# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=708 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 709 --- ## [Reconstruction in the Deep South: Decay or Progress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reconstruction-in-the-deep-south-decay-or-progress/407134)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reconstruction-in-the-deep-south-decay-or-progress/407134 "2007-06-07T18:24:23Z")
There seems to be a dearth of historians interested in the post-civil war south. I really wonder about the period 1865-1914: while you had the rest of the USA energized and looking west 9the great migration to california… --- ## [Is Lewis Libby essentially a political prisoner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lewis-libby-essentially-a-political-prisoner/407068)
**Author:** [@Built\_To\_Last](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Built_To_Last)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lewis-libby-essentially-a-political-prisoner/407068 "2007-06-07T17:46:30Z")
And so, should President Bush listen to the ‘concerns’ of some the letter writing former officials involved in foreign policy and the defense establishment, some quite prominent, and consider pardoning Libby? – As advoc… --- ## [If Donald Trump Owned the Atmosphere](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-owned-the-atmosphere/406337)
**Author:** [@ZomZom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZomZom)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-donald-trump-owned-the-atmosphere/406337 "2007-06-07T17:40:39Z")
If the atmosphere were privately owned, and we had to pay a fee to dump auto exhaust and other pollutants into it, just as if it were a privately-owned landfill, we would certainly think twice before doing so. So my que… --- ## [Congressman William Jefferson indicted for corruption (finally)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-william-jefferson-indicted-for-corruption-finally/406864)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-william-jefferson-indicted-for-corruption-finally/406864 "2007-06-07T17:29:39Z")
In May 2006, Congressman William Jefferson (D-LA), in the course of a corruption investigation and pursuant to a valid search warrant, was subjected to what is believed to be the first-ever FBI search of a Congressional … --- ## [Restriction of basic human rights - I can't believe someone thinks this...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restriction-of-basic-human-rights-i-cant-believe-someone-thinks-this/406977)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restriction-of-basic-human-rights-i-cant-believe-someone-thinks-this/406977 "2007-06-07T13:13:07Z")
On another message board (not going to link to it), I’m marginally involved in a conversation about immigration and someone said words to the effect: If you want to be a citizen of this country (USA) you should have to … --- ## [Let's brainstorm about taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-brainstorm-about-taxes/406737)
**Author:** [@Cryptoderk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptoderk)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-brainstorm-about-taxes/406737 "2007-06-07T10:16:11Z")
I want to come up with a workable and innovative taxation system, with your help. I suggest, therefore some brainstorming. To get the ball rolling, I propose the following controversial system to replace taxes: Every ye… --- ## [Should Atheists go to Church?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-atheists-go-to-church/406113)
**Author:** [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-atheists-go-to-church/406113 "2007-06-07T08:53:42Z")
Bet that title grabbed your attention, didn’t it? :slight\_smile: I’ve been meaning to post this for a while, but I’ve been too busy. Robert Jensen is a political activist, University of Texas journalism professor, and… --- ## [May a private club exclude blacks? What if a state law said it could?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-a-private-club-exclude-blacks-what-if-a-state-law-said-it-could/406752)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2007, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-a-private-club-exclude-blacks-what-if-a-state-law-said-it-could/406752 "2007-06-07T03:13:43Z")
And would it make a difference if the exclusion was specifically written down as club policy, or just an “unwritten rule” that was invariably followed? Assume the club is in Ohio. Legal citations welcomed. And no, thi… --- ## [Are creationists made by their own self image?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-creationists-made-by-their-own-self-image/406255)
**Author:** [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2007, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-creationists-made-by-their-own-self-image/406255 "2007-06-06T21:19:26Z")
I was reading the Salon Article about the new Creationist Museum that opened recently. For a lark read the editors choice letters written by subscribers then I came across this page and read something that got me thinki… --- ## [Do humans have an innate sense of justice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humans-have-an-innate-sense-of-justice/279107)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2007, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-humans-have-an-innate-sense-of-justice/279107 "2007-06-06T13:47:57Z")
