# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=697 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 698 --- ## [can Animals detect the Approach of death?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-animals-detect-the-approach-of-death/413208)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2007, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-animals-detect-the-approach-of-death/413208 "2007-08-05T22:50:31Z")
see Oscar the “Death Cat”:http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=1013472 can animals detect the approach of death? Seems like a visit from oscar is pretty much the end…would you adopt this cat? --- ## [How much do we gain (or lose) by helping other countries financially?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-we-gain-or-lose-by-helping-other-countries-financially/413301)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2007, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-we-gain-or-lose-by-helping-other-countries-financially/413301 "2007-08-05T13:25:05Z")
I read in articles all the time about the U.S. government or other countries giving monetary aid to other countries often into the billions of dollars. The debate is what do we gain or lose from doing this? There are pro… --- ## [Would \*you\* have spared Shambo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-have-spared-shambo/413394)
**Author:** [@Small\_British\_Shop\_Owner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_British_Shop_Owner)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2007, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-have-spared-shambo/413394 "2007-08-05T04:48:06Z")
So, they’ve killed Shambo, a sacred bull See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6918618.stm Now, I don’t care about killing animals, and I find religious people to be lunatic at worst, amusing curiosities at best, but t… --- ## [My proposoal for improved society.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-proposoal-for-improved-society/414003)
**Author:** [@Small\_British\_Shop\_Owner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_British_Shop_Owner)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2007, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-proposoal-for-improved-society/414003 "2007-08-04T23:33:04Z")
Y’know, there’s a reason that the Kibbutz work. Why the great London clubs are such aggreeable places. And why think tanks flourish. It’s because their members choose who will join them. And this is why both socialism … --- ## [What exactly happened in the House today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-happened-in-the-house-today/414374)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2007, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-happened-in-the-house-today/414374 "2007-08-04T22:13:18Z")
I sometimes browse a few conservative blogs, just to get a sense of what “the other side” is talking about. Today there seems to be a lot of attention on something that happened in the House of Representatives today (or… --- ## [The paradox of enlightenment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-paradox-of-enlightenment/412967)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-paradox-of-enlightenment/412967 "2007-08-04T16:29:10Z")
…is that ultimately there is nothing “you” can do to become enlightened. You, yourself, in fact are the obstacle to enlightenment; an ego stubbornly clinging to the illusion of self. But if you ignore the whole subject o… --- ## [What's the point of prayer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-prayer/412797)
**Author:** [@NobodyNumberSeven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NobodyNumberSeven)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2007, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-prayer/412797 "2007-08-04T10:58:06Z")
Let’s try to avoid all debates about whether or not there is a God, and assume for purposes of this question that there is. Now, what exactly is the point of prayer? What rational reason could anyone have for doing it? … --- ## [What the fuck just happened in Libya?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-fuck-just-happened-in-libya/412971)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Hildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Hildo)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2007, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-fuck-just-happened-in-libya/412971 "2007-08-04T07:14:00Z")
From the story here. So the 5 foreign nurses and a doctor who were tortured into confessing and sentenced to death in a sham trial for infecting hundreds of children with AIDS are being released after the families of vi… --- ## [Majority of Americans support more public surveillance cameras](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-americans-support-more-public-surveillance-cameras/413747)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2007, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/majority-of-americans-support-more-public-surveillance-cameras/413747 "2007-08-04T00:23:36Z")
So sez this poll. I wasn’t quite sure where to put this, but flipped a coin and decided to put it here. I don’t think it’s as simple as “the polled people are scared of terrorists.” I think many figure, “hey, I’m in p… --- ## [What is the proper balance of power between Congress & the presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-proper-balance-of-power-between-congress-the-presidency/413989)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2007, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-proper-balance-of-power-between-congress-the-presidency/413989 "2007-08-03T18:30:56Z")
