# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=705 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 706 --- ## [Rapid Extinction Virus: Affects on Ecosystem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rapid-extinction-virus-affects-on-ecosystem/408732)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2007, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rapid-extinction-virus-affects-on-ecosystem/408732 "2007-06-22T00:56:37Z")
Purely Hypothetical The Rapid Extinction Virus incubates in the human system for 1 week, after which it reproduces in the system with no symptoms for 1 week. After reproduction in the system it launches airborne spores… --- ## [God? (Got proof? Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more) \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-got-proof-once-more-unto-the-breach-dear-friends-once-more-ed-title/408042)
**Author:** [@GenericAzn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GenericAzn)\ **Replies:** 289\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2007, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-got-proof-once-more-unto-the-breach-dear-friends-once-more-ed-title/408042 "2007-06-21T22:57:44Z")
I realize that many people believe in god, jesus, buddha, allah, etc. However, what kind of proof is there to substantiate any of these beliefs? All of these beliefs also coincide with each other, so if one of these we… --- ## [A mystic and his heresy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mystic-and-his-heresy/408408)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2007, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mystic-and-his-heresy/408408 "2007-06-21T18:08:38Z")
So \*\*Revenant Threshold \*\*made a statement about people saying. “God works in mysterious ways.”, and I have heard many complaints about ‘Goddidit’ from atheists on this board. I got to thinking about the process of seek… --- ## [Should Israel allow Sick/Injured gazans to Enter Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-israel-allow-sick-injured-gazans-to-enter-israel/408709)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2007, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-israel-allow-sick-injured-gazans-to-enter-israel/408709 "2007-06-21T01:36:59Z")
The on going carnage in the gaza Strip has resulted in a large number of wounded and sick hospital patients with nowhere to go. the gaza hospitals are overwhelmed-they are short of supplies and power. Should Israel 'do t… --- ## [How did the Arabs do it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-arabs-do-it/408693)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2007, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-arabs-do-it/408693 "2007-06-20T22:23:41Z")
Before the 7th century the Arabian peninsula was a backwater. There were a few minor ports along the coast but most of the country was a nomadic wasteland. Despite being right next door to two major centers of civiliza… --- ## [Did Sinclair lewis ("THE JUNGLE") Lie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-sinclair-lewis-the-jungle-lie/408135)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2007, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-sinclair-lewis-the-jungle-lie/408135 "2007-06-20T21:40:31Z")
…about the Chicago meatpacking industry? Quite apart from the apalling accusations (i.e. that rotten meat was being sold to consumers), the mistreatment of the workers was bad enough. The late Milton Friedman claimed the… --- ## [Death in Yosemite: what should the Park Service do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-in-yosemite-what-should-the-park-service-do/408666)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2007, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-in-yosemite-what-should-the-park-service-do/408666 "2007-06-20T13:22:20Z")
A horrifying moment in one of my favorite places-- hiker dies in fall from Half Dome. The outdoor writer’s blog has a couple of eyewitness accounts and a lively discussion. Beyond marking the trail with clear warning s… --- ## [A curious instance of hypocricy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-instance-of-hypocricy/408226)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2007, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-curious-instance-of-hypocricy/408226 "2007-06-20T09:00:26Z")
I perceive a double standard. If one says that members of a particular racial group, such as blacks, are stupid, vicious attacks ensue. But if one says, as Bernard DeVoto did, that all people are stupid, the result is … --- ## [Life or Death?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-or-death/408652)
**Author:** [@lightwait](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lightwait)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2007, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-or-death/408652 "2007-06-20T02:09:28Z")
What if we (mankind) could acheive a place, on this planet, that we could live in absolute comfort and forever—if we chose to. What if everyone born had the choice to live forever or to cease living. With all of our abi… --- ## [Amnesty International Map (francais) - USA worst human rights offender, part II](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amnesty-international-map-francais-usa-worst-human-rights-offender-part-ii/408382)
