# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=694 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 695 --- ## [When is enough enough in the Utah mine rescue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-enough-enough-in-the-utah-mine-rescue/416381)
**Author:** [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2007, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-enough-enough-in-the-utah-mine-rescue/416381 "2007-08-22T03:27:48Z")
I can appreciate both sides of the story. The families of the trapped (likely now dead) miners want closure and that’s why they continue to demand that a rescue capsule is sent down to rescue (likely dead) miners in an … --- ## [Left vs. Right common ground](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-vs-right-common-ground/415287)
**Author:** [@bob\_co](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_co)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2007, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-vs-right-common-ground/415287 "2007-08-21T21:06:02Z")
I like smaller government. I have to vote for the Republicans lest I diulte my political power to the other of the two partiees that make my rules. They aren’t doing it. Spending is always up. I seem to have a common … --- ## [Did the Greenland colonists really starve to death rather than eat fish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-greenland-colonists-really-starve-to-death-rather-than-eat-fish/415525)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-greenland-colonists-really-starve-to-death-rather-than-eat-fish/415525 "2007-08-21T17:54:00Z")
Jared Diamond makes much of the fact that so few remains of fish can be found in old Greenland middens, despite evidence that the colonists were eating their dogs and horses just before the end. Yet the people in Scandin… --- ## [Iranian-American scholar Haleh Esfandiari arrested for spying in Iran](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iranian-american-scholar-haleh-esfandiari-arrested-for-spying-in-iran/403968)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2007, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iranian-american-scholar-haleh-esfandiari-arrested-for-spying-in-iran/403968 "2007-08-21T16:16:29Z")
Story here. Issues for debate: Is there really enough anti-government activity in Iran right now that the government should be this worried? There’s no chance, is there, that Esfandiari actually was spying for th… --- ## [California Electoral Vote Split Proposal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-electoral-vote-split-proposal/415101)
**Author:** [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2007, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-electoral-vote-split-proposal/415101 "2007-08-21T10:21:35Z")
We could see a proposal on the California ballot next year that would almost certainly throw the election to the Republicans in 2008. Currently the state awards its 55 electoral votes to whoever wins the state. The pro… --- ## [Brit, Euro cell phone systems vs US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-euro-cell-phone-systems-vs-us/415997)
**Author:** [@The\_Cosmople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Cosmople)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2007, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brit-euro-cell-phone-systems-vs-us/415997 "2007-08-21T09:37:57Z")
It’s my understanding that outside the US most people don’t sign multi-year cell phone contracts with monthly fees, but buy pre-paid cards with a set number of minutes. Is that how it works? Doesn’t that make more sens… --- ## [U.S. Comptroller General compares our situation to the fall of Rome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-comptroller-general-compares-our-situation-to-the-fall-of-rome/415568)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-comptroller-general-compares-our-situation-to-the-fall-of-rome/415568 "2007-08-21T01:32:22Z")
From the Financial Times: Is Walker’s assessment of America’s current situation accurate? Are our “moral values” and “political civility” really any worse than in earlier times? Is our government really any more fi… --- ## [War on Drugs or War on Terror: Which should we lose to win the other?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-on-drugs-or-war-on-terror-which-should-we-lose-to-win-the-other/416209)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2007, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-on-drugs-or-war-on-terror-which-should-we-lose-to-win-the-other/416209 "2007-08-21T00:01:00Z")
From here: We have been completely unable to defeat illegal drugs. We squeeze suppliers and new ones take their places. We squeeze buyers and our prisons overflow with nonviolent offenders to the point we parole rapist… --- ## [If Hitler had a modern history book...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hitler-had-a-modern-history-book/416083)
**Author:** [@snailboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snailboy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2007, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hitler-had-a-modern-history-book/416083 "2007-08-20T23:39:28Z")
Suppose time travel was possible and someone went back in time to give Adolf Hitler a history book detailing World War II before he rose to power. Knowing his mistakes and basically being given a second chance, would he … --- ## [Would Obama/Richardson be too progressive to win?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-obama-richardson-be-too-progressive-to-win/415610)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-obama-richardson-be-too-progressive-to-win/415610 "2007-08-20T19:30:16Z")
