# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=669 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 670 --- ## [How can we know we are NOT in a computer simulation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-know-we-are-not-in-a-computer-simulation/432041)
**Author:** [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-know-we-are-not-in-a-computer-simulation/432041 "2008-01-07T23:11:59Z")
Is there anyway to prove we are not hooked up in a virtual world like the Matrix? --- ## [Broken people: ethics of intensive study.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broken-people-ethics-of-intensive-study/432115)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broken-people-ethics-of-intensive-study/432115 "2008-01-07T17:35:18Z")
When some individuals commit particularly heinous crimes that defy all normal human comprehension such as this one reported in Australian news over the last days, can a case be made that allows for the judiciary to impos… --- ## [Why have some cultures retrogressed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-some-cultures-retrogressed/431886)
**Author:** [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-some-cultures-retrogressed/431886 "2008-01-07T16:10:20Z")
I am going to make a very sweeping generalisation now which will no doubt provoke outrage and off topic debate but it is only a convenient tool to make the foundation of a discussion of a point that honestly perplexes me… --- ## [Stephen Coughlin Pentagon Specialist on Islamic Law sacked](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-coughlin-pentagon-specialist-on-islamic-law-sacked/432375)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2008, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-coughlin-pentagon-specialist-on-islamic-law-sacked/432375 "2008-01-07T15:58:49Z")
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080104/NATION04/410150204/10 What is the significance of this? --- ## [why do democrats vote for Hillary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-democrats-vote-for-hillary/432515)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-democrats-vote-for-hillary/432515 "2008-01-07T15:38:12Z")
…when she seam to have zero chance to be elected as 44rd president why don’t go for Edwards or Obama instead? --- ## [Iowa primaries--then and now: Howard Dean's scream](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-primaries-then-and-now-howard-deans-scream/432413)
**Author:** [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iowa-primaries-then-and-now-howard-deans-scream/432413 "2008-01-07T15:08:03Z")
What was so terrible about Howard Dean’s famous scream? After reading an article (praising Obama’s victory speech) that made a saracastic reference comparing how Dean had committed suicide with his speech, I got curiou… --- ## [Assume Obama Becomes President: Racism In America Re-Defined?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assume-obama-becomes-president-racism-in-america-re-defined/431974)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assume-obama-becomes-president-racism-in-america-re-defined/431974 "2008-01-07T14:00:00Z")
If Obama should become President, how will that affect the attitude of blacks in urban areas? Would that immediately destroy the common complaint of black males that “we can’t make it through normal channels” in white A… --- ## [Competence vs. Constituency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/competence-vs-constituency/432562)
**Author:** [@Category5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Category5)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2008, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/competence-vs-constituency/432562 "2008-01-07T04:38:42Z")
Which would you rather your child to develop, if he/she could develop only one? --- ## [To what extent should a politican follow the electorate's wishes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-should-a-politican-follow-the-electorates-wishes/432404)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2008, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-should-a-politican-follow-the-electorates-wishes/432404 "2008-01-07T00:16:03Z")
A politician, depending on what level of government they’re at, quite possibly has access to information that the general public doesn’t on some issues. They will have particular beliefs that certain things are good and … --- ## [How does a Lawyer end up defending Scum™](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-lawyer-end-up-defending-scum/431736)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-lawyer-end-up-defending-scum/431736 "2008-01-06T19:48:29Z")
Scum is defined as anybody whom the issue of their forgivability in/by society is clear - their actions are unforgivable (child-molesters, rapists etc…) I am sure that no Lawyer wants to be tasked with defending such a … --- ## [Is Huckabee a genuinely nice, sincere guy, or is it an act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-huckabee-a-genuinely-nice-sincere-guy-or-is-it-an-act/423357)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2008, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-huckabee-a-genuinely-nice-sincere-guy-or-is-it-an-act/423357 "2008-01-06T18:53:26Z")
