# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=689 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 690 --- ## [How would the legalization of drugs affect drug testing in the workplace?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-legalization-of-drugs-affect-drug-testing-in-the-workplace/418182)
**Author:** [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2007, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-legalization-of-drugs-affect-drug-testing-in-the-workplace/418182 "2007-09-14T05:27:45Z")
Let’s just say hypothetically that all the senators suddenly regained common sense and acknowledged that the “War on Drugs” is a massive failure and decided to legalize drugs. Well, let’s just start with marijuana to be … --- ## [The Global Warming Crowd and No Nukes c. 1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-global-warming-crowd-and-no-nukes-c-1977/418610)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2007, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-global-warming-crowd-and-no-nukes-c-1977/418610 "2007-09-14T03:54:37Z")
Thirty years ago, hundreds of protestors swarmed over the future site of the Seabrook nuclear power plant. This was beginning of the national “No Nukes” movement, and it’s my impression that it was spearheaded by the sam… --- ## [IF "paranormal" was observed, would it be parnormal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-paranormal-was-observed-would-it-be-parnormal/418567)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 264\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2007, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-paranormal-was-observed-would-it-be-parnormal/418567 "2007-09-13T23:07:11Z")
Ok, so the wart charmer thread was just a bit goofy, but I do have a related question. (No Randi references please, this is a different subject. That one was already well beaten to the ground.) What if there were indeed… --- ## [Are the new forms of trade political?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-new-forms-of-trade-political/419077)
**Author:** [@Hobohob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hobohob)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2007, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-new-forms-of-trade-political/419077 "2007-09-13T20:11:18Z")
Things like fair trade and direct trade\* seem to appeal to people with money for luxuries but also a sense of obligation to underprivileged workers. Are these the kinds of campaigns that will end up as planks in party p… --- ## [Knowledge begets responsibility which begets guilt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knowledge-begets-responsibility-which-begets-guilt/418556)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2007, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knowledge-begets-responsibility-which-begets-guilt/418556 "2007-09-13T18:45:22Z")
Knowledge begets responsibility which begets guilt Guilt is both a curse and a salvation. I conclude that guilt is perhaps one of the few internal mechanisms that can prevent human self-destruction. Rational analysis … --- ## [The self is not physical, but symbolic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-self-is-not-physical-but-symbolic/419050)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-self-is-not-physical-but-symbolic/419050 "2007-09-13T18:23:15Z")
The self is not physical, but symbolic What are symbols and why are symbols meaningful to me? One answer might be “the self is not physical, it is symbolic”—Becker. Mathematics is, I think, a useful means to start an … --- ## [How is “winning” the war in Iraq going to defeat Muslim extremist terrorism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-winning-the-war-in-iraq-going-to-defeat-muslim-extremist-terrorism/418775)
**Author:** [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2007, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-winning-the-war-in-iraq-going-to-defeat-muslim-extremist-terrorism/418775 "2007-09-13T01:37:59Z")
I get so tired of the right raising the bogeyman spectre of terrorists running amok in America. First and foremost they’re probably already here and may well be American citizens. Secondly, if they want to get in from ov… --- ## [Latest idiotic "Won't SOMEBODY PLEASE think of the CHILDREN?" moment \[school rules\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latest-idiotic-wont-somebody-please-think-of-the-children-moment-school-rules/417510)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latest-idiotic-wont-somebody-please-think-of-the-children-moment-school-rules/417510 "2007-09-12T21:38:28Z")
From Yahoo! News: Hmmm…let’s see if we can apply the lessons of this article, an apt function for the role of a school: \[ul\] \[li\]Many drivers feel harassed on the road; the obvious solution is to ban cars.\[/li\]\[li\]Cl… --- ## [Should ordained ministers be excluded from public office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ordained-ministers-be-excluded-from-public-office/418762)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ordained-ministers-be-excluded-from-public-office/418762 "2007-09-12T16:58:38Z")
The mixing of spiritual power and temporal power vexes me. My thought is that they have given their allegiance to a higher power, and therefore will put the interests of that power before the interests of their electora… --- ## [Can't Be a Cop AND a Pornstar, Says Ninth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-be-a-cop-and-a-pornstar-says-ninth/418566)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-be-a-cop-and-a-pornstar-says-ninth/418566 "2007-09-12T16:31:43Z")
