# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=670 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 671 --- ## [Lee and Johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lee-and-johnson/431436)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2008, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lee-and-johnson/431436 "2008-01-02T23:08:56Z")
This thread is about Robert E. Lee and Joseph Johnston, both high-ranking commanders of the Confederacy in the Civil War. Reading about the men, I’ve come to the conclusions that Lee was a stark-raving madman. OK, that’… --- ## [some good stuff, but... (Christian Sunday Worship)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-good-stuff-but-christian-sunday-worship/431140)
**Author:** [@jojoschmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jojoschmo)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-good-stuff-but-christian-sunday-worship/431140 "2008-01-02T20:55:02Z")
Cecil, I have enjoyed reading many of your thoughts; don’t always agree – or disagree for that matter. While you are probably not Christianity’s biggest fan if your writing is any indication (and that’s ok; I respect e… --- ## [The Lakota have declared independence from the U.S. \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lakota-have-declared-independence-from-the-u-s-ed-title/430699)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lakota-have-declared-independence-from-the-u-s-ed-title/430699 "2008-01-02T17:59:42Z")
SUMMARY: For far too long our people have suffered at the hands of the colonial apartheid system imposed on the Lakota Sioux. Our treaties with the United States government are nothing more than worthless words on wort… --- ## [Pocket Veto Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pocket-veto-law/431606)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pocket-veto-law/431606 "2008-01-02T17:48:54Z")
I’ll quote from the Associate Press to provide some neutral background to this question. Bush Rejects Defense Bill by Pocket Veto Wiki’s article on the pocket veto only mentions conflicting court cases without examini… --- ## [Retirees and seniors working to pay taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirees-and-seniors-working-to-pay-taxes/431216)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirees-and-seniors-working-to-pay-taxes/431216 "2008-01-02T16:18:21Z")
What do we think of this? Apparently some senior citizens who have trouble paying rising property taxes are asked to work for it. I have no opinion on the fiscal aspects. But to me it sounds really mean-spirited. For ch… --- ## [thoughts on 'Living in the Present'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-living-in-the-present/431313)
**Author:** [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-living-in-the-present/431313 "2008-01-01T19:36:51Z")
My brother is always telling me to ‘live in the present’. We had a discussion about it today, and I was wondering if I could get some people’s opinions on the subject. To me it sounds awfully similar to what a lobotomy… --- ## [Is a centrist Bloomberg-Nunn ticket in the works?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-centrist-bloomberg-nunn-ticket-in-the-works/431768)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-centrist-bloomberg-nunn-ticket-in-the-works/431768 "2008-01-01T17:48:02Z")
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: It has been speculated for some time that Bloomberg and/or Nunn might run for president on the Unity’08 ticket. (And there have been a couple of threads on the topic on these boar… --- ## [Do politicians have enough incentive to do good work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-politicians-have-enough-incentive-to-do-good-work/431583)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2008, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-politicians-have-enough-incentive-to-do-good-work/431583 "2008-01-01T16:20:44Z")
The US democracy is broken. The people that get elected are skilled at making people believe promises, but not skilled at actually doing anything positive. Incumbent senators stay in office based mostly on name recogni… --- ## [Are Serial Murderers Human?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-serial-murderers-human/431161)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-serial-murderers-human/431161 "2008-01-01T02:31:28Z")
I ask because I saw a TV documentary on the “BTK” killer. This guy was positively inhuman-he testified how he slit childrens throats, and stargled his victims while they were bound. He appeared to have no feelings of re… --- ## [Bush Defunds the Troops in Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-defunds-the-troops-in-iraq/431557)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2007, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-defunds-the-troops-in-iraq/431557 "2007-12-31T15:26:32Z")
