# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=693 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 694 --- ## [Should a State Agency be Required to Accommodate Religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-state-agency-be-required-to-accommodate-religion/416263)
**Author:** [@the\_PC\_apeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_PC_apeman)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-state-agency-be-required-to-accommodate-religion/416263 "2007-08-26T01:45:59Z")
Here are the basic facts that lead me to ask the title question: \[ul\] \[li\]David Haws attended one year at West Virginia University (maintaining a 4.0 average) with a WV PROMISE scholarship.\[/li\]\[li\]Mr. Haws then, follo… --- ## [Mother Teresa's collected letters ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-teresas-collected-letters/416940)
**Author:** [@Hobohob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hobohob)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2007, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-teresas-collected-letters/416940 "2007-08-26T00:01:12Z")
The news reports seem to be uniform in saying that because of her doubts (about God, her sometimes giving up on prayer, and doubting of Christ) she is more saintly than ever. Does that make sense? Or is it just everyone … --- ## [The New Iraq NIE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-iraq-nie/416678)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2007, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-iraq-nie/416678 "2007-08-25T23:57:33Z")
Key judgments below; full text here (PDF). All bolding is from the original. I think the key part is: The IC assesses that the Iraqi Government will become more precarious over the next six to 12 months because of cri… --- ## [DoJ says records re missing WH e-mails are not subject to public disclosure via FOIA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-says-records-re-missing-wh-e-mails-are-not-subject-to-public-disclosure-via-foia/416517)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2007, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-says-records-re-missing-wh-e-mails-are-not-subject-to-public-disclosure-via-foia/416517 "2007-08-25T23:10:14Z")
In connection with a lawsuit brought by Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington. Story here. Is the DoJ right? Is the Office of Administration subject to the FOIA or not? Here’s the Wiki article on the … --- ## [From Russia with love: Stalin was "the most successful leader of the U.S.S.R."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-russia-with-love-stalin-was-the-most-successful-leader-of-the-u-s-s-r/416237)
**Author:** [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2007, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-russia-with-love-stalin-was-the-most-successful-leader-of-the-u-s-s-r/416237 "2007-08-25T23:04:36Z")
According to this article, Russia’s firing up the old Motherland propaganda machine: In isolation, this is not too alarming, but it seems like another link in a disturbing chain, considering Russia’s recent past. From … --- ## [Josh Marshall: "the president now has very different interests than the \[U.S.\]"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/josh-marshall-the-president-now-has-very-different-interests-than-the-u-s/416747)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2007, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/josh-marshall-the-president-now-has-very-different-interests-than-the-u-s/416747 "2007-08-25T21:51:39Z")
Joshua Micah Marshall: Is this an accurate assessment? And if so, how dangerous is this divergence of interests? And what, if anything, should we do about it? --- ## [The Electoral College](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-electoral-college/415176)
**Author:** [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2007, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-electoral-college/415176 "2007-08-25T16:08:53Z")
My title is most descriptive, yes? Over in this thread by Patty O’Furniture, we are discussing the possibility of California reforming the way we allocate our electoral votes. Rather than the winner-take-all system, Cal… --- ## [Did Lee Harvey Oswald assassinate JFK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-lee-harvey-oswald-assassinate-jfk/414950)
**Author:** [@ngant17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ngant17)\ **Replies:** 383\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2007, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-lee-harvey-oswald-assassinate-jfk/414950 "2007-08-25T08:17:28Z")
I’ve read a lot of books, pro and con, about the assassination of JFK by Lee Harvey Oswald. If he was not a world-class sniper, how could he have pulled off those precise shots with a bolt-action rifle with a very short… --- ## [During W Admin, 1/400 of taxpayers got almost one-half of economic gains](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/during-w-admin-1-400-of-taxpayers-got-almost-one-half-of-economic-gains/416506)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2007, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/during-w-admin-1-400-of-taxpayers-got-almost-one-half-of-economic-gains/416506 "2007-08-25T04:45:54Z")
The top 1/4 of 1%, needless to say. Average income is higher than in 2002 but still lower than in 2000. Story here: :dubious: Isn’t it? Are the aftermath of the dot-com bubble bursting and the dislocations of 9/… --- ## [What's the most likely candidate for 51st state of America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-likely-candidate-for-51st-state-of-america/415275)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2007, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-likely-candidate-for-51st-state-of-america/415275 "2007-08-25T02:53:55Z")