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ruled against former police office Ronald Dible, who was fired from his job with the Chandler, Arizona police department after his web site came to their attention. His w… --- ## [Be all that you can be](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-all-that-you-can-be/418767)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/be-all-that-you-can-be/418767 "2007-09-12T16:27:51Z")
Be all that you can be No, I am not suggesting that you join the Marines! “The religious believer assigns dignity to whatever his religion holds sacred—a set of moral laws, a way of life, or particular objects of worsh… --- ## [Isn't it time to make a few unilateral gestures to Cuba?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-to-make-a-few-unilateral-gestures-to-cuba/418298)
**Author:** [@Micro\_Dot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Micro_Dot)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-to-make-a-few-unilateral-gestures-to-cuba/418298 "2007-09-12T16:04:11Z")
With Castro’s demise, we would be better off if we were making a show of being willing to change. Minor things like the recent child custody problems. Instead of a new Elian debacle, we aught to just say the next couple … --- ## [How often does the military really defend our freedom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-military-really-defend-our-freedom/418048)
**Author:** [@Sophistry\_and\_Illusion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sophistry_and_Illusion)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-does-the-military-really-defend-our-freedom/418048 "2007-09-12T08:18:26Z")
I ran across the following quote the other day: \[QUOTE=Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, Sergeant, USMC\] It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who h… --- ## ["Battery-like device", a.k.a. ultracapatitor...plausible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-like-device-a-k-a-ultracapatitor-plausible/418376)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battery-like-device-a-k-a-ultracapatitor-plausible/418376 "2007-09-12T07:12:54Z")
Was reading this article on CNN about a possible breakthrough technology in electrical powered devices and thought I’d see how possible/plausible it is. The article itself seems to walk a tightrope between being wided e… --- ## [Trivial pursuit and human extinction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trivial-pursuit-and-human-extinction/418343)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trivial-pursuit-and-human-extinction/418343 "2007-09-12T07:00:20Z")
Trivial pursuit and human extinction I was awakened last night by a loud knocking on my door. Fortunately the knocking was not reality but was a dream. When I “heard” the knocking I sat upright in bed with my heart ra… --- ## [Petraeus' approach to counterinsurgency is a cure worse than the disease](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/petraeus-approach-to-counterinsurgency-is-a-cure-worse-than-the-disease/418593)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/petraeus-approach-to-counterinsurgency-is-a-cure-worse-than-the-disease/418593 "2007-09-12T05:51:18Z")
According to this article by Tom Hayden in The Nation, the U.S. occupying forces are now relying heavily on Iraqi militias (technically part of the regular army but pretty much independent of its chain of command) to fig… --- ## [Shouldn't the war discussion include getting more allies involved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-the-war-discussion-include-getting-more-allies-involved/418808)
**Author:** [@Pret-a-Poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pret-a-Poster)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-the-war-discussion-include-getting-more-allies-involved/418808 "2007-09-12T05:37:33Z")
I think the major problem all along was the go it alone attitude, removing the UN from the process. Shouldn’t we be asking the UN for advice. Let them debate it and the political focus is instantly off the US. Let them p… --- ## [POTUS 2008: the character question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potus-2008-the-character-question/418552)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potus-2008-the-character-question/418552 "2007-09-12T02:46:23Z")
How do the candidates stand up in terms of character? For instance, Guiliani has had two divorces, one nasty, Fred Thompson has a bit of a reputation as a womaniser. Some candidates have flip-flopped over policy (the pre… --- ## [Atheism and sexuality.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism-and-sexuality/418549)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism-and-sexuality/418549 "2007-09-12T00:52:48Z")
I am a little drunk but please forgive that for the purpose of this thread. I am not very drunk. I have always been hetrosexual. And for a period I was homophobic (a long time ago) I am still hetrosexual. But as rece… --- ## [Recession and Inflation Imminent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recession-and-inflation-imminent/417657)
**Author:** [@AmericanMaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmericanMaid)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2007, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recession-and-inflation-imminent/417657 "2007-09-12T00:11:12Z")
With the Fed decreasing the discount rate to avoid a recession and continued inflation, is the US economy going to grind to a halt like Japan? Paul Krugman wrote an article a couple years ago that warned of parallels. H… --- ## [Operation Northwoods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-northwoods/418465)
