# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=707 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 708 --- ## [Could a Congressman be directly elected President again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-congressman-be-directly-elected-president-again/407174)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2007, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-congressman-be-directly-elected-president-again/407174 "2007-06-12T05:26:58Z")
It’s only happened once, when James A. Garfield won in 1880. Tom Tancredo and Ron Paul are hoping it will happen again, but I wonder if it will… or can. A Congressman (or Congresswoman) is just one out of 435, usually … --- ## [Should speeding fines be graduated by vehicle mass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-speeding-fines-be-graduated-by-vehicle-mass/406344)
**Author:** [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2007, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-speeding-fines-be-graduated-by-vehicle-mass/406344 "2007-06-11T17:51:10Z")
Reading some of the recent threads about Hummers (the vehicles, not the sex act) got me to thinking. A common opinion is that H2’s and H3’s are dumb vehicles, but people should have a right to buy dumb vehicles if they … --- ## [So, what's the big deal about bilingualism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-the-big-deal-about-bilingualism/406999)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 239\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-the-big-deal-about-bilingualism/406999 "2007-06-11T15:52:48Z")
I watched part of the Republican debate last night, and one candidate (I believe it was Tom Tancredo), talked in horrified tones about how the US is becoming gasp bilingual. The way he said it made it clear that he thin… --- ## [Does absolute power ALWAYS corrupt absolutely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-absolute-power-always-corrupt-absolutely/407401)
**Author:** [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2007, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-absolute-power-always-corrupt-absolutely/407401 "2007-06-11T15:36:59Z")
Have there ever been any all-powerful dictator types who actually ran a pretty good ship, having skipped on the palaces, ego-driven wars, and the enslaved dancing girls? By no means am I personally qualified to run or c… --- ## [Opie and Anthony joke about raping Condi Rice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opie-and-anthony-joke-about-raping-condi-rice/404094)
**Author:** [@litespeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/litespeed)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2007, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opie-and-anthony-joke-about-raping-condi-rice/404094 "2007-06-11T13:05:33Z")
why is there much less of an outcry regarding this as opposed to what Imus said? --- ## [Bees and colony collapse again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bees-and-colony-collapse-again/407084)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2007, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bees-and-colony-collapse-again/407084 "2007-06-11T05:06:46Z")
The epidemic of colony collapse has been discussed here before. Those discussions have focused on possible causes and are not linked to, partly because I’m being lazy, but also because this thread is less about the cau… --- ## [Freedom of expression and child porn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-of-expression-and-child-porn/407176)
**Author:** [@Cryptoderk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptoderk)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2007, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-of-expression-and-child-porn/407176 "2007-06-11T03:15:56Z")
On the suggestion of Mangetout. Two questions to consider: If we censor child pornography, are we censoring freedom of expression? If so, which is more desirable: censoring child pornography, or freedom of expression? … --- ## [NCAA grants extra year of eligibility to Duke lacrosse players??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncaa-grants-extra-year-of-eligibility-to-duke-lacrosse-players/406361)
**Author:** [@Built\_To\_Last](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Built_To_Last)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncaa-grants-extra-year-of-eligibility-to-duke-lacrosse-players/406361 "2007-06-10T20:44:20Z")
Didn’t Duke administators decide to end Duke’s lacrosse season themselves? That wasn’t a NCAA imposed sanction so why should the NCAA save Duke from itself? What about bring back players that just might take games - or… --- ## [Is it right for a millionaire's kids to work in menial jobs that others might need?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-right-for-a-millionaires-kids-to-work-in-menial-jobs-that-others-might-need/406564)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2007, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-right-for-a-millionaires-kids-to-work-in-menial-jobs-that-others-might-need/406564 "2007-06-10T14:11:55Z")
One of the staff at work today mentioned that her boyfriend is looking for work. “What sort of job does he want?” “Nothing flash; he just wants to earn his own money and not have to get it from his parents. Maybe retai… --- ## [What does "Christian" really mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-christian-really-mean/407163)
