# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=680 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 681 --- ## [Why make continuing payments for a completed, paid job?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-continuing-payments-for-a-completed-paid-job/425472)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2007, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-make-continuing-payments-for-a-completed-paid-job/425472 "2007-11-08T00:58:24Z")
Inspired by the recent Hollywood writers strike, I began to think in the abstract. The writers want a bigger share of sales and residuals to better reflect a changing market. Which brings me to the question, and this i… --- ## [Why is gas so cheap right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-gas-so-cheap-right-now/424893)
**Author:** [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2007, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-gas-so-cheap-right-now/424893 "2007-11-08T00:08:18Z")
Seriously. Now, we’re used to the slightest blip in middle east security or tiny bump in the price of light crude sending prices at the pump immediately up, to begin a slow crawl back down. But, the price of a barrel o… --- ## [Why do we care about China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-care-about-china/425122)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2007, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-care-about-china/425122 "2007-11-07T19:01:24Z")
First of all, I’m not jingoistic in that I believe every country should do things “the American Way” but I do believe that America should do its best to help the oppressed in foreign countries. That being said, why the … --- ## [Did the non Caucasian races get their stereotypes honest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-non-caucasian-races-get-their-stereotypes-honest/424077)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-non-caucasian-races-get-their-stereotypes-honest/424077 "2007-11-07T15:18:23Z")
I have found that there are sometimes lots of truths within a steretype, but at times I can’t see how some stereotypes came into existence. Therefore, I thought it would be a good debate, because I’m sure there are stat… --- ## [What rights are being trampled on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rights-are-being-trampled-on/425481)
**Author:** [@ManiacMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ManiacMan)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2007, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-rights-are-being-trampled-on/425481 "2007-11-07T06:28:48Z")
IN relation to: http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=7715&comments=1 Exactly, what rights of ours are being ‘trampled’ on??? --- ## [Just another apocalypse gone by? The end of the Mayan Calendar.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-another-apocalypse-gone-by-the-end-of-the-mayan-calendar/424926)
**Author:** [@Sevoulian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevoulian)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2007, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-another-apocalypse-gone-by-the-end-of-the-mayan-calendar/424926 "2007-11-07T03:30:42Z")
Ok, so it appears that as the various apocalypse’s come and go, their credibility, (understandably so) becomes an example of paramount human ignorance and the lack of understanding of how the Universe works. You won’t fi… --- ## [How will a Hillary Presidency be different than/ the same as Bill's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-a-hillary-presidency-be-different-than-the-same-as-bills/425199)
**Author:** [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2007, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-a-hillary-presidency-be-different-than-the-same-as-bills/425199 "2007-11-07T02:52:12Z")
I am still probably months away from settling on a candidate, but I am watching relatively closely, and I was wondering about this question. I have heard some supporting/opposing Hillary Clinton using the logic that it … --- ## [Would you shoot child and kill your child in this situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-child-and-kill-your-child-in-this-situation/277759)
**Author:** [@Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kel_Varnsen_Latex_Division)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-child-and-kill-your-child-in-this-situation/277759 "2007-11-06T17:40:50Z")
You are driving out in middle of the country. There is nobody else around. Your back left tire blows and you lose control of the car and it hits a tree. There is a lot of damage to the car. Your seven year-old child is t… --- ## [If there were a God, don't you think he would've made him or her self known by now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-were-a-god-dont-you-think-he-wouldve-made-him-or-her-self-known-by-now/424082)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 320\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2007, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-were-a-god-dont-you-think-he-wouldve-made-him-or-her-self-known-by-now/424082 "2007-11-06T15:00:43Z")
“That’s a odd question coming from a Christian”, you say. But hear me out. More people have died in the name of God than almost any other reason. Don’t you think that upon seeing this, God could’ve come down by now and… --- ## [Where is Evolution heading?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-evolution-heading/425129)
