# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=664 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 665 --- ## [Is Iran a republic, a dictatorship, or something in between?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-iran-a-republic-a-dictatorship-or-something-in-between/434725)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-iran-a-republic-a-dictatorship-or-something-in-between/434725 "2008-01-25T19:43:25Z")
In this thread on “Islamofascism,” I pointed out, at post #10, something that appeared to me fairly inarguable: That theocracy is not necessarily an inherently totalitarian form of government, because neither Iran nor S… --- ## [Is the Israel-Palestine "Green Line" a border, an "armistice line," or what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-israel-palestine-green-line-a-border-an-armistice-line-or-what/434740)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-israel-palestine-green-line-a-border-an-armistice-line-or-what/434740 "2008-01-25T19:31:35Z")
In this thread FinnAgain asserts the “Green Line” between Israel and the Occupied Territories is not an international border but an “armistice line.” I’m not clear on the distinction as here applied. Certainly Israeli … --- ## [Do astrologers actually believe what they preach?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astrologers-actually-believe-what-they-preach/433636)
**Author:** [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Replies:** 330\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-astrologers-actually-believe-what-they-preach/433636 "2008-01-25T18:35:49Z")
Disclaimer: I am not, and do not claim to be, an expert on astrology. I have done just enough research to determine that there’s no scientific credibility behind it whatsoever, and I’m hard-pressed to see how anyone coul… --- ## [Am I a homophobe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-homophobe/434671)
**Author:** [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-homophobe/434671 "2008-01-25T17:57:31Z")
I’ve always felt that what consenting adults agreed to do was well what consenting adults agreed to do. I think marriage should be allowed for any consenting adults. If two men or two women or a man and woman are good … --- ## [Is there a significant disconnect between TV and print journalism...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-significant-disconnect-between-tv-and-print-journalism/434941)
**Author:** [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-significant-disconnect-between-tv-and-print-journalism/434941 "2008-01-25T13:15:21Z")
Especially when it comes to community activism? I admit up front, this may be more of a small-town vs. big city phenomenon than a difference between the two media, but maybe not. That’s what I’m trying to explore here. … --- ## [Is it Harmful to Believe in the Paranormal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-harmful-to-believe-in-the-paranormal/434393)
**Author:** [@Garula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garula)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-harmful-to-believe-in-the-paranormal/434393 "2008-01-25T13:11:58Z")
There have been a few threads lately about paranormal phenomena and why or why not people should believe in them. So I wonder, exactly how is it harmful for a person to believe in something that has no scientific backing… --- ## [Zombie Pigs: Yummy or YEEARRRGH!!! ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-pigs-yummy-or-yeearrrgh/434540)
**Author:** [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zombie-pigs-yummy-or-yeearrrgh/434540 "2008-01-25T11:39:09Z")
Over in another thread, \*\*Cervaise \*\*mentioned: And I said: And \*\*Maastricht \*\*replied: I’m also reminded of the vat-grown human meat thread of a while back, but the Search hamsters have failed me. So what do we t… --- ## [Video of Clinton/Edwards pushing out Kucinich from Debates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-of-clinton-edwards-pushing-out-kucinich-from-debates/434913)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-of-clinton-edwards-pushing-out-kucinich-from-debates/434913 "2008-01-25T04:43:47Z")
Do you read this the same way I and my friend who sent it to me do? --- ## [Is Atheism on the Rise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-on-the-rise/434118)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-on-the-rise/434118 "2008-01-25T03:41:01Z")
There are frequent threads here with atheists (myself included) posing very level positions on why organized religion is allegedly a sham. I am absolutely NOT trying to spark a debate among the believers versus the non-… --- ## [Dem Candidates want you to lose money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dem-candidates-want-you-to-lose-money/434496)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dem-candidates-want-you-to-lose-money/434496 "2008-01-25T03:28:00Z")
I’d make the same argument re the war but certainly won’t get many sympathisers here. Don’t you think they are going a little overboard as to how bad it is? Do you think they care whether their comments influence the m… --- ## [Should the King holiday be abolished?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-king-holiday-be-abolished/434405)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-king-holiday-be-abolished/434405 "2008-01-24T23:17:50Z")