Out of the Democratic candidates, I like Richardson most. Hillary seems too…I dunno …hardened, and Obama just doesn’t have the experience in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll vote for either since they seem most likel… --- ## [What are the limits on the President's war powers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-limits-on-the-presidents-war-powers/415851)
**Author:** [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-limits-on-the-presidents-war-powers/415851 "2007-08-20T17:36:15Z")
I recently stumbled across an interesting take on the limits on the U.S. President’s power to make war, which the current president appears to believe are limitless. A certain columnist believes that the war powers are s… --- ## [Anybody believe this? We're virtual, not real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-believe-this-were-virtual-not-real/415756)
**Author:** [@Defective\_Detective](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defective_Detective)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-believe-this-were-virtual-not-real/415756 "2007-08-20T17:06:56Z")
“Dr.” Bostrom of Oxford University thinks we exist only inside of someone’s computer simulation, and the reporter on this story seems to think it’s quite plausible. My gut feeling, and it’s nothing more than that, is tha… --- ## [Jose Padilla Found Guilty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jose-padilla-found-guilty/415843)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2007, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jose-padilla-found-guilty/415843 "2007-08-20T16:32:58Z")
Looks like he was convicted of conspiracy to provide material support for terrorists (as defined in 18 USC § 2339(A)(b). So. --- ## [Are some political ideologies/parties more immune from corruption and such?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-political-ideologies-parties-more-immune-from-corruption-and-such/416197)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-political-ideologies-parties-more-immune-from-corruption-and-such/416197 "2007-08-20T16:20:11Z")
This is related to something I saw while researching this thread of mine, but it’s such a different topic that I thought it needed its own thread. When reading the Slashdot article commentary linked in the above thread,… --- ## [British generals tell Brown to withdraw troops from Iraq without delay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-generals-tell-brown-to-withdraw-troops-from-iraq-without-delay/416241)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2007, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-generals-tell-brown-to-withdraw-troops-from-iraq-without-delay/416241 "2007-08-20T14:06:14Z")
Story here. So, when they leave, how does that affect the job of the American troops remaining? According to some officials, the Brits in Basra are useless anyway. --- ## [Fred Thompson would ban abortion, gay marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-thompson-would-ban-abortion-gay-marriage/416002)
**Author:** [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2007, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-thompson-would-ban-abortion-gay-marriage/416002 "2007-08-20T03:13:24Z")
Link. Is his campaign over before it has begun, or is there a significant voting bloc that could get him elected? I have to admire his forthrightness, even if I disagree with him completely. Is this the way for the Re… --- ## [Could tax policy stabalize the markets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-tax-policy-stabalize-the-markets/416101)
**Author:** [@The\_Cosmople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Cosmople)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2007, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-tax-policy-stabalize-the-markets/416101 "2007-08-19T15:05:51Z")
Seems some of the problem of volatility is that stocks are too liquid. I think part of the problem is that the costs of active trading are too remote from the activity. The tax system has a few rewards for long-term thi… --- ## [Republicans vs. Democrats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-vs-democrats/415242)
**Author:** [@MerryMagdalen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MerryMagdalen)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2007, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-vs-democrats/415242 "2007-08-19T14:20:22Z")
This is really a GQ/IMHO but since it’s political I’ll put it here. I’ll put it out that I’m pretty politically liberal right now, but not lockstep with all “liberal” ideas. My Dad votes Republican (though now he is re… --- ## [Petraeus report will actually be written by the White House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/petraeus-report-will-actually-be-written-by-the-white-house/415737)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2007, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/petraeus-report-will-actually-be-written-by-the-white-house/415737 "2007-08-19T00:53:28Z")
This story from the LA Times focuses on expectations that General Petraeus, in his long-awaited September report on the success of the “Surge,” will recommend withdrawal of U.S. forces from some regions of Iraq; but buri… --- ## [What Drives the Political Slant of Daily Newspapers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-drives-the-political-slant-of-daily-newspapers/415655)
**Author:** [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2007, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-drives-the-political-slant-of-daily-newspapers/415655 "2007-08-18T22:52:27Z")
Title stolen directly from this article: There is media bias - in that it is impossible to be truly neutral. There is language used (per the article), there is also the facts left out (another discussion point in … --- ## [Should this Methodist church be obliged to allow gay civil unions on its property?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-methodist-church-be-obliged-to-allow-gay-civil-unions-on-its-property/415739)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-methodist-church-be-obliged-to-allow-gay-civil-unions-on-its-property/415739 "2007-08-18T19:45:35Z")
