# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=719 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 720 --- ## [At what age is it fair for a person to get their driver's license?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-is-it-fair-for-a-person-to-get-their-drivers-license/399567)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2007, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-age-is-it-fair-for-a-person-to-get-their-drivers-license/399567 "2007-04-19T23:13:38Z")
I mean non provisional, real license. I personally think 16 and 1/2 (here in the U.S.A. that’s the legal age) is a little young, granted, I didn’t feel that way at the time I received mine, obviously. heh… I think 19-… --- ## [The Hindsight Culture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hindsight-culture/400500)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2007, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hindsight-culture/400500 "2007-04-19T21:52:36Z")
One of the main issues concerning the current massacre at Virginia Tech is why didn’t they do more to warn students, why didn’t they cancel classes, etc.? This thread discusses some information relating possibly to 9/11 … --- ## [Would paying the poor for doing well in school solve some of the poverty crisis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-paying-the-poor-for-doing-well-in-school-solve-some-of-the-poverty-crisis/399417)
**Author:** [@dgrdfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgrdfd)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2007, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-paying-the-poor-for-doing-well-in-school-solve-some-of-the-poverty-crisis/399417 "2007-04-19T15:45:54Z")
I think I saw that New York was doing something like this with attendance, but I have no cite. Anyways, my idea is something along the lines of paying families or children for good attendance and good grades in school. I… --- ## [Conspiracy? (al Qaeda and lost/tainted food) \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracy-al-qaeda-and-lost-tainted-food-ed-title/400320)
**Author:** [@lovelybean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lovelybean)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2007, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conspiracy-al-qaeda-and-lost-tainted-food-ed-title/400320 "2007-04-19T15:29:52Z")
So, let’s see…in the past year or so there have been major cases of bacterial infection from eating at fast food chains (like Taco Bell’s e. coli lettuce that hit 4 states), fresh spinach gave some 200 people e.coli acro… --- ## [So Why Doesn't Bush Simply Sign The Iraq Funding Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-doesnt-bush-simply-sign-the-iraq-funding-bill/400600)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2007, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-doesnt-bush-simply-sign-the-iraq-funding-bill/400600 "2007-04-19T15:22:09Z")
And then attach a signing statement which says that he doesn’t have to obey the withdrawl date? After all, Bush has signed other bills into law, and attached signing statements which said he wasn’t limited by what the b… --- ## [Is a WEAK US Dollar Good for the US Stock market?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-weak-us-dollar-good-for-the-us-stock-market/400485)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2007, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-weak-us-dollar-good-for-the-us-stock-market/400485 "2007-04-19T13:17:09Z")
The dollar is hitting record lows against the Euro and UK pound. What effect will this have on US stocks? Since US share prices are quoted in US$, does this mean that US stocks are now more attarctive to a german investo… --- ## [Fight My Ignorance on the Israel-Palestine Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fight-my-ignorance-on-the-israel-palestine-debate/398682)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2007, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fight-my-ignorance-on-the-israel-palestine-debate/398682 "2007-04-19T08:21:01Z")
I admit I don’t know as much about the situation involving Israel and their occupation (?) of Palestine as I would like. It seems that Israel and Palestine both have the right to exist. Is Israel occupying what are witho… --- ## [Reopening old sexual abuse/predator wounds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reopening-old-sexual-abuse-predator-wounds/399778)
**Author:** [@Threadkiller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Threadkiller)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2007, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reopening-old-sexual-abuse-predator-wounds/399778 "2007-04-19T04:58:25Z")
This is a rather charged issue and could go either IMHO or GD—mods move as appropriate. Over twenty years ago, one of my female in-laws was sexually abused by her uncle—young child, single incident, no physical damage. … --- ## [The Human Plight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-human-plight/400307)
**Author:** [@Defective\_Detective](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defective_Detective)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2007, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-human-plight/400307 "2007-04-19T02:27:18Z")
Iraq. Darfur. Palestine. Or a residential neighborhood in Suburbia, California. In some places, you fear for your life every minute of every day. In other places, you can sleep comfortably without even locking your doo… --- ## [Teacher code tackles student relationships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-code-tackles-student-relationships/400598)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-code-tackles-student-relationships/400598 "2007-04-19T02:07:34Z")