I don’t mean in the cultural sense, I mean in the political sense what’s the most likely place to achieve statehood? This could be a GQ but I thought maybe it’s one that’s debatable. --- ## [Gen. Peter Pace will recommend that US forces in Iraq be cut in half next year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gen-peter-pace-will-recommend-that-us-forces-in-iraq-be-cut-in-half-next-year/416847)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2007, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gen-peter-pace-will-recommend-that-us-forces-in-iraq-be-cut-in-half-next-year/416847 "2007-08-25T02:32:40Z")
Top general likely to urge troop cut Will Bush finally get the message that the US military is nearing the breaking point? Or will he fire Pace and promote a general who will tell him what he wants to hear? --- ## [Re the RCC's recent "responsa ad dubia"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-rccs-recent-responsa-ad-dubia/416740)
**Author:** [@ambushed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ambushed)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-rccs-recent-responsa-ad-dubia/416740 "2007-08-24T19:58:24Z")
This thread has branched off from: A Question for Atheists concerning ignorance. It concerns a Vatican release of a Q&A hoping to clarify an earlier document, and that has been (mis?)interpreted by various news sources,… --- ## [German physicists claim to have broken lightspeed barrier](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-physicists-claim-to-have-broken-lightspeed-barrier/415857)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2007, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-physicists-claim-to-have-broken-lightspeed-barrier/415857 "2007-08-24T17:10:02Z")
Story in the Telegraph: Should we get all excited about this, or regard it with the same skepticism as Steorn’s “Orbo” perpetual-motion machine? --- ## [U.S. to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps a "terrorist" organization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-to-designate-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-a-terrorist-organization/415740)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2007, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-to-designate-irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-a-terrorist-organization/415740 "2007-08-24T16:19:31Z")
Story here: But, we’ve already got sanctions on Iran as a “state sponsor of terrorism.” What practical difference will this make? --- ## [Bush says it was a mistake to pull out of Vietnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-says-it-was-a-mistake-to-pull-out-of-vietnam/416521)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2007, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-says-it-was-a-mistake-to-pull-out-of-vietnam/416521 "2007-08-24T12:14:49Z")
Is the President right? Would the world be better off if we had stayed the course in Vietnam? Does this comparison provide support for his policy of staying in Iraq no matter what? --- ## [What taxes SHOULD churches pay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-taxes-should-churches-pay/415828)
**Author:** [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2007, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-taxes-should-churches-pay/415828 "2007-08-23T23:46:47Z")
A regular complaint of some atheists is that churches pay no taxes. Some go further and argue that this a violation of the Establishment Clause (in that, by granting churches a tax exemption the state is establishing a … --- ## [I wrote a gun control Op/Ed for my student newspaper.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wrote-a-gun-control-op-ed-for-my-student-newspaper/416039)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2007, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wrote-a-gun-control-op-ed-for-my-student-newspaper/416039 "2007-08-23T22:50:43Z")
As it is my own work, I am opting to publish it in its entirety here. I am looking for opinions, good, bad and ugly. While ordinarily I would submit this in IMHO, this is a bit of a controversial topic, so have at it. --- ## [The Ineffective Dissemination of Monotheism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ineffective-dissemination-of-monotheism/415437)
**Author:** [@Sir\_Oinksalot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Oinksalot)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2007, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ineffective-dissemination-of-monotheism/415437 "2007-08-23T22:13:58Z")
I’ve put this in GQ because I’m pretty sure it must have a commonly accepted theological answer of which I’m unaware. My question is: Why, assuming at least of our monotheistic religions is actually true, did God wait … --- ## [Leahy: Cheney told (majority) Pub senators they were "not allowed to issue subpoenas"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leahy-cheney-told-majority-pub-senators-they-were-not-allowed-to-issue-subpoenas/416384)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2007, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leahy-cheney-told-majority-pub-senators-they-were-not-allowed-to-issue-subpoenas/416384 "2007-08-23T17:44:57Z")
WRT to investigating the legality of the warrantless-wiretapping program. Story here. Is this an unconscionable violation of the separation of powers, or just an example of very effective party discipline? --- ## [Do overt religious displays bias you for or against a business?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-overt-religious-displays-bias-you-for-or-against-a-business/414735)
