# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=720 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 721 --- ## [Iraqi Immigrants: Where to Settle in U.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqi-immigrants-where-to-settle-in-u-s/399965)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2007, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqi-immigrants-where-to-settle-in-u-s/399965 "2007-04-16T03:57:42Z")
I recently read that we’re increasing the number of Iraqi immigrants allowed into the U.S. to 7,000 per year. We may be looking at an influx coming up not unlike what we saw from Vietnam during the Sino-Vietnamese wars. … --- ## [Why Does the Double Standard for Women and Sex Persist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-double-standard-for-women-and-sex-persist/396701)
**Author:** [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2007, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-double-standard-for-women-and-sex-persist/396701 "2007-04-16T00:45:30Z")
This is partially inspired by Kalhoun’s IMHO thread on Purity Balls and by a review I read of a book on the culture of hooking up. Despite 40 years of feminism, give or take, there still seems to be a double standard wh… --- ## [Should Conscientious Objectors be able to "opt out" of funding the military?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-conscientious-objectors-be-able-to-opt-out-of-funding-the-military/399670)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2007, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-conscientious-objectors-be-able-to-opt-out-of-funding-the-military/399670 "2007-04-16T00:27:37Z")
Just as people who hold sincere pacifistic beliefs can obtain “Conscientious Objector” status and avoid being drafted into combat, I think it would be fair to allow CO’s to “opt out” of funding the military. In order to… --- ## [Imus is outta work. Why was his insult so much worse than his usual stuff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imus-is-outta-work-why-was-his-insult-so-much-worse-than-his-usual-stuff/399864)
**Author:** [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2007, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imus-is-outta-work-why-was-his-insult-so-much-worse-than-his-usual-stuff/399864 "2007-04-16T00:13:20Z")
Today, CBS canned him, too. That’s fine by me. I don’t follow his work, but several sources have said he’s been playing the dirty-mouth jerk for years. What made this dissing of the college hoopsters more vile than his u… --- ## [Does Ed Brown have legal standing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ed-brown-have-legal-standing/390904)
**Author:** [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2007, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-ed-brown-have-legal-standing/390904 "2007-04-15T23:58:35Z")
Does Ed Brown have legal standing? You know, the guy who hasn’t paid his income taxes in ten years and is now suffering the penalty. He claims that income tax is not legal because the Sixteenth Amendment was not ratifi… --- ## [Who qualifies as a reporter, and what special rights should they have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-qualifies-as-a-reporter-and-what-special-rights-should-they-have/398780)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2007, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-qualifies-as-a-reporter-and-what-special-rights-should-they-have/398780 "2007-04-15T21:25:07Z")
In this CNN story, a blogger who refused to turn over video of a 2005 G-8 protect was just release after 226 days in jail, after making a deal with the prosecution. He turns over the tapes, but he doesn’t have to testify… --- ## [Tony Blair's comments on crime and black culture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blairs-comments-on-crime-and-black-culture/399917)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blairs-comments-on-crime-and-black-culture/399917 "2007-04-15T20:02:42Z")
This story caught my eye. It’s sounds like a surprisingly impolitc thing to say, at least from an American perspective (Blair says he is “lurching into total frankness” in his last weeks in office), but of course things… --- ## [Referring to politicians by first name in media = disrespect. Discuss.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/referring-to-politicians-by-first-name-in-media-disrespect-discuss/399726)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2007, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/referring-to-politicians-by-first-name-in-media-disrespect-discuss/399726 "2007-04-15T03:40:42Z")
I am willing to be shown that I am mistaken in my perception, or even that my perception is correct, but my conclusions are wrong. Here’s the premise: It seems to me that the media, generally, refers to the (the honorab… --- ## [Killer wants to die.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-wants-to-die/399603)
**Author:** [@Gbro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gbro)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2007, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killer-wants-to-die/399603 "2007-04-15T02:34:37Z")
http://www.legalreader.com/archives/003713.html This killer supposedly wants to speed up his date with the needle, Or is this a ploy to delay or prevent getting it? Seems to me if he wanted to die, let the jury do thei… --- ## [Was Jefferson Davis a good President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-jefferson-davis-a-good-president/400074)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2007, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-jefferson-davis-a-good-president/400074 "2007-04-14T20:21:36Z")
