# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=713 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 714 --- ## [Can an atheist believe in God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-atheist-believe-in-god/403853)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2007, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-atheist-believe-in-god/403853 "2007-05-15T16:45:39Z")
Before jumping to the obvious “no, of course not” please consider the following: “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” Only a fool would maintain Santa Claus’ existence as a fact, and yet there is a ring of truth to … --- ## [Did the US ever apologize to the nations it blasted for not joining the Iraq war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-us-ever-apologize-to-the-nations-it-blasted-for-not-joining-the-iraq-war/404092)
**Author:** [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2007, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-us-ever-apologize-to-the-nations-it-blasted-for-not-joining-the-iraq-war/404092 "2007-05-15T16:32:21Z")
Serious question. And if not, why not? I’m talking specifically about the whole thing where the US submitted “proof” Iraq was making nuclear weapons- some nations didn’t buy it, and didn’t join the “coalition of the will… --- ## [Is the U.S. really that much better at assimilating immigrants than Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-u-s-really-that-much-better-at-assimilating-immigrants-than-europe/403509)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2007, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-u-s-really-that-much-better-at-assimilating-immigrants-than-europe/403509 "2007-05-15T15:20:16Z")
You hear this claim all the time, but is it really true? Usually, I think, when Americans talk with pride about how good we are at assimilating immigrants, we’re talking about the great waves of immigrants in the decade… --- ## [Are the three R's overrated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-three-rs-overrated/403932)
**Author:** [@henrijohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/henrijohns)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2007, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-three-rs-overrated/403932 "2007-05-15T15:14:14Z")
Is there no too much emphasis on reading writing and 'rithmetic? The No Child Left Behind Act makes those items key to a school’s funding. So many places now have exit exams in those areas only. And of course most col… --- ## [How can there ever be peace in the ME?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-there-ever-be-peace-in-the-me/403290)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2007, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-there-ever-be-peace-in-the-me/403290 "2007-05-15T15:05:55Z")
Was just reading this article about Hamas using Mickey Mouse look-a-likes in a childrens show to basically indoctrinate children to hate Israel and the US. I guess for debate…is peace EVER possible in the region? No … --- ## [On the Need for Laissez-Faire Capitalist Reforms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-need-for-laissez-faire-capitalist-reforms/403356)
**Author:** [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2007, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-need-for-laissez-faire-capitalist-reforms/403356 "2007-05-15T14:06:23Z")
I wanted to write this post as a reply to \[post=8552471\]this post\[/post\] by Shagnasty, but I figured out that it works as a thread of its own. I’m putting it here, even though it does have its Pit-like aspects, because I… --- ## [How is religion "encroaching" on everyday life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-religion-encroaching-on-everyday-life/402991)
**Author:** [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2007, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-religion-encroaching-on-everyday-life/402991 "2007-05-15T13:52:54Z")
People have been talking in the “What do you make of the trend in atheist proselytizing?” thread about how religion encroaches on their life and makeds being an athiest hard. I’ve heard this statement before and I just c… --- ## [What if God was an event?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-god-was-an-event/402121)
**Author:** [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2007, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-god-was-an-event/402121 "2007-05-15T04:30:04Z")
What if, instead of being a “being”, “God” was an event? What if God was the sense of Other through which we sensed our Selves? Substitute “realization”, or “experience” for “sense”, if you prefer. And I’m not saying … --- ## [How do you think prosperity relates to the birthrate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-think-prosperity-relates-to-the-birthrate/403790)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2007, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-think-prosperity-relates-to-the-birthrate/403790 "2007-05-15T01:27:50Z")
One of the political podcasts I’ve been listening to lately is Common Sense with Dan Carlin, which is fairly interesting, even though I don’t always agree with his views. Sometimes he comes up with some far-out ideas an… --- ## [$2.00 Gas Coming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-00-gas-coming/370795)
**Author:** [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Replies:** 513\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2007, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-00-gas-coming/370795 "2007-05-14T21:55:33Z")
The “Today” show indicated that prices of gas would be down to $2.00 this fall. Is this : 1. An attempted by the oil cartel to divert the US from a course toward self sufficiency with regard to oil? or 2. An attempt to… --- ## [Should ex-felons be allowed to vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ex-felons-be-allowed-to-vote/402189)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 287\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2007, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ex-felons-be-allowed-to-vote/402189 "2007-05-14T21:32:42Z")