**Author:** [@Kotrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kotrin)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amnesty-international-map-francais-usa-worst-human-rights-offender-part-ii/408382 "2007-06-19T21:32:08Z")
Hi, this thread follows this one which was closed before I ever had a chance to write about it. To summarize: A swiss daily newspaper, written in french, published an Amnesty-inspired and Reuters-created map of the wor… --- ## [Compromise immigration bill -- yea or nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compromise-immigration-bill-yea-or-nay/405099)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/compromise-immigration-bill-yea-or-nay/405099 "2007-06-19T21:02:38Z")
The Senate has agreed on a bipartisan compromise immigration bill: But it’s still facing opposition from both sides of the aisle. Conservatives object to “amnesty” for illegal aliens, liberals to the de-emphasis on fa… --- ## [Sarkozy wins presidency -- what now for France?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarkozy-wins-presidency-what-now-for-france/403164)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarkozy-wins-presidency-what-now-for-france/403164 "2007-06-19T19:55:21Z")
We have two ongoing threads about the recent French election, but since they were started before the election there’s a lot of predictive speculation in them. Now that Sarkozy’s election is a fait accompli, I think a th… --- ## [What's actually wrong with Elitism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-actually-wrong-with-elitism/407988)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-actually-wrong-with-elitism/407988 "2007-06-19T19:39:24Z")
People often seem to use the term “Elitist” as an insult (or at least in a disparaging sense), yet I’ve never really understood why being an Elitist is (or should be intended to be) a bad thing. Sorry, I know, not much … --- ## [New GAO report on Bush signing statements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-gao-report-on-bush-signing-statements/408599)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-gao-report-on-bush-signing-statements/408599 "2007-06-19T19:08:01Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/06/19/signing.statements.ap/index.html Sign the bill into law, or veto it. But don’t try to have it both ways by issuing signing statements that go directly against legislative intent a… --- ## [As a childless atheist, I am free to trash the earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-childless-atheist-i-am-free-to-trash-the-earth/408193)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-childless-atheist-i-am-free-to-trash-the-earth/408193 "2007-06-19T18:23:39Z")
I had these thoughts that led me to this conclusion. That’s not to say I WILL trash the Earth – I can’t afford to trash much of it even if I want to. But anyway… I don’t believe the human race has a “purpose”. I don’… --- ## [Did George Bush actually perform diplomacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-bush-actually-perform-diplomacy/407159)
**Author:** [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-george-bush-actually-perform-diplomacy/407159 "2007-06-19T17:55:50Z")
From CNN It seems Putin and Bush have agreed to work together on the missle shield! Whats going on here? Did we get a new president? I feel like im adrift in an ocean of “what the fuck!”. --- ## [Should people be screened & certified 2 make babies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-be-screened-certified-2-make-babies/406436)
**Author:** [@GuyNblueJeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuyNblueJeans)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-be-screened-certified-2-make-babies/406436 "2007-06-19T16:10:04Z")
I believe that perhaps as much as 90% of the world’s ills are due to screwed-up people having kids. Crime. Crime. Crime. Welfare. Welfare. Welfare. Trace back the crime committer’s crime record, and all the other negativ… --- ## [Another Healthcare Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-healthcare-debate/407615)
**Author:** [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-healthcare-debate/407615 "2007-06-19T14:50:53Z")
Came across this article by Malcom Gladwell in the New Yorker the other day. Seems to make a pretty compelling point about universal healthcare without really framing the issue in the usual ways. It is a long read, bu… --- ## [New York vs. the U.N. in a "tax war"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-vs-the-u-n-in-a-tax-war/408285)
**Author:** [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-vs-the-u-n-in-a-tax-war/408285 "2007-06-19T12:12:14Z")
A recent Supreme Court decision reported on here gives the city of New York the ability to sue foreign governments for back taxes. The problem comes about because several countries who have diplomatic offices in New Yor… --- ## [No, really, where are we going?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-really-where-are-we-going/407823)
**Author:** [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-really-where-are-we-going/407823 "2007-06-19T04:55:55Z")
I’m starting a new thread because the old one is not only hopelessly sidetracked but also completely poisoned with ill-will. Please, no prosyltizing. I think it’s ufortunate that the question posed in that thread’s OP … --- ## [Alberta Tories lose King Ralph's Seat: Beginning of the end, or electoral blip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-tories-lose-king-ralphs-seat-beginning-of-the-end-or-electoral-blip/407955)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-tories-lose-king-ralphs-seat-beginning-of-the-end-or-electoral-blip/407955 "2007-06-19T03:38:00Z")
