# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=703 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 704 --- ## [Is the US headed for a cultural backlash?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-headed-for-a-cultural-backlash/410142)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2007, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-headed-for-a-cultural-backlash/410142 "2007-07-03T00:49:27Z")
Yesterday I had a debate with my girlfriend about the cultural views/treatment of the elderly in the US. I predicted that if current healthcare/social security issues get progressively worse in the future, people’s fami… --- ## [Lawdopers: Let's discuss Morse v. Frederick!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawdopers-lets-discuss-morse-v-frederick/409851)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2007, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawdopers-lets-discuss-morse-v-frederick/409851 "2007-07-02T18:04:40Z")
So, our good buddies the Supremes (already used band name!) have been dishing out loads of shiny new judicial goodness this week. Let’s talk about Morse v. Frederick, the “BONG HiTS 4 JESUS” case. Personally, I’m not th… --- ## [CIA's Family Jewels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cias-family-jewels/409530)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2007, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cias-family-jewels/409530 "2007-07-02T16:34:46Z")
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-06-26-voa65.cfm What do people think about the CIA’s abuses in light of the current national security culture and the fights over who gets to say what and how the information should … --- ## [The Federalist #3 - Any Need for Foreign Relations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-federalist-3-any-need-for-foreign-relations/410208)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2007, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-federalist-3-any-need-for-foreign-relations/410208 "2007-07-02T09:49:30Z")
The Federalist #3 Main Points: The thing for which people are most concerned is their own safety and security. A single United States with a Federal government would be in a better position to see to it that: Curren… --- ## [Which party would a Bloomberg independent bid hurt most?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-would-a-bloomberg-independent-bid-hurt-most/404200)
**Author:** [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2007, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-would-a-bloomberg-independent-bid-hurt-most/404200 "2007-07-02T05:35:38Z")
Washington Times Article- Grain of Salt Not Included This is my dream come true. Not only because I am nearly on point with Bloomberg’s ideology, but also because I like people who rock the boat. Bloomberg cannot win… --- ## [911 overblown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/911-overblown/409162)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2007, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/911-overblown/409162 "2007-07-02T04:47:35Z")
911 was spectaculer. We had some riveting TV and the buildings came down making great TV drama. After it was over ,we should have scraped the debris out and rebuilt another building in its space. A better one to be sure,… --- ## ["We've evolved to be creationists"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weve-evolved-to-be-creationists/408445)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 254\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2007, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weve-evolved-to-be-creationists/408445 "2007-07-01T18:30:20Z")
“We’ve evolved to be creationists” “We’ve evolved to be creationists” is a quote from the “The Atlantic Monthly” article “Is God an Accident?”—December 2005 issue. Paul Bloom, author of the article, informs us that “hu… --- ## [Do we need technology or do we want technology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-need-technology-or-do-we-want-technology/409958)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2007, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-need-technology-or-do-we-want-technology/409958 "2007-07-01T04:36:24Z")
What is technology? What is the difference between a want and a need? Why is there a difference between a want and a need? Can’t there just be wants (and not needs)? My inspiration for the OP is the IPhone and thinking … --- ## [Would Rear-Facing car seats save Lives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-rear-facing-car-seats-save-lives/409961)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2007, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-rear-facing-car-seats-save-lives/409961 "2007-07-01T04:19:30Z")
The human body can survive tremedous deceleration, if the forces are spread over your whole back. Supppose we designed cars where the driver and passengers face the rear 9you would steer with the help of a forward-lookin… --- ## [Can't wear uniform at political events - so what about soldiers standing behind Bush?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-wear-uniform-at-political-events-so-what-about-soldiers-standing-behind-bush/406545)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2007, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-wear-uniform-at-political-events-so-what-about-soldiers-standing-behind-bush/406545 "2007-07-01T03:38:31Z")
This is sort of a question, but since it will likely trigger a debate, I’ll put it here. There’s been a few news articles recently about a marine, honourably discharged after serving in Iraq, who’s been involved in prot… --- ## [Did anyone NOT stack the SCOTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-not-stack-the-scotus/409659)
