# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=684 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 685 --- ## [Repubs bucking free trade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repubs-bucking-free-trade/422927)
**Author:** [@TupeloHoney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TupeloHoney)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2007, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repubs-bucking-free-trade/422927 "2007-10-16T18:52:38Z")
In light of all the recalls, many Republicans are bucking conventional wisdom when it comes to free trade. Safety before the economy? According to this Bloomberg article, Congress is expected to introduce a number of c… --- ## [I have a strong desire to comprehend stuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-strong-desire-to-comprehend-stuff/422680)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-strong-desire-to-comprehend-stuff/422680 "2007-10-16T17:19:07Z")
I have a strong desire to comprehend stuff I claim that comprehending is a hierarchy and can usefully be thought of as a pyramid. At the base of the pyramid is awareness that is followed by consciousness, which is awar… --- ## [Credibility Question: MSNBC Nightly news and one commerical sponsor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credibility-question-msnbc-nightly-news-and-one-commerical-sponsor/422897)
**Author:** [@Oliveritaly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oliveritaly)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credibility-question-msnbc-nightly-news-and-one-commerical-sponsor/422897 "2007-10-16T16:09:13Z")
I was wondering what the masses here thought about the MSNBC Nightly News decision to limit their commercial sponsorship to only one company (Philips). This has been done, according to MSNBC, to allow for a longer broad… --- ## [Will Brown call an election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-brown-call-an-election/421739)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2007, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-brown-call-an-election/421739 "2007-10-16T15:29:35Z")
Or will he bottle it? And if he doesn’t call an election, will this change your opinion of him? The Daily Mail makes a pretty good case that he’s ready to call an election. But Brown’s a very cautious man. Right now, I … --- ## [If you are OK with the death penalty, should the scope be expanded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-ok-with-the-death-penalty-should-the-scope-be-expanded/422274)
**Author:** [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2007, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-ok-with-the-death-penalty-should-the-scope-be-expanded/422274 "2007-10-16T07:56:13Z")
First let me state that I am against the death penalty on administrative grounds, that is, administering it and having the whole system in place and what not, is a huge pain in the ass, and not really worth the cost or t… --- ## [Al Gore's Current Political Aspirations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-gores-current-political-aspirations/422589)
**Author:** [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2007, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-gores-current-political-aspirations/422589 "2007-10-15T19:48:58Z")
I’ve been hearing a lot of renewed speculation about a possible Al Gore presidential candidacy now that he’s won the Nobel Peace Prize. But I don’t think it’s going to happen. Jumping in at this point would cause too muc… --- ## [Argument for military outsourcing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argument-for-military-outsourcing/422448)
**Author:** [@Tibidabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibidabo)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2007, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argument-for-military-outsourcing/422448 "2007-10-15T17:56:48Z")
Ok, so if Blackwater and other such firms pay their employees on average 9 times what the US army pay theirs, and still make a profit after that, then how exactly is this more cost-effective than the army or marines prov… --- ## [Is it bad karma to open other peoples' post?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-bad-karma-to-open-other-peoples-post/422697)
**Author:** [@Fuzzy\_Purple\_Peach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Purple_Peach)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-bad-karma-to-open-other-peoples-post/422697 "2007-10-15T17:19:35Z")
First of all, three things: I don’t believe in karma; I don’t normally open other peoples’ post; I will soon be joining this fine message board as a full member - am waiting for my dad’s credit card details 'cause I do… --- ## ["Gay Rights Parade Sets... Gays Back 50 Years." Does it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-rights-parade-sets-gays-back-50-years-does-it/421706)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2007, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-rights-parade-sets-gays-back-50-years-does-it/421706 "2007-10-15T15:58:52Z")
Fans of the Onion know of this, one of their more memorable articles: But I wonder… Is that kind of phenomenon really a problem? Certainly, it does exist (although many folks who say it’s a factor probably weren’t ve… --- ## [Do you support forced interrogation/torture of suspected Terrorists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-support-forced-interrogation-torture-of-suspected-terrorists/421631)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 363\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2007, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-support-forced-interrogation-torture-of-suspected-terrorists/421631 "2007-10-14T17:22:15Z")
