# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=699 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 700 --- ## [Bush orders ex-counsel to defy congressional subpoena](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-orders-ex-counsel-to-defy-congressional-subpoena/411438)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2007, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-orders-ex-counsel-to-defy-congressional-subpoena/411438 "2007-07-26T07:47:42Z")
The title says it all. Cite How completely sad. I’m pretty anti-Bush so I am comfortable saying how predictable. But you know what? Arch conservative or way left liberal, it is humiliating to all Americans that the Pre… --- ## [The New Face of Racism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-face-of-racism/412488)
**Author:** [@raindog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raindog)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2007, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-face-of-racism/412488 "2007-07-26T05:47:05Z")
I put the following up for discussion: 1)The face of racism now is as likely to be black as white. 2)I would also put forward that a racist may not be practicing ‘malice of forethought’; (as was common historically) t… --- ## [How do civil wars usually end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-civil-wars-usually-end/413136)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2007, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-civil-wars-usually-end/413136 "2007-07-26T05:15:10Z")
This has a partially factual answer, but because it relates to the Iraq war I will start it here. Move as necessary. Since the Iraqi government shows little sign they are capable of resolving the differences between th… --- ## [The Ethics of the "Flashie Thingie" - Men in Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-the-flashie-thingie-men-in-black/412737)
**Author:** [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2007, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-the-flashie-thingie-men-in-black/412737 "2007-07-26T04:10:16Z")
The question I have deals with the use of the neuralizer, a piece of alien technology used in the “Men in Black” films to erase the memories of individuals who witness extraterrestial activity. Without the knowledge, or … --- ## [Why is DeBeers allowed to exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-debeers-allowed-to-exist/412882)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-debeers-allowed-to-exist/412882 "2007-07-25T23:49:46Z")
Why is this violent monopoly that keeps the price of diamonds inflated so that they remain a commodity not ever threatened with anti-trust litigation? --- ## [Three More and I'll Impeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-more-and-ill-impeach/412744)
**Author:** [@Haunted](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haunted)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/three-more-and-ill-impeach/412744 "2007-07-25T20:57:56Z")
From Do you think this can happen? --- ## [Do we really need to know the President's medical details?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-to-know-the-presidents-medical-details/412856)
**Author:** [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2007, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-to-know-the-presidents-medical-details/412856 "2007-07-25T06:37:10Z")
I figure this is the best place to put this, so here goes. In the wake of Saturday’s presidential rectal exploration, I find myself wondering if we as the public really need to know the details of the inside of our Pres… --- ## [What is all this about 'spirituality' and 'relgion'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-all-this-about-spirituality-and-relgion/411553)
**Author:** [@wisernow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisernow)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2007, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-all-this-about-spirituality-and-relgion/411553 "2007-07-25T00:17:18Z")
Although this starts of as a question, but I presume it will lead to some debate and so I put it here rather than in GQ. Mods are free to move it as they deem appropriate. When religion is discussed, very often I have c… --- ## [New executive order -- Admin can freeze assets of anyone "undermining" Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-executive-order-admin-can-freeze-assets-of-anyone-undermining-iraq/412410)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2007, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-executive-order-admin-can-freeze-assets-of-anyone-undermining-iraq/412410 "2007-07-25T00:15:53Z")
From the WH website. It goes on to say that assets can be frozen with no prior notice to the owner. . . . WTF? What is the purpose of this order? Who is it targeting? Who in the U.S. has been sending money to fund … --- ## [The use of personal conduct litmus tests in debates on the Dope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-personal-conduct-litmus-tests-in-debates-on-the-dope/412487)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-use-of-personal-conduct-litmus-tests-in-debates-on-the-dope/412487 "2007-07-24T21:10:04Z")
Lately, I’ve been running into the more than occasional instance of posters here on the Dope demanding that I do X, Y, or Z in real life to demonstrate my sincerity about positions I’ve taken in debates on the boards. H… --- ## [Juvenile Sex Offenders and the Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/juvenile-sex-offenders-and-the-law/412877)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2007, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/juvenile-sex-offenders-and-the-law/412877 "2007-07-24T20:14:51Z")
