# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=714 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 715 --- ## [The death of the Nation-State](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-the-nation-state/403596)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-of-the-nation-state/403596 "2007-05-11T16:53:07Z")
This is an article by William Lind who coined the term “4th Generation War”. --- ## [How can you just switch religions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-just-switch-religions/402981)
**Author:** [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-just-switch-religions/402981 "2007-05-11T15:52:14Z")
This is as much IMHO as anything, but I understand religious debates are supposed to be here, so here we are. Sorry if this isn’t very articulate, I’ll be happy to clear up anything. I’m more confused than poetic this … --- ## [Ben Stein Calls for Military Draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-stein-calls-for-military-draft/402865)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-stein-calls-for-military-draft/402865 "2007-05-11T15:52:02Z")
He seems to feel that it’s the only way to achieve victory. Does he have a point? --- ## [Iraq Parliament backs bill to demand troop withdrawal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-parliament-backs-bill-to-demand-troop-withdrawal/403641)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2007, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-parliament-backs-bill-to-demand-troop-withdrawal/403641 "2007-05-11T07:37:33Z")
Iraq Bill Demands U.S. Troop Withdraw If the Iraqi parliament votes to ask American troops to withdraw, should we honor it and withdraw as soon as is possible? Or can Bush continue the occupation against the wishes of… --- ## [Slumming Politicians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumming-politicians/403548)
**Author:** [@BJMoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BJMoose)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2007, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slumming-politicians/403548 "2007-05-11T04:41:27Z")
Natural disasters draw visiting politicians like - well, you know the metaphor. The Greensburg, Kans., tornado has been no different. The debris had hardly settled before Sen. Pat Roberts shuffled through the town, with… --- ## [We don't have to worry about bees dying off, do we?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-have-to-worry-about-bees-dying-off-do-we/400215)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2007, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-dont-have-to-worry-about-bees-dying-off-do-we/400215 "2007-05-11T01:17:19Z")
This article: http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/wildlife/article2449968.ece makes the case that we’re in big trouble. Our cell phones are killing off all the world’s bees and we’re all going to starve to death… --- ## [Surge Without End, Amen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surge-without-end-amen/403379)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2007, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surge-without-end-amen/403379 "2007-05-10T23:16:24Z")
It seems like just yesterday that everyone was saying September was the drop-dead date to demonstrate progress in Iraq, or call it a day. In September, the Defense Department was going to evaluate the ‘surge’ and see wh… --- ## [Landsburg: Why are juries trusted to judge some things, but not others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landsburg-why-are-juries-trusted-to-judge-some-things-but-not-others/402518)
**Author:** [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landsburg-why-are-juries-trusted-to-judge-some-things-but-not-others/402518 "2007-05-10T21:27:42Z")
One of my favorite writers, Steven Landsburg, has just published his third book: “More Sex is Safer Sex” In it he poses several interesting and provoking issues, some of which I think would make pretty decent great deba… --- ## [Election Assistance Commission gags co-author of "Voter Fraud" report from speaking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-assistance-commission-gags-co-author-of-voter-fraud-report-from-speaking/401969)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-assistance-commission-gags-co-author-of-voter-fraud-report-from-speaking/401969 "2007-05-10T18:05:19Z")
Earlier this month, the New York Times broke the story that the Election Assistance Commission’s December 2006 \[on a study of voter fraud and voter intimidation had been altered by the EAC prior to publication, without t… --- ## [What have been the total effects, so far, of Bush's economic policies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-been-the-total-effects-so-far-of-bushs-economic-policies/402231)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2007, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-been-the-total-effects-so-far-of-bushs-economic-policies/402231 "2007-05-10T05:36:06Z")
I mean, of course, those economic policies he has actually been able to implement, leaving out things like the Social Security privatization. Have the tax cuts, for instance, been good or bad for the economy/society, wh… --- ## [New "radiation-free" approach to controlled nuclear fusion -- could this work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-radiation-free-approach-to-controlled-nuclear-fusion-could-this-work/403317)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2007, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-radiation-free-approach-to-controlled-nuclear-fusion-could-this-work/403317 "2007-05-10T03:02:37Z")