Is justice innate, or is it a social construct? Does this change anything: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3116678.stm ? --- ## [Do privately owned firearms make communities safer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-privately-owned-firearms-make-communities-safer/406221)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2007, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-privately-owned-firearms-make-communities-safer/406221 "2007-06-06T13:35:16Z")
Started to avoid hijacking the Fred Thompson thread. Thompson says yes, apparently. I say no. I’m not talking about whether it makes the invidual gun owner’s home or business safer, but whether it makes the community … --- ## [Fred Thompson = "authentic", John Edwards = "phony". Discuss.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-thompson-authentic-john-edwards-phony-discuss/406554)
**Author:** [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2007, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fred-thompson-authentic-john-edwards-phony-discuss/406554 "2007-06-06T04:24:43Z")
If you ask me, every American should spend twenty minutes of his weekend with a cup of coffee and Jamison Foser’s “Media Matters” column. (In fact, the whole Media Matters site is worth a spot in your news reader, if on… --- ## [at a high rate of speed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-high-rate-of-speed/406569)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2007, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-a-high-rate-of-speed/406569 "2007-06-06T01:36:26Z")
Listening to the news on the radio this morning, the reporter spoke to someone who described a car as going “at a high rate of speed.” I’ve heard this phrase many times in the past few years, and I’d like to understand i… --- ## [Bush coming around regarding global warming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-coming-around-regarding-global-warming/406638)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2007, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-coming-around-regarding-global-warming/406638 "2007-06-05T23:45:17Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070604/ap\_on\_re\_eu/g8\_summit Is he just blowing smoke to appeal to some of the moderates who associate republicans with pollution and global warming? Or is he actually serious about committ… --- ## [Nationalised medicine- would it be good for the US economy. Doctors should earn less.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nationalised-medicine-would-it-be-good-for-the-us-economy-doctors-should-earn-less/406470)
**Author:** [@zhongguorenmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zhongguorenmin)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2007, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nationalised-medicine-would-it-be-good-for-the-us-economy-doctors-should-earn-less/406470 "2007-06-05T23:39:58Z")
Let’s take the following two facts: \[ul\] \[li\]The US health system is inequitable and inefficient - 16% of GDP instead of the UK’s 8%, for example.\[/li\] \[li\]The US if facing an ‘entitlement crunch’ on medicare and soci… --- ## [9/11 debate help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-debate-help/406380)
**Author:** [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2007, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-debate-help/406380 "2007-06-05T19:50:50Z")
Through a fair amount of argument and debate, I’ve managed to talk an acquaintance back from his position of “Bush caused 9/11, bombs planted in the towers, yada yada”, to simply 1) “the official story of 9/11 isn’t the … --- ## [Teaching foreign languages in public schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teaching-foreign-languages-in-public-schools/406364)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teaching-foreign-languages-in-public-schools/406364 "2007-06-05T16:29:23Z")
Most public schools in the US offer Spanish, French and German. If you are really lucky, there might be a section of Latin offered. IMO, the only one of these that needs to be taught is Spanish. French as an internationa… --- ## [Should the government subsidize research for extremely rare diseases?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-government-subsidize-research-for-extremely-rare-diseases/406705)
**Author:** [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2007, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-government-subsidize-research-for-extremely-rare-diseases/406705 "2007-06-05T11:28:46Z")
For the purposes of this thread I will assume this government meets my criteria for being just. You don’t have to worry about my hijacking it with my wacky political views, I promise. Inspired by Fear Itself in this th… --- ## [Using Naval Artillery to Kill an Individual](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-naval-artillery-to-kill-an-individual/406508)
**Author:** [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2007, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-naval-artillery-to-kill-an-individual/406508 "2007-06-05T11:26:55Z")
On Friday a U.S. Navy destroyer off the coast of Somalia used 5-inch artillery to attempt to kill a person suspected of participating in the 1998 African embassy attacks. (Link) I am not sure this is a good way to go a… --- ## [Should the US put itself back on the gold standard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-put-itself-back-on-the-gold-standard/403338)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2007, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-put-itself-back-on-the-gold-standard/403338 "2007-06-05T10:08:41Z")
