# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=723 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 724 --- ## [Quebec Dopers - Predictions for the election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-dopers-predictions-for-the-election/394272)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2007, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-dopers-predictions-for-the-election/394272 "2007-03-30T00:32:28Z")
Any predictions by the Quebec Dopers on the likely outcome of the election later this month? Last poll I saw showed the Liberals expanding their lead over the PQ, and the ADQ gaining on the PQ. How’s it likely to play … --- ## [Fidel Castro says he wants to return to public life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fidel-castro-says-he-wants-to-return-to-public-life/398044)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2007, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fidel-castro-says-he-wants-to-return-to-public-life/398044 "2007-03-29T23:28:55Z")
Story here. Will he? Is he recovered enough? --- ## [General Services Administration chief using position to help Pubs win elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-services-administration-chief-using-position-to-help-pubs-win-elections/397542)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2007, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-services-administration-chief-using-position-to-help-pubs-win-elections/397542 "2007-03-29T23:10:33Z")
Under the general heading of, “Wait! There’s more!”: Lurita Doan, administrator of the General Services Administration, will appear on Wednesday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to answer thes… --- ## [If I'm for SS Privatization..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-for-ss-privatization/395496)
**Author:** [@Surbey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surbey)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-im-for-ss-privatization/395496 "2007-03-29T20:06:48Z")
Do you have any information that would persuade me? --- ## [18 day gap in Justice Department emails?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-day-gap-in-justice-department-emails/396910)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/18-day-gap-in-justice-department-emails/396910 "2007-03-29T19:34:36Z")
Apparently the massive 3000-page document dump from the Justice Department earlier this week was missing 18 crucial days of emails from late November and early December 2006 – the time right before the questionable firin… --- ## [Valerie Plame testifies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valerie-plame-testifies/396255)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2007, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valerie-plame-testifies/396255 "2007-03-29T18:04:06Z")
Plame testified today before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Key points: Despite rumors to the contrary, she played no part in the decision to send her husband, Joe Wilson, to Nigeria to check… --- ## [Froot Loops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/froot-loops/397989)
**Author:** [@jpue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jpue)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/froot-loops/397989 "2007-03-29T16:39:51Z")
Despite reportings on this website, I have disproved the fact that froot loops have a unimous flavour. After talking with CEOs an Executives of the company, Jim Jenness and his successor David McKay, they have stated tha… --- ## [Understanding the universe: What do you think is required?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-the-universe-what-do-you-think-is-required/397436)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2007, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/understanding-the-universe-what-do-you-think-is-required/397436 "2007-03-29T07:04:34Z")
To paraphrase some old greek dude, the more we know the more we realize how little we know. Can human beings ever understand the universe. Is the way our brain works, the way we see and interpret things a limitation tha… --- ## [Ben Stein commercial stating seafood supply not diminishing- explain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-stein-commercial-stating-seafood-supply-not-diminishing-explain/397830)
**Author:** [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2007, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ben-stein-commercial-stating-seafood-supply-not-diminishing-explain/397830 "2007-03-28T22:21:02Z")
I have seen a few commercials starring Ben Stein that seem to be arguing that the amount of seafood in the world is unbelievably vast and will never run out. I assume this commercial is in response to the recent stories … --- ## [The 5th amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-5th-amendment/397651)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-5th-amendment/397651 "2007-03-28T20:53:20Z")
Can someone please explain to me the importance of the 5th amendment, particularly as it relates to “taking the 5th”? I like to think of myself as as big a fan of the bill of rights as there is, but I must admit that si… --- ## [Sin.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sin/397513)