President Bush hasvetoed the most recent defense spending bill through a pocket veto. Our troops are left in the field with no bullets while Dubya throws a tantrum until Congress gives him his way. \ **Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2007, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-nobody-sees-ufos-any-more/431213 "2007-12-31T08:51:55Z") I mean, if there was ever a time for a quick-witted person to snap a picture of a UFO, it OUGHT to be Now! Just about everybody has a camera phone, or digital camera. So why is it that we only get grainl old photos from … --- ## ['Charlie Wilson's War' and the 'Law' of unintended consequences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-wilsons-war-and-the-law-of-unintended-consequences/431383)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2007, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-wilsons-war-and-the-law-of-unintended-consequences/431383 "2007-12-31T06:00:44Z")
(Placed in GD because it might trigger a debate on US foreign policy) Does the movie get into the unintended consequences of Wilson and the CIA’s support for the Afghan Mujahideen? How, were Russia still in Afghanistan… --- ## [НАШИ - Putin Youth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putin-youth/428974)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2007, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putin-youth/428974 "2007-12-31T03:29:06Z")
Testing --- ## [Why Do People Get Defensive About God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-defensive-about-god/430142)
**Author:** [@amelioration](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amelioration)\ **Replies:** 511\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-defensive-about-god/430142 "2007-12-31T02:28:46Z")
Perhaps the thread title doesn’t accurately convey what I want to ask. Here’s a longer, hopefully more understandable version: Why is it that, when people get into religious discussion (be it a calm and logical statemen… --- ## [Does Christianity drives people out of believing in God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-christianity-drives-people-out-of-believing-in-god/431367)
**Author:** [@velocitri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velocitri)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2007, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-christianity-drives-people-out-of-believing-in-god/431367 "2007-12-31T02:09:07Z")
I’ve got nothing against Christianity (at least the ones not causing any ‘suffering’), but seeing posts about God and religion here made me wonder if Christianity drove people to be atheist. Correct me if I’m wrong, but … --- ## [Are more nuclear power plants a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-more-nuclear-power-plants-a-good-idea/430959)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-more-nuclear-power-plants-a-good-idea/430959 "2007-12-30T20:57:21Z")
One the one hand, they produce no greenhouse gases. OTOH - They are expensive. I have read that electricity generated from a nuclear plant costs roughly twice as much that generated by wind power (okay the source is th… --- ## [Are verifiable facts/artifacts mentioned in the Bible taken as proof of divinity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-verifiable-facts-artifacts-mentioned-in-the-bible-taken-as-proof-of-divinity/430963)
**Author:** [@Beaucarnea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beaucarnea)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2007, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-verifiable-facts-artifacts-mentioned-in-the-bible-taken-as-proof-of-divinity/430963 "2007-12-30T09:12:51Z")
From the GQ thread \[Who was the first real person in the Bible?\](Who was the first real person in the Bible? ), and other random questions I have seen about the search for Noah’s Ark, the references to Pharoah, etc. My … --- ## [Taxation without representation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxation-without-representation/431456)
**Author:** [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2007, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taxation-without-representation/431456 "2007-12-29T21:50:23Z")
I found this on the site of AARO (Assoc. of Americans Resident Overseas): “At present, only seventeen states explicitly allow Americans reared abroad to exercise their right to vote in federal elections by registering t… --- ## [Is there scientific evidence for the existence of chi/qi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-scientific-evidence-for-the-existence-of-chi-qi/430816)
**Author:** [@human\_extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/human_extinction)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2007, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-scientific-evidence-for-the-existence-of-chi-qi/430816 "2007-12-28T21:57:12Z")
I’m looking for insight into studies that have been done on chi (or “life energy” as some like to call it), and all of its theories and possible sightings in the scientific literature. For example, the “gut’s brain” is … --- ## [Zoos: good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoos-good-or-bad/431439)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2007, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoos-good-or-bad/431439 "2007-12-28T18:35:45Z")
Simple question. After the incident in San Francisco, the inevitable argument arises. Is it inhumane (not to mention unsafe) to display wild animals for public entertainment? I think that we’re more likely to care about… --- ## [Rhode Island Records 0.3% Population Decline-Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-records-0-3-population-decline-why/431431)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhode-island-records-0-3-population-decline-why/431431 "2007-12-28T18:32:29Z")