It’s called “Inertial Electrodynamic Fusion,” invented by Robert W. Bussard. Apparently it is also known as “Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Fusion” or “IEC Fusion.” The process is explained on a YouTube video (rea… --- ## [What do you make of the trend in atheist proselytizing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-make-of-the-trend-in-atheist-proselytizing/402680)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 188\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-make-of-the-trend-in-atheist-proselytizing/402680 "2007-05-09T23:03:42Z")
I’m curious what people think of the fact that Atheism has gone missionary. What do you make of Dawkins, Dennett, and Hitchens all writing best sellers telling us that we don’t need religion, or that it’s a virus or a d… --- ## [What does "God loves you" mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-god-loves-you-mean/402744)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-god-loves-you-mean/402744 "2007-05-09T20:02:19Z")
This post got me wondering about the meaning of the phrase. For the purposes of this discussion and to define terms, let’s assume the basic Christ dies for salvation story is true (personally I do not believe it). So b… --- ## [Not a single case of anti-atheist discrimination in 2007, according to US Commission?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-single-case-of-anti-atheist-discrimination-in-2007-according-to-us-commission/402606)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-single-case-of-anti-atheist-discrimination-in-2007-according-to-us-commission/402606 "2007-05-09T18:30:20Z")
I wonder if I am reading this right. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom released its 2007 report yesterday, May 2. The USCIRF was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 t… --- ## [Giving up on God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-up-on-god/402905)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giving-up-on-god/402905 "2007-05-09T17:52:22Z")
I was raised with the traditional judeo-xtian concept of God…that is that he is a wrathful creator who, at the end of the day, really loves us after all. But that definition has become too small to fit what I think this… --- ## [Retirement: better for married Couples to Divorce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirement-better-for-married-couples-to-divorce/403256)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirement-better-for-married-couples-to-divorce/403256 "2007-05-09T17:16:09Z")
I’m wondering if it makes 9economic) sense for married couples to divorce, upon retirement. it seems to me that each would have higher SS benefits, and if you continue to live together, you get all the benefits of marria… --- ## [Condi Rice on Rose last night.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condi-rice-on-rose-last-night/403235)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condi-rice-on-rose-last-night/403235 "2007-05-09T16:29:15Z")
http://www.charlierose.com/guests/condoleezza-rice Here is the half hour of Rice on Charlie Rose last night. She is still a believer. She did shock Rose when she pointed out that there are no intentions to leave Iraq at… --- ## [When you look at people do you see an ape?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-look-at-people-do-you-see-an-ape/402540)
**Author:** [@h.ergaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.ergaster)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-look-at-people-do-you-see-an-ape/402540 "2007-05-09T15:28:02Z")
How often do we notice people are actually animals instead of, well, people. I don’t mean that in an insulting way. I accept evolution and that we are related to the great apes. I’m curious, the average person relates to… --- ## [I shouldn't be allowed to buy a gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-buy-a-gun/403318)
**Author:** [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-buy-a-gun/403318 "2007-05-09T05:50:05Z")
And that Cho kid shouldn’t have been able to either. I am bipolar type II and depressed, experienced childhood mental and emotional abuse and drug problems and yet would be considered totally harmless and allowed to buy… --- ## [DOJ to let Goodling testify](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-to-let-goodling-testify/403155)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-to-let-goodling-testify/403155 "2007-05-09T01:23:48Z")
“…after balancing the significant congressional and public interest against the impact of the Committee’s actions on our ongoing investigation, we will not raise an objection or seek a deferral…” (from letter from Inspr… --- ## [Why can't black people be like this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-black-people-be-like-this/403179)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2007, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-black-people-be-like-this/403179 "2007-05-09T00:02:15Z")