**Author:** [@ConsciousStarDebris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ConsciousStarDebris)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2007, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-evolution-heading/425129 "2007-11-06T03:41:26Z")
I’ve got a two-part question for those willing to share their thoughts and knowledge on the topic of the direction of evolution. The first question relates to the following quote from The Book by Allan Watts. Mr. Wat… --- ## [If Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was not President of Iran, would America's policy be the same?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-was-not-president-of-iran-would-americas-policy-be-the-same/424484)
**Author:** [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2007, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-was-not-president-of-iran-would-americas-policy-be-the-same/424484 "2007-11-06T03:25:52Z")
Is the fact that Iran is governed by an apparent lunatic who doesn’t believe the Holocaust occurred and wants Israel wiped off the face of the map the biggest factor in why the U.S. is rattling its saber against the coun… --- ## [Americas deterioriating relations with Turkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-deterioriating-relations-with-turkey/424911)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2007, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-deterioriating-relations-with-turkey/424911 "2007-11-06T01:15:45Z")
I was reading this article earlier about the deteriorating relationship between Turkey and the US. According to the article Turkey is they most anti-American nation polled (I’m assuming countries like North Korea weren… --- ## [How much credit (blame) does the Prez get for the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-credit-blame-does-the-prez-get-for-the-economy/425197)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-credit-blame-does-the-prez-get-for-the-economy/425197 "2007-11-05T20:57:54Z")
Although I’m attempting to ask a factual question, I suspect there is going to be disagreement about the answers, so I’m starting this in GD. Clinton governed during the dot com bubble. Bush is President during the hou… --- ## [Is There ANY Benefit In Taking Vitamin Pills?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-benefit-in-taking-vitamin-pills/425149)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2007, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-benefit-in-taking-vitamin-pills/425149 "2007-11-05T05:11:15Z")
I know for years doctors have said your vitamins should come from your food, not a pill. And recently a study came out basically saying the exact same thing (sorry, I don’t have a link to the study). But my question is, … --- ## [HIV Denial Rebuttal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiv-denial-rebuttal/422765)
**Author:** [@Guy\_in\_the\_Corner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guy_in_the_Corner)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2007, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiv-denial-rebuttal/422765 "2007-11-04T19:40:01Z")
I’m dealing with someone who denies that HIV causes AIDS. Is there any scientific support for this? I am sure that you guys have covered this in the past, but as a lowly guest I can’t search to make sure. --- ## [Morals of sleeping with a married person](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morals-of-sleeping-with-a-married-person/424413)
**Author:** [@Barrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barrington)\ **Replies:** 201\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morals-of-sleeping-with-a-married-person/424413 "2007-11-04T16:20:50Z")
A question on the morals of meeting and having sex with someone who’s married to someone else; I’d appreciate your comments on the rights and wrongs of the potential actions of one person in this situation: A (female) a… --- ## [Christianity: Is belief in God the only path to salvation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christianity-is-belief-in-god-the-only-path-to-salvation/424781)
**Author:** [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2007, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christianity-is-belief-in-god-the-only-path-to-salvation/424781 "2007-11-04T03:46:04Z")
This thread is a spinoff from the one about the purpose of worship - wanted to avoid hijacking it. :slight\_smile: According to the Bible, it appears that the path to salvation (i.e., Heaven) is to believe in God and lo… --- ## ["Yeah, but Clinton got a..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-but-clinton-got-a/425012)
**Author:** [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2007, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yeah-but-clinton-got-a/425012 "2007-11-04T03:15:10Z")
Whenever I start reading US politics threads, it seems that eventually someone will bring this up in comparision to something that Bush has done. At what point will other aspects of the Clinton presidency be more rememb… --- ## [Gun Storage Etiquette Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-storage-etiquette-question/423918)
**Author:** [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-storage-etiquette-question/423918 "2007-11-03T23:49:51Z")
I met a new friend recently. Our children are comparable ages and really enjoy playing together. My friend has mentioned doing sleepovers at some point in the future. My dilemma is, her husband is a hunter who has som… --- ## [What is specifically NOT covered by free speech?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-specifically-not-covered-by-free-speech/424816)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2007, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-specifically-not-covered-by-free-speech/424816 "2007-11-03T20:41:47Z")
Pit Thread staple Fred Phelps, best known for his charity work, has just been found liable to the tune of several million dollars for protesting at the funeral of a dead serviceman (who was not gay of course, but that’s … --- ## [So who the hell DOESN'T support the troops...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-hell-doesnt-support-the-troops/424314)