Martin Luther King, Jr. is the only American to have a holiday in his name. Is Martin Luther King really that worthy of a national holiday? I personally find him to be a despicable person. Is political correctness the on… --- ## [Is Clinton useing Tactics that should discredit a candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-clinton-useing-tactics-that-should-discredit-a-candidate/434366)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-clinton-useing-tactics-that-should-discredit-a-candidate/434366 "2008-01-24T23:00:43Z")
In this article it spells out a few things and in the comments someone from the Nevada caucuses gives more detail on her personal experience their. I was amazed during the 2000 election when Rove’s dirty tricks success… --- ## [Would running out of oil and coal stop global warming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-running-out-of-oil-and-coal-stop-global-warming/434609)
**Author:** [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-running-out-of-oil-and-coal-stop-global-warming/434609 "2008-01-24T19:57:09Z")
Would running out of oil and coal stop global warming? --- ## [Predictions for today's primaries and caucuses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-for-todays-primaries-and-caucuses/434166)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2008, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-for-todays-primaries-and-caucuses/434166 "2008-01-24T05:48:32Z")
Today we have Nevada Republican and Democratic caucuses, as well as the South Carolina Republican primary. My predictions: NV (D): Very close. Clinton squeaks out a win. The old-line party faithful are the only ones … --- ## [SC Democratic Debate: Gettin' down and dirty!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sc-democratic-debate-gettin-down-and-dirty/434442)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sc-democratic-debate-gettin-down-and-dirty/434442 "2008-01-24T04:30:18Z")
I figure we need a thread for this. Hillary and Obama are going for the throats. This is going to be good! Anyone else watching? --- ## [Giuliani/Obama double standard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giuliani-obama-double-standard/434762)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2008, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giuliani-obama-double-standard/434762 "2008-01-24T04:00:28Z")
There has been talk lately that Barack Obama belong to a church that gave an award to Louis Farrakhan. OK fair enough. It should be question why Obama belongs to a church that gave an award to an anti-Semite like Farrakh… --- ## [The SDMB mock election Debate #2: Economy, Health care, Social Security & Poverty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election-debate-2-economy-health-care-social-security-poverty/434374)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2008, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election-debate-2-economy-health-care-social-security-poverty/434374 "2008-01-24T02:11:14Z")
Welcome to the second SMDB multiparty 2008 campaign debate. Today we will debate and discuss your policies concerning some major domestic issues. We welcome the candidate to post their positions & solutions and be prep… --- ## [Yellowstone National Park](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellowstone-national-park/434650)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellowstone-national-park/434650 "2008-01-23T19:10:19Z")
There was a programme on UK TV last night concerning the killing of Black Bears by Grizzlies for food in Yellowstone, a fascinating programme indeed. I never realised that these magnificent animals were cannibalistic in… --- ## [Phenotypic Plasticity - Animal Armageddon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phenotypic-plasticity-animal-armageddon/434622)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phenotypic-plasticity-animal-armageddon/434622 "2008-01-23T19:07:32Z")
I bought this month’s GQ because Rachel Bilson is on the cover in a bikini. Inside though I found a rather provocative article called “The Violence of the Lambs” which makes an interesting argument: As we pressure the … --- ## [Why do people become more dogmatic when they become parents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-become-more-dogmatic-when-they-become-parents/434515)
**Author:** [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-become-more-dogmatic-when-they-become-parents/434515 "2008-01-23T18:06:13Z")
Why do people become more dogmatic when they become parents? For a specific example: Why would an agnostic suddenly become creationist after having kids? Or do you disagree with this blanket statement (which is of cour… --- ## [What "Fiduciary Duty" Do Lawyers Owe estates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fiduciary-duty-do-lawyers-owe-estates/434526)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-fiduciary-duty-do-lawyers-owe-estates/434526 "2008-01-23T18:02:35Z")
