# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=671 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 672 --- ## [Was our toleration of Franco's regime justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-our-toleration-of-francos-regime-justified/431035)
**Author:** [@Sub\_Judice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sub_Judice)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2007, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-our-toleration-of-francos-regime-justified/431035 "2007-12-27T04:18:13Z")
In the mid-1930s there were three major hard-right nationalist regimes in Europe; Hitler’s Germany, Mussolini’s Italy and Franco’s Spain. All 3 were censured by the other major Western democracies, and, of course, the f… --- ## [The balance between good and evil nowadays](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-balance-between-good-and-evil-nowadays/431048)
**Author:** [@velocitri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velocitri)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2007, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-balance-between-good-and-evil-nowadays/431048 "2007-12-26T19:28:10Z")
Compared with the past, how is the balance between good and evil nowadays? If there really such things as good and evil… maybe they’re just compassion vs ego --- ## [Grover Norquist's proposed amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grover-norquists-proposed-amendment/429724)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grover-norquists-proposed-amendment/429724 "2007-12-26T17:06:31Z")
Grover Norquist wants to make it unconstitutional for Hillary Clinton to be President. Okay, what he actually proposed was that the Constitution be amended to prohibit a spouse, sibling, or child of an office holder fro… --- ## [Does Microsoft benefit from software piracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-microsoft-benefit-from-software-piracy/431056)
**Author:** [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2007, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-microsoft-benefit-from-software-piracy/431056 "2007-12-26T11:55:48Z")
As an Ubuntu user, I ruminated today on how it’s a pity that it’s so easy to get your hands on illegal, free copies of Windows. If everyone had to pay for it, then maybe people might start looking for free alternatives, … --- ## [I can't think of the word for this: (Labor for tax credit)\[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-think-of-the-word-for-this-labor-for-tax-credit-ed-title/431257)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2007, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-think-of-the-word-for-this-labor-for-tax-credit-ed-title/431257 "2007-12-26T07:59:58Z")
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071225/D8TOKT9G1.html Letting people work for free to stay on their own land…Oh yeah…SLAVERY… and we live in a “free” country? Discuss… --- ## [Is there any way the De Beers diamond cartel can be broken?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-the-de-beers-diamond-cartel-can-be-broken/430758)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2007, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-the-de-beers-diamond-cartel-can-be-broken/430758 "2007-12-26T03:16:21Z")
Inspired by this thread, wherein several posters assert, and no one denies, that (natural) diamonds are as expensive as they are because the De Beers companies of South Africa limit the supply and artificially inflate th… --- ## [Forfeiture Laws, How are they constitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forfeiture-laws-how-are-they-constitutional/431102)
**Author:** [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2007, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forfeiture-laws-how-are-they-constitutional/431102 "2007-12-25T22:07:16Z")
These are laws that, in effect, make it illegal to carry or hold large amounts of currency. The government basically says that the cash is from the proceeds of illegal activity and seizes it. If the person wants their … --- ## [what's our best-case scenario future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-our-best-case-scenario-future/431008)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2007, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-our-best-case-scenario-future/431008 "2007-12-25T02:27:21Z")
we have our fair share of dire predictions around here. Perhaps a moment of optimism is called for. So, what’s your idea of a best case scenario for yourself/humanity? --- ## [Would people be so religious if they knew what religion caused?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-people-be-so-religious-if-they-knew-what-religion-caused/430177)
**Author:** [@selego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/selego)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2007, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-people-be-so-religious-if-they-knew-what-religion-caused/430177 "2007-12-24T16:54:01Z")
In my experience of learning about the conflicts and struggles the Christian religion caused in the Western world, I began to lose faith in it myself. I really had never known the atrocities that fanatic leaders attempte… --- ## [Economic Growth: The Real Hockey Stick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-growth-the-real-hockey-stick/429418)
