# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=710 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 711 --- ## [Democrats' fiscal plans circa 2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-fiscal-plans-circa-2000/405976)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2007, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-fiscal-plans-circa-2000/405976 "2007-05-30T11:43:19Z")
Somwhere along the line I got the impression that had the Democrats won in 2000, they would have spent about 1/3 of the Clinton budget surplus on tax cuts, 1/3 on paying down the national debt, and 1/3 on new spending su… --- ## [Interviewer-\>Dawkins: Name a process which increases the genome's information content](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewer-dawkins-name-a-process-which-increases-the-genomes-information-content/405722)
**Author:** [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2007, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interviewer-dawkins-name-a-process-which-increases-the-genomes-information-content/405722 "2007-05-30T03:37:17Z")
There is a video on YouTube where Dawkins is asked the following question, and is presumed to be stumped: This is a flawed question. The fallacy that the interviewer falls prey to is assuming that a single change in a … --- ## [Uh...wait a minute. Killing pirates is \_bad\_?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-wait-a-minute-killing-pirates-is-_bad_/405809)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2007, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uh-wait-a-minute-killing-pirates-is-_bad_/405809 "2007-05-30T00:03:05Z")
The recent Pirates of the Caribbean movie starts out with a depiction of the ruthless tactics used to suppress piracy in the 18th century. We’re supposed to hiss and boo that the eeeevil authorities are hanging people fo… --- ## [Environmental Vegetarianism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-vegetarianism/405035)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2007, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/environmental-vegetarianism/405035 "2007-05-29T23:20:59Z")
Thoughts? --- ## [Aussie Nightclub Bars Heterosexuals and Lesbians. Good idea? Okay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-nightclub-bars-heterosexuals-and-lesbians-good-idea-okay/405797)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2007, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aussie-nightclub-bars-heterosexuals-and-lesbians-good-idea-okay/405797 "2007-05-29T22:11:58Z")
Here is an article about a Melbourne nightclub called The Peel Hotel has been granted the right to refuse entry to heterosexuals and lesbians. A few questions: would this be allowed in the U.S.? Is this a good idea? If … --- ## [Did working women make it impossible to support a family on one income?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-working-women-make-it-impossible-to-support-a-family-on-one-income/404887)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2007, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-working-women-make-it-impossible-to-support-a-family-on-one-income/404887 "2007-05-29T18:47:55Z")
The thread on “Prom Babies” was sliding off into this question, and I think it’s a good question and wanted to explore it further without encouraging the hijack. The house I live in was bought new in 1928 by a machine f… --- ## [Raising your children to be Patriotic: Poll](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raising-your-children-to-be-patriotic-poll/405475)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raising-your-children-to-be-patriotic-poll/405475 "2007-05-29T15:52:36Z")
This man is raising his children to be patriotic. He’s not instilling them with robotic responses or making them go to military school. He’s making them learn the states and their capitals and the preamble to the consti… --- ## [Has Russia declared war on NATO?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-russia-declared-war-on-nato/404501)
**Author:** [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2007, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-russia-declared-war-on-nato/404501 "2007-05-29T13:45:45Z")
I don’t know if this has become popular news or widely known yet, but currently Estonia is coming under massive Denial-of-service attacks which lead to massive internet blackouts throughout the country- so much so that t… --- ## [Why Do People Hate America?...ok, but let me ask you this](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-hate-america-ok-but-let-me-ask-you-this/404577)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2007, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-hate-america-ok-but-let-me-ask-you-this/404577 "2007-05-29T06:14:23Z")
I recently finished Why Do People Hate America? by Ziauddin Sardar,Merryl Wyn Davies and I have a debate topic for the noble readers of the Dope. The book was, I believe, intended for Americans with a shaky history educ… --- ## [A question for people of faith: other gods?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-people-of-faith-other-gods/405425)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2007, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-people-of-faith-other-gods/405425 "2007-05-29T05:45:45Z")
This is a question for Christians, Jews and believers in any other deity: A. What do you think about the possible existence of other gods? They’re figments of believers’ imaginations, they must exist, or something in be… --- ## [Brave jihadists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brave-jihadists/405198)
