# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=706 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 707 --- ## [Amnesty International Map (francais) - USA worst human rights offender.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amnesty-international-map-francais-usa-worst-human-rights-offender/408248)
**Author:** [@Aquila\_Be](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquila_Be)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2007, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amnesty-international-map-francais-usa-worst-human-rights-offender/408248 "2007-06-17T11:22:43Z")
According to the link, this map was derived from information provided by Amnesty International. As it’s comes via France, perhaps not many people in the English speaking world would notice it. (Note: I couldn’t find an … --- ## [Are golf courses good for the environment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-golf-courses-good-for-the-environment/408112)
**Author:** [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2007, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-golf-courses-good-for-the-environment/408112 "2007-06-17T03:43:37Z")
I went golfing yesterday and enjoyed not only the game but the variety of species that I was able to spot. I understand that this course was carved out of the forest and that a large number of trees were lost. In retur… --- ## [Immigration: How was Reagan able to sell his amnesty plan, when Bush can't sell his?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immigration-how-was-reagan-able-to-sell-his-amnesty-plan-when-bush-cant-sell-his/407628)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2007, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immigration-how-was-reagan-able-to-sell-his-amnesty-plan-when-bush-cant-sell-his/407628 "2007-06-17T02:55:36Z")
Aside from Bush being ineffective, why has it been so hard to sell people on the recent immigration policy, when the one in 1986 passed? What I don’t understand is why nobody blames Reagan for that, but everyone is jumpi… --- ## [Help Me Understand Money - Where does it come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-money-where-does-it-come-from/407392)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2007, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-money-where-does-it-come-from/407392 "2007-06-17T02:22:40Z")
I know the textbook answer - that money comes from banks. Banks create money by loaning it into existence. The amount is governed by the fractional reserve requirement. So, for example, if the reserve requirement is 1… --- ## [US arming Sunni dissidents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-arming-sunni-dissidents/407688)
**Author:** [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2007, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-arming-sunni-dissidents/407688 "2007-06-16T22:56:33Z")
Good idea or total lunacy? For me this is a practically rhetorical question but maybe there is an up side I’m not seeing. Risky bid ‘Thanks for the guns Infidel. Of course we wouldn’t even begin to think about dream… --- ## [law enforcement agencies = "standing armies"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-agencies-standing-armies/408225)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2007, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-agencies-standing-armies/408225 "2007-06-16T14:53:16Z")
Would the Founding Fathers have considered modern law enforcement agencies, especially federal ones like the FBI, the equivalent of “standing armies”? That is, trained armed personell serving the government and ready and… --- ## [JCS Chairman Gen. Pace not to be reapponted.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jcs-chairman-gen-pace-not-to-be-reapponted/407340)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2007, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jcs-chairman-gen-pace-not-to-be-reapponted/407340 "2007-06-16T04:05:19Z")
This just in. The operation of the war in Iraq/Afghanistan is under the command of a Navy admiral. Now a Navy Admiral will be the military services’ advisor to the president, except for the so called “Iraq war czar” wh… --- ## [Could Bush wield Emergency Powers effectively?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bush-wield-emergency-powers-effectively/408041)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2007, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bush-wield-emergency-powers-effectively/408041 "2007-06-16T03:32:27Z")
So I was just reading an article about Bush signing declarations about gaining emergency powers. What occurred to me, is that I don’t think he has the power to wield them effectively. I think the country would splinter… --- ## [That CRAAAAAAAAZY conspiracy theory: the mass firings of US Attorneys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824)
**Author:** [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Replies:** 470\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2007, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824 "2007-06-16T00:45:07Z")
The setup: The Bush administration not long ago decided to do something rather unprecedented: fire a whole host of US attorneys all at once, mid-term, coincidentally after Democrats took over Congress. All of these peop… --- ## [A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-crude-awakening-the-oil-crash/407205)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2007, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-crude-awakening-the-oil-crash/407205 "2007-06-16T00:34:01Z")
