# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=715 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 716 --- ## [So, are we going to be attacked again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-we-going-to-be-attacked-again/403070)
**Author:** [@everysam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/everysam)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2007, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-we-going-to-be-attacked-again/403070 "2007-05-07T19:36:46Z")
All the neocon rhetoric indicates that al Qaeda/Iran/some bizarre combination of the two are going to re-organize and conduct 9/11 a hundred times over all over America, as soon as we leave Iraq. The antiwar rhetoric (a… --- ## [In Favor of Nationalized Health Insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-favor-of-nationalized-health-insurance/402761)
**Author:** [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2007, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-favor-of-nationalized-health-insurance/402761 "2007-05-07T16:57:31Z")
OK, I find it hard to believe that this topic hasn’t been debated here before, but my search says nay, so here goes. I would like to argue that the United States should adopt a national single-payer health insurance pla… --- ## [Bush supports limits on gun purchases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-supports-limits-on-gun-purchases/402848)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2007, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-supports-limits-on-gun-purchases/402848 "2007-05-07T13:09:54Z")
President Bush is supporting a bill to ban the purchase of firearms by anyone on a list of suspected terrorists: Will Bush lose support on the right by supporting this bill? Or is this bill a legitimate tool in the fi… --- ## [Are government officials allowed to trespass on your property sans warrant? video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-government-officials-allowed-to-trespass-on-your-property-sans-warrant-video/402682)
**Author:** [@Euthanasiast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euthanasiast)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2007, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-government-officials-allowed-to-trespass-on-your-property-sans-warrant-video/402682 "2007-05-07T13:08:15Z")
Here. I think the guy is correct in that she needed a warrant to enter onto his property without his permission. Does this guy have a likely successful path with a criminal and/or civil suit with the officials involved? … --- ## [Lying to further one's cause.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lying-to-further-ones-cause/402881)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2007, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lying-to-further-ones-cause/402881 "2007-05-06T09:00:34Z")
I’m not starting this thread based on any real-life events, and if possible i’d prefer this was debated in theoretical rather than real-life terms - though I suppose real-life examples to an extent are alright. To what … --- ## [Will Bush II be Regarded as a Great President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bush-ii-be-regarded-as-a-great-president/402093)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2007, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bush-ii-be-regarded-as-a-great-president/402093 "2007-05-06T05:17:52Z")
Look, I’m fascinated with drawing historical comparisons from the past to present situations. We don’t seem to learn from the past and keep repeating mistakes. If history is relevant, then I see the Truman presidency off… --- ## [Could the Texans have held the Alamo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-texans-have-held-the-alamo/401408)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2007, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-texans-have-held-the-alamo/401408 "2007-05-06T04:15:17Z")
I discovered (from these boards, no less) that Napoleon wanted a 4-to-1 advantage when attacking a fortified position. It certainly puts some of those heroic stands in a new light, but what about the Alamo? If 1600 Mexi… --- ## [Is Terri Schiavo still a hot topic for republicans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-terri-schiavo-still-a-hot-topic-for-republicans/402788)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-terri-schiavo-still-a-hot-topic-for-republicans/402788 "2007-05-06T03:12:16Z")
I heard two commentators bring that up after the debates. I thought that discussion exceeded its 15 minutes of fame long ago. --- ## [Should TV channels come in bundles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-tv-channels-come-in-bundles/402655)
**Author:** [@henrijohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/henrijohns)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2007, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-tv-channels-come-in-bundles/402655 "2007-05-06T02:26:38Z")
The current debate seems to have a red herring. The current debate between regulators and the cable/dish companies is over whether to “unbundle” the channels so that people can bar selected stations but keep the rest of… --- ## [Grammar question - "doubt" vs. "doubt that"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-doubt-vs-doubt-that/402731)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2007, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grammar-question-doubt-vs-doubt-that/402731 "2007-05-05T22:21:13Z")