So why are people moving out? Taxes too high? Offhand, seems like a nice enough place-are the taxes too high? And-will the sate eventually become a huge old-age home? It must be tough to live there, with people moving ou… --- ## [Would it be constitutional for the feds to require you to get health insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-constitutional-for-the-feds-to-require-you-to-get-health-insurance/430689)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2007, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-constitutional-for-the-feds-to-require-you-to-get-health-insurance/430689 "2007-12-28T15:04:29Z")
Both Edwards and Clinton have proposed health care reform which would involve a federal mandate that every individual purchase health insurance. I don’t think either of them has proposed a mechanism of enforcement, but … --- ## [The whole concept of "hate crimes" is really, really dumb.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-concept-of-hate-crimes-is-really-really-dumb/430229)
**Author:** [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2007, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-concept-of-hate-crimes-is-really-really-dumb/430229 "2007-12-28T07:42:58Z")
Every once in a while I’ll hear about some murderer or offender getting extra punishment under some sort of “hate crimes” legislation, and I’m reminded of how completely retarded it is that we’ve managed to legislate peo… --- ## [Handicap the Pakistani parliamentary election (1/8/08)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-pakistani-parliamentary-election-1-8-08/430958)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2007, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-pakistani-parliamentary-election-1-8-08/430958 "2007-12-28T01:56:59Z")
Pervez Musharraf has lifted the state of emergency (discussed in this thread) and declared the parliamentary election will go ahead as scheduled on January 8, 2008. However, press censorship remains in place, the judges… --- ## [Christmas is a Christian fraud!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-is-a-christian-fraud/431054)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2007, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-is-a-christian-fraud/431054 "2007-12-28T01:05:46Z")
Today is quiet, and I am sitting by a nice roaring fire, next to a beautifully lit and decorated evergreen. Candles are glowing, beating back the gloom of the shortest days in the Northern Hemisphere. I am waiting for my… --- ## [Interfaith Dating and Relationships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interfaith-dating-and-relationships/430983)
**Author:** [@Dunawake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunawake)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interfaith-dating-and-relationships/430983 "2007-12-28T00:59:09Z")
I was discussing this a few nights back with a friend from a church singles group, just wondering how workable relationships are between people who don’t share the same faith. The general guideline given by the church i… --- ## [Does Being Gay Shorten Your Life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-being-gay-shorten-your-life/430533)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-being-gay-shorten-your-life/430533 "2007-12-27T22:41:47Z")
I have heard the claim that being gay presents some health risks; are there any reliable studies that prove this? And, if this is true, can life insurance companies demand higher premiums for gay clients? --- ## ["Pay It Forward" -- Nice Gesture or Stupid Stunt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-it-forward-nice-gesture-or-stupid-stunt/430463)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2007, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-it-forward-nice-gesture-or-stupid-stunt/430463 "2007-12-27T22:17:43Z")
From the CNN article: --- ## [Musharraf declares state of emergency in Pakistan, cancels elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musharraf-declares-state-of-emergency-in-pakistan-cancels-elections/425230)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musharraf-declares-state-of-emergency-in-pakistan-cancels-elections/425230 "2007-12-27T20:26:45Z")
He also sent troops in to the Supreme Court while the justices were in session. See here. That was yesterday. Today, troops are arresting opposition leaders and activists all over the country. So – now what? Bush ca… --- ## [Does sucking your own dick make you gay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sucking-your-own-dick-make-you-gay/431110)
**Author:** [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2007, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sucking-your-own-dick-make-you-gay/431110 "2007-12-27T15:17:03Z")
Will Ferrel had a skit about a guy who took yoga for seven years just so he could suck himself off: when accused of being gay, he pulled his head out of his pants and said, “you masturbate with your own hand, but that d… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=669) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=671)