**Author:** [@4JawChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4JawChuck)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2007, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sin/397513 "2007-03-28T19:06:39Z")
As a former Catholic, (SO former, I had to spellcheck it), I know how sin, or redemption from sin, is stressed. I’m interested in how you feel about the concept of sin. Catholicism stresses sin. Man, I am NOT about th… --- ## [Cassini photographs of incredible atmospheric phenomenon on Saturn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cassini-photographs-of-incredible-atmospheric-phenomenon-on-saturn/397753)
**Author:** [@anamnesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anamnesis)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cassini-photographs-of-incredible-atmospheric-phenomenon-on-saturn/397753 "2007-03-28T17:24:20Z")
There’ve been a few threads recently about the Cassini mission at Saturn, and I really wasn’t sure whether this would belong in GQ but it was an entirely different subject and one which is truly fascinating. I didn’t th… --- ## [What if colonialism was still going on? Differences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-colonialism-was-still-going-on-differences/397243)
**Author:** [@The\_Spirit\_of\_Radio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Spirit_of_Radio)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2007, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-colonialism-was-still-going-on-differences/397243 "2007-03-28T13:06:02Z")
What if colonialism was still going on? If none of the independence movements had ever happened? How would history be different if much of the world were still British/French/Spanish colonies? I’m not just talking about … --- ## [Did God lie to the Jews?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-god-lie-to-the-jews/395849)
**Author:** [@Andrew\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_Bird)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2007, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-god-lie-to-the-jews/395849 "2007-03-28T11:25:33Z")
Looking at the Bible as Story where Yahweh is character, did Yahweh lie to Zerbbabel and the other Jews? "‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you … --- ## [Civil commitment for repeat DWI offenders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-commitment-for-repeat-dwi-offenders/397604)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Hildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Hildo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2007, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-commitment-for-repeat-dwi-offenders/397604 "2007-03-28T10:18:17Z")
I was a watching the news a while back and they were showing a guy coming out of court after his 18th conviction for driving while intoxicated. When a reporter asked him a question, they guy basically said “I’m not going… --- ## [Hypothetical alternative to death penalty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-alternative-to-death-penalty/397647)
**Author:** [@Lil\_Slugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lil_Slugger)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2007, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-alternative-to-death-penalty/397647 "2007-03-28T08:20:36Z")
I guess this is partly inspired by the movie Minority Report, and I apologize if it’s been done already. But I was wondering: Say that medical science progresses to the point that it’s possible to induce a coma in a pri… --- ## [To what extent should the Justice Department be politically independent of the WH?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-should-the-justice-department-be-politically-independent-of-the-wh/397125)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2007, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-should-the-justice-department-be-politically-independent-of-the-wh/397125 "2007-03-28T00:39:47Z")
With all the ongoing threads on the attorneys purge, we should have one to discuss just what we should expect in a situation like this. It would be unreasonable to expect no political influence by the WH on the JD – the… --- ## [Modest Proposal For US Congressional Budget](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modest-proposal-for-us-congressional-budget/397192)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2007, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modest-proposal-for-us-congressional-budget/397192 "2007-03-27T23:28:10Z")
The Democrats want to end the Iraq war, so they put together a spending bill that would have US troops out in about 18 months. What if they also solve the deficit at the same time? Can they institute a $1 tax per gallo… --- ## [Emotion vs Reason](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotion-vs-reason/397355)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2007, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotion-vs-reason/397355 "2007-03-27T22:48:36Z")
I think most people would agree wit me that reaon should trump emotion. But are we capable of completely making our emotions ineffectual to our reason ? I don’t believe that reason constitutes an infallible course to th… --- ## [1.000.000 killed in Iraq since the invasion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-000-000-killed-in-iraq-since-the-invasion/396582)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2007, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-000-000-killed-in-iraq-since-the-invasion/396582 "2007-03-27T22:06:56Z")
1 million killed or dead as cause of the war (2003-07) this according to an Australian scientist have anyone heard about this figure (I have only a article in Norwegian and the scientist is not named) --- ## [Two Mencken quotes I think are germain these days.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-mencken-quotes-i-think-are-germain-these-days/397519)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-mencken-quotes-i-think-are-germain-these-days/397519 "2007-03-27T20:55:51Z")