**Author:** [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2007, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-growth-the-real-hockey-stick/429418 "2007-12-24T13:52:22Z")
Here’s a chart from trusty Wikipedia: There may be room for debate about where the temperature is headed, but it seems to me it’s pretty clear that the world’s wealth is rocketing up… --- ## [White House seeks control of promotions for military lawyers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-seeks-control-of-promotions-for-military-lawyers/430462)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2007, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-house-seeks-control-of-promotions-for-military-lawyers/430462 "2007-12-24T06:21:07Z")
According to this story in the December 15th Boston Globe, the Bush administration The new rule is just a proposal at this stage, and may be amended or eliminated before any new set of procedures goes into effect. Sti… --- ## [Do jewelers think women are whores?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jewelers-think-women-are-whores/430679)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2007, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-jewelers-think-women-are-whores/430679 "2007-12-24T06:13:43Z")
Or do they just think that men think that? A full page magazine ad by DeBeers has a picture of a diamond bracelet over the following copy: “Hey, what do you know. She thinks you’re funny again.” The motto of Kay Jewele… --- ## [Is The USA Needlessly Provoking Russia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-usa-needlessly-provoking-russia/430884)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2007, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-usa-needlessly-provoking-russia/430884 "2007-12-24T04:13:30Z")
I lie Vladimir Putin-he seems like a man who has the interests of of his country at heart. Russia should be a natural ally of the USA-so why are we povoking them? Why is NATO being extended to eastern europe? Putin made … --- ## [Calling all Theists: The Argument Challenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-theists-the-argument-challenge/430468)
**Author:** [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2007, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-theists-the-argument-challenge/430468 "2007-12-24T04:01:49Z")
I was challenged Czarcasmin this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9284257#post9284257 The challenge had this context: I said that the argument for athiesm that essentially compared belief in … --- ## [Will the NHL work in Las Vegas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-nhl-work-in-las-vegas/430132)
**Author:** [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2007, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-nhl-work-in-las-vegas/430132 "2007-12-24T03:53:24Z")
Boston Globe (12/9/07): Las Vegas remains hot on the rumor mill to land an NHL expansion franchise. According to one source long connected with league dealings, the fee will be some $300 million - more than three times t… --- ## ["Save the Children" -- and then what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-the-children-and-then-what/430931)
**Author:** [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2007, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/save-the-children-and-then-what/430931 "2007-12-24T00:45:11Z")
This one’s probably been bandied about in the past, but I figure what with the holidays and all, might as well raise the topic again. Someone was telling me about how her church has rallied to support a member who’s goi… --- ## [Pro-life abortions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-life-abortions/430962)
**Author:** [@Dostoyevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dostoyevsky)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2007, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-life-abortions/430962 "2007-12-23T23:18:28Z")
Disclosure: I’m libertarian and I belive that people should have sovereignty over their own bodies. I’m torn on the issue of abortion. I can’t decide whether or not I consider it to be a “victimless crime.” Theoretica… --- ## [Is youtube detrimental to record sales?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youtube-detrimental-to-record-sales/429074)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2007, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-youtube-detrimental-to-record-sales/429074 "2007-12-23T20:15:36Z")
I’m not sure how great a debate this is but I’ll give it a go. I know lots of record labels now use youtube videos for promotion but I was thinking that youtube (and of course other streaming video portals) may have so… --- ## [Has Zero Tolerance gone too far?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-zero-tolerance-gone-too-far/430460)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-zero-tolerance-gone-too-far/430460 "2007-12-23T19:31:34Z")
Girl, 10, Arrested for Using Knife to Cut Food at School A ten-year-old girl in Florida was arrested and faces felony weapons charges because she brought a small steak knife to school to cut her lunch, which was steak. … --- ## [What About The French Nuclear Arsenal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-the-french-nuclear-arsenal/429284)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-the-french-nuclear-arsenal/429284 "2007-12-23T17:33:52Z")
As far as i know, France maintains quite an impressive nuclear force-it has SSBMs (nuclear missile launching submarines), and has aircraft-based light bombers 9capable of dropping nuclear bombs). I’m not sure about th… --- ## [Another WW2 what-if: USSR invades Poland first.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-ww2-what-if-ussr-invades-poland-first/430971)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2007, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-ww2-what-if-ussr-invades-poland-first/430971 "2007-12-23T14:46:25Z")