I would never vote for Gov. Huckabee because I disagree with him on many policy issues. But that’s the extent of my problem with the guy. I actually think he would govern lawfully, and with sincerity, if not toward the… --- ## [Why on Earth would we want to go there!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-on-earth-would-we-want-to-go-there/432215)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-on-earth-would-we-want-to-go-there/432215 "2008-01-06T05:15:00Z")
When I was a boy, my grndfather grousd about the billions of dollars being spent on the space race. I remember being in sixth grade and watching with wide-eyed wonder as Alan Shepard and then Wally Shirra and thn John G… --- ## [India has been doing...what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-has-been-doing-what/432466)
**Author:** [@TheOnlySaneOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheOnlySaneOne)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-has-been-doing-what/432466 "2008-01-06T02:30:20Z")
For the record, as we start this, I might not respond to this thread automatically,nor do I have any real answers to what I’m asking. I am merely posing a question, one that is likely to delve into debate, and this is th… --- ## [A Republican is preparing to vote for a Democratic POTUS, sell him on your choice.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-republican-is-preparing-to-vote-for-a-democratic-potus-sell-him-on-your-choice/432189)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-republican-is-preparing-to-vote-for-a-democratic-potus-sell-him-on-your-choice/432189 "2008-01-06T02:28:20Z")
I give up, I like McCain and Rudy but too many of their stated policies disagree with my own. I am finding Clinton and Obama more in tune to my liking. Can you convince me and maybe some other readers on voting for your… --- ## [Is my proposed political system better? (For US Congress)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-proposed-political-system-better-for-us-congress/416566)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2008, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-proposed-political-system-better-for-us-congress/416566 "2008-01-05T21:59:54Z")
Problem: Special interests are corrupting our government by allowing lobbyists to essentially bribe congressmen to get legislation passed. Solution: Allow citizens to switch their vote to the representative that most … --- ## [Did the press give Fallujah to insurgents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-press-give-fallujah-to-insurgents/432328)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2008, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-press-give-fallujah-to-insurgents/432328 "2008-01-04T23:02:30Z")
(Mentioned this in another thread, decided to give it its own when it didn’t really take off, partly because of my poor phrasing choices.) That’s what a supposed “secret intelligence assessment” concludes, according to … --- ## [Okay to drink/abuse your body if you're pregnant but intending to abort?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-to-drink-abuse-your-body-if-youre-pregnant-but-intending-to-abort/432045)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-to-drink-abuse-your-body-if-youre-pregnant-but-intending-to-abort/432045 "2008-01-04T20:06:51Z")
I’ve wondered this question a lot. At a New Year’s Eve party, I couldn’t drink due to meds that I’ll be on for a week and a half, so I told everyone who inquired about my complaining about it, that I was maybe preggers … --- ## [Make Your Final Iowa Caucus Predictions Here!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-your-final-iowa-caucus-predictions-here/432130)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-your-final-iowa-caucus-predictions-here/432130 "2008-01-04T18:57:48Z")
It’s all going down tonight, and the last pre-caucus polls (Dem, GOP) are all in. So, if ye be sufficiently brave of heart and crazy of head to give your WAGs for the 1-2-3 finishers in each party, this is the place, an… --- ## [Is Prof. Abdusamatov All Wet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-prof-abdusamatov-all-wet/432140)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2008, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-prof-abdusamatov-all-wet/432140 "2008-01-04T13:57:01Z")
Link:http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080103/94768732.html This Russian astronomer has been predicting a cooling cycle, due around 2012. Is he right? Is it possible that AGW is not happening? If a new Ice Age is imminent, … --- ## [Governments are very poorly run orgainizations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governments-are-very-poorly-run-orgainizations/431708)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2008, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governments-are-very-poorly-run-orgainizations/431708 "2008-01-04T11:02:52Z")
Agreed? If so … why? What steps could be taken to make the federal governement more efficient and less wasteful? Things a politician could run on and put in place in four years. --- ## [Adam Lived 60,000 Years Ago, Not 6000](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-lived-60-000-years-ago-not-6000/432039)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2008, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-lived-60-000-years-ago-not-6000/432039 "2008-01-04T09:50:29Z")