So, the Alberta Liberals \[Aside: such things exist? :eek: \] have taken the riding held by former Premier Ralph Klein since the early 80s. Does this mean foreshadow the end of the PC regime, which has held power in Alb… --- ## [Are 'thin' women more likely to have eating disorders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-thin-women-more-likely-to-have-eating-disorders/408136)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2007, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-thin-women-more-likely-to-have-eating-disorders/408136 "2007-06-19T01:00:26Z")
Just an observation (purely anecdotal) but it seems like the women that are anorexics/bulimics are thin. Now obviously I’m sure this has something to do with all the food they are not eating/barfing up, but outside of th… --- ## [Is Las Vegas Racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-las-vegas-racist/407959)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2007, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-las-vegas-racist/407959 "2007-06-18T23:34:32Z")
From NYT, Las Vegas Caters to Asia’s High Rollers. Are the Venetian, and other Las Vegas hotels that cater to Asians, victimizing them out of racist stereotypes about Asians, and their love of gambling? Should they be… --- ## [From Veggies to Meat: Man-Apes become Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-veggies-to-meat-man-apes-become-human/408269)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2007, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-veggies-to-meat-man-apes-become-human/408269 "2007-06-18T18:02:38Z")
From Veggies to Meat: Man-Apes become human The “man-apes” of Africa (australopithecines) was first discovered in a 1924 dig. This is considered by anthropologists as being one of the most exciting and enlightening fin… --- ## [Is it disrespectful to refer to Senator Clinton as "Hillary?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-disrespectful-to-refer-to-senator-clinton-as-hillary/407765)
**Author:** [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2007, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-disrespectful-to-refer-to-senator-clinton-as-hillary/407765 "2007-06-18T17:10:59Z")
There is some controversy about the tendency for her to be referred to as “Hillary” in the media, the claim being that it shows disrespect (possibly because she’s a woman?) Here is a piece from the Chicago Tribune that … --- ## [Can a Slaveholder Ever Be Considered a Good Person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-slaveholder-ever-be-considered-a-good-person/407591)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2007, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-slaveholder-ever-be-considered-a-good-person/407591 "2007-06-18T15:07:09Z")
In an article about the attempt to use DNA to prove that an African-American family has as an ancestor founding father James Madison, one of the participants says something along the lines of, “I’ve tried to see Madison … --- ## [What's a handy anecdote/statistic for how much we spend on corporate welfare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-handy-anecdote-statistic-for-how-much-we-spend-on-corporate-welfare/406500)
**Author:** [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2007, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-handy-anecdote-statistic-for-how-much-we-spend-on-corporate-welfare/406500 "2007-06-18T12:36:29Z")
Corporate Welfare is my personal bugaboo - I find it hard to get worked up about things like public assistance when we spend exponentially more on giving (imho undeserved and unfair) tax breaks to big corporations. What… --- ## [Did the Saudis Win the Cold War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-saudis-win-the-cold-war/407891)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2007, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-saudis-win-the-cold-war/407891 "2007-06-18T11:37:30Z")
Thanks to Kevin Drum, I’ve just finished reading a fascinating article on the AEI website. Written by Yegor Gaidar, a big-shot in the Russian government in the early 1990s, the thesis is that the fall of the Soviet Empi… --- ## [Would a nationalized insurance company be a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-nationalized-insurance-company-be-a-good-idea/407886)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-nationalized-insurance-company-be-a-good-idea/407886 "2007-06-18T01:32:45Z")
The idea is pretty simple, really. Should the government provide health and auto insurance as a non-profit program? Or, at the very least, should the insurance industry be regulated along the same lines as water, natur… --- ## [Mother charged because kids sneak out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-charged-because-kids-sneak-out/408213)
**Author:** [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2007, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-charged-because-kids-sneak-out/408213 "2007-06-17T22:43:51Z")
Why are parents being criminally charged for incredibly silly things? It’s come to a point where I’m afraid to become a parent in the future, not just because kids are nutz and It’s a wonder they make it to adult hood at… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=704) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=706)