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule. " "The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them ima… --- ## ["Some of my best friends are \_\_\_\_"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-of-my-best-friends-are-____/397367)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2007, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-of-my-best-friends-are-____/397367 "2007-03-27T20:05:57Z")
I was listening to random talk radio on the way home from work a few day ago, and the host (it was the one-name-only Karel) was talking about racism, and mentioned the old chestnut “some of my best friends are black”, an… --- ## [Sawing off heads worse than pushing buttons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawing-off-heads-worse-than-pushing-buttons/396757)
**Author:** [@benny73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/benny73)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2007, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawing-off-heads-worse-than-pushing-buttons/396757 "2007-03-27T11:14:14Z")
You’ll recall (because no one could forget!) that there was a period of time when some of the “insurgents” in Iraq were cutting off people’s heads and would show it to the world via the Internet. I never watched any of t… --- ## [Michael Bloomberg (mayor of NYC) to run for POTUS as an independent?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-bloomberg-mayor-of-nyc-to-run-for-potus-as-an-independent/397539)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2007, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-bloomberg-mayor-of-nyc-to-run-for-potus-as-an-independent/397539 "2007-03-27T05:10:15Z")
He won’t say so but everybody around him is dropping hints. Story here. Why as an independent? What exactly are this guy’s politics, anyway? If he does this, how will it affect the '08 election? Can Bloomberg wi… --- ## [Explanation of the Scooter Libby conviction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explanation-of-the-scooter-libby-conviction/397603)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2007, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explanation-of-the-scooter-libby-conviction/397603 "2007-03-27T03:14:40Z")
I tend to remain pretty ignorant about most matters political, as I find it frustrating that it is soo hard - if not impossible - to get straight information instead of “spin.” But I was wondering if anyone would be wil… --- ## [They will testify, but not under oath....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-will-testify-but-not-under-oath/396754)
**Author:** [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2007, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-will-testify-but-not-under-oath/396754 "2007-03-27T02:42:00Z")
CNN Breaking News: So, exactly, what is the point of thier testimony if “not under oath”? Does this mean they are free to lie? I just don’t understand the point, why shouldnt they be under oath? Not really after reto… --- ## [U.S. military misdiagnosing wounded GIs with "personality disorder" -- to save $$$](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-military-misdiagnosing-wounded-gis-with-personality-disorder-to-save/397079)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2007, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-military-misdiagnosing-wounded-gis-with-personality-disorder-to-save/397079 "2007-03-26T23:01:41Z")
Story here. I cannot fracking believe this. Somebody please tell me it ain’t so. --- ## [Not another Leglalization Thread. High on America's Politic.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-another-leglalization-thread-high-on-americas-politic/396224)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2007, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-another-leglalization-thread-high-on-americas-politic/396224 "2007-03-26T21:44:48Z")
Talking about legalizing Marijuana in the United States is like wringing out a dish towel after washing your Thanksgiving Cookware. It’s gross, it doesn’t need to be talked about, everyone knows the ilk being brought up … --- ## [John Edwards and his Wife's Cancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-edwards-and-his-wifes-cancer/397055)
**Author:** [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2007, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-edwards-and-his-wifes-cancer/397055 "2007-03-26T20:50:56Z")
This just in: John Edwards’ wife’s cancer is back – she now has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer — and yet Edwards is saying he plans to soldier on with his campaign. It’s his call, obviously, but it seems to me that h… --- ## [What distinguishes a benevolent dictator from other dictators? And who qualifies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-distinguishes-a-benevolent-dictator-from-other-dictators-and-who-qualifies/397319)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-distinguishes-a-benevolent-dictator-from-other-dictators-and-who-qualifies/397319 "2007-03-26T19:17:05Z")
As the thread title suggests, I’d like to see if we can agree on what characteristics distinguish a benevolent dictator from the usual run of dictators. It goes without saying that, in the modern world (which is what I… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=722) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=724)