Talk about being naive! I always thought that all Americans were automatically guaranteed the right to vote, except those who were actually serving some sort of prison or jail term, on parole or on probation. Apparently,… --- ## [William J. Clinton Foundation: Liability, Asset, or Eh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-j-clinton-foundation-liability-asset-or-eh/403912)
**Author:** [@HighFructose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HighFructose)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2007, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-j-clinton-foundation-liability-asset-or-eh/403912 "2007-05-14T14:27:53Z")
Perhaps this may be a question that ends up in GD, but I’ll leave it to the mods to decide. I wanted to elicit some\*\* factual evidence\*\* that may shed light on the views the general U.S. population regarding the William… --- ## [Whatever became of Jimmy P](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-became-of-jimmy-p/404026)
**Author:** [@FRDE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FRDE)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2007, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-became-of-jimmy-p/404026 "2007-05-14T13:04:31Z")
Some time ago an enterprizing guy of Iranian extraction was nicked for leaking stuff to Iran. The Official Secrets Act shutters came down a bit slowly. Basically an Iranian guy with an unpronouncable name turned up in … --- ## [Sperm donor must pay child support](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sperm-donor-must-pay-child-support/403828)
**Author:** [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2007, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sperm-donor-must-pay-child-support/403828 "2007-05-14T10:28:33Z")
I’d like to read the Dope’s take on this. http://www.yorkdispatch.com/local/ci\_5856132 Something similar to this may have been debated prior,but I can’t search and link. Mods,apologies if this has already been done. --- ## [Why is the health care industry allowed to be for-profit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-health-care-industry-allowed-to-be-for-profit/402961)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2007, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-health-care-industry-allowed-to-be-for-profit/402961 "2007-05-13T21:32:42Z")
That’s what one Slashdot reader asks in a story about Brazil basically voiding a patent on a Merck AIDS medication after long negotiations with the company failed to bring the price down. The question intrigues me, in t… --- ## [France at a political crossroads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-at-a-political-crossroads/401230)
**Author:** [@Evil\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_One)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2007, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-at-a-political-crossroads/401230 "2007-05-13T17:46:17Z")
The French will go to the polls on May 6th elect a new president. Nicolas Sarkozy is pro-american, pro-capitalism and pro economic reform. Segolene Royal is a socialist. This should be interesting. I hope that Sarkoz… --- ## [Triskadecamus got me to thinking about faith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triskadecamus-got-me-to-thinking-about-faith/403383)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triskadecamus-got-me-to-thinking-about-faith/403383 "2007-05-13T16:53:47Z")
Recently, I opened a thread in Great Debates soliciting definitions of God. But, inevitably I suppose, it turned into a debate about the MOP. It meandered on for a long time — more than 500 posts — and brought us a new m… --- ## [Can/should/will Pelosi sue Bush over a "signing statement"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-should-will-pelosi-sue-bush-over-a-signing-statement/403468)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2007, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-should-will-pelosi-sue-bush-over-a-signing-statement/403468 "2007-05-13T16:34:27Z")
Since Bush vetoed the recent war-funding bill specifying a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq, the House is working on a new bill; but Bush is threatening to veto that, too. Even before he’s seen it. Meanwhile, in the … --- ## [Current plot of Doonesbury-actual possibility?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-plot-of-doonesbury-actual-possibility/403513)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-plot-of-doonesbury-actual-possibility/403513 "2007-05-13T15:18:26Z")
(Mods, not sure of where this belongs, move if necessary) The current arc in the Doonesbury comic strip is that Congress has cut off funding for the Iraq war… and Bush responds by simply refusing to withdraw the troops,… --- ## [Blair: Great PM, or the \_Greatest\_ PM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blair-great-pm-or-the-_greatest_-pm/403568)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blair-great-pm-or-the-_greatest_-pm/403568 "2007-05-12T21:27:50Z")
Since he’s now set a date to step down, I thought it might be a good time to see what people thought about his time in office. What good things can be attributed to him and his government? What bad things? What do you… --- ## [FL-13: Dem Candidate Robbed of Victory by Computer Glitch/Hack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fl-13-dem-candidate-robbed-of-victory-by-computer-glitch-hack/379785)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2007, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fl-13-dem-candidate-robbed-of-victory-by-computer-glitch-hack/379785 "2007-05-12T18:35:25Z")