**Author:** [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Replies:** 315\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2007, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-overt-religious-displays-bias-you-for-or-against-a-business/414735 "2007-08-23T09:06:28Z")
Driving through North Carolina and Tennessee last weekend, I noticed a number of business that had overt religious references on their advertising (for example, Covenant Trucking, whose logo includes a scroll, and whose … --- ## [53% of U.S. foreign policy experts now oppose the surge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-of-u-s-foreign-policy-experts-now-oppose-the-surge/416251)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2007, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/53-of-u-s-foreign-policy-experts-now-oppose-the-surge/416251 "2007-08-23T04:27:41Z")
Story here. Will this have any influence on the Administration? On the debates in Congress? --- ## [What the hell? Why are we giving Israel $30 billion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-why-are-we-giving-israel-30-billion/415988)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2007, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-why-are-we-giving-israel-30-billion/415988 "2007-08-23T04:04:07Z")
It seems the US will be giving $30 billion dollars in military aid to Israel over the next ten years. Just for some perspective, that’s an average of about $100 out of the pocket of every man, woman, and child in the US… --- ## [Prove that you have "dreams".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prove-that-you-have-dreams/415904)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2007, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prove-that-you-have-dreams/415904 "2007-08-23T02:26:57Z")
One thing I notice about GD threads when they turn to ghosts, religious experiences, and other paranormal stuff: the demand that one produce scientifically reproducible evidence that doesn’t depend on individuals’ subjec… --- ## [The states should stay out of primaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-states-should-stay-out-of-primaries/416313)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2007, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-states-should-stay-out-of-primaries/416313 "2007-08-23T02:09:46Z")
As if it wasn’t bad enough with these states arguing with the DNC and RNC over when to have their primaries. Every state’s response should be, “I’m paying for it so fuck off!” But why should we taxpayers have to even … --- ## [How will the troubles in the subprime market affect renters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-troubles-in-the-subprime-market-affect-renters/416376)
**Author:** [@LonesomePolecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonesomePolecat)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2007, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-troubles-in-the-subprime-market-affect-renters/416376 "2007-08-22T23:20:16Z")
How will the meltdown in the sub-prime mortgage market affect renters like me? While I believe the housing market is basically sound–obviously most folks don’t have sub-prime mortgages and aren’t going to default–I can’… --- ## [Prove the big bang...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prove-the-big-bang/415575)
**Author:** [@lightwait](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lightwait)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2007, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prove-the-big-bang/415575 "2007-08-22T23:17:42Z")
I dare you to prove the big bang! You cannot do it! You were not there! Blessings --- ## ["Newsweek" cover story exposes well-funded global-warming denial machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newsweek-cover-story-exposes-well-funded-global-warming-denial-machine/415037)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 199\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newsweek-cover-story-exposes-well-funded-global-warming-denial-machine/415037 "2007-08-22T21:00:12Z")
From here: Now, this is stuff most Dopers know already, but will front-page coverage in a major mainstream newsweekly have any effect, change the terms of the public debate any, etc.? What will be the effect on public… --- ## [LA Times religion reporter ends up losing faith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-religion-reporter-ends-up-losing-faith/415635)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2007, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-religion-reporter-ends-up-losing-faith/415635 "2007-08-22T16:40:47Z")
No really a debate here, but it’s a religious topic and the article I’m linking to could be argued as atheist witnessing, so… Here it is To summarize: the author, William Lobdell, tells his story of lobbying to get the… --- ## [Venezuelan legislature approves Chavez' reforms (abolishing presidential term limits)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venezuelan-legislature-approves-chavez-reforms-abolishing-presidential-term-limits/416513)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/venezuelan-legislature-approves-chavez-reforms-abolishing-presidential-term-limits/416513 "2007-08-22T16:20:19Z")
Story here. It still needs to be approved by a referendum. Critics say Chavez is trying to make himself a president-for-life like Castro. (Bet now they wish they hadn’t boycotted the 2005 election.) Will the voters a… --- ## [Real ID and state rebellion...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-and-state-rebellion/416194)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2007, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-id-and-state-rebellion/416194 "2007-08-22T12:15:11Z")
(Apologies if this has been discussed in detail before; the minimum in search engine letter terms seriously hobbles my ability to look for this particular topic.) So, this CNN article (look at the Slashdot link for cont… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=692) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=694)