Or like that, or somehow else or another? And not just black people, Irish and Lefties, Inuit and Yankees fans, Adults with autism and Catholics. Why is it that when someone makes an observation about a group of people,… --- ## [Is the mess in Iraq a side effect of our military focus on high-tech?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mess-in-iraq-a-side-effect-of-our-military-focus-on-high-tech/402921)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2007, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-mess-in-iraq-a-side-effect-of-our-military-focus-on-high-tech/402921 "2007-05-08T23:42:54Z")
I’ll explain: Once upon a time wars were only won if you had enough men. Artillery, armor, air support etc were all useful but at the end of the day you had to have enough infantry on the ground to beat the enemy. And th… --- ## [To those who think mandatory government service at 18 is a good idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-mandatory-government-service-at-18-is-a-good-idea/402944)
**Author:** [@dgrdfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgrdfd)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2007, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-those-who-think-mandatory-government-service-at-18-is-a-good-idea/402944 "2007-05-08T22:22:39Z")
I have seen some people on here say that they think some kind of government service is good for young people after high school or at the age of 18. I have a few questions for those that think it’s a good idea. How woul… --- ## [On the idea of basing athletes' contracts solely on performance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-idea-of-basing-athletes-contracts-solely-on-performance/402953)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2007, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-idea-of-basing-athletes-contracts-solely-on-performance/402953 "2007-05-08T16:47:47Z")
This question comes from a message board dedicated to a specific professional sports team. When it was raised, it got a middling response… or, rather, I should say, it got a whole lot of short replies, mostly of the “yea… --- ## [Who will determine if The Surge is working in September?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-determine-if-the-surge-is-working-in-september/402872)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2007, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-determine-if-the-surge-is-working-in-september/402872 "2007-05-08T16:02:45Z")
And what will be the criteria? It seems to me that no matter what, Bush and Company will simply cherry pick the non-horrific Iraqi news and will say, “See? I told ya! It’s working, and I don’t want to hear any more on t… --- ## [What do I owe my fellow man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-owe-my-fellow-man/402924)
**Author:** [@NoALittleH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoALittleH)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2007, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-owe-my-fellow-man/402924 "2007-05-08T04:03:27Z")
Greetings Dopers, I have been reading these forums for a bit now, and have decided to post a question that often troubles me. That is, what do I owe my fellow man? I mean fellow man (well, person) to be construed as w… --- ## [If God lost all his powers; would you still praise him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-lost-all-his-powers-would-you-still-praise-him/402896)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2007, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-lost-all-his-powers-would-you-still-praise-him/402896 "2007-05-08T01:37:10Z")
Let’s just say somehow, someway God screws up and turns himself into a mortal. Would you still praise him? Furthermore, would you be friends with him? (And yes in case you haven’t already figured it out; this is a bai… --- ## [Explain the significance of France's election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-significance-of-frances-election/402776)
**Author:** [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-significance-of-frances-election/402776 "2007-05-07T22:59:16Z")
Fight my ignorance, please. I see reports on the current presidential election in France between conservative candidate Sarkozy and socialist candidate Royal (and I know that those terms mean far, far different things i… --- ## [Does Imus have a case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-imus-have-a-case/402598)
**Author:** [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2007, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-imus-have-a-case/402598 "2007-05-07T21:15:02Z")
Don Imus may be suing CBS over his firing. According to CNN, his contract contains the following clause: In his contract, CBS states openly that they want him to provide irreverent, controversial, and personal program… --- ## [Large Hadron Collider: Excited? Afraid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-hadron-collider-excited-afraid/402951)
**Author:** [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2007, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-hadron-collider-excited-afraid/402951 "2007-05-07T19:37:57Z")
Anybody have any thoughts on the Large Hadron Collider? I’m pretty excited. Plus there seems to be a (very remote) possibility of creating a black hole on Earth! Whoops! Haha… Those crazy physicists, all 2000+ of them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=713) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=715)