Link Apparently this means that before this code the teachers could do anything they wanted? ! I think codes of conduct are a joke. Do teachers need a code of conduct to know it is wrong to send a sexual email to a stu… --- ## [Why does someone always have to be blamed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-someone-always-have-to-be-blamed/400631)
**Author:** [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2007, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-someone-always-have-to-be-blamed/400631 "2007-04-18T23:27:02Z")
This VI Tech things has me going over the edge. It is tragic. No doubt about it. But the news, radio callers, students etc… are trying to find as many people to share responsibility for this carnage with the killer. … --- ## [The SDS is back?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sds-is-back/370198)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2007, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sds-is-back/370198 "2007-04-18T21:53:28Z")
Yes. It’s true. College students all over the country are founding a revived version of Students for a Democratic Society. Is this development epochal or quixotic? Do we have any Dopers who remember the original SDS … --- ## [Americans like Pelosi and the Dems in Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-like-pelosi-and-the-dems-in-congress/400555)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2007, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-like-pelosi-and-the-dems-in-congress/400555 "2007-04-18T15:01:50Z")
Or so says the WaPo/ABC poll. 4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Nancy Pelosi is handling her job as Speaker of the House? Approve Disapprove No opinion 4/15/07 … --- ## [Necessary evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-evil/400409)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2007, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/necessary-evil/400409 "2007-04-18T13:44:13Z")
The world is filled with cheaters, thieves, killers and other individuals that disregard laws or established ethical standards and allegedly put their own interests before those of society when the two conflict. Would t… --- ## [Duke lacrosse: now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duke-lacrosse-now-what/400552)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2007, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/duke-lacrosse-now-what/400552 "2007-04-18T01:15:23Z")
Unless you’ve been living in a rock, the Duke boys have had all charges dropped. Not just a “lack of evidence”, mind you; but have actually publicly been declared innocent by the Attorney General. There was no rape, ther… --- ## [What good is the new US "forever" stamp?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-new-us-forever-stamp/400208)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2007, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-is-the-new-us-forever-stamp/400208 "2007-04-18T00:35:06Z")
The US Post Office has issued a new stamp dubbed the “forever” stamp, which now costs 41 cents. It is good for one ounce of First Class postage now, even though the rate is 39 cents, but it will be good for the same one… --- ## [Submitted: music subscription services will solve all the world's (DRM) problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submitted-music-subscription-services-will-solve-all-the-worlds-drm-problems/399802)
**Author:** [@spazurek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spazurek)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2007, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submitted-music-subscription-services-will-solve-all-the-worlds-drm-problems/399802 "2007-04-17T22:04:09Z")
(I contemplated which forum this belongs in for a while and am more than happy to see it moved…) The talk about EMI giving up DRM and all the related intricacies of the digital music business rekindles a feeling I’ve ha… --- ## [A Texas Republican Does Something Right!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-texas-republican-does-something-right/390684)
**Author:** [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2007, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-texas-republican-does-something-right/390684 "2007-04-17T21:48:53Z")
Your correspondent faints. Texas orders cancer vaccine for girls Gasp! Rick Perry (whom the Sainted Molly aptly yclept “Governor Goodhair”) took action to protect the health of Texas children against the will and wish… --- ## [Would Sam Kinison survive today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-sam-kinison-survive-today/400274)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2007, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-sam-kinison-survive-today/400274 "2007-04-17T20:15:55Z")
We live in an era where saying the wrong thing about race or sexuality will get you shunned and fired or forced to resign. How we are supposed to define freedom of speech when those who offend are made to pay a price is … --- ## [Nationalism and the casting of Asian actors/actresses in movies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nationalism-and-the-casting-of-asian-actors-actresses-in-movies/399638)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nationalism-and-the-casting-of-asian-actors-actresses-in-movies/399638 "2007-04-17T20:01:23Z")
