# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=701 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 702 --- ## [America in decline...how would we know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-in-decline-how-would-we-know/411321)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2007, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-in-decline-how-would-we-know/411321 "2007-07-16T00:18:31Z")
I’ve heard it said (in various places) that America is in decline. Personally, I don’t see it, but…how would we know? Did the Roman’s know when they started to decline? How about the British? Did any great civilizati… --- ## [Should We Bring Back Mammoths?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-bring-back-mammoths/411376)
**Author:** [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2007, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-bring-back-mammoths/411376 "2007-07-15T13:12:00Z")
In light of this discovery, it seems more and more likely that we will eventually have the ability to bring back the woolly mammoth. Assuming that this happens, and given the fact that it seems like human activity playe… --- ## [My three step solution to the immigration problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-three-step-solution-to-the-immigration-problem/411745)
**Author:** [@catflea12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catflea12)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2007, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-three-step-solution-to-the-immigration-problem/411745 "2007-07-15T00:09:28Z")
I have a simple three step solution that will solve a large part of the illegal immigration problem in the US. Step 1: Annex Mexico and make everyone there citizens of the US. Step 2: Provide English as a second lang… --- ## [Murderous AI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murderous-ai/411492)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2007, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murderous-ai/411492 "2007-07-14T23:19:01Z")
The day dawns and a new consciousness is born - true AI. The inception happens however you like it; a lightning bolt to the mainframe, whatever. It has all the traits of intelligence: self-awareness, reasoning capabilit… --- ## [Arab League to send delegation to Israel for peace talks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arab-league-to-send-delegation-to-israel-for-peace-talks/411373)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2007, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arab-league-to-send-delegation-to-israel-for-peace-talks/411373 "2007-07-14T16:28:40Z")
Finally, some good news out of the MENA! This is the first time the Arab League has ever sent a delegation to Israel. What will/can this achieve? Will Palestinian independence be on the table? The Golan Heights? Ara… --- ## [Believers in a triune God, why does there have to be an interscessor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-in-a-triune-god-why-does-there-have-to-be-an-interscessor/410717)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-in-a-triune-god-why-does-there-have-to-be-an-interscessor/410717 "2007-07-14T16:06:47Z")
I know that at various functions some people pray in Jesus’s name because He was quoted as saying," ask the Father anything in my name and he will grant it to you". This doesn’t make sense to me,if the Father,Son and Spi… --- ## [The "Atheist Creation" Thread Spontaneously Reappears](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-atheist-creation-thread-spontaneously-reappears/411313)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2007, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-atheist-creation-thread-spontaneously-reappears/411313 "2007-07-13T21:31:08Z")
There was an interesting discussion going on concerning theists’ “demanding” that atheists provide an explanation as to the creation of the universe. Evidently it had been started by a sock (which I’m not sure I understa… --- ## [What's so bad about hedge funds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-hedge-funds/409460)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2007, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-hedge-funds/409460 "2007-07-13T14:10:48Z")
Assorted conservatives have been complaining that John Edwards worked for a (gasp!) hedge fund. Maybe it’s because I’m not schooled in the nature of various types of investments, but I’ve got no idea why conservatives t… --- ## [London Car Bombs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-car-bombs/410033)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2007, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-car-bombs/410033 "2007-07-13T13:47:45Z")
So 2 car bombs were discovered in London and fortunately disarmed before they exploded. They contained gas bottles, loads of litres of petrol and hundreds of nails, if they had exploded God only knows the carnage they w… --- ## [Should ACLU defend Phelps daughter (child abuse, flag mutilation at military funeral)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-aclu-defend-phelps-daughter-child-abuse-flag-mutilation-at-military-funeral/410768)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2007, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-aclu-defend-phelps-daughter-child-abuse-flag-mutilation-at-military-funeral/410768 "2007-07-13T06:17:13Z")