This NY Times Magazine article (registration may be necessary) raises the issue of juvenile sex offenders. Treating them the same as adult sex offenders has some disturbing implications. Though a lot of these kids (mostl… --- ## [A rather sad overlord \[DevNull puts forth his political beliefs\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-rather-sad-overlord-devnull-puts-forth-his-political-beliefs/410823)
**Author:** [@DevNull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DevNull)\ **Replies:** 355\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2007, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-rather-sad-overlord-devnull-puts-forth-his-political-beliefs/410823 "2007-07-24T19:37:40Z")
Maybe this is pit material, but… The way I see things is that it has been over six years of President GW Bush: “Wiping his ass with the Constitution” “Flushing the country down the toilet” “Enslaving the citizens of t… --- ## [Why don't hackers and programmers do something truly important?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-hackers-and-programmers-do-something-truly-important/412460)
**Author:** [@Lenin\_s\_Tomb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lenin_s_Tomb)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2007, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-hackers-and-programmers-do-something-truly-important/412460 "2007-07-24T13:09:17Z")
I was infuriated reading this story in my local paper today: http://www.mercurynews.com/crime/ci\_6411527 about systems which alert police officers anytime someone buys cold medication. It’s a truly ridiculous end of the … --- ## [UK Terror plot was an Inside job](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-terror-plot-was-an-inside-job/412944)
**Author:** [@mike\_abcd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mike_abcd)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2007, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-terror-plot-was-an-inside-job/412944 "2007-07-24T11:57:49Z")
Answer to how the UK govt would benefit from the “doctors involved in terror attack” story- (1) News on February 18, 2007 UK rules drove doctor to suicide. An Asian doctor was driven to commit suicide when he couldn’t… --- ## [Cold War II: Cold Harder](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-war-ii-cold-harder/412472)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2007, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-war-ii-cold-harder/412472 "2007-07-24T03:44:29Z")
The story thus far: Vladmir Putin signed into law an act allowing for the execution of enemies of the regime even on foreign soil. The British prime suspect for the murder of Alexander Litvinenko, Andrei Lugovoy cannot… --- ## [Is the stock market giving Bush's policies a thumbs-up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-stock-market-giving-bushs-policies-a-thumbs-up/412194)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-stock-market-giving-bushs-policies-a-thumbs-up/412194 "2007-07-24T01:52:31Z")
Conservative commentator Larry Kudlow thinks so: Any comments on his comments? Seems like a bit of a stretch to me, but it’s finding welcome ears. (And I suspect some of you will have harsher words than that.) --- ## [Can consciousness be observed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-consciousness-be-observed/411489)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2007, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-consciousness-be-observed/411489 "2007-07-24T00:57:27Z")
As far as I know, we have been dissecting human bodies for thousands of years…we’ve got a name for every biological system in our bodies, every cell, every organ, every piece of tissue. We’ve dissected peoples brains and… --- ## [Does Cigarette Smoking Cost Society Money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cigarette-smoking-cost-society-money/412179)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cigarette-smoking-cost-society-money/412179 "2007-07-23T23:49:05Z")
This thread digressed a bit into the ‘externalities’ of cigarette smoking, and the notion that we all pay for the cost of cigarette-smoking related health issues, therefore we have a right to restrict smoking. Rather th… --- ## [George Galloway faces suspension from Parliament.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-galloway-faces-suspension-from-parliament/412163)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-galloway-faces-suspension-from-parliament/412163 "2007-07-22T20:02:48Z")
Few subjects have been as heartily debated as the guilt or innocence of MP George Galloway. In a new development, the Standards and Privileges Committee of the House of Commons is recommending a suspension, because the … --- ## [Terrorist tactics - Why don't they hit easier and more panic-inducing targets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-tactics-why-dont-they-hit-easier-and-more-panic-inducing-targets/410968)
**Author:** [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2007, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-tactics-why-dont-they-hit-easier-and-more-panic-inducing-targets/410968 "2007-07-22T19:59:16Z")
The recent London car bombs again illustrates something that has puzzled me for a while. Airports are hard targets, having very focused security in comparison to most public places. Yes, they are an important part of a n… --- ## [Positioning a political party MK II](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positioning-a-political-party-mk-ii/412754)