**Author:** [@zhongguorenmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zhongguorenmin)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2007, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brave-jihadists/405198 "2007-05-29T03:59:20Z")
In this GQ thread, some posters are outraged by my passing description of the 9/11 jihadists as ‘brave’. What do you think? I think - not counting those who are brainwashed or blackmailed into it, even though that stil… --- ## [Let's Discuss the Unknown Presidential Conntenders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-unknown-presidential-conntenders/403025)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2007, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-unknown-presidential-conntenders/403025 "2007-05-28T16:07:49Z")
Has anyone out there seen Ron Paul and Mike Gravel? I seriously love these guys, although i’m not terribly sure who I’d want to win. I suppose that I’m out of the Obama camp now, even. This is huge news for me to even w… --- ## [Protest in Pakistan over Musharraf's removal of chief justice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protest-in-pakistan-over-musharrafs-removal-of-chief-justice/398571)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2007, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protest-in-pakistan-over-musharrafs-removal-of-chief-justice/398571 "2007-05-28T15:56:27Z")
On March 9, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf removed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry for “Abuse of office,” after Chaudhry publicly stated his opinion that it would be illegal for Musharraf to hold another f… --- ## [You're designing a new federal country: do you have one list of powers, or two lists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-designing-a-new-federal-country-do-you-have-one-list-of-powers-or-two-lists/405541)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2007, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-designing-a-new-federal-country-do-you-have-one-list-of-powers-or-two-lists/405541 "2007-05-28T15:13:08Z")
Here’s a general debate I’ve been thinking about for a while. Suppose you’re on the constitutional convention for the good citizens of Newlandia, who want to create a new federal system to govern their country: a centra… --- ## [Freedom of Speech or Hate Crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-of-speech-or-hate-crime/405303)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2007, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-of-speech-or-hate-crime/405303 "2007-05-28T07:30:17Z")
Link. I’m torn on this one. I support freedom of speech, but I also support gay rights and the right of anybody to be free from harrassment. Thoughts? Opinions? --- ## [UK Dopers: Which English accent carries the most prestige?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-which-english-accent-carries-the-most-prestige/404869)
**Author:** [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2007, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-dopers-which-english-accent-carries-the-most-prestige/404869 "2007-05-28T07:04:26Z")
I’m a North American doper who is wondering which UK accents are considered by UK residents to be the most prestigious. Are all accents described by geography or are their accents specific to certain professions or soci… --- ## [Should pharmacists be given (limited) autonomous prescriptive authority?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-pharmacists-be-given-limited-autonomous-prescriptive-authority/403704)
**Author:** [@JayRx1981](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JayRx1981)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2007, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-pharmacists-be-given-limited-autonomous-prescriptive-authority/403704 "2007-05-28T04:25:15Z")
I’ve started thinking about this again, due in part to a comment made in the “Why do hospitals treat their employees like this?” thread by Qadgop the Mercotan. If this really is the case, why have the Medical and Nursi… --- ## [Dem candidates' first debate tomorrow (Pubs next week)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dem-candidates-first-debate-tomorrow-pubs-next-week/401645)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2007, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dem-candidates-first-debate-tomorrow-pubs-next-week/401645 "2007-05-28T03:54:54Z")
Story here. Wow, I realized this presidental campaign cycle was off to an early start, but still! This is the earliest candidates’ debate ever! And the Pubs’ will be the second-earliest. Anyway, all eight announced D… --- ## [Who will be the next U.S. President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-next-u-s-president/398658)
**Author:** [@benny73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benny73)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2007, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-be-the-next-u-s-president/398658 "2007-05-28T03:48:10Z")
I’d say whoever has the deepest pockets (sad to say), probably Mitt Romney. I wish though that the brilliant Dr. Michael Savage would be the next one to hold that office. He says he’s “mulling it over,” but for the sake … --- ## [Is Sheryl crow Righ? (Reduce Toilet paper=less GW)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sheryl-crow-righ-reduce-toilet-paper-less-gw/401594)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2007, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sheryl-crow-righ-reduce-toilet-paper-less-gw/401594 "2007-05-28T00:20:25Z")