On another thread, someone wrote that Japanese soldiers in movies about WW2 often look Korean. When Memoirs of a Geisha made it to the silver screen, I recall that there was a controversy in Japan about casting Chinese … --- ## [Touts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touts/400466)
**Author:** [@Cryptoderk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptoderk)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2007, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/touts/400466 "2007-04-17T16:16:52Z")
To me, touts are a symptom that even organisers got the ticket pricing wrong. I don’t see the problem with touts at all, yet everyone seems to disagree with me. Your thoughts? --- ## [Multinationals and National Laws- Hilton Hotels and The Cuba Embargo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multinationals-and-national-laws-hilton-hotels-and-the-cuba-embargo/400444)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2007, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multinationals-and-national-laws-hilton-hotels-and-the-cuba-embargo/400444 "2007-04-17T15:19:24Z")
What should a multi-national chain do: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2772931 It is bound by the US law on trading with Cuba (and hence cancelled a booking from a Cuban delegation), BUT This is in breach… --- ## [Drug Arrests in LA and Illegal Immigrants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-arrests-in-la-and-illegal-immigrants/399823)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2007, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-arrests-in-la-and-illegal-immigrants/399823 "2007-04-17T12:07:11Z")
According to this article, some LAPD officers are seeking to change LAPD policy of not inquiring about a person’s residency status when they are arrested for drugs. As many of you probably kow, I’d advocate looking into … --- ## [Richard Dawkins: "The God of the Old Testament..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-dawkins-the-god-of-the-old-testament/399494)
**Author:** [@Mellivora\_capensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mellivora_capensis)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-dawkins-the-god-of-the-old-testament/399494 "2007-04-17T02:20:10Z")
I’m busy reading Dawkins’ book, “The God Delusion”, and I came across this paragraph: Now, I’m a born-again atheist (since we, in fact, were all born atheists :wink: ), but when I read this passage out loud to my SO,… --- ## [How many Americans are there, now, who would vote for a Dem but never for a black?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-americans-are-there-now-who-would-vote-for-a-dem-but-never-for-a-black/399595)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2007, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-americans-are-there-now-who-would-vote-for-a-dem-but-never-for-a-black/399595 "2007-04-17T00:22:31Z")
The assumption that there are many seems to underly the “a black can’t win” argument WRT Obama’s presidential candidacy. But is it true? In the '60s, it was the Dems who gave us the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act,… --- ## [Weaponized Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weaponized-religion/399983)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2007, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weaponized-religion/399983 "2007-04-16T23:56:15Z")
Are some religions easier to weaponize than others? It seems the “religion of peace”, Islam, is more easily weaponized than other religions. What about Hindu… should we worry that just because nobody has thought to tur… --- ## [Racist Country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racist-country/398097)
**Author:** [@Cryptoderk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptoderk)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2007, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racist-country/398097 "2007-04-16T10:26:11Z")
Which culture is the most racist? Which 21st century culture is the most racist? --- ## [Why is cricket the most second popular sport in the world, but not in the U.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cricket-the-most-second-popular-sport-in-the-world-but-not-in-the-u-s/398841)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2007, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cricket-the-most-second-popular-sport-in-the-world-but-not-in-the-u-s/398841 "2007-04-16T09:03:43Z")
Why is cricket the most second popular sport in the world, but not in the U.S.? --- ## [What should Imus do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-imus-do/399621)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2007, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-imus-do/399621 "2007-04-16T04:24:23Z")
The way I see it, he has two options: He can tack left, take his punishment, try to ignore Al and Jesse, and concentrate on promoting Bush Hating guests and others in his media elite circle. They can’t pull a guy like… --- ## [Is Pelosi helping HRC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-helping-hrc/400136)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2007, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pelosi-helping-hrc/400136 "2007-04-16T04:15:12Z")
Surely the lefties love them both and the evil Pubs hate them both but that’s not what is important. It’s the Mods in the MIddle!! So I ask you… Is Ms Pelosi performing in such a way as to encourage the swing voters t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=718) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=720)