Which is correct? Or are both acceptable? “I doubt she will be elected to City Council.” 2, “I doubt that she will be elected to City Council.” --- ## [GOP Presidential Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-presidential-debate/402691)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2007, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-presidential-debate/402691 "2007-05-05T16:27:45Z")
What if they held a debate and nobody came? I made it 6 minutes before I couldn’t take it anymore. Anyone watching? Anything worth talking about? --- ## [Potential "Cho"? I think they've gone too far](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-cho-i-think-theyve-gone-too-far/401715)
**Author:** [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2007, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-cho-i-think-theyve-gone-too-far/401715 "2007-05-05T13:54:26Z")
This happened in my sleepy little town: http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2007/04/24/news/local/doc462e92445e91a213996542.txt The student turned in a creative writing assignment that had lots of violent imagery, evident… --- ## [This just in: Hallucinogen causes hallucinations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-just-in-hallucinogen-causes-hallucinations/402353)
**Author:** [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2007, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-just-in-hallucinogen-causes-hallucinations/402353 "2007-05-05T03:38:48Z")
My reason for starting this thread is to dispell my ignorance about a couple of studies being reported on. As the title suggests, I’m skeptical. The article starts out with "New findings on marijuana’s damaging effect … --- ## [Sens. Byrd and Clinton propose different approach to ending the war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sens-byrd-and-clinton-propose-different-approach-to-ending-the-war/402806)
**Author:** [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sens-byrd-and-clinton-propose-different-approach-to-ending-the-war/402806 "2007-05-05T01:41:36Z")
This is a spin-off thread from “Dems push Iraq funding bill with withdrawal timetable; Bush threatens veto”. Rather than hijack that thread (since that particular bill is still being batted around), I figured I would st… --- ## [My wife did not know about even the concept of circumcision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-did-not-know-about-even-the-concept-of-circumcision/402526)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2007, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-did-not-know-about-even-the-concept-of-circumcision/402526 "2007-05-04T23:59:07Z")
We have a 2 month old baby. We were watching a DVD about how to care for babies. It showed a circumcised boy. My wife was shocked. She was asking me whether the boy had had some terrible accident or had some bizarre medi… --- ## [Another what-if: Custer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-if-custer/402229)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2007, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-what-if-custer/402229 "2007-05-04T21:26:21Z")
Utterly fascinated by the Alamo thread, I wonder about another scenario. Two questions. Per wiki: “Each of the first three detachments \[of the 7th\] was to seek out the Indian encampments, attack them, and hold them in p… --- ## [The "N" Word: What's wrong with the status quo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-n-word-whats-wrong-with-the-status-quo/402584)
**Author:** [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-n-word-whats-wrong-with-the-status-quo/402584 "2007-05-04T20:55:30Z")
Shortly after the Imus incident, my friend immediately called me and yelled, “You nappy-headed ho!” Then quickly added, “We have to claim it like the “N” word!” Never have I laughed so hard. And, coincidentally enough… --- ## [Prince Charles Is The Perfect Symbol For Green As Religion -- Because He's A Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-is-the-perfect-symbol-for-green-as-religion-because-hes-a-twit/402620)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prince-charles-is-the-perfect-symbol-for-green-as-religion-because-hes-a-twit/402620 "2007-05-04T16:14:56Z")
I’ve had some organic food that tastes good, including one or two of Charles’s products. We’ll stipulate that it’s all very lovely that he can craft tasty artisanal food products on his estate, and sell them at premiu… --- ## [Republic of Ireland stops woman travelling for an abortion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republic-of-ireland-stops-woman-travelling-for-an-abortion/402634)
**Author:** [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2007, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republic-of-ireland-stops-woman-travelling-for-an-abortion/402634 "2007-05-04T08:06:53Z")
AFAIK the Republic of Ireland prevents any of its citizens (well, as long as they’re pregnant women, obviously :rolleyes: ) from travelling outside the country to have an abortion. In this case it seems a little much. I… --- ## [Leahy issues subpoena for Rove e-mails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leahy-issues-subpoena-for-rove-e-mails/402572)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2007, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leahy-issues-subpoena-for-rove-e-mails/402572 "2007-05-04T04:22:21Z")
Story here. Will Rove comply, or are we going to start hearing about “executive privilege” again? --- ## [U.S. Import of Food-Regarding Wheat Gluten](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-import-of-food-regarding-wheat-gluten/401925)