Okay, so the obvious answer is “No - he started a brutal civil war, supported slavery, and led the South to ruin.” But that’s no fun. We’ve had several threads evaluating Lee’s military prowess and Lincoln’s political ac… --- ## [Why are we letting oil companies make fortunes ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-letting-oil-companies-make-fortunes/399849)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2007, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-letting-oil-companies-make-fortunes/399849 "2007-04-14T20:07:07Z")
Since the start of the Iraq war. Other question- did everyone who knew what they were doing simply buy shares in oil companies? --- ## [What is the Name for Everything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794)
**Author:** [@the\_PC\_apeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_PC_apeman)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2007, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-name-for-everything/399794 "2007-04-14T18:52:16Z")
The scope of the word everything is usually understood in everyday conversation. If you order “a pizza with everything” you have a pretty good idea of what to expect. Taken more literally, everything might result in a pr… --- ## [Come to think of it, why should the U.S. want to preserve Iraq as a united state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-think-of-it-why-should-the-u-s-want-to-preserve-iraq-as-a-united-state/399519)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2007, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-think-of-it-why-should-the-u-s-want-to-preserve-iraq-as-a-united-state/399519 "2007-04-14T07:59:11Z")
It never made much sense as a state in the first place. Why not let Kurdistan and the Sunni Triangle secede? --- ## [Iraq: Should the troops be withdrawn or drastically increased?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-should-the-troops-be-withdrawn-or-drastically-increased/399165)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2007, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-should-the-troops-be-withdrawn-or-drastically-increased/399165 "2007-04-14T06:43:52Z")
I’m under the impression that, by now, several high ranking pentagon officials have said that a great deal more troops were needed in Iraq. Which is the better course of action? gradually decreasing troop levels and get… --- ## [Why Did Saddam Play Chicken With GWB?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-saddam-play-chicken-with-gwb/399362)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2007, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-saddam-play-chicken-with-gwb/399362 "2007-04-14T05:27:27Z")
Having been fully convinced that there were no WMDs and that the policy of containment was working wonderfully and therefore the War in Iraq has been a disaster of historic proportion, I still wonder… Why did Saddam tem… --- ## [\[Canadopers\] MP Belinda Stronach announces resignation from politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadopers-mp-belinda-stronach-announces-resignation-from-politics/399871)
**Author:** [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2007, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadopers-mp-belinda-stronach-announces-resignation-from-politics/399871 "2007-04-14T01:49:34Z")
\[QUOTE=cbc.ca\] Liberal MP Belinda Stronach won’t run in the next federal election and is accepting immediately an executive position at Magna International. Stronach, who represents Newmarket and Aurora, says she was e… --- ## [Is Albert Einstein overrated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albert-einstein-overrated/399763)
**Author:** [@GuyNblueJeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuyNblueJeans)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 14, 2007, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-albert-einstein-overrated/399763 "2007-04-14T01:24:32Z")
LOL! Okay, he’s probably up there in Heaven looking down at this very moment and laughing at the fact that one of earth’s biggest morons is writing an Internert post on a message board that questions his place among the… --- ## [Is it racist for a minority to vote for a minority candidate based on race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-racist-for-a-minority-to-vote-for-a-minority-candidate-based-on-race/399680)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2007, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-racist-for-a-minority-to-vote-for-a-minority-candidate-based-on-race/399680 "2007-04-13T14:11:16Z")
From here I don’t think so. Here’s my argument: Some minorities are underrepresented in government. Many people believe that it is important to have a proportional number of representatives of your race in government. … --- ## [Jesse vs. Imus vs. MSNBC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesse-vs-imus-vs-msnbc/399782)
**Author:** [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2007, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesse-vs-imus-vs-msnbc/399782 "2007-04-13T13:49:34Z")
I’m watching Jesse Jackson and David Gregory (?..hope I got his name right) on MSNBC discussing Imus’s dismissal from the simulcast. Gregory asked Jesse why he feels Imus should be fired when he used the term “Hymietown”… --- ## [American Patriotism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-patriotism/398402)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2007, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-patriotism/398402 "2007-04-13T03:27:15Z")