Sort of a followup to this thread. I don’t think anyone would dispute that the relative power and importance of the presidency vis-a-vis Congress have grown enormous since the Republic was founded, and few would dispute… --- ## [House Gets Executive Urges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-gets-executive-urges/413722)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2007, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-gets-executive-urges/413722 "2007-08-03T17:30:16Z")
IN this thread, we briefly discussed the fate of Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, who were convicted and sentenced for shooting a Mexican drug smuggler, and then covering up the facts surroundi… --- ## [Leahy subpoenas Rove re attorney firings. Another constitutional showdown?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leahy-subpoenas-rove-re-attorney-firings-another-constitutional-showdown/413290)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leahy-subpoenas-rove-re-attorney-firings-another-constitutional-showdown/413290 "2007-08-03T13:57:53Z")
Story here: Leahy gives Rove one week to appear. Strong stuff. But Rove has been invited (not subpoenaed) to testify about this before, and he refused to do so publicly, on the record or under oath. Assuming his pos… --- ## [Senator Fred Thompson is taking formal steps toward a presidential bid.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-fred-thompson-is-taking-formal-steps-toward-a-presidential-bid/406108)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2007, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-fred-thompson-is-taking-formal-steps-toward-a-presidential-bid/406108 "2007-08-02T21:31:19Z")
USA Today says he will be officially running after July 4th. The Times has a blog article on him. Is this good news or bad news for the Republican Party? Will he hurt Mitt, McCain or Rudy more? If he wins the nominati… --- ## [Gonzalez may have lied to Congress; Dem calls for special prosecutor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gonzalez-may-have-lied-to-congress-dem-calls-for-special-prosecutor/411261)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gonzalez-may-have-lied-to-congress-dem-calls-for-special-prosecutor/411261 "2007-08-02T19:58:26Z")
Today’s WaPo reports AG Gonzalez was briefed on incidents where the FBI had used its expanded powers to acquire information it was not entitled to have. Six days later, on April 27, 2005, he testified to Congress that "… --- ## [Child Porn V Rape](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-porn-v-rape/413618)
**Author:** [@Small\_British\_Shop\_Owner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_British_Shop_Owner)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2007, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-porn-v-rape/413618 "2007-08-02T19:24:38Z")
I believe that an awful lot of so called “paedophiles” (and I use that term to mean real paedophiles, not men who appreciate the form of a typical fourteen year old’s body - indeed anyone that doesn’t is not a real man) … --- ## [The maternal instinct- culture or biology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-maternal-instinct-culture-or-biology/414097)
**Author:** [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2007, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-maternal-instinct-culture-or-biology/414097 "2007-08-02T17:26:10Z")
A simple enough question (ha ha): are women better equipped to care for children (other than the obvious giving birth and nursing aspects) and are children hardwired to depend more on their mothers than fathers or other … --- ## [Morality of donation with unreported $](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-of-donation-with-unreported/413731)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2007, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-of-donation-with-unreported/413731 "2007-08-02T14:37:44Z")
Lets say you get paid perhaps $100 off the books cash for a small project. Is it morally OK to not report it, but donate it in total and not take the deduction? --- ## [Who Would Be Bush's Replacement for Cheney?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-bushs-replacement-for-cheney/413535)
**Author:** [@BJMoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BJMoose)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2007, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-be-bushs-replacement-for-cheney/413535 "2007-08-02T02:23:36Z")
Now, don’t get your hopes up. There’s no indication the veep will quit, meet his Maker or be impeached and removed anytime soon. But the recent reminder that his ticker is about as reliable as a rusty Timex has me wonder… --- ## [God doesnt exist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-doesnt-exist/413614)
**Author:** [@Sir\_Oinksalot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Oinksalot)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2007, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-doesnt-exist/413614 "2007-08-02T01:57:22Z")
There is no God. There is no reason to believ ethat there is. Religions is a total waste of time and we should concentrage on being better people while were allive than kiossing some imaginary friends arse forever. --- ## [Laws Enforcing Immigration Policies Only Allowed at Federal Level](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-enforcing-immigration-policies-only-allowed-at-federal-level/413783)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-enforcing-immigration-policies-only-allowed-at-federal-level/413783 "2007-08-01T18:49:22Z")