When the propbat court appoints a lawyer to oversee a dead person’s property, exactly what duties doe he have toward the estate? Is he bound to expend as little moneys as possible? or should he spare no expense in pusuit… --- ## [University violates its pledge of confidentiality over a homophobic remark. Thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/university-violates-its-pledge-of-confidentiality-over-a-homophobic-remark-thoughts/434271)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/university-violates-its-pledge-of-confidentiality-over-a-homophobic-remark-thoughts/434271 "2008-01-23T16:10:05Z")
Here’s the link to the NYT Magazine “Ethicist” column which inspired this thread. Here’s the sitch. An unnamed university requires its students to evaluate their instructors at the end of each term and, to encourage can… --- ## [Question for Bush voters in 2004 (a trip down memory lane)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-bush-voters-in-2004-a-trip-down-memory-lane/434363)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-bush-voters-in-2004-a-trip-down-memory-lane/434363 "2008-01-23T15:27:08Z")
I’m curious how many dopers supported Bush back in 2004. I know this board skews left, but plenty of voters chose Bush, so there’s probably more than a few around here. (But how many will admit to it?) What were the pri… --- ## [Can we bill the Bin Laden family for the cost of the Iraq war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-bill-the-bin-laden-family-for-the-cost-of-the-iraq-war/434542)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-bill-the-bin-laden-family-for-the-cost-of-the-iraq-war/434542 "2008-01-23T14:16:31Z")
Since the US is pretty much the last remaining superpower, what if the US President decides to heck with the Bin Ladens? Could we seize all their assets? Would it be enough to pay for the Iraq war? Who would be able t… --- ## [Stimulus Packages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-packages/434592)
**Author:** [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stimulus-packages/434592 "2008-01-23T11:42:09Z")
It seems to me that a large part of our current economic woe is caused by the increased federal budget deficit and current account deficit - basically we’re in trouble because we’re borrowing insane amounts of money and … --- ## [If Barack Obama loses, when could we expect to see a Black President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-barack-obama-loses-when-could-we-expect-to-see-a-black-president/434402)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-barack-obama-loses-when-could-we-expect-to-see-a-black-president/434402 "2008-01-23T05:24:12Z")
I think we fail to appreciate how unlikely it is to find another Black candidate for President like Barack Obama, the first Black person in our history that has had a decent shot at winning the office. That’s not to say … --- ## [What if Cheney had to step down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-cheney-had-to-step-down/434267)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-cheney-had-to-step-down/434267 "2008-01-23T05:18:14Z")
Time for another step into the Conspiracy Zone… :smiley: Imagine it’s a month or two’s time. Cheney’s heart gives way so Bush needs a new Veep. There’s a clear front-runner for the Republican nomination. Could Bush app… --- ## [Odds of a brokered convention? Either side.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-of-a-brokered-convention-either-side/434270)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odds-of-a-brokered-convention-either-side/434270 "2008-01-23T02:32:17Z")
I’ve been speculating about this in various threads for a while now, but as things move along it seems like it deserves its own space. Republican side. It’s a four way race. The Pubs have some significant winner take al… --- ## [Resolved: CA NAACP Should Rescind the First Half of Resolution 11 This MLK Holiday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-ca-naacp-should-rescind-the-first-half-of-resolution-11-this-mlk-holiday/434448)
**Author:** [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-ca-naacp-should-rescind-the-first-half-of-resolution-11-this-mlk-holiday/434448 "2008-01-23T02:24:17Z")
The California State Conference of the NAACP’s Resolution 11 concerning the MLK National Memorial in Washington DC \[sup\]MEBuckner, Tom, et al.: A board search of “Yixin” drew blanks. If this is a repeat topic, please c… --- ## [The SDMB mock election Debate #1: Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran & Pakistan.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election-debate-1-iraq-afghanistan-iran-pakistan/434012)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election-debate-1-iraq-afghanistan-iran-pakistan/434012 "2008-01-23T01:37:44Z")
Welcome to the fist SMDB multiparty 2008 campaign debate. Today we will debate and discuss your policies concerning the Iraq & Afghanistan wars and the unrest in the region. This one should focus mainly on Iraq, Afghani… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=663) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=665)