# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=675 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 676 --- ## [The Republican debate on CNN was just a couple of days ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-on-cnn-was-just-a-couple-of-days-ago/428638)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2007, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-debate-on-cnn-was-just-a-couple-of-days-ago/428638 "2007-12-06T10:39:47Z")
Did anyone watch it? I caught part of it, and it was like watching an episode of Battlestar Galactica. It’s utter, completely unbelievable horseshit, terribly acted and insultingly simple, but I just. cant. stop. watch… --- ## [Why did Cold War leaders view the Communist bloc as monolithic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cold-war-leaders-view-the-communist-bloc-as-monolithic/428727)
**Author:** [@Danimal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danimal)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2007, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-cold-war-leaders-view-the-communist-bloc-as-monolithic/428727 "2007-12-06T05:08:09Z")
Whenever I read about Cold War history, American historians seem to constantly bemoan the fact that Western Cold War leaders viewed the Communist world as monolithic. This, it is said, impeded the West from recognizing … --- ## [Creationists, be gone \[How to keep claims about 3,000 year-old dinos out of schools\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationists-be-gone-how-to-keep-claims-about-3-000-year-old-dinos-out-of-schools/428680)
**Author:** [@prleone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/prleone)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2007, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationists-be-gone-how-to-keep-claims-about-3-000-year-old-dinos-out-of-schools/428680 "2007-12-06T01:34:52Z")
Allrighty, TMs (and hopefully Cecil), I recently heard that Liberty University (founded by "God Will Kill Me $8 Million, please - Oral Roberts) houses dinosaur fossils which Liberty claims to be 3,000 years old. I th… --- ## [Congressional Aide Arrested](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-aide-arrested/428815)
**Author:** [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2007, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-aide-arrested/428815 "2007-12-06T00:35:29Z")
I know someone’s going to start a thread about this, so I might as well do it. Aide to a Democrat arrested for soliciting child sex. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/04/senate-aide-arrested-on-child-sex-cha… --- ## [An Oil Embargo Anyway???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-oil-embargo-anyway/428530)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2007, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-oil-embargo-anyway/428530 "2007-12-05T06:49:18Z")
Will President Chavez order an oil embargo against the United States anyway, despite the results of the election in his country? Would he do it out of spite against the USA, and just claim that the CIA interfered as he … --- ## [Are the US Marines currently superior to the Army as an institution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-us-marines-currently-superior-to-the-army-as-an-institution/427779)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2007, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-us-marines-currently-superior-to-the-army-as-an-institution/427779 "2007-12-05T05:12:40Z")
A friend of mine who was in the Army for a few years - though he never served overseas - was in town for the Thanksgiving weekend and we got together. Among other things, he talked to me about how shitty his experiences … --- ## [Mortgage Rate Freeze Imminent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mortgage-rate-freeze-imminent/428715)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2007, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mortgage-rate-freeze-imminent/428715 "2007-12-04T20:25:17Z")
Based on this article, which seems to suggest that all (or most) mortgage rate increases for variable-rate mortgages would be frozen for some period up to 5 or 7 years. The ostensible purpose seems to be to prevent thous… --- ## [Shouldn't We be Teaching ID in Science Class?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-we-be-teaching-id-in-science-class/427425)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2007, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-we-be-teaching-id-in-science-class/427425 "2007-12-04T16:21:17Z")
Now that I have your attention. :smiley: I saw a program on CBC last weekend on ID and the Dover court case. It was the first time I came across the flagellum and the concept of irreducible complexity which appears ce… --- ## [Machines of Loving Grace- God Gene/AI link?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machines-of-loving-grace-god-gene-ai-link/428593)
**Author:** [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2007, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/machines-of-loving-grace-god-gene-ai-link/428593 "2007-12-04T09:50:18Z")
For those who are unfamiliar, the God Gene hypothesis is the foundation of the connection between evolutionary biology and religion. Possibly the reason why man must create his own God (I’m not quite ready to jump on th… --- ## [Easy fix for North Korea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-fix-for-north-korea/428487)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2007, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-fix-for-north-korea/428487 "2007-12-04T03:28:10Z")