I just heard about this in passing today, and I’m posting just to ask for more information, but I figure it’s likely to turn GD if many people post comments to the thread at all, that’s why I’ve posted here instead of in… --- ## [What About Employers Who Don't Cover Birth Control On Moral Grounds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-employers-who-dont-cover-birth-control-on-moral-grounds/413632)
**Author:** [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2007, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-employers-who-dont-cover-birth-control-on-moral-grounds/413632 "2007-08-01T17:42:30Z")
A debate over in the BBQ Pit about pharmacists who won’t dispense emergency contraception brought to mind a similar issue. A few years ago, I was interviewed for a job by an organization which is part of the Catholic Ch… --- ## [Michael Moore served with subpoena re Cuba trip](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2007, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-moore-served-with-subpoena-re-cuba-trip/413415 "2007-08-01T14:56:45Z")
Michael Moore just got served with a subpoena regarding the trip he took to Cuba while filming Sicko. He got served backstage just before appearing on Jay Leno – on the show, he mentioned the subpoena. The story doesn’… --- ## [Murdoch to acquire WSJ -- will anything change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murdoch-to-acquire-wsj-will-anything-change/413871)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2007, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murdoch-to-acquire-wsj-will-anything-change/413871 "2007-08-01T14:50:38Z")
Murdoch finally got support from enough Bancroft family members that it looks like his takeover of the Wall Street Journal is a go. The WSJ editorial page already reflects Murdoch’s business-conservative political views… --- ## [Candidacy restricted to unemployed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candidacy-restricted-to-unemployed/413956)
**Author:** [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2007, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/candidacy-restricted-to-unemployed/413956 "2007-08-01T14:47:59Z")
Would it be better if candidates for President and Vice-President be forced to resign any currently held government job (excepting incumbents) at the moment of announcing their candidacy and acceptance of financial contr… --- ## [McConnell: NSA surveillance program just the tip of the iceberg](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-nsa-surveillance-program-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/413970)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2007, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-nsa-surveillance-program-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/413970 "2007-08-01T13:41:19Z")
But he can’t tell us about the rest of it, he only admitted that much by way of defending AGAG. Honestly. Story here: Soooo . . . what are these other secret programs W authorized in 2001? (We can’t be arrested for … --- ## [Call To Lower the Corporate Tax Rate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/call-to-lower-the-corporate-tax-rate/413033)
**Author:** [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2007, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/call-to-lower-the-corporate-tax-rate/413033 "2007-08-01T13:09:55Z")
Well, I’ve heard many times that it’s “time” to lower the coprorate tax rate here in America. People point to France and President Sarkozy and how he wants to lower the tax rate for businesses to 20%. I hear all the ti… --- ## [So why, exactly, is polygamy illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-exactly-is-polygamy-illegal/413165)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2007, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-exactly-is-polygamy-illegal/413165 "2007-08-01T03:52:04Z")
Prompted by this story in Slate.com: The article is about a Muslim American woman, highly educated, an editor who works from her home, who has written a book about being one of two wives who share a husband. All are Musl… --- ## [Unions: Are they to blame for outsourcing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unions-are-they-to-blame-for-outsourcing/412852)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2007, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unions-are-they-to-blame-for-outsourcing/412852 "2007-07-31T21:02:51Z")
So, GM and the UAW begin talks today to reduce labour costs. $25 an hour more! That’s almost $50,000 per year in additional labour costs per employee! I realize this factors in health and pension, but $50,000 extra … --- ## [Did WH "political landscape" briefings of agency officials violate the Hatch Act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-wh-political-landscape-briefings-of-agency-officials-violate-the-hatch-act/413200)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2007, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-wh-political-landscape-briefings-of-agency-officials-violate-the-hatch-act/413200 "2007-07-31T20:30:31Z")
There’s already a thread on this story, but it’s mainly about whether Rove is impeachable. I want to focus on whether it violates the Hatch Act, or any other law, and, if so, what are the legal implications/consequences… --- ## [The SIM card of terror](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sim-card-of-terror/411725)
**Author:** [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2007, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sim-card-of-terror/411725 "2007-07-31T13:36:41Z")
Some of you (mostly people living in the same country as me, no doubt…) may be aware that, as a result of the recent Glasgow Airport bombings, various individuals not among those initially arrested have come under suspic… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=696) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=698)