Do you agree with Torture of suspected terrorists whilst in the custody of an allied nation? Torture during interrogation as defined by the Geneva Convention can be found here and here. Terrorists as defined by the the… --- ## [Should Nitrogen Asphyxiation Be Used for Capital Punishment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-nitrogen-asphyxiation-be-used-for-capital-punishment/421784)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2007, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-nitrogen-asphyxiation-be-used-for-capital-punishment/421784 "2007-10-14T16:41:03Z")
I already saw this issue raised on the History Channel. The general tendency for capital punishment, in the U.S. at least, is for the methods to become more humane. And lethal injection sometimes doesn’t go as planned. N… --- ## [What is the rule regarding capitalization of ethnicity/race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-rule-regarding-capitalization-of-ethnicity-race/422444)
**Author:** [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2007, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-rule-regarding-capitalization-of-ethnicity-race/422444 "2007-10-14T12:23:58Z")
I’ve had a few brief discussions on this before, but it was never really the topic. I will use Afican Americans as an example in this post mostly because I see them as the example more often than any other minority on t… --- ## [McDonald's employee wins strip search lawsuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-employee-wins-strip-search-lawsuit/421688)
**Author:** [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2007, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonalds-employee-wins-strip-search-lawsuit/421688 "2007-10-14T12:03:59Z")
I first heard of this while watching a documentray on human psychology a while back, and was wondering what others think of the decision. IMO, if the supervisor had done the strip search and nothing more, then maybe theg… --- ## [The war is lost: whaddya do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-is-lost-whaddya-do/421904)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2007, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-is-lost-whaddya-do/421904 "2007-10-13T21:43:00Z")
No, I’m not referring to anything current. I’m referring to Germany in January 1945 or the Confederate States of America in January 1865. Your last realistic hope of reversing or halting the enemy advance has failed. You… --- ## [Sweet milk from an evil cow.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-milk-from-an-evil-cow/422361)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-milk-from-an-evil-cow/422361 "2007-10-13T19:34:01Z")
Reading an article on Wired about French Anderson (who happens to have a wiki entry, for the inclined to research him), I thought of an ethical dilemma that I don’t remember seeing here recently. Those who are familiar … --- ## [Is the level of outrage over "noose incidents" counterproductive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-level-of-outrage-over-noose-incidents-counterproductive/422229)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2007, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-level-of-outrage-over-noose-incidents-counterproductive/422229 "2007-10-13T06:22:37Z")
I heard a report this morning about an African-American professor at Columbia University finding a noose hanging from this office door. Similar incidents have been reported, most of them in the wake of the highly public… --- ## [Screaming 15-Year-Old Girl Pepper Sprayed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screaming-15-year-old-girl-pepper-sprayed/421699)
**Author:** [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Replies:** 408\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2007, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/screaming-15-year-old-girl-pepper-sprayed/421699 "2007-10-13T02:38:06Z")
We’ve had interesting threads related to this subject before. Here is a video of a 15 year old girl getting arrested and pepper sprayed while being arrested. What the hell is a teenager getting arrested for, for viola… --- ## [There will be no major terror attacks in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-will-be-no-major-terror-attacks-in-the-us/422107)
**Author:** [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2007, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-will-be-no-major-terror-attacks-in-the-us/422107 "2007-10-13T00:02:53Z")
Because the jihadists see the American people have no desire for the war to continue and a major attack now will breathe new life into something that they can soon declare a victory. True or false? Does it matter how t… --- ## [Reintroducing Wolves And Bears To The Rockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reintroducing-wolves-and-bears-to-the-rockies/421994)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reintroducing-wolves-and-bears-to-the-rockies/421994 "2007-10-12T17:06:04Z")
What arguments exist against reintroducing wolves/grizzlies to the American West? I’m under the impression most cons surround the ranching industry but what other organizations are reluctant to see the predators come ba… --- ## [Global Warming Facts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-facts/421236)
**Author:** [@human\_extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/human_extinction)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2007, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-facts/421236 "2007-10-12T08:48:34Z")
I’m taking a course based around the global warming controversy, and I would like to make sure that no facts are obscured - as the professor is a “skeptic.” Here are claims that warrant constructive criticism in no part… --- ## [Web Designers: Are We Screwed? (Court rules against Target on website accessibility)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/web-designers-are-we-screwed-court-rules-against-target-on-website-accessibility/421543)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2007, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/web-designers-are-we-screwed-court-rules-against-target-on-website-accessibility/421543 "2007-10-12T04:33:46Z")