**Author:** [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2007, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-anyone-not-stack-the-scotus/409659 "2007-07-01T00:40:39Z")
In article after article, I’ve seen democrats, liberals, and lefties (disclosure: I’m a democrat liberal lefty myself) complain about how unprecedented it is for presidents to be so carefully handpicking their nomination… --- ## [Was Lucille Ball a Communist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-lucille-ball-a-communist/409252)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-lucille-ball-a-communist/409252 "2007-06-30T21:03:09Z")
On television, oh, quite some time back, I was watching this news show about Lucille Ball. Apparently a relative was very enthused about Communism. And as a sort of tribute to him, Lucille Ball declared herself to be a C… --- ## [Are the American people becoming more politically liberal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-american-people-becoming-more-politically-liberal/409135)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 211\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2007, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-american-people-becoming-more-politically-liberal/409135 "2007-06-30T15:21:00Z")
According to this article, that conclusion is strongly supported by a recent study of the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, “Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2007”; as well as by other … --- ## [Will Gordon Brown call an early election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gordon-brown-call-an-early-election/409936)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2007, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-gordon-brown-call-an-early-election/409936 "2007-06-30T14:39:07Z")
The British Prime Minister can (well the Queen can if s/he advises her to) call an election at any time. The UK just had a general election 2 years ago and the next one isn’t expected until 2008 or 2009 (2010 at the la… --- ## [The Federalist #2 - Rights and Being "Near Enough"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-federalist-2-rights-and-being-near-enough/409743)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2007, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-federalist-2-rights-and-being-near-enough/409743 "2007-06-29T23:11:49Z")
Here’s the long awaited continuation to the proposed look at the Federalist Papers. The previous foray fizzled and died due to me having an insane work schedule and overall starting off badly in trying to create debate w… --- ## [How do black Christians justify being christians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-black-christians-justify-being-christians/409237)
**Author:** [@BluePitbull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BluePitbull)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2007, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-black-christians-justify-being-christians/409237 "2007-06-29T22:05:56Z")
Well, an atheist classmate asked a few questions about slave owners and how they used christianity to control slaves. Since they were never given a real choice to practise their own African religion, how can they justify… --- ## [Can Australia actually do this? (Ban sale booze/porn in aboriginal lands)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-australia-actually-do-this-ban-sale-booze-porn-in-aboriginal-lands/408884)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2007, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-australia-actually-do-this-ban-sale-booze-porn-in-aboriginal-lands/408884 "2007-06-29T21:29:08Z")
I’m pretty naive, but this sounds blatantly racist to me. Am I missing something? How does such a thing set with other (white) australian people? If this is too hot for the SDMB, go ahead and close it. --- ## [Global-warming skepticism from a leftist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-skepticism-from-a-leftist/409475)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2007, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-skepticism-from-a-leftist/409475 "2007-06-29T16:40:19Z")
Alexander Cockburn, who has written the “Beat the Devil” column for The Nation for many years, recently published several pieces highly critical of the anthropogenic-climate-change theory and the politics around it, incl… --- ## [Does data compression doom SETI?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-data-compression-doom-seti/409391)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2007, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-data-compression-doom-seti/409391 "2007-06-29T15:44:08Z")
Right now the search for extraterrestrial intelligence involves scanning the skies for radio signals and looking for patterns that might indicate intelligent life. So far the search has been fruitless. However, given t… --- ## [What is Cheney holding over Google's head?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-cheney-holding-over-googles-head/409399)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2007, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-cheney-holding-over-googles-head/409399 "2007-06-29T14:07:01Z")
From an article in the New York Times on Google Earth/Google Maps: That was a year and a half ago, and the US Naval Observatory (home of the Lord of Darkness), is still pixellated. The White House, The US Capitol, t… --- ## [Tort reform: Yea or Nay. (Reccomended reforms solicited.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tort-reform-yea-or-nay-reccomended-reforms-solicited/409457)
