# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=676 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 677 --- ## [Chavez President Till 2050?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chavez-president-till-2050/428397)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2007, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chavez-president-till-2050/428397 "2007-12-01T02:08:18Z")
Has anyone heard about President Hugo Chavez saying something about staying in power until the year 2050, if the Venezuelan people keep wanting him as their president? --- ## [Morality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality/427715)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2007, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality/427715 "2007-11-30T22:03:47Z")
Every so often, one will hear of a Christian claiming that their morality comes from the bible and atheists will respond that their morality comes from within. I used to think that the morality of atheists in the west co… --- ## [Hugo Chavez vs Uribe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hugo-chavez-vs-uribe/428093)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hugo-chavez-vs-uribe/428093 "2007-11-30T17:36:14Z")
Not long after President Hugo Chavez had his confrontation with King Juan Carlos, now it seems he’s all but breaking diplomatic relations with Colombia, this time after President Uribe put a stop to Chavez’s mediation ef… --- ## [Giving God Control Over Your life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-god-control-over-your-life/427344)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2007, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-god-control-over-your-life/427344 "2007-11-30T13:54:45Z")
…seems to be a theme of many evangelical preachers. On first glance, this seems totally reasonable-as God is all perfect, having him direct your life would be one way to stay on the moral path. But, we have the gift of f… --- ## [If Hitler had won WWII, would the Nazi economic system have worked in the long run?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hitler-had-won-wwii-would-the-nazi-economic-system-have-worked-in-the-long-run/427508)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2007, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hitler-had-won-wwii-would-the-nazi-economic-system-have-worked-in-the-long-run/427508 "2007-11-30T03:01:55Z")
Better than the Soviet system did, I mean. (I know Harry Turtledove wrote a novel on this theme but I haven’t read it.) Nazism was an anti-Marxist movement that still claimed to be “socialist.” In practice this meant … --- ## [Gas tax.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-tax/427986)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2007, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-tax/427986 "2007-11-30T01:03:59Z")
Fed gas tax is now the same 18.4 ¢ it was in 1993. Then it was about 18% of a surcharge on gas purchases; now it is about 6% of a surcharge. Fed gas tax was designed as a “user fee” to fund infrastructure maintenance o… --- ## [An idea to help end/reduce AGW...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-to-help-end-reduce-agw/428244)
**Author:** [@ManiacMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ManiacMan)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2007, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-to-help-end-reduce-agw/428244 "2007-11-30T00:19:04Z")
This article here: And this is the study that is cited: http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/sample.cgi/esthag/asap/abs/es071686z.html In the interest of stopping global warming shouldn’t we cease/reduce all freighter traffi… --- ## [Is using the title "Big \[industry\]" in the news fair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-using-the-title-big-industry-in-the-news-fair/428202)
**Author:** [@Free\_Range\_Otter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Free_Range_Otter)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2007, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-using-the-title-big-industry-in-the-news-fair/428202 "2007-11-29T23:00:13Z")
Hi folks - my first post in GD so please go easy on me. :slight\_smile: I like to watch the news quite a bit, and often hear politicians and commentators talk about Big Oil, or Big Pharmaceuticals, or Big Whatever. I ha… --- ## [Are Cruise Ship Sailors Trained in Damage Control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cruise-ship-sailors-trained-in-damage-control/427692)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2007, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cruise-ship-sailors-trained-in-damage-control/427692 "2007-11-29T21:23:41Z")
The recent sinking of the canadian cruise ship in Antarctic waters has raised the question: couldn’t the crew have plugged a fist-sized hole in the hull? In the US Navy, EVERYBODY (officers and enlisted men) are trained… --- ## [Will stem cell research be able to help burn and facial scarring victims?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-stem-cell-research-be-able-to-help-burn-and-facial-scarring-victims/428155)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2007, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-stem-cell-research-be-able-to-help-burn-and-facial-scarring-victims/428155 "2007-11-29T15:25:08Z")