I just rented A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash from Netflix, and I have to tell you: it makes “An Inconvenient Truth” look like the Feel-Good Movie of the Year. It paints a pretty dire picture. I have to ask the other D… --- ## [An existential problem with google ads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-existential-problem-with-google-ads/407816)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2007, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-existential-problem-with-google-ads/407816 "2007-06-15T23:41:15Z")
I have a problem with google ads. Specifically, google ads can thwart the intentions of anybody who posts on any internet site which features them. For example, suppose that I hate the Acme Corporation and I write a lo… --- ## [Could Britain win the Falklands again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-britain-win-the-falklands-again/406582)
**Author:** [@Cryptoderk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptoderk)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2007, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-britain-win-the-falklands-again/406582 "2007-06-15T20:30:01Z")
This is a question, but as it may start a debate I’ve put it here. If Argentina invades the Falklands tomorrow, can Britain stop them without resorting to nukes? --- ## [Does a Con man's Victim Actively Participate in their own Conning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-con-mans-victim-actively-participate-in-their-own-conning/407585)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2007, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-con-mans-victim-actively-participate-in-their-own-conning/407585 "2007-06-15T17:30:54Z")
When you read about people who have been scammed, it becomes obvious that in many cases, the victims either: knew what was going to happen to them or actually assisted in being scammed. take the typical victim of a f… --- ## [Should the Olympics allow a double amputee to compete with prosthetics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-allow-a-double-amputee-to-compete-with-prosthetics/406996)
**Author:** [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2007, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-allow-a-double-amputee-to-compete-with-prosthetics/406996 "2007-06-15T14:42:45Z")
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3298669/ I personally AGREE with the IAAA. While I do not think that a lot of sprinters would go out and hack off their legs to get a little more spring in their step, it would appear that … --- ## [Amnesty or Deportation: What would you do if you were Illegal Immigrant Tsar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amnesty-or-deportation-what-would-you-do-if-you-were-illegal-immigrant-tsar/407499)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2007, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amnesty-or-deportation-what-would-you-do-if-you-were-illegal-immigrant-tsar/407499 "2007-06-15T13:03:07Z")
As I’ve mentioned before , the notion of how the U.S. should respond to the illegal immigration problem is one of the toughest areas for me to decide upon and one of those issues in which I’m embarassed to say I tend to … --- ## [Man-made CO2 is not causing global warming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-made-co2-is-not-causing-global-warming/407719)
**Author:** [@LivingDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LivingDog)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2007, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-made-co2-is-not-causing-global-warming/407719 "2007-06-15T01:01:08Z")
Go to google.com videos and watch: “The Great Global Warming Swindle.” It is so clear that man-made CO2 is not the cause of global warming. (The video use to be one piece, 1 hr. and 15 mins. long. But now they chopped i… --- ## [US missile defense system in Eastern Europe...WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-missile-defense-system-in-eastern-europe-wtf/407222)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2007, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-missile-defense-system-in-eastern-europe-wtf/407222 "2007-06-14T13:52:53Z")
Putin (and many Russians in general) feel threatened by the West as NATO and the EU move farther east. The Cold War is over, yet the United States is constructing an intricate missile defense system in the former Soviet… --- ## [The absolute worst time and place to be an African-American since the Civil War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolute-worst-time-and-place-to-be-an-african-american-since-the-civil-war/407670)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2007, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-absolute-worst-time-and-place-to-be-an-african-american-since-the-civil-war/407670 "2007-06-14T03:53:24Z")
Over say, a five-year period? There were plenty of bad times and places, but which arugably was the worst? --- ## ["Voter fraud" think-tank mysteriously vanishes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-fraud-think-tank-mysteriously-vanishes/407483)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-fraud-think-tank-mysteriously-vanishes/407483 "2007-06-14T03:12:34Z")
Story in this editorial by law professor Richard Hasen in the Dallas Morning News. Also at BradBlog. Info on the American Center for Voting Rights at SourceWatch. It appears that, in light of Congress’ investigation o… --- ## [What you don't know doesn't harm you, right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-dont-know-doesnt-harm-you-right/407874)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2007, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-dont-know-doesnt-harm-you-right/407874 "2007-06-13T23:52:48Z")