**Author:** [@Pazu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pazu)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2007, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-christian-really-mean/407163 "2007-06-10T06:10:38Z")
In this thread, amidst the usual arguments of what various Christians believe and/or don’t believe, Kalhoun rightly (and not for the first time) raises the question of what beliefs are requisite for being a Christian at … --- ## [When racial profiling pays off.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-racial-profiling-pays-off/406884)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2007, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-racial-profiling-pays-off/406884 "2007-06-10T05:02:24Z")
I live in an area where we have a very large naval base, a large submarine building facility and a nuclear power facility all within 5 miles of one another. A close friend of mine was sitting on a nice beach close to th… --- ## [How drastic should efforts to limit global warming be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drastic-should-efforts-to-limit-global-warming-be/406799)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2007, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-drastic-should-efforts-to-limit-global-warming-be/406799 "2007-06-10T00:17:03Z")
I’ve heard it claimed that the Kyoto agreement, if adhered to to the letter, would cause a global economic depression as severe as the Great Depression of the 1930s. This may be true or not, but the question remains: jus… --- ## [NASA study: Only 10 years to climate-change "tipping point"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-study-only-10-years-to-climate-change-tipping-point/406082)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2007, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-study-only-10-years-to-climate-change-tipping-point/406082 "2007-06-09T21:36:11Z")
Story here. That would put it a lot closer than previously thought – IIRC, up to now scientists have been talking about a time scale of 50 to 100 years before the sea levels rise noticeably, etc. How seriously should … --- ## [May we discuss the lack of critical thinking skills in our High Schoolers??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-we-discuss-the-lack-of-critical-thinking-skills-in-our-high-schoolers/406222)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2007, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-we-discuss-the-lack-of-critical-thinking-skills-in-our-high-schoolers/406222 "2007-06-09T17:00:22Z")
Trying to decide if it is the lack of maturity that all high school students deal with, or a true deficit on the part of our school district. It’s a fine district, best in the county, yaddah yaddah. My daughter came to … --- ## [1 in 3 Americans Bible literalists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-in-3-americans-bible-literalists/406096)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 191\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2007, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-in-3-americans-bible-literalists/406096 "2007-06-09T13:55:23Z")
Since many of our rational Christians attack atheists for supposedly claiming that Christians are literalists, I was struck by the recent Gallup poll (link ) showing that 31% of Americans think the Bible is the literal… --- ## [So what do we think of China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-we-think-of-china/406723)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2007, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-we-think-of-china/406723 "2007-06-09T11:18:11Z")
18 years ago this day the scenes at Tinamenn Square played out. China has a horrible envirnmental record. China is helping, indirectly, funding the genocied in Darfur. But China is also much more “acceptable” to many p… --- ## [Oh...shit. Turkey and the Kurds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-turkey-and-the-kurds/405432)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2007, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shit-turkey-and-the-kurds/405432 "2007-06-09T01:38:36Z")
I was just reading this article about possible plans for Turkey to attack the PKK (the Kurdistan Workers Party) for their alleged attack on the Ankara shopping district. Of course, the PKK denies that they were respon… --- ## [Is it wrong to insult Ginger people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-insult-ginger-people/406969)
**Author:** [@Cryptoderk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptoderk)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2007, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-insult-ginger-people/406969 "2007-06-09T00:26:47Z")
Inspired by http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6725653.stm Speaking as a Ginger person, I have no problem with it at all, and anyone who is genuinely “offended” really ought to grow up. But I do agree with those in the… --- ## [Is Iran supplying the Taliban with weapons or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-iran-supplying-the-taliban-with-weapons-or-not/407167)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2007, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-iran-supplying-the-taliban-with-weapons-or-not/407167 "2007-06-08T19:51:29Z")
SecDef Gates said Monday there’s no proof. But now there seems to be new evidence. If so, can/should the U.S. and/or NATO do anything about it? --- ## [Shield laws -- necessary for press freedom, or special treatment for the lazy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shield-laws-necessary-for-press-freedom-or-special-treatment-for-the-lazy/407112)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2007, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shield-laws-necessary-for-press-freedom-or-special-treatment-for-the-lazy/407112 "2007-06-08T17:46:56Z")
In TIME magazine this week, Norman Pearlstine, the eidtor-in-chief, bemoans the fact that three reporters (including one from TIME) were compelled to testify in the Scooter Libby case. Judith Miller became the most famou… --- ## [A climate change hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-climate-change-hypothetical/406914)