I meant help as in being able to even cure the most severely burned and scarred victims, as no one deserves such pain. Recently, the Japanese team lead by Shinya Yamanaka was able to create stem cells from human skin rat… --- ## [High Court to rule on gun bans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-court-to-rule-on-gun-bans/427259)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 199\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2007, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-court-to-rule-on-gun-bans/427259 "2007-11-29T05:30:03Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071120/ap\_on\_go\_su\_co/scotus\_guns;\_ylt=Andz2rRIRIYGiBNstym4\_52s0NUE Let’s have at it. Does Washington D.C.'s gun ban violate the 2nd amendment? I’ll stand back and chime in later… --- ## [Is regulation which uses the market to internalize an externality "anti-market"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-regulation-which-uses-the-market-to-internalize-an-externality-anti-market/428003)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2007, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-regulation-which-uses-the-market-to-internalize-an-externality-anti-market/428003 "2007-11-28T23:20:49Z")
I’ve recently seen several conservative commentators refer to cap-and-trade systems for pollution as “anti-market.” I don’t think that label is accurate, but I’d like to hear what people think. A cap-and-trade system … --- ## [Is string theory bullshit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-string-theory-bullshit/427725)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2007, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-string-theory-bullshit/427725 "2007-11-28T20:59:16Z")
\[I put this in GD because it will probably develop into a debate.\] OK, my title may be just a little antagonistic, but I couldn’t think of any other way to title the thread, off the top of my head. I freely admit to no… --- ## [On being Carbon Neutral](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-being-carbon-neutral/427903)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2007, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-being-carbon-neutral/427903 "2007-11-28T20:45:41Z")
So what is this carbon neutral life style that if we all adopt is going to save the planet. I hear that Al Gore is living it. To find out I arrived atThe Carbonfund, plugged in the data concerning my vehicle use and fou… --- ## [Is the Winnebago Effect a bellwether for an economic downturn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-winnebago-effect-a-bellwether-for-an-economic-downturn/427982)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2007, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-winnebago-effect-a-bellwether-for-an-economic-downturn/427982 "2007-11-28T19:16:25Z")
Recession Signs Grow as Winnebago Leads U.S. RV Drop Is this a reliable indicator of the likelihood of an economic downturn next year and beyond? --- ## [Do you believe the "Three Strikes, You're Out" law is a good one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-the-three-strikes-youre-out-law-is-a-good-one/427672)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2007, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-the-three-strikes-youre-out-law-is-a-good-one/427672 "2007-11-28T07:01:46Z")
I personally feel that this law is a tad tough. I mean, there are people in prison for life for selling a dime bag because it was their third time being found guilty. It’s not like our prisons aren’t overpopulated as it… --- ## [Could bullets be taxed or outlawed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bullets-be-taxed-or-outlawed/427371)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bullets-be-taxed-or-outlawed/427371 "2007-11-27T16:52:21Z")
So in the US, we have the right to bear arms. A weapon is an arm. A gun is a weapon. Seems pretty clear right? However, the constitution says nothing about bullets. A few questions about this… Could bullets be banned? L… --- ## [Does Ronald Reagan really deserve credit for taking down the Berlin Wall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ronald-reagan-really-deserve-credit-for-taking-down-the-berlin-wall/427188)
**Author:** [@The\_Maltese\_Bippy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Maltese_Bippy)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2007, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ronald-reagan-really-deserve-credit-for-taking-down-the-berlin-wall/427188 "2007-11-27T04:26:13Z")
I recall that there were plenty of mentions in the press that the Germans planned to remove the wall, and like any border protocol change, it would take a couple of months, and then a couple weeks later RR sounded off to… --- ## [Chuck for Huck: like/dislike, good or bad for Huck's campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chuck-for-huck-like-dislike-good-or-bad-for-hucks-campaign/427154)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chuck-for-huck-like-dislike-good-or-bad-for-hucks-campaign/427154 "2007-11-26T21:27:22Z")
Can’t…stop…laughing… Is he serious? Actually, I find it kinda amusing. I wouldn’t mind if candidates could lighten up more, Al Gore was a stitch on SNL (of course, he did that after the race, not during), but do you thi… --- ## [Why have so many simple, basic things never been tried in space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-so-many-simple-basic-things-never-been-tried-in-space/425849)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2007, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-have-so-many-simple-basic-things-never-been-tried-in-space/425849 "2007-11-26T15:06:46Z")