On an ACLU discussion group I belong to, I was made aware of this news item today: Phelps Kin Charged With Child Abuse Over Anti-Gay Military Funeral Demo (www.365gay.com) Shirley Phelps-Roper, daugher of Fred Phelps w… --- ## [House Judiciary Committee to have hearing on Libby commutation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-judiciary-committee-to-have-hearing-on-libby-commutation/410516)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2007, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-judiciary-committee-to-have-hearing-on-libby-commutation/410516 "2007-07-13T04:31:11Z")
Next Wednesday. I can understand the outrage, but I don’t see the point of a hearing on “The Use and Misuse of Presidential Clemency Power for Executive Branch Officials.” There are no constitutional limits on that pow… --- ## [religion and ego](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-and-ego/410917)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2007, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-and-ego/410917 "2007-07-13T03:55:52Z")
http://dingo.care2.com/cards/flash/5409/galaxy.swf The galaxy song by Monty Python tells of a huge and expanding universe. Enormous beyond imagination. Huge explosions. stars being born radiation flying about. If a god … --- ## [WH refuses Congressional subpoenas -- constitutional showdown?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wh-refuses-congressional-subpoenas-constitutional-showdown/409771)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2007, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wh-refuses-congressional-subpoenas-constitutional-showdown/409771 "2007-07-12T21:40:26Z")
No, not these subpoenas (it’s so hard to keep track) – an older set, for documents of Harriet Myers and Sara Taylor, regarding the U.S. attorney firings. Today was the deadline for surrendering the documents. The WH re… --- ## [What are your main beefs with Christianity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-main-beefs-with-christianity/408372)
**Author:** [@GuyNblueJeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuyNblueJeans)\ **Replies:** 226\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2007, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-main-beefs-with-christianity/408372 "2007-07-12T19:41:43Z")
While I do consider myself to be an “aspiring Christian” (in the sense that I’m so imperfect it’s not funny, but do firmly regard Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world), there are certainly many matters about the relig… --- ## [Disney villains wear dark clothes: does that reinforce racism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-villains-wear-dark-clothes-does-that-reinforce-racism/411084)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2007, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disney-villains-wear-dark-clothes-does-that-reinforce-racism/411084 "2007-07-12T17:34:31Z")
fessie in this thread argues that it does. (A lot of quoting follows; this is to give readers who haven’t seen the thread in question an idea of the arguments in play here.) Now, is the trend of dressing villains up i… --- ## [are Diesel cars the Answer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-diesel-cars-the-answer/411207)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-diesel-cars-the-answer/411207 "2007-07-12T17:06:40Z")
Would a widespread shift to diesel-powered cars make problems (in the fuel supply)? Diesel cars have been proposed as a solution to the rising cost of gasoline. A diesel car can run about 15-20% more efficiently , than a… --- ## [Can we talk about acupuncture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-acupuncture/409173)
**Author:** [@lobstermobster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobstermobster)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2007, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-talk-about-acupuncture/409173 "2007-07-12T14:41:54Z")
I know little to nothing about this practice and I don’t really care that much to sift through thousands of websites worth of information. Not to mention it’s going to be hard to find a source I trust enough to give me … --- ## [The war in Iraq - is it now only being fought 'cause the other side is fighting back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-in-iraq-is-it-now-only-being-fought-cause-the-other-side-is-fighting-back/411237)
**Author:** [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2007, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-in-iraq-is-it-now-only-being-fought-cause-the-other-side-is-fighting-back/411237 "2007-07-12T05:47:01Z")
Hello, Is the war now being fought only because the other side is fighting back? Is there a realistic expectation of improvement in a year to five years prolongment of the current war, as it is being fought now? If th… --- ## [English as the official language of the USA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-as-the-official-language-of-the-usa/411186)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2007, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-as-the-official-language-of-the-usa/411186 "2007-07-11T23:22:41Z")
Inspired by Otto’s rant in this thread I got to thinking about the wisdom (or not) of having an official language of the United States. While it strikes against my SoCal laid back upbringing and my general libertarian t… --- ## [Bill introduced to limit presidential signing statements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-introduced-to-limit-presidential-signing-statements/411149)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-introduced-to-limit-presidential-signing-statements/411149 "2007-07-11T19:25:22Z")