Based on my limited understanding, bringing the gold standard back would help limit inflation, something Rep. candidate Ron Paul is arguing for, calling inflation a de facto tax on the middle class (and lower for that ma… --- ## [Hypothetical US Dollar collapse: Effects on other currencies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-us-dollar-collapse-effects-on-other-currencies/406384)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2007, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-us-dollar-collapse-effects-on-other-currencies/406384 "2007-06-05T05:29:02Z")
If the US dollar collapsed in value as a result of our out-of-control debt (i.e., as a result of US economic policies, not as a result of a global economic depression), what would be the likely effect on other currencies… --- ## [Democratic debate, 6/3/07](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-debate-6-3-07/406648)
**Author:** [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2007, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-debate-6-3-07/406648 "2007-06-04T20:05:58Z")
Well, CNN hosted a Democratic Presidential Candidate debate tonight. It ended around 6PM, I think (PST), and I still have not seen any threads on it yet. What are the Doper’s first impressions? --- ## [Why do sexual utopias always fail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-sexual-utopias-always-fail/406360)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2007, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-sexual-utopias-always-fail/406360 "2007-06-04T15:53:08Z")
It’s got to be the oldest “new” idea in human history: “why don’t we just toss out our hangups about sex and form a society where people can have sex all they want all the time?” From hippie communes of the 60s & 70s to … --- ## [The WTC Twin Towers Were \*\*Pulverized\*\* on 9/11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wtc-twin-towers-were-pulverized-on-9-11/406161)
**Author:** [@CB\_Brooklyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CB_Brooklyn)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2007, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-wtc-twin-towers-were-pulverized-on-9-11/406161 "2007-06-04T14:12:30Z")
See bottom of post for important links It’s an Urban Myth that the Twin Towers Collapsed. The Twin Towers Did Not Collapse, They Were Pulverized Into Dust. Look at the following photos: Where’s the hundreds of tons o… --- ## [Did Hillary Clinton attend any 9/11 memorials?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hillary-clinton-attend-any-9-11-memorials/406553)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2007, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hillary-clinton-attend-any-9-11-memorials/406553 "2007-06-04T07:13:38Z")
I was listening to Dennis Miller’s radio show yesterday and either he or his guest (can’t remember - I was driving at the time) said that Rudy Giuliani attended 800 9/11 memorials, which is easy to believe, and that HC d… --- ## [Fiscal Conservatism \<\> Tax Cutting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiscal-conservatism-tax-cutting/405895)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2007, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fiscal-conservatism-tax-cutting/405895 "2007-06-04T05:16:31Z")
In the Bloomberg thread mswas commented \[QUOTE=mswas\] I don’t know who it would hurt more. Bloomberg is not Fiscally conservative. He raised property taxes by 19% early in his term as Mayor. \[/QUOTE\] And this got m… --- ## [Global warming- If we cause our own extinction...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-if-we-cause-our-own-extinction/406498)
**Author:** [@Silk\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silk_One)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2007, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-if-we-cause-our-own-extinction/406498 "2007-06-03T19:50:06Z")
If we cause our own extinction, will the Earth recover? Extinction of a species is not a new thing for this planet, and rarely will climate change cause a mass extinction. A series of warm and cool periods in the past ha… --- ## [Iraq with no boots on the ground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-with-no-boots-on-the-ground/406292)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2007, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-with-no-boots-on-the-ground/406292 "2007-06-03T05:59:48Z")
Could we have done Iraq without ground troops? I mean a plan roughly as follows: Start with a surprise heavy bombardment of every site where there was any probability of Saddam being present. Whatever it takes to pound… --- ## [Priorties in state government spending](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/priorties-in-state-government-spending/406524)
**Author:** [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2007, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/priorties-in-state-government-spending/406524 "2007-06-03T05:58:48Z")
In California, I hear a lot about a “structural deficit” and how we are spending “too much” on social programs with “spending formulas” that outpace our tax revenues. In the meantime, the state constantly raids our tran… --- ## [What Percent of People Are Batsh\*t Crazy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percent-of-people-are-batsh-t-crazy/406245)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2007, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percent-of-people-are-batsh-t-crazy/406245 "2007-06-03T04:38:27Z")
The WTC conspiracy threads have made me wonder what percent of the population is barking mad. To me, you are batsh\*t crazy if you think any of the following: The world is less than 10,000 years old Life did not evolve,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=707) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=709)