The recent spacewalks to repair the ISS made me realize that actual hands-on experience with repairing hardware in space is vanishingly rare. And that got me to thinking that there are so many really basic, fundamental t… --- ## [Unipolar, Bipolar or Multipolar world: What is most stable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unipolar-bipolar-or-multipolar-world-what-is-most-stable/426242)
**Author:** [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unipolar-bipolar-or-multipolar-world-what-is-most-stable/426242 "2007-11-26T02:07:12Z")
Jacque Chirac strongly believed that a multipolar world was best: for France, certainly, but also for the world. Was he right? What is the best global system, in terms of stability? My initial thoughts on the pros and… --- ## [Does God have dimensions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-have-dimensions/426120)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2007, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-have-dimensions/426120 "2007-11-26T01:34:50Z")
In the OT,Moses is said to have asked God to let him see Him. God was said to reply that He could only show his back side. From this it causes one to wonder how tall etc. the Old Testement God is. If God has dimentions… --- ## [Please discuss chronological order of New Testament books](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-discuss-chronological-order-of-new-testament-books/427300)
**Author:** [@DeutGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeutGuy)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2007, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-discuss-chronological-order-of-new-testament-books/427300 "2007-11-25T21:28:47Z")
I would like to discuss the chronological order in which the the books and chapters and so forth of the New Testament were written. What order were the gospels written in for example? I think I know that at least some … --- ## [Are we reaching the limits of human knowledge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-reaching-the-limits-of-human-knowledge/427504)
**Author:** [@wayward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wayward)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2007, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-reaching-the-limits-of-human-knowledge/427504 "2007-11-25T15:47:41Z")
Every now and then, a discussion comes up about “the end of science” - the idea that we are getting to a point where we will know everything there is to know and be able to explain every phenomenon. I’d like to come at t… --- ## [Isn't John Edwards the Best Democrat Candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-john-edwards-the-best-democrat-candidate/427407)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2007, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-john-edwards-the-best-democrat-candidate/427407 "2007-11-24T18:25:00Z")
I debated for a while where exactly was the best place to put this post. I finally decided on GD. Moderators please correct me if I am wrong. Barrack Obama. He’s a pacifist. He doesn’t even believe in using nuclear weap… --- ## [Human Evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-evolution/427444)
**Author:** [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2007, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-evolution/427444 "2007-11-24T15:09:57Z")
There has been a suggestion that human evolution may have slowed or stopped because of advances in medical technology. It seems to me that humans are probably evolving faster than ever. For one thing, widespread access… --- ## [Some discussion on law and sociology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-discussion-on-law-and-sociology/427103)
**Author:** [@Mocha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mocha)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2007, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-discussion-on-law-and-sociology/427103 "2007-11-24T07:20:37Z")
If you define democracy as the majority of people of a group or nation determining the way their government is run, I propose there is no such thing as a non-democracy. Can you see why? --- ## [Please explain bypassing enemy positions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-bypassing-enemy-positions/426927)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2007, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-bypassing-enemy-positions/426927 "2007-11-24T05:31:07Z")
I gather that once upon a time leaving an intact enemy force in your rear was considered the height of folly. But this conventional wisdom was overturned in WW2, when it was discovered that you didn’t have to root out ev… --- ## [Pray+rain= Proof of God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pray-rain-proof-of-god/426419)
**Author:** [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2007, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pray-rain-proof-of-god/426419 "2007-11-24T04:18:40Z")
Americans have seen the news story about the governor of Georgia hosting a prayer vigilto ask God for rain to help the drought stricken state. They prayed yesterday and they are expecting showers tonight. Not exactly a … --- ## [Is Breakfast Cereal Nutritious?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breakfast-cereal-nutritious/427062)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2007, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-breakfast-cereal-nutritious/427062 "2007-11-23T20:31:21Z")
I’ve been eating this stuff all of my life, and i wonder how good a food substannce it really is. First: it is expensive-more than cheese or eggs 9on a weight basis). Second, it is failry low in nutrition-you don’t get… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=675) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=677)