**Author:** [@Small\_British\_Shop\_Owner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_British_Shop_Owner)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2007, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/positioning-a-political-party-mk-ii/412754 "2007-07-22T18:58:45Z")
(To moderators: Please close the old thread, it got too derailied to attract genuine posters) Political parties face a dilemma when writing their manifestos: Do they aim for a manifesto that entirely reflects their ideo… --- ## [DDT - dangerous to birds? dangerous to humans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ddt-dangerous-to-birds-dangerous-to-humans/412049)
**Author:** [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ddt-dangerous-to-birds-dangerous-to-humans/412049 "2007-07-22T16:14:12Z")
I’m starting this thread in response to a comment in this thread in GQ. The two questions I’m interested in addressing are: How good is the evidence for DDT (and its breakdown products, DDD and DDE) as a threat to bird… --- ## [How should a political party set its policies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-a-political-party-set-its-policies/412696)
**Author:** [@Small\_British\_Shop\_Owner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_British_Shop_Owner)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2007, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-a-political-party-set-its-policies/412696 "2007-07-22T12:48:47Z")
Imagine a continuum, at one extreme the party setting its policies entirely by ideology, and at the other extreme the party setting its policies entirely by what will get the party into power. Where should a party choos… --- ## [Is Pakistan Next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pakistan-next/412449)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2007, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pakistan-next/412449 "2007-07-22T11:57:28Z")
Hi Everyone! I’m hearing mentioned in the news on television that in the question of Al-Qaeda enjoying sanctuary in the Pakistani tribal areas, the Bush administration has “all options on the table” as far as crossing t… --- ## [Is structural racism responsible for the rise of the white middle class?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-structural-racism-responsible-for-the-rise-of-the-white-middle-class/412357)
**Author:** [@Sumisu\_919](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sumisu_919)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2007, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-structural-racism-responsible-for-the-rise-of-the-white-middle-class/412357 "2007-07-22T10:30:06Z")
Is structural racism responsible for the rise of the white middle class and the rise of the black under class? From this site: http://www.prrac.org/full\_text.php?text\_id=1098&item\_id=10191&newsletter\_id=90&header=Sympo… --- ## [Bush Set to Veto Kids' Health Insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-set-to-veto-kids-health-insurance/411998)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 185\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2007, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-set-to-veto-kids-health-insurance/411998 "2007-07-22T05:30:02Z")
Ah, compassionate conservatism in action. If insuring more kids near the poverty line means that a private insurer might lose a customer or two, we know who Bush feels more compassion for. --- ## [Congressman denied access to plan for continuing government after terrorist attack](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-denied-access-to-plan-for-continuing-government-after-terrorist-attack/412710)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2007, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-denied-access-to-plan-for-continuing-government-after-terrorist-attack/412710 "2007-07-22T03:35:45Z")
Possibly relevant to this thread from May 2007, which quickly got out of hand and remained so for four pages until it was locked. Take a lesson and cave modem. Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR), in response to consti… --- ## ["Class warfare" has a legitimate place in American political/electoral discourse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/class-warfare-has-a-legitimate-place-in-american-political-electoral-discourse/412325)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2007, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/class-warfare-has-a-legitimate-place-in-american-political-electoral-discourse/412325 "2007-07-21T22:26:00Z")
In this thread, John Mace (starting at post #25) excoriated presidential candidate John Edwards for his “class warfare” rhetoric, based on Edwards’ 2004 primary campaign stump speech: Now, putting the phrase “class war… --- ## [Plame Court Action Denied](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plame-court-action-denied/412497)
**Author:** [@bob\_co](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_co)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2007, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plame-court-action-denied/412497 "2007-07-21T18:06:15Z")
I called it here. Seething liberals do not know they are wet yet. The case wasn’t called on it’s meritt, but it was going no where. The political bent of back and for has called it a day on this non-issue. --- ## [Would Another Cold War Be Beneficial to the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-another-cold-war-be-beneficial-to-the-us/412513)
**Author:** [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2007, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-another-cold-war-be-beneficial-to-the-us/412513 "2007-07-21T15:11:57Z")
If another Cold War-esque Era were upon us, would it be beneficial to America? It seems in my not-the-most-knowledgable view that the decades long cold war between us and Russia strengthened us in many ways, and led us … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=698) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=700)