http://www.901am.com/2007/court-rules-against-target-on-website-accessibility-lawsuit.html Crap. Does this now mean that Flash is finished? Or just that I’m going to have to make 2 versions of every single site I ever b… --- ## [Karada Attack (The latest shooting in Iraq)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karada-attack-the-latest-shooting-in-iraq/422243)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2007, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karada-attack-the-latest-shooting-in-iraq/422243 "2007-10-11T23:03:05Z")
\*BAGHDAD, Oct. 10 — The two women killed Tuesday by in a barrage of gunfire from private security guards in central Baghdad were buried here today, and relatives insisted that the guards be brought to justice… Ms. Awane… --- ## [Should the Monks be treated any differently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-monks-be-treated-any-differently/421128)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2007, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-monks-be-treated-any-differently/421128 "2007-10-11T03:53:14Z")
I have great respect for Buddhist Monks. I have met many. My wife is Cambodian. But I still find some of the reports strange concerning Burma. Should a killed monk be treated as more tragic than any other Burmese person… --- ## [Is it ethical to use food as fuel sources?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-use-food-as-fuel-sources/420866)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2007, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-use-food-as-fuel-sources/420866 "2007-10-11T03:49:05Z")
Rather than hijack this thread, I decided to start another. This article is about the link between rising food costs and the use of food crops to produce fuel. According to it the use of crops for fuel, coupled with the… --- ## [USPS Shilling for Disney: Anyone Else Object?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-shilling-for-disney-anyone-else-object/314451)
**Author:** [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2007, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usps-shilling-for-disney-anyone-else-object/314451 "2007-10-10T22:02:02Z")
The other day, I got a piece of mail, and on the stamp was the Little Mermaid – the Disney one, I mean. Now, to me, this is an ad – even though the movie came out a few years ago, there’s plenty of Little Mermaid mercha… --- ## [Chicago marathon debacle - repercussions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-marathon-debacle-repercussions/422089)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2007, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chicago-marathon-debacle-repercussions/422089 "2007-10-10T13:24:11Z")
The 30th Chicago marathon was run on Sunday, with approximately 45K runners signed up. Temps quickly rose into the upper 80’s. One runner with a pre-existing heart condition died. Hundreds were hospitalized. The race… --- ## [Is Iran going to attack us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-iran-going-to-attack-us/420720)
**Author:** [@gyushi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gyushi)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2007, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-iran-going-to-attack-us/420720 "2007-10-09T20:31:15Z")
Everyone is against military action against Iran. It’ll be mismanaged, expensive, pre-emptive war, cost American (etc.) lives, be drawn out, for the wrong reasons, etc. So we don’t attack Iran. Are they going to attack … --- ## [Jon Stewart vs. Chris Matthews: Who pwned whom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jon-stewart-vs-chris-matthews-who-pwned-whom/422004)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2007, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jon-stewart-vs-chris-matthews-who-pwned-whom/422004 "2007-10-09T12:16:10Z")
I’m surprised there isn’t already a thread about this. There has been somewhat of a kerfluffle regarding Jon Stewart’s recent interview of Chris Matthews on “The Daily Show.” In review, Matthews has written a book sayin… --- ## [What's wrong with my Iraq War narrative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-iraq-war-narrative/421590)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2007, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-my-iraq-war-narrative/421590 "2007-10-09T03:14:03Z")
I think that the reason the Bush administration led us into Iraq was in part due a long-standing grudge against Saddam Hussein, but was mainly because they wanted to experiment with democracy in the Middle East. We all … --- ## [“It's alive!” The implications of the world's first truly synthetic organism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-alive-the-implications-of-the-worlds-first-truly-synthetic-organism/421802)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2007, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-alive-the-implications-of-the-worlds-first-truly-synthetic-organism/421802 "2007-10-08T15:22:03Z")
About 5 years ago, I predicted to a fellow (I’m not 100% sure if it was here on the Dope) that was upset at cloning for religious reasons that: “do you think cloning is bad? Wait until scientists come with artificial lif… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=683) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=685)