**Author:** [@Capt\_B.Phart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_B.Phart)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2007, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-climate-change-hypothetical/406914 "2007-06-08T16:38:03Z")
The hypothetical bit:- For the purpose of this thread we’re twenty years in the future, global warming is real and its effects are being felt strongly. Some way has been found to stop, even reverse GW by a method other… --- ## [What's the narrowest possible ruling the SC can make on the DC gun ban case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-narrowest-possible-ruling-the-sc-can-make-on-the-dc-gun-ban-case/407152)
**Author:** [@Weird\_AL\_Einstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weird_AL_Einstein)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2007, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-narrowest-possible-ruling-the-sc-can-make-on-the-dc-gun-ban-case/407152 "2007-06-08T16:28:41Z")
Assume that cert is granted on the Parker ruling overturning the DC gun ban. Now, imagine you are on the Supreme Court and that, whatever your personal opinion on gun rights and gun control, your goal as a Justice is to … --- ## [How would you change election laws to promote third parties?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-change-election-laws-to-promote-third-parties/406783)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2007, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-change-election-laws-to-promote-third-parties/406783 "2007-06-08T14:47:32Z")
I’ve read several people here write that they would like to see more third party participation in American politics. In a recent thread about hypothetical legal reforms, several people posted that they’d like to enact la… --- ## [Where would Battleship designs have gone if planes didn't dominate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-battleship-designs-have-gone-if-planes-didnt-dominate/405412)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2007, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-battleship-designs-have-gone-if-planes-didnt-dominate/405412 "2007-06-08T13:54:13Z")
Let’s say, by some quirk in history, naval aviation never really took off and planes were still being used primarily for observation. Where would that lead the development of Battleships? Obviously the death of the battl… --- ## [Do you consider "wigger" a racial slur?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-consider-wigger-a-racial-slur/358761)
**Author:** [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2007, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-consider-wigger-a-racial-slur/358761 "2007-06-08T13:53:57Z")
Millions, I casually threw out the slang “wigger” while referring to a high school aged white kid wearing a FUBU shirt the other day and a particularly…sensitive acquintance of mine lambasted me for it, claiming it was … --- ## [Do we really need to shield anyone from swear words?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-to-shield-anyone-from-swear-words/406891)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2007, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-really-need-to-shield-anyone-from-swear-words/406891 "2007-06-08T09:42:09Z")
That’s the question being asked by this Slashdot thread about the Second Circuit Court striking down an FCC attempt to fine Fox for swear words uttered by celebrities in the apparent heat of the moment. Not getting too … --- ## [House passes stem cell bill; Bush threatens veto; backers promise override](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-passes-stem-cell-bill-bush-threatens-veto-backers-promise-override/407183)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-passes-stem-cell-bill-bush-threatens-veto-backers-promise-override/407183 "2007-06-07T22:20:16Z")
Story here. If he does veto it – will the votes be there to override the veto? Should this bill become law or not? --- ## [Should GW abandon his scheme for detainees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gw-abandon-his-scheme-for-detainees/406862)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gw-abandon-his-scheme-for-detainees/406862 "2007-06-07T22:12:35Z")
In nearly every court case that detainees managed to bring to an impartial review the government has lost. The latest one is this one in which a military judges dismissed cases against two detainees. It seems to me tha… --- ## [How Would A Bush Critical Repub Do in the General Election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-bush-critical-repub-do-in-the-general-election/406851)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-bush-critical-repub-do-in-the-general-election/406851 "2007-06-07T19:31:22Z")
Let’s say there was a Republican Candidate who was very critical of Bush’s handling of the Iraq war, wire tapping, Plame, etc. On the other hand, he or she towed the party line on things like taxation, trade, gay marraig… --- ## [Would a "concert of powers" strategy be better than "American hegemony"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-concert-of-powers-strategy-be-better-than-american-hegemony/405954)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-concert-of-powers-strategy-be-better-than-american-hegemony/405954 "2007-06-07T18:47:01Z")
In this article, commentator Michael Lind briefly expounds ideas that appear in much fuller form in his recent book, The American Way of Strategy. Lind asserts that since the end of the Cold War presidents of both parti… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=706) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=708)