President Bush could simply order a nuclear strike on North Korea. He’s a lame duck, so if Congress tries to impeach him, he just drags it out a bit, then resigns and has his buddy Cheney pardon him. Seems like the sam… --- ## [Wouldn't Chris Hansen be doing a better service by targeting those who want toddlers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wouldnt-chris-hansen-be-doing-a-better-service-by-targeting-those-who-want-toddlers/428217)
**Author:** [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2007, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wouldnt-chris-hansen-be-doing-a-better-service-by-targeting-those-who-want-toddlers/428217 "2007-12-04T02:13:29Z")
Inspired by a post in a current thread by the now banned River Hister- wouldn’t this be a much better service to the world? It would eliminate the whole stauatory rape argument, and would target people who are much more … --- ## ["OPERATION PLIERS": CIA planning interference/coup in Venezuela referendum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2007, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196 "2007-12-03T23:20:13Z")
Thread title ends in question mark because this is the only cite I’ve seen so far. Is this plausible? (I hope it is not even debatable whether it is advisable if true.) --- ## [The New Republic taken in again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-republic-taken-in-again/416553)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2007, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-republic-taken-in-again/416553 "2007-12-03T22:42:39Z")
I’m surprised no one’s posted about The New Republic’s controversy. They printed several pieces from a correspondent later determined to be US Army Private Scott Thomas Beauchamp which recounted various stories illustrat… --- ## [Who is bad? Hitler? George Bush? Is anyone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-bad-hitler-george-bush-is-anyone/427565)
**Author:** [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2007, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-bad-hitler-george-bush-is-anyone/427565 "2007-12-03T21:05:00Z")
Just like the song says, I don’t know much about history. I’ve read one, count 'em, one book about the Nazis: Hitler’s Willing Executioners, by Daniel Goldhagen. Goldhagen said that the Germans in WW2 didn’t go along w… --- ## [House Passes 35 MPG CAFE Average; will Detroit Comply?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-passes-35-mpg-cafe-average-will-detroit-comply/428556)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-passes-35-mpg-cafe-average-will-detroit-comply/428556 "2007-12-03T19:25:16Z")
I guess I’m skeptical-Detroit and its lobby (headed by Rep. John Dingell) fought hard to keep Detroit in the SUV business-but now we have a CAFE bill (for 2020). Anyway, why is Detroit resisting this? I don’t see how the… --- ## ["Pro-life" and "pro-choice" are both stupid expressions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-life-and-pro-choice-are-both-stupid-expressions/426835)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 309\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2007, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-life-and-pro-choice-are-both-stupid-expressions/426835 "2007-12-03T15:03:11Z")
This is NOT meant as a debate about abortion, (although it teeters on the edge of the cliff and probably will fall into an abortion controversy in the course of this thread.) It is a debate about the proper use of words… --- ## [Surfeit of decency preventing my ignorance from being fought](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surfeit-of-decency-preventing-my-ignorance-from-being-fought/428547)
**Author:** [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2007, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surfeit-of-decency-preventing-my-ignorance-from-being-fought/428547 "2007-12-03T14:03:04Z")
In respect to the Straight Dope’s motto - Fighting Ignorance - in one respect we are not very good at achieving that. The vast majority of Dopers are liberal and intelligent, and we usually do not hear from people who ha… --- ## [Are our governing systems getting too old?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-governing-systems-getting-too-old/428528)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2007, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-our-governing-systems-getting-too-old/428528 "2007-12-03T13:52:24Z")
The constitution, the electoral college, congress and the senate, and the legal system etc? All that stuff dates back to when news was spread by guys on horseback tossing leaflets and voting might be a show of hands. W… --- ## [Please, for the love of Og, tell me we landed on the moon...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-for-the-love-of-og-tell-me-we-landed-on-the-moon/427286)
**Author:** [@Surbey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surbey)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2007, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-for-the-love-of-og-tell-me-we-landed-on-the-moon/427286 "2007-12-03T03:14:08Z")
So I have this professor that discussed the book Dark Mission today in class and described it as the ultimate proof that we really didn’t land on the moon and that NASA is making this all up. Apparently, there are glass… --- ## [Everybody's talkin' about...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everybodys-talkin-about/428553)
**Author:** [@JohnnieEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnieEnigma)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2007, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everybodys-talkin-about/428553 "2007-12-03T01:19:42Z")
intolerance. so what do you call those who object to “Christmas” or a nativity scene in public or any of this politically correct rhetoric? I call it intolerant… I think the athiests should have a holiday tree without… --- ## [Handicapping the Annapolis Peace Conference](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-annapolis-peace-conference/428011)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicapping-the-annapolis-peace-conference/428011 "2007-12-02T22:27:24Z")