**Author:** [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2007, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tort-reform-yea-or-nay-reccomended-reforms-solicited/409457 "2007-06-28T22:22:54Z")
In the wake of the case of the $54 million pants, I figure it’s about time to bring the idea of tort reform back up for the Teeming Millions to offer their sage advice and views. I’m going to being by putting out the fo… --- ## [What recourse for a fraudulent election? (U.S.A.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-recourse-for-a-fraudulent-election-u-s-a/409563)
**Author:** [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-recourse-for-a-fraudulent-election-u-s-a/409563 "2007-06-28T18:09:21Z")
A request for everyone: I know fraudulent elections can be a contentious topic, to say the least. So that this thread doesn’t go off into non-useful directions, can we all agree not to discuss any particular election or … --- ## [Will impeachment of GWB become serious consideration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-impeachment-of-gwb-become-serious-consideration/408945)
**Author:** [@NYStrip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYStrip)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2007, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-impeachment-of-gwb-become-serious-consideration/408945 "2007-06-28T15:47:11Z")
According to the most recent Newsweek poll, Bush’s approval rating has reached a new low of just 26%. Only Nixon had a lower rating at 23%. Regardless of how you look at it, his approval rating is continuing to erode. … --- ## [Could Dick Cheney affect the outcome of the electoral vote count in 2008?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-dick-cheney-affect-the-outcome-of-the-electoral-vote-count-in-2008/409651)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2007, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-dick-cheney-affect-the-outcome-of-the-electoral-vote-count-in-2008/409651 "2007-06-28T06:57:30Z")
After all, as Aziz Huq of The Nation points out, there is historical precedent: Of course Cheney won’t count himself into the presidency. But defenders of whatever he does can always say he’s following a precedent set… --- ## [Shunning the extreme left](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shunning-the-extreme-left/409564)
**Author:** [@essell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/essell)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2007, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shunning-the-extreme-left/409564 "2007-06-27T23:02:06Z")
Forgive my ignorance on this subject, about 90% of the truths I’ve learned about the American political system I’ve learned from the Dope. I was chatting with my friend who has a degree in politics and we had an interes… --- ## [Sustainability - hybrids and solar panels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sustainability-hybrids-and-solar-panels/409370)
**Author:** [@samm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samm)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2007, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sustainability-hybrids-and-solar-panels/409370 "2007-06-27T22:04:23Z")
This might be a stupid question and I haven’t really thought of all the potential ramifications but that’ why I bring it here, to some of the most brilliant minds of the internet! Why not just pass a law that says every… --- ## [Senate committee subpoenas WH and VP's office re warrantless wiretapping program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-committee-subpoenas-wh-and-vps-office-re-warrantless-wiretapping-program/409664)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2007, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-committee-subpoenas-wh-and-vps-office-re-warrantless-wiretapping-program/409664 "2007-06-27T19:11:02Z")
Story here. The Senate Judiciary Committee is also issuing subpoenas to the Justice Department and the National Security Council. Will the Administration comply? If not, and the conflict winds up in court, will the “e… --- ## [When do the ends justify the means?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-the-ends-justify-the-means/409322)
**Author:** [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2007, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-the-ends-justify-the-means/409322 "2007-06-27T14:00:32Z")
I’m reading The Day the American Revolution Began by William H. Hallahan and he was describing how Samuel Adams wanted desperately the revolution and the methods he used to achieve it: libel/slander, practically making u… --- ## [Heterosexual AIDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heterosexual-aids/409104)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heterosexual-aids/409104 "2007-06-26T20:36:31Z")
Seventeen years ago (has it been that long?) I had a friend who was convinced she had AIDS, and was going to die. She’d had unprotected sex with an IV drug user. We were college students, so I took her to the free clin… --- ## [IQ differences: Nature v Nurture and the Norway Study](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iq-differences-nature-v-nurture-and-the-norway-study/409120)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2007, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iq-differences-nature-v-nurture-and-the-norway-study/409120 "2007-06-26T18:52:28Z")
Full disclosure: Middle Sibling (3 of 5) here, so perhaps not the brightest candle on my family altar…My eldest sister would agree. The recent Swedish study, widely reported http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070621/ap\_on\_sc… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=702) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=704)