Introduced, yet, by a Republican, Senator Arlen Specter. (John Kerry is cosponsoring it.) Story here. This raises a delicate constitutional question: There is case law holding that a court may consider presidential s… --- ## [Great Britain in WWI](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-britain-in-wwi/410740)
**Author:** [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2007, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-britain-in-wwi/410740 "2007-07-11T14:17:02Z")
I have been reading Robert Massie’s suberb\* Castles of Steel \*, and aside from driving me crazy over the sheer amount of stupid decisions and bad luck that plagued the Admiralty, it got me wondering about the entire Brit… --- ## [A Restriction on Presidential Pardons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-restriction-on-presidential-pardons/410609)
**Author:** [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2007, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-restriction-on-presidential-pardons/410609 "2007-07-11T08:37:54Z")
In the various Scooter threads it has been brought up as likely that Bush would give Libby a full pardon immediately before he leaves office, like Clinton did with a large number of people. This seems to me to be a polit… --- ## [Pope OKs prayer calling for conversion of Jews](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-oks-prayer-calling-for-conversion-of-jews/410893)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2007, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-oks-prayer-calling-for-conversion-of-jews/410893 "2007-07-11T03:03:30Z")
Pope Eases Restrictions on Wider Use of Latin Mass Will this strain relations between mainstream Jews and the Catholic Church? Or is it a tempest in a teapot? --- ## [Live Earth Concert...what's the point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-earth-concert-whats-the-point/410863)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2007, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-earth-concert-whats-the-point/410863 "2007-07-11T02:04:32Z")
A couple of things really bug me about this event. What is the point? Raising awareness about GW? Do you think anyone with the capacity to view the concert on television is unaware about climate change? Why shoul… --- ## [Carbon cap or tax and with what effects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carbon-cap-or-tax-and-with-what-effects/410936)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2007, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carbon-cap-or-tax-and-with-what-effects/410936 "2007-07-11T01:38:26Z")
Please note: global climate change deniers need not participate here. This thread accepts the danger of global climate change and the role that additional human CO2 emmissions will have in increasing the risk of catestro… --- ## [Could "civilisation" have survived a global nuclear war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-civilisation-have-survived-a-global-nuclear-war/410298)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2007, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-civilisation-have-survived-a-global-nuclear-war/410298 "2007-07-11T00:25:20Z")
I’ve watched several nuclear war films of late, including The War Game, When The Wind Blows, and most recently, Testament. I’ve seen Threads and The Day After too. This isn’t a Cafe Society post though. Several of those… --- ## [All true competitors cheat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-true-competitors-cheat/409848)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2007, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-true-competitors-cheat/409848 "2007-07-10T23:21:17Z")
Is that true? If they don’t believe they’ll be caught? I kinda think so, given what I see in sports, especially professional sports. If they don’t, they’ll lose. But even in non-professional sports, and card and parlor… --- ## [About suicide bombers. Am I making this up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-suicide-bombers-am-i-making-this-up/410949)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2007, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-suicide-bombers-am-i-making-this-up/410949 "2007-07-10T21:22:58Z")
I remember overhearing a line on the news while I wasn’t paying much attention, and the implications of it didn’t strike me until long afterwards when I had time to relax and think for awhile (it was a very busy day). I… --- ## [State law to require ID for all alcohol sales and the homeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-law-to-require-id-for-all-alcohol-sales-and-the-homeless/409911)
**Author:** [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-law-to-require-id-for-all-alcohol-sales-and-the-homeless/409911 "2007-07-10T15:18:54Z")
This articles details the possibility of Tennessee becoming the first state to require proof of age for all alcohol sales, even if you’re 80- supposedly to curb underage drinking. I’m of the opinion that this will not cu… --- ## [Romney strapped his dog on car roof for 12 hour journey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-strapped-his-dog-on-car-roof-for-12-hour-journey/409821)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2007, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-strapped-his-dog-on-car-roof-for-12-hour-journey/409821 "2007-07-10T01:38:38Z")
Romney dogged by animal cruelty charge So does Mitt deserve the stick he is getting over a 25 year old story? Or does it reflect something about his values that is relevent today? Will it cost him votes outside the d… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=700) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=702)