate a social justice class at my church. Tomorrow we will discuss MLK, Jr’s dedication to the concept of Christian love. Tonight I happened to read an excerpt from a sermon Dr. King gave 7 days after the US Su… --- ## [Fat tax, for serious this time.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tax-for-serious-this-time/434156)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2008, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-tax-for-serious-this-time/434156 "2008-01-26T02:25:15Z")
It seems to me that fatty foods are more of a health hazard than smoking, so why shouldn’t we put huge preventative luxury taxes on the most unhealthy foods like we did to tobacco? I’m not as concerned with the financia… --- ## [Who's entitled to be called a bro, Bill or Barack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-entitled-to-be-called-a-bro-bill-or-barack/434544)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-entitled-to-be-called-a-bro-bill-or-barack/434544 "2008-01-25T21:39:23Z")
Well most of you know what transpired at last night’s debate. I’m keenly aware that the colour of his skin entitles Obama to call himself black. But I’m also aware that his blackness results from Kenyan genetics whereas… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=662) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=664)