I’m puzzled about this latest celebrity anti-global warming revelation\> Does using less toilet paper equate to less warming? What does Al Gore have to say? How many trees could be saved (if we all restricted ourselves … --- ## [Will Newt Gingrich run for POTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-newt-gingrich-run-for-potus/394475)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2007, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-newt-gingrich-run-for-potus/394475 "2007-05-27T16:12:08Z")
He has dropped a lot of hints, and an unscientific straw poll shows self-identified conservatives favor him. Will he run? If so, is he nominable? If he wins the Pub nomination, is he electable? What kind of P… --- ## [Second Republican presidential candidates' debate tonight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-republican-presidential-candidates-debate-tonight/404243)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-republican-presidential-candidates-debate-tonight/404243 "2007-05-27T16:11:01Z")
Story here. Ten candidates have been invited: • Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas • Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani • Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore • Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee • U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter o… --- ## [Your best guess: The percentage chance the next US president will be a Republican?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-best-guess-the-percentage-chance-the-next-us-president-will-be-a-republican/404377)
**Author:** [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-best-guess-the-percentage-chance-the-next-us-president-will-be-a-republican/404377 "2007-05-27T16:09:56Z")
My layman’s guess: 20% --- ## [Samuel Cheney has two mommies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/samuel-cheney-has-two-mommies/405419)
**Author:** [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2007, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/samuel-cheney-has-two-mommies/405419 "2007-05-27T05:08:40Z")
Today’s news is that Mary Cheney has given birth to a baby, which will be raised by her together with her partner Heather Poe. So – congratulations to the two new mothers, and even congratulations to grandparents Dick a… --- ## [Land Of The Free?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/land-of-the-free/405203)
**Author:** [@Tibidabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibidabo)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2007, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/land-of-the-free/405203 "2007-05-27T03:02:07Z")
I know this doesn’t apply to all Americans, but can we acknowledge that there exists a certain obsession, among some, with the word ‘freedom’ in the states? And perhaps a vague idea that US citizens are somehow, a little… --- ## [SCOTUS: Will they overturn Brown?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-will-they-overturn-brown/404676)
**Author:** [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-will-they-overturn-brown/404676 "2007-05-26T17:33:49Z")
Very soon the Supreme Court of the United States will determine whether school boards can use race a factor in order to promote diversity in public elementary and high schools. The School Board’s use of race is rather … --- ## [Is faith a rationalization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-faith-a-rationalization/405246)
**Author:** [@truthpizza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthpizza)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2007, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-faith-a-rationalization/405246 "2007-05-26T15:25:56Z")
Is faith what it seems to be? “Faith” always bothered me as a concept. I don’t mean faith based on experience, as “I have faith that my car will start” or “I have faith the pilot will land the plane safely”, but faith … --- ## [The decline of skilled trades](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-decline-of-skilled-trades/405049)
**Author:** [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2007, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-decline-of-skilled-trades/405049 "2007-05-26T13:11:35Z")
This thread got me thinking. Someone brings up the fact that skilled trades are becoming less and less common among the lower and middle classes because everyone’s sending the kids off to college. I come from a working … --- ## [Bad Bad Interracial Crime, Minimal Press Coverage: Media Bias In Play?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-interracial-crime-minimal-press-coverage-media-bias-in-play/404328)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2007, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bad-bad-interracial-crime-minimal-press-coverage-media-bias-in-play/404328 "2007-05-26T05:13:50Z")
I agree with Snopes’s discussion of celebrity crimes getting more coverage than murders of non-celebs. I also know that there is no scientific meter for just how much press coverage any given event merits, for what do… --- ## [How many times do you have to flip a coin to ensure a heads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-have-to-flip-a-coin-to-ensure-a-heads/405290)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2007, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-do-you-have-to-flip-a-coin-to-ensure-a-heads/405290 "2007-05-26T01:22:18Z")
Believe it or not this comes from all the talk about theistic and atheistic faith issues that have come up lately. Here is the premises: If you flip a infinite number of coins a infinite number of times you will get a … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=709) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=711)