I’m not sure about this one so I’ll take the affirmative positiion, but I’m ready to change my mind in a heartbeat. I’m starting this thread because I’d like to hear some interesting thoughts, especially on the other si… --- ## [Human-rights groups seek 39 persons "disappeared" in GWOT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-rights-groups-seek-39-persons-disappeared-in-gwot/407129)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2007, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-rights-groups-seek-39-persons-disappeared-in-gwot/407129 "2007-06-13T22:35:40Z")
Story here. The list was compiled by six human rights groups, including Amnesty Inernational and Human Rights Watch. The U.S. has acknowledged detaining only three of the persons listed. The groups have filed a FOIA l… --- ## [Atheists have no soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-have-no-soul/407187)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2007, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-have-no-soul/407187 "2007-06-13T18:02:51Z")
Now, I don’t believe this necessarily, I bet there are Atheists who are into the Parliament Funkadelic and I wouldn’t presume to know this to be true. What I am more interested in here is what people think the social im… --- ## [I'm thinking about trying out Scientology. What's your experience with the org?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-trying-out-scientology-whats-your-experience-with-the-org/405392)
**Author:** [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2007, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-trying-out-scientology-whats-your-experience-with-the-org/405392 "2007-06-13T16:05:01Z")
I have a friend who’s a hardcore scientologist. I mean, he lived at one of their centers for years and years, worked for them, has gone through a lot of the levels and stuff. I know that there’s a ton of controversy out… --- ## [U.S.-from world cop to world doctor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-from-world-cop-to-world-doctor/407682)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2007, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-from-world-cop-to-world-doctor/407682 "2007-06-13T10:53:23Z")
I just came across an anti-poverty campaign put together by Bono. Link. (Warning PDF) Bono wants all the U.S. presidental canidates to endorse the program and commit the U.S. to the program. A quick list of some of the… --- ## [Are AGW solutions being mis-sold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-agw-solutions-being-mis-sold/407304)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2007, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-agw-solutions-being-mis-sold/407304 "2007-06-13T04:57:15Z")
I’m profoundly skeptical about Anthropogenic Global Warming, but this thread isn’t about AGW, but about the proposed solutions. If you want to discuss AGW itself, there are plenty of other threads. I can’t help wonderin… --- ## [Bush demands Kosovo independence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-demands-kosovo-independence/407497)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2007, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-demands-kosovo-independence/407497 "2007-06-13T02:04:39Z")
Does anyone think we can back up what Bush says here? I know that he is bound and determined to go out as “The War President”, but I don’t think we have the manpower at this time. --- ## [Jimmy Carter, War Criminal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-war-criminal/406772)
**Author:** [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2007, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-war-criminal/406772 "2007-06-13T01:54:12Z")
So after supporting a terrorist, performing an abortion, and then kicking a puppy I was listening to some Chomsky, as I’m wont to do, and as an aside he flatly stated that every American president since World War 2 could… --- ## [The first amendment vs. the good of the country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-amendment-vs-the-good-of-the-country/407623)
**Author:** [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2007, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-amendment-vs-the-good-of-the-country/407623 "2007-06-12T19:14:23Z")
I was listening to NPR this morning while getting ready. I don’t claim to know all the details here, but the report was titled “portrait of a potential bomber.” An NPR reporter in Iraq interviewed an Iraqi citizen. The … --- ## [Catholics: Let's talk second class church membership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholics-lets-talk-second-class-church-membership/406534)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2007, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholics-lets-talk-second-class-church-membership/406534 "2007-06-12T11:12:49Z")
Although I can burden you with my personal story, if you want, this post already contains a long enough quote. Excuse me for my brevity on my own contribution to the post. In short, the question is: Can a catholic who i… --- ## [Why is AG Gonzales NOT being impeached?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-ag-gonzales-not-being-impeached/404513)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2007, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-ag-gonzales-not-being-impeached/404513 "2007-06-12T07:23:37Z")
My main argument would be that he did nothing illegal (see numerous other threads), but is there another reason such as the Demos don’t think they could win a House vote or a Senate vote (if Gonzales doesn’t resign)? Do… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=705) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=707)