The proximate cause of World War Two was the German invasion of Poland, which provoked declarations of war from France and Britain. A few days later, the USSR invaded Poland as well, in accordance with the secret agreeme… --- ## [Italy in WWII-What Were Their War Aims?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italy-in-wwii-what-were-their-war-aims/430056)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2007, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italy-in-wwii-what-were-their-war-aims/430056 "2007-12-23T13:28:55Z")
I am totally puzzled by the Italian participation in WWII-what did they think they would get out of it? Take the initial blunders-invading Greece-the Italians were pushed back, and only German assitance prevented a def… --- ## ['Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-your-friends-close-and-your-enemies-closer/430610)
**Author:** [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2007, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keep-your-friends-close-and-your-enemies-closer/430610 "2007-12-23T01:33:12Z")
I believe this quote came from ‘The Art of War’ by Sun Tzu, and has become a very prevalent axiom in society. Any thoughts on this opinion? What are the benefits of keeping an enemy close to you? --- ## [Let's discuss the Fed's new mortgage rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-feds-new-mortgage-rules/430471)
**Author:** [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-feds-new-mortgage-rules/430471 "2007-12-22T19:54:13Z")
The Fed’s new rules on mortgages. The new protections (from the Fed’s site): \[ul\] \[li\]Creditors would be prohibited from engaging in a pattern or practice of extending credit without considering borrowers’ ability to … --- ## [Congress will investigate CIA tapes despite WH request to drop it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congress-will-investigate-cia-tapes-despite-wh-request-to-drop-it/430253)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2007, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congress-will-investigate-cia-tapes-despite-wh-request-to-drop-it/430253 "2007-12-22T16:10:47Z")
Story here. Just so, but can we expect anything serious to come of this? Since the new Congress took office, there have been committee investigations of the U.S. attorney firings, use of torture, and all kinds of othe… --- ## [Black Myth Bustin' Time. (welfare rich)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-myth-bustin-time-welfare-rich/423491)
**Author:** [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2007, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-myth-bustin-time-welfare-rich/423491 "2007-12-22T14:51:05Z")
This is the second time I have overheard members of the program seated next to mine at the call center I work in, spouting racist garbage. The last time, I stood up and told them to shut their yap before we take a walk … --- ## [How badly will success in Iraq hurt the Democrats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-badly-will-success-in-iraq-hurt-the-democrats/427732)
**Author:** [@Evil\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_One)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2007, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-badly-will-success-in-iraq-hurt-the-democrats/427732 "2007-12-22T11:21:48Z")
A tiresome and annoying question for many of you, I’m sure. But…reality must intrude. Much like in the national press, Iraq has been off the SDMB radar screen for quite a while now. Given the turn of events over the… --- ## [Honda introduces hydrogen fuel-cell car -- will this catch on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-introduces-hydrogen-fuel-cell-car-will-this-catch-on/428411)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2007, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honda-introduces-hydrogen-fuel-cell-car-will-this-catch-on/428411 "2007-12-22T07:50:36Z")
I’ve expressed skepticism about hopes for a “hydrogen economy,” but I just saw an ad for a new hydrogen-powered Honda. Will this catch on? Replace the gasoline-powered car? Are there any stumbling blocks? (The websit… --- ## [betta gives insight to God's apparent absence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betta-gives-insight-to-gods-apparent-absence/429973)
**Author:** [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2007, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/betta-gives-insight-to-gods-apparent-absence/429973 "2007-12-22T02:23:07Z")
Sometimes we might think it is easier to avoid strong attachment to a short-lived animal in order to avoid a sense of loss at its impending death. This popped into my mind as I was looking into the bowl of my new betta-… --- ## [What's the importance/place and origins of ridicule as social bond in black culture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-importance-place-and-origins-of-ridicule-as-social-bond-in-black-culture/430232)
**Author:** [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-importance-place-and-origins-of-ridicule-as-social-bond-in-black-culture/430232 "2007-12-22T00:09:56Z")
==Hey guys, I know I’ve had some weird race OP’s on here before, and some of those engaged in immature language and heated rhetoric. I’m a new man now, so please don’t think about those past threads when dealing with thi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=670) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=672)