**Author:** [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2007, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-import-of-food-regarding-wheat-gluten/401925 "2007-05-04T02:12:33Z")
With all of the tainted wheat gluten from China that’s caused a massive pet-food recalls and the fact that it’s showing up in food given to pigs that are used for human consumption, should we be concerned about the large… --- ## [Is duty an outdated concept?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-duty-an-outdated-concept/402174)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2007, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-duty-an-outdated-concept/402174 "2007-05-04T01:18:20Z")
It seems I never hear anyone talk about duty anymore, outside of the military, and maybe the police/fire rescue community. It used to be much more commonly debated, by nearly everyone. There was duty to country, to fam… --- ## [If Olmert leaves then who steps up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-olmert-leaves-then-who-steps-up/402308)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2007, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-olmert-leaves-then-who-steps-up/402308 "2007-05-03T23:43:05Z")
Pressure is building in Israel for Olmert to step down. Assume he does. Who and what fills the void? What direction will this lead Israel? Many of us had hoped that Kadima would follow through with what I have called t… --- ## [Dormant Commerce Clause - United Haulers v. Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dormant-commerce-clause-united-haulers-v-oneida-herkimer-solid-waste/402621)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2007, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dormant-commerce-clause-united-haulers-v-oneida-herkimer-solid-waste/402621 "2007-05-03T23:10:58Z")
I know that, like most people, Dopers are fascinated with the issues surrounding the Dormant Commerce Clause, the concept that since the Constitution empowers Congress to regulate interstate commerce, we may infer a rest… --- ## [Should Gov. Corzine be Jailed for Ignoring laws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gov-corzine-be-jailed-for-ignoring-laws/401438)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2007, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gov-corzine-be-jailed-for-ignoring-laws/401438 "2007-05-03T22:36:45Z")
Gov. Corzine’s 12 MPG SUV was being driven at speeds up to 91 MPH, when it crashed, almost killing Corzine. Corzine was NOT wearing his seatbelt-a violation of NJ state laws. Also, he had (illegally) ordered his state po… --- ## [Riots in Estonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riots-in-estonia/402098)
**Author:** [@Argen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argen)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2007, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riots-in-estonia/402098 "2007-05-03T20:27:37Z")
Story here, here, and here. It appears the Russians have really taken offense to this. Also, from a few Estonian friends, it appears that there have been broadcasts of some of the rioters saying that a few hundred thou… --- ## [What would constitute "winning" the war in Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-constitute-winning-the-war-in-iraq/401742)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2007, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-constitute-winning-the-war-in-iraq/401742 "2007-05-03T19:16:04Z")
I am not asking for strategies on how to win the war. If I was, I’d put this in Great Debates. I am not asking if the USA should be in the war. If I was, I’d put this in Great Debates. I am not asking if the war is jus… --- ## [Question for those who are for same sex couple adoption](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-those-who-are-for-same-sex-couple-adoption/402603)
**Author:** [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2007, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-those-who-are-for-same-sex-couple-adoption/402603 "2007-05-03T18:37:28Z")
Just a question, not trying to rehash the debate on whether these should be allowed. I believe these should absolutely be allowed, but was asked if I thought they should be limited to children old enough to understand t… --- ## [Did AG Gonzales lie about Monica Goodling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-ag-gonzales-lie-about-monica-goodling/402470)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2007, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-ag-gonzales-lie-about-monica-goodling/402470 "2007-05-03T17:03:51Z")
I seem to remember that someone on Sen Leahy’s committee asked Gonzo what Monica’s authority was in the DOJ. Does anyone else here have a similar recollection? I think he characterized her as merely a conduit enabling t… --- ## [Tony Blair to step down May 9](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-to-step-down-may-9/401188)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2007, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-to-step-down-may-9/401188 "2007-05-03T08:18:42Z")
Story here. What next for the UK? Who will be the next PM? How will his or her policies differ from Blair’s? When will be the next general election? What does this mean for Britain’s troop commitment in Iraq? And w… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=714) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=716)