**Author:** [@Surbey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surbey)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-the-hell-doesnt-support-the-troops/424314 "2007-11-03T20:02:32Z")
I was recently dumped on by a friend about not supporting troops and that people who don’t are horrible people and don’t understand the sacrifices they make. They explained to me how hard their lives are and how much th… --- ## [Comcast blocks bittorrent ... crosses the line?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comcast-blocks-bittorrent-crosses-the-line/423392)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2007, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comcast-blocks-bittorrent-crosses-the-line/423392 "2007-11-03T16:58:39Z")
The AP alleges that Comcast is not observing net neutrality. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21376597/) No shocker there. I think most people expect there to be some sort of network load balancing (or limiting, as it were) … --- ## [We would be in Iraq no matter what...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-would-be-in-iraq-no-matter-what/424544)
**Author:** [@ManiacMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ManiacMan)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2007, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-would-be-in-iraq-no-matter-what/424544 "2007-11-02T21:53:03Z")
Let’s say that Gore had won the election instead of Bush. Let’s assume that 9-11 was going to happen no matter who was in the White House…everyone seems to agree on that I think. I don’t know why for sure, but I think … --- ## [The Foxnewsification of America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-foxnewsification-of-america/424884)
**Author:** [@nd\_n8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nd_n8)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2007, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-foxnewsification-of-america/424884 "2007-11-02T20:15:58Z")
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9133747#post9133747 After reading this thread I could not help but wonder if we are leading ourselves down the path to the dark side (even though they have cookies) o… --- ## [Can we make any educated guesses on what an Alien life form would look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-make-any-educated-guesses-on-what-an-alien-life-form-would-look-like/423980)
**Author:** [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2007, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-make-any-educated-guesses-on-what-an-alien-life-form-would-look-like/423980 "2007-11-02T18:42:05Z")
I mean is it not logical to assume that any intelligent alien life we find will have some kind of digits? After all without fingers it might be hard to make tools and evolve. What about the type of animal they are. Is it… --- ## [All cars should be required to have E-Z Pass/RFID technology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-cars-should-be-required-to-have-e-z-pass-rfid-technology/424379)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 261\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2007, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-cars-should-be-required-to-have-e-z-pass-rfid-technology/424379 "2007-11-02T17:57:29Z")
And we should put up as many detectors as we need. Here’s a quick overview of E-Z Pass / RFID: E-ZPass - Wikipedia This would allow us to trace what cars were in a certain location at a certain time. This would be a … --- ## [The Ultimate Question for a Creationist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-question-for-a-creationist/423774)
**Author:** [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Replies:** 342\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-question-for-a-creationist/423774 "2007-11-02T16:39:14Z")
Suppose you could ask a creationist one question that would absolute make them pee in their pants. One that would make them look like an idiot in front of the loyal audience that they usually seem to have in attendance.… --- ## [Could/World/Should GWB offer a blanket Amnesty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-world-should-gwb-offer-a-blanket-amnesty/424986)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2007, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-world-should-gwb-offer-a-blanket-amnesty/424986 "2007-11-02T12:57:36Z")
I am more interested in a reasonable discussion, but for those who wish to debate, feel free. So it is the last days of the Bush 2 Administration. In the distance, the Fat Lady is warming up. George takes a piece of pap… --- ## [Why the diehard love for Hillary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-diehard-love-for-hillary/424136)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2007, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-diehard-love-for-hillary/424136 "2007-11-02T04:41:42Z")
OK, America is full of people who tend to vote for the familiar name. W Bush’s improbable success is proof of that. But why, exactly, is Hillary Clinton considered the Democratic frontrunner? I have a hypothesis that t… --- ## [Wildfires, CO2 emission, Global Climate Change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wildfires-co2-emission-global-climate-change/424865)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2007, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wildfires-co2-emission-global-climate-change/424865 "2007-11-02T00:14:37Z")
So wildfires release more CO2 than many states do in a year, with potentially devastating effects on Global Climate Change. What are the implications for forest management? Does this fact, along with the other costs of… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=679) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=681)