Here’s a link to the NY Times article in question.. Any thoughts, group? I’ll serve mine up first. Though I’m sort-of in favor of gay marriage rights (by which I mean I don’t think the government should be involved in… --- ## [News shouldn't be protected from Youtube, etc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-shouldnt-be-protected-from-youtube-etc/415990)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2007, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-shouldnt-be-protected-from-youtube-etc/415990 "2007-08-18T19:29:38Z")
If the various media organizations wish to portray various programs as “news”–that is, information of significant importance to the general public–then they should have no such IP protection as is granted to movies, etc.… --- ## [Simulated people, Christianity, and God's rationale](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulated-people-christianity-and-gods-rationale/415876)
**Author:** [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2007, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simulated-people-christianity-and-gods-rationale/415876 "2007-08-18T11:20:07Z")
There’ve been two threads so far considering if we’re really simulated conciousness, a la “brain in a vat” scenarios, and if it’s moral to allow suffering of such people if you’re the creator. Here’s a third. Suppose y… --- ## [Thoughts on Morality (origins) and non-PC statements.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-morality-origins-and-non-pc-statements/415654)
**Author:** [@Etod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Etod)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2007, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-morality-origins-and-non-pc-statements/415654 "2007-08-18T04:50:30Z")
This is my first post here, which is perhaps a bit risky. I like to write about my thoughts in a near-essay format every so often but I am aware that they are not perhaps the most insightful or intelligent and have never… --- ## [FISA court orders Bush to release secret orders on wiretapping to the ACLU](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fisa-court-orders-bush-to-release-secret-orders-on-wiretapping-to-the-aclu/416020)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2007, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fisa-court-orders-bush-to-release-secret-orders-on-wiretapping-to-the-aclu/416020 "2007-08-18T02:54:16Z")
By August 31. Story here. So, will he cooperate, or will he claim “executive privilege”, or what? --- ## [Would it be immoral to create virtual people who suffered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-immoral-to-create-virtual-people-who-suffered/415771)
**Author:** [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-immoral-to-create-virtual-people-who-suffered/415771 "2007-08-18T01:41:48Z")
There is a thread in GQ about this NY times article, in which the probability of our being characters in a computer simulation is discussed. Some relevant quotes from the article: I’m interested in the morality of thi… --- ## [Fred Thompson would ban abortion, gay marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-thompson-would-ban-abortion-gay-marriage/415994)
**Author:** [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2007, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-thompson-would-ban-abortion-gay-marriage/415994 "2007-08-17T21:43:25Z")
Link. Is his campaign over before it has begun, or is there a significant voting bloc that could get him elected? I have to admire his forthrightness, even if I disagree with him completely. Is this the way for the Re… --- ## [Castro's 81st birthday passes with almost no public celebration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castros-81st-birthday-passes-with-almost-no-public-celebration/415858)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2007, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castros-81st-birthday-passes-with-almost-no-public-celebration/415858 "2007-08-17T17:22:09Z")
There was a fireworks display in Havana, but that’s all. According to Newsmax writer Humberto Fontova: All of which seems to suggest that when Fidel finally kicks . . . it won’t be that big a deal at all, at all. Th… --- ## [Political Celibacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-celibacy/415663)
**Author:** [@Octave9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octave9)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2007, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-celibacy/415663 "2007-08-17T15:44:51Z")
I’m currently living in a state of political celibacy and loving each and every moment of my newly-acquired indifference. Due to the “unbelievable” fact that I’m not a scientist, not a physicist, not even (dare I admit i… --- ## [Tangible benefits of space exploration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tangible-benefits-of-space-exploration/415216)
**Author:** [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2007, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tangible-benefits-of-space-exploration/415216 "2007-08-17T09:28:41Z")
I was recently debating with my sister, after watching the news about the recent Space Shuttle launch… I said: “Other than satellite communication and technology, what tangible benefits have we gained from space explora… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=693) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=695)