I once had Americans pegged as the most patriot people on the planet, now I’m none to sure. Constant GWB bashing, criticism of your Govt. and armed forces, persons on this board who appear to hate the country of their b… --- ## [Conciousness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conciousness/398645)
**Author:** [@Cryptoderk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptoderk)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2007, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conciousness/398645 "2007-04-12T21:35:10Z")
Seems to me that conciousness proves God (in the sense of something supernatural). Anyone disagree? Why? --- ## [Rush Limbaugh, most perfect newsman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-most-perfect-newsman/398497)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-limbaugh-most-perfect-newsman/398497 "2007-04-12T20:57:45Z")
Yes, that’s right! Rush Limbaugh is by far the most accurate and most correct person in the news industry. There are so many ways that one can get one’s news and opinions concerning world events. TV, newspapers, the i… --- ## [Is John McCain crazy or giving up his hope or just desperate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-john-mccain-crazy-or-giving-up-his-hope-or-just-desperate/399734)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2007, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-john-mccain-crazy-or-giving-up-his-hope-or-just-desperate/399734 "2007-04-12T18:02:11Z")
From Forbes.com: I guess I will applaud him for standing by his words, but he has backpedaled on many others in the last 6 years. This seems like a losing strategy. He will end up being the War Candidate at this rate.… --- ## [Texas hospital to terminate child's life support](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-hospital-to-terminate-childs-life-support/399515)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-hospital-to-terminate-childs-life-support/399515 "2007-04-12T02:07:21Z")
http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/\_a/hospital-wants-to-end-childs-life/20070409230109990001 A heartbreaking case. It looks to me like the hospital is acting appropriately, under the circumstances. They deny that mo… --- ## [Can Kirkorian Save Chrysler?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-kirkorian-save-chrysler/398990)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2007, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-kirkorian-save-chrysler/398990 "2007-04-12T01:35:54Z")
I’m fascinated by the guy-he is almost 90, and still making deals. anyway, Mercedes -benz have concluded that they have to dump Chrysler-their fiancial people see chrysler as a loser for years. But, having paid 36 billio… --- ## [Fixing the lame duck syndrome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-the-lame-duck-syndrome/399713)
**Author:** [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2007, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-the-lame-duck-syndrome/399713 "2007-04-11T22:36:07Z")
I have many ideas for enhancing what I see as basically a corrupt system of government, most of which I’ve seen stated in one form or another in various places. One thing I haven’t seen is anything that would address th… --- ## [How should members of Congress vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-members-of-congress-vote/399344)
**Author:** [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-members-of-congress-vote/399344 "2007-04-11T20:28:58Z")
I’ll admit I don’t follow politics very closely these days, but it seems that increasingly major votes in congress are along party lines with a few Congressmen or Senators voting ‘their conscience’. But how should they … --- ## [CEO Pay: Abomination? Or the efficient market in action?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceo-pay-abomination-or-the-efficient-market-in-action/398983)
**Author:** [@Spiral\_Stairs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiral_Stairs)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2007, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceo-pay-abomination-or-the-efficient-market-in-action/398983 "2007-04-11T19:14:09Z")
Ford’s new CEO, on the job since October, has “earned” compensation worth about $28 million. (See here.) Ford lost $12.7 billion last year. There are some circumstances that, purportedly, mitigate the superficial exce… --- ## ["Buried Treasure"-Real or Myth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buried-treasure-real-or-myth/399354)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2007, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buried-treasure-real-or-myth/399354 "2007-04-11T17:01:17Z")
The legends about pirates burying treasure-how much of this is real? From what I understand, piracy flourished in and around the Caribbean Sea, in the time period from about 1600- 1750, and many pirates were well known… --- ## [Liberal Media vs Moderate Muslims - or - Tomndebb's Head Explodes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-media-vs-moderate-muslims-or-tomndebbs-head-explodes/399547)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2007, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-media-vs-moderate-muslims-or-tomndebbs-head-explodes/399547 "2007-04-11T00:38:15Z")
Don’t take it personal, Tom, it just made for a good title. But this article I found quite entertaining. A film about moderate Muslims was given the kabash(sp?) by PBS. Their reasons vary depending on who’s doing the e… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=719) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=721)