Gee, was there a misprint in the bible? :smiley: Actually, according to National Geographic genetic studies have determined that everyone of us can be traced back to a man who lived 60,000 years ago. All decendants of … --- ## [Should The Fedral Government Subsidize Hi\_DEF TV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-fedral-government-subsidize-hi_def-tv/431921)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2008, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-fedral-government-subsidize-hi_def-tv/431921 "2008-01-04T07:38:21Z")
So, you can get $40.00 toward the cost of a set top digital TV decoder (so you can use your old analog TV after the end of analog transmission in 2009). Why should the taxpayers subsidize this? Is TV watching a constitut… --- ## [Korean War -Atomic Bomb](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/korean-war-atomic-bomb/431944)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/korean-war-atomic-bomb/431944 "2008-01-04T03:42:23Z")
Why didn’t the Americans use it? Why weren’t the North Koreans afraid of it? --- ## [One year until Election Day 2008: Make Your Predictions Here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-year-until-election-day-2008-make-your-predictions-here/425181)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-year-until-election-day-2008-make-your-predictions-here/425181 "2008-01-03T21:41:18Z")
November 4, 2008 is ONE…YEAR…AWAY. It’s time to make some predictions! Inspired by a thread in IMHO regarding the VP choices of the major candidates I thought it was time to do this. I’ll start with one I said there a… --- ## [Double-blind haunted house test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/double-blind-haunted-house-test/432169)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/double-blind-haunted-house-test/432169 "2008-01-03T20:44:33Z")
(Not sure if this is the right forum for this…) I just read this thread about spooky experiences dopers have had, and even for a generally skeptical person like myself, it’s hard to read something like that and not get … --- ## [Politically Correct Language to Describe People is 70% Stupid.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-correct-language-to-describe-people-is-70-stupid/431821)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-correct-language-to-describe-people-is-70-stupid/431821 "2008-01-03T19:17:36Z")
I’ll be you’re wondering where I got that percentage, aren’t you? The usual dark tunnel that percentages come from, of course. I am a good liberal gal, and I have to say I’m really sick of politically correct terms for… --- ## [Fifth Amendment: why is it useful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifth-amendment-why-is-it-useful/431977)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifth-amendment-why-is-it-useful/431977 "2008-01-03T03:49:58Z")
The usefulness of the Fifth Amendment’s protection against self-incrimination (“nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself”) always perplexed me From this thread, \[QUOTE=askeptic\] \[Q… --- ## [is democracy a threat to the global enviroment - and are we doomed ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-democracy-a-threat-to-the-global-enviroment-and-are-we-doomed/430479)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2008, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-democracy-a-threat-to-the-global-enviroment-and-are-we-doomed/430479 "2008-01-03T03:21:01Z")
It sometimes seams to me that the voters in every country makes it impossible for any governments on earth to take necessary actions to stop the global warming. It further seams to me that necessary action to stop global… --- ## [Benazir Bhutto assassinated: Just how screwed is Pakistan? The rest of the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benazir-bhutto-assassinated-just-how-screwed-is-pakistan-the-rest-of-the-world/431388)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2008, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benazir-bhutto-assassinated-just-how-screwed-is-pakistan-the-rest-of-the-world/431388 "2008-01-02T23:45:34Z")
In a move guaranteed to hurt everyone and help nobody, someone has assassinated Benazir Bhutto. So what are the predictions? Will this consolidate Musharraf’s power and enable the Taliban to continue operating in wes… --- ## [Did Jesus command us not to defend ourselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-command-us-not-to-defend-ourselves/431513)
**Author:** [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2008, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-command-us-not-to-defend-ourselves/431513 "2008-01-02T23:09:09Z")
I noticed in this thread and in others lately there’s been some discussion about what exactly Jesus meant when he said to turn the other cheek. The passages in question are from Matthew 5:38 and Luke 6:29. Here is the … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=668) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=670)