In the race for Katherine Harris’ old seat, Republican Vern Buchanan appears to have edged Democrat Christine Jennings by 373 votes. But there’s something rather funny in the voting: it looks like there’s a whole bunch … --- ## [RFK, Jr.: Investigate U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin for 2004 voter "caging lists"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-investigate-u-s-attorney-tim-griffin-for-2004-voter-caging-lists/403333)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2007, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-investigate-u-s-attorney-tim-griffin-for-2004-voter-caging-lists/403333 "2007-05-12T14:52:22Z")
He’s also calling for investigation of Rove in the same matter. Story here: Should the Judiciary Committees do as he urges? Is there any non-partisan justification for the use of these “caging lists”? --- ## [Faith v. Works - the old discussion revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faith-v-works-the-old-discussion-revisited/403412)
**Author:** [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2007, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faith-v-works-the-old-discussion-revisited/403412 "2007-05-12T14:35:13Z")
There’s been a lot of discussion recently on faith here in GD and it got me thinking about the old argument of faith versus works. I’m a former Catholic and the way I understood it was that one needed both faith and wor… --- ## [Gordon Brown, very likely the next British PM](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gordon-brown-very-likely-the-next-british-pm/403745)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2007, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gordon-brown-very-likely-the-next-british-pm/403745 "2007-05-12T13:28:02Z")
A profile: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1619139,00.html An interview: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1619197,00.html Does he have the brains and political skills to be a good PM? How… --- ## [Separation of Church and State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separation-of-church-and-state/403712)
**Author:** [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2007, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separation-of-church-and-state/403712 "2007-05-12T13:01:15Z")
Oklahoma’s design for its quarter was objected to by “seculars.” Oklahoma had chosen the pioneer woman for the quarter, but she has a Bible tucked under her arm which was said to violate separation of church and state. I… --- ## [I Think They're All Bozos In This Base: More Al-Qaeda Idiots Apprehended](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-theyre-all-bozos-in-this-base-more-al-qaeda-idiots-apprehended/403284)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2007, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-theyre-all-bozos-in-this-base-more-al-qaeda-idiots-apprehended/403284 "2007-05-12T04:21:21Z")
Yep, we’ve been rescued once again from a dire terrorist plot. From the lede, they sound pretty deadly: But then: and: They were hoping to get automatic weapons through their informant. So: in a year and a half, … --- ## ['Cocaine' energy drink pulled from shelves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocaine-energy-drink-pulled-from-shelves/403717)
**Author:** [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2007, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cocaine-energy-drink-pulled-from-shelves/403717 "2007-05-12T03:40:12Z")
The energy drink has a lot of caffeine, sure, but it contains no illegal substances; it is only named after one. Nevertheless, the Food and Drug Administration recently warned the company that their product was illegal. … --- ## [A federal Judge has given Monica Goodling immunity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-federal-judge-has-given-monica-goodling-immunity/403736)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2007, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-federal-judge-has-given-monica-goodling-immunity/403736 "2007-05-12T00:11:51Z")
Cite: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/4796433.html Before the Senate Jud. Committee got her immunized, would Leahy’s attorneys meet with Goodling to determine exactly what she’ll testify to? I think it’… --- ## [Two Brits convicted for leaking memo (W & Blair discuss bombing al-Jazeera HQ)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-brits-convicted-for-leaking-memo-w-blair-discuss-bombing-al-jazeera-hq/403464)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2007, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-brits-convicted-for-leaking-memo-w-blair-discuss-bombing-al-jazeera-hq/403464 "2007-05-11T22:27:03Z")
Back in November 2005, a story broke about a discussion between Bush and Blair about possibly bombing the al-Jazeera headquarters in Doha, Qatar. (Apparently, it was Bush’s idea and Blair talked him out of it.) Earlier… --- ## [What is Europes opinion on Americans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-europes-opinion-on-americans/403300)
**Author:** [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2007, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-europes-opinion-on-americans/403300 "2007-05-11T20:05:21Z")
Well we all know they think of us as overweight, ignorant super ego people. But I was recently told they admire how much we work, and applaud us for being hard workers. I know that the average European takes more vacatio… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=712) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=714)