The Annapolis Peace Conference just concluded its first day with representatives of 40 nations in attendance. Story here. SA Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal is attending but refused to shake Israeli PM Ehud Olmert’s ha… --- ## [What if Bryan had beaten McKinley for the presidency in 1896?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-bryan-had-beaten-mckinley-for-the-presidency-in-1896/427951)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-bryan-had-beaten-mckinley-for-the-presidency-in-1896/427951 "2007-12-02T19:54:19Z")
The 1896 presidential election is generally considered one of the “watershed” or “realignment” elections in American history – the kind that sets the tone and establishes the new party system (in this case, the “Fourth P… --- ## [Are memes scientifically valid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-memes-scientifically-valid/427728)
**Author:** [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2007, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-memes-scientifically-valid/427728 "2007-12-02T16:02:25Z")
Are there any testable claims that meme theory makes? Are memes truly observable, quantifiable or falsifiable? What about memes makes them anything other than a (brilliant) convenient explanation for the passing of ide… --- ## [Midnight Oil's Peter Garrett named Australia's Environment Minister](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-oils-peter-garrett-named-australias-environment-minister/428356)
**Author:** [@Intelligently\_Designed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intelligently_Designed)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2007, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/midnight-oils-peter-garrett-named-australias-environment-minister/428356 "2007-12-02T11:03:38Z")
The title says it all. Friends from Australia, for the benefit of us at the other end of the world, what is your take on this news? --- ## [The Restoration- a JW teaching that many don't know about](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-restoration-a-jw-teaching-that-many-dont-know-about/428144)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2007, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-restoration-a-jw-teaching-that-many-dont-know-about/428144 "2007-12-02T07:04:37Z")
Now, first- I differ from Jehovah’s Witnesses on their denial of JC’s Godhood, the Trinity, an afterlife before the Resurrection, holidays, blood transfusions and their limiting the Heavenly Company to 144,000 and Christ… --- ## [Money creation/Gold Standard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-creation-gold-standard/428176)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2007, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-creation-gold-standard/428176 "2007-12-02T05:27:36Z")
In this thread about Ron Paul there was an interesting sidebar regarding the Gold Standard. I must admit I understand little about “money creation” through a fractional reserve system, the potential risks of fiat currenc… --- ## [Which VP's would have made good Presidents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-vps-would-have-made-good-presidents/428373)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-vps-would-have-made-good-presidents/428373 "2007-12-02T03:12:40Z")
Out of those vice-presidents who didn’t get to the Oval Office, I mean. Burr? Van Buren? Garner? Hell, Quayle? Yeah, easy joke, but really, how would he have done? --- ## [Should someone on probation be allowed to keep lottery winnings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-someone-on-probation-be-allowed-to-keep-lottery-winnings/428257)
**Author:** [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2007, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-someone-on-probation-be-allowed-to-keep-lottery-winnings/428257 "2007-12-01T21:57:48Z")
Lottery Winner May Forfeit $1 Million Prize Because Gambling Violated His Parole Another story here. We should stipulate to the fact that gambling is prohibited by the terms of his parole, and that he did violate thos… --- ## [Should this woman be extradited? (Fatal DUI, leaves US to avoid sentence)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-woman-be-extradited-fatal-dui-leaves-us-to-avoid-sentence/428241)
**Author:** [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2007, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-woman-be-extradited-fatal-dui-leaves-us-to-avoid-sentence/428241 "2007-12-01T21:12:42Z")
I just learned about this story in Austin. About ten years ago, a group of young women, all friends, went out for a night on the town. Presumably, they all had too much to drink, and one of them, Evelyn Mezzich, decided… --- ## [What should Hillary do about the hostage situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-hillary-do-about-the-hostage-situation/428353)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2007, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-hillary-do-about-the-hostage-situation/428353 "2007-12-01T14:35:15Z")
If you haven’t heard yet, there’s a hostage situation at a NH Clinton campaign office. Early reports are saying that the hostage taker is holding out for a conversation with Hillary. What should she do? If there is an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=674) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=676)