**Author:** [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2007, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-northwoods/418465 "2007-09-11T04:28:38Z")
What’s the Straight Dope on operation Northwoods? Would/Has this sort of plans been enacted under other governments, in the USA or other countries? Could it be carried out without being revealed? If it had been carrie… --- ## [Comedian gets the hook for using the N-Word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedian-gets-the-hook-for-using-the-n-word/418250)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2007, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comedian-gets-the-hook-for-using-the-n-word/418250 "2007-09-11T02:04:44Z")
Comedian Gets the Hook for Using N-Word Is this really the best way to go about things? Wouldn’t it be far better to take Lenny Bruce’s advice? (Never realized until now that this is the routine that must have been i… --- ## [Congressional Research Service report: Iraq government near collapse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-research-service-report-iraq-government-near-collapse/418276)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2007, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressional-research-service-report-iraq-government-near-collapse/418276 "2007-09-11T01:24:40Z")
From the Daily News: Now, in a parliamentary system, they use the word “government” to mean what we in the U.S. would call the “administration,” and the word “state” to mean what we would call the “government.” If the… --- ## [Anybody else concerned by Bush's statement to S Korean Pres?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-concerned-by-bushs-statement-to-s-korean-pres/418354)
**Author:** [@miamouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miamouse)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-else-concerned-by-bushs-statement-to-s-korean-pres/418354 "2007-09-10T21:29:58Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070907/ap\_on\_re\_au\_an/bush recap: Bush: let’s end the Korean War Roh: Oh, no he didn’t!!! huh? Bush: let’s end the Korean War Roh: say what? Bush: “I can’t make it any more clear, Mr. … --- ## [Bush's one great gift to us: Obama.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-one-great-gift-to-us-obama/418543)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-one-great-gift-to-us-obama/418543 "2007-09-10T20:33:46Z")
I think Obama has a very, very serious shot at winning the presidency, and if he does, I think we can thank George Bush. It’s just this simple: By the time of the election, America will be so utterly revolted and fatigu… --- ## [Pakistan court rules exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif can come home](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pakistan-court-rules-exiled-former-pm-nawaz-sharif-can-come-home/416652)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2007, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pakistan-court-rules-exiled-former-pm-nawaz-sharif-can-come-home/416652 "2007-09-10T16:40:51Z")
Story here. This is the prime minister Pervez Musharraf ousted in a military coup in 1999. New elections are scheduled for this fall; Sharif is expected to emerge as Musharraf’s main rival. So, what does this mean for… --- ## [Chavez rattling his sabre, re: Falklands.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chavez-rattling-his-sabre-re-falklands/417987)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2007, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chavez-rattling-his-sabre-re-falklands/417987 "2007-09-10T01:54:00Z")
Not looking too good. The country’s economy isn’t great, he’s making unprecedented threats against Britain and stocking up on Russian military hardware. Are we going to be seeing another south Atlantic showdown, or is … --- ## [Court rules FBI cannot issue "National Security Letters" under USA PATRIOT ACT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-rules-fbi-cannot-issue-national-security-letters-under-usa-patriot-act/418280)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2007, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-rules-fbi-cannot-issue-national-security-letters-under-usa-patriot-act/418280 "2007-09-09T19:14:20Z")
From the WaPo: Will the government appeal this decision? If so, will the ruling be upheld or reversed? --- ## [IMHO all recreational drugs should be legalized for terminally ill people.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho-all-recreational-drugs-should-be-legalized-for-terminally-ill-people/418308)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2007, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imho-all-recreational-drugs-should-be-legalized-for-terminally-ill-people/418308 "2007-09-09T18:43:12Z")
And possibly the very old. I reckon the unsaid reason for the illegality of most drugs is that they render the user unuseful and at risk of death. For that reason I think they should be legalized for people already in … --- ## [Study links food additives to behavioural problems in children](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-links-food-additives-to-behavioural-problems-in-children/418230)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2007, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-links-food-additives-to-behavioural-problems-in-children/418230 "2007-09-09T10:08:08Z")
Not sure if this thread belongs here, but let’s give it a try. I realise this is just a write-up in the popular press, but it appears to be describing a double-blind trial, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency, i… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=688) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=690)