# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=724 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 725 --- ## [Will Rudy Giuliani Remain "His Own Man?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-rudy-giuliani-remain-his-own-man/397566)
**Author:** [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2007, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-rudy-giuliani-remain-his-own-man/397566 "2007-03-26T16:56:29Z")
So far, Rudy Giuliani is the Republican frontrunner. This in spite of the fact that he believes in gay rights, is pro-choice, is pro-stem-cell-research–all the things the ruling right wing of the party are dead set again… --- ## [What ever happened to PNAC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ever-happened-to-pnac/397448)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2007, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ever-happened-to-pnac/397448 "2007-03-26T11:58:44Z")
I heard on an Air America talk show the other day that the Project for the New American Century had “disbanded” in 2005 but its members were still meeting regularly. Is this true? It wasn’t in the news at the time, AFA… --- ## [Resolved: All state primary elections should be on the same day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-all-state-primary-elections-should-be-on-the-same-day/396045)
**Author:** [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2007, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-all-state-primary-elections-should-be-on-the-same-day/396045 "2007-03-26T05:10:03Z")
I heard this story on the news this morning. Rather than resurrect this thread I’m going to start a new one here. It’s always seemed bizarre to me that the primary election season is so spread out. By convention time,… --- ## [Atheists and the prayers of others](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-and-the-prayers-of-others/396862)
**Author:** [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2007, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-and-the-prayers-of-others/396862 "2007-03-26T01:03:44Z")
In another thread, which shall remain uncited, and nameless, I had a brief exchange with a poster who may wish to continue to be the same, but need not if it suits him. (Pretty vague, huh?) I just want to elicit the disc… --- ## [Can Bush's Supreme Court Appointments Come Back To Bite Him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-bushs-supreme-court-appointments-come-back-to-bite-him/396953)
**Author:** [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2007, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-bushs-supreme-court-appointments-come-back-to-bite-him/396953 "2007-03-25T21:13:34Z")
I’ll admit, I never really understood the positions of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito. The impression that I got, however, was that they are both big on limited government and the statute of the law. (Please cor… --- ## [Why do you believe the Biblical accounts of miracles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-believe-the-biblical-accounts-of-miracles/396077)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2007, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-believe-the-biblical-accounts-of-miracles/396077 "2007-03-25T17:03:27Z")
I tried to discuss this in the thread on the resurrection of Jesus, but it didn’t get much attention, so I’m seeing if it does better in its own thread. My basic question is: Do believers in Biblical miracles consider … --- ## [Convince my conservative dad to dislike GWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-my-conservative-dad-to-dislike-gwb/396315)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2007, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-my-conservative-dad-to-dislike-gwb/396315 "2007-03-25T12:31:22Z")
I don’t think anyone in my family has voted Democrat in three generations, at least. I’ve come to really hate GWB, and for things I already believed. I think, though, that my Christian conservative dad still would proba… --- ## [Rapex anti rape condom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rapex-anti-rape-condom/396713)
**Author:** [@FlyingCowOfDoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingCowOfDoom)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2007, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rapex-anti-rape-condom/396713 "2007-03-24T18:26:23Z")
I heard about this device a couple years ago when the idea first surfaced, but after reading another article about it today I thought I’d make a thread about it. The device is a sort of female condom that a woman insert… --- ## [Can the WH invoke "executive privilege" to stop Rove & Miers from testifying?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-wh-invoke-executive-privilege-to-stop-rove-miers-from-testifying/396798)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2007, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-wh-invoke-executive-privilege-to-stop-rove-miers-from-testifying/396798 "2007-03-24T00:52:04Z")
Followup on this thread. Topic self-explanatory. Answer, perhaps, imponderable. The Supreme Court has never rejected, nor unambiguously endorsed, the doctrine of executive privilege, still less has it ever delineated … --- ## [Is there actually such a thing as "wasting money" on a national/global scale?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-actually-such-a-thing-as-wasting-money-on-a-national-global-scale/396020)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2007, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-actually-such-a-thing-as-wasting-money-on-a-national-global-scale/396020 "2007-03-23T20:59:45Z")
I’m not sure if this is the right forum for this. I was just reading the What if AGW is wrong? thread, and was considering the following point: \[QUOTE=Lightnin’\] But if the AGW proponents are wrong, we’re out a lot of… --- ## [Are drug wars futile efforts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-drug-wars-futile-efforts/396364)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2007, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-drug-wars-futile-efforts/396364 "2007-03-23T08:54:59Z")
In Columbia they sprayed the open, dedicated fields and the crops shifted into mixed crop fields and back brush areas. The pressure on independent drug lords reduced their clout, but they were replaced with government b… --- ## [Middle Ages Question PLEASE HELP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-ages-question-please-help/397103)
**Author:** [@Dragon\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Knight)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2007, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/middle-ages-question-please-help/397103 "2007-03-23T04:05:20Z")
what country in the middle ages besides england didnt have a written constitution --- ## [Racism/xenophobia/paedophilia/adultery - 'natural'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-xenophobia-paedophilia-adultery-natural/396938)
**Author:** [@pretend\_my\_name\_is\_witty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pretend_my_name_is_witty)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2007, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-xenophobia-paedophilia-adultery-natural/396938 "2007-03-23T03:24:35Z")
Since reading ‘The Selfish Gene’ a few years ago, I’ve pondered on controversial ideas about what is ‘natural’ behaviour in society (at least I think they’re pretty controversial, hordes will possibly come in here and te… --- ## [Should Congress revive the Independent Counsel statute?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-congress-revive-the-independent-counsel-statute/397098)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2007, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-congress-revive-the-independent-counsel-statute/397098 "2007-03-22T23:51:39Z")
As noted in this thread, if Rove or Miers should fail to comply with a Congressional subpoena, they can be prosecuted for contempt of Congress. Then the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia would ask a grand jury … --- ## [1 in a million chance of killing someone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-in-a-million-chance-of-killing-someone/396788)
**Author:** [@Andrew\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_Bird)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2007, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-in-a-million-chance-of-killing-someone/396788 "2007-03-22T21:11:25Z")
Is it wrong to do something if it has a 1 in a million chance of killing an innocent person? What if you do the act 3 million times? --- ## [What are FRDE and Mr. Dibble Talking About in this thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-frde-and-mr-dibble-talking-about-in-this-thread/396622)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2007, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-frde-and-mr-dibble-talking-about-in-this-thread/396622 "2007-03-22T09:10:01Z")
I gather that this is an emotionally-charged issue over ethnic groups in South Africa, but FRDE’s posts seem increasingly cryptic. Not knowing the history of the area in anywhere near the detail necessary, I’m very puz… --- ## [outsourcing airplane maintenance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outsourcing-airplane-maintenance/395415)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2007, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outsourcing-airplane-maintenance/395415 "2007-03-22T02:50:36Z")
I just saw a Link TV program saying airplane maintenance is being outsourced to El Salvidor and other areas outside the US. Air line mechanics in the US require schooling and they average 20 years experience. Moving th… --- ## [What will the modern part of "History of the Earth" look like 1k years from now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-modern-part-of-history-of-the-earth-look-like-1k-years-from-now/396507)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2007, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-modern-part-of-history-of-the-earth-look-like-1k-years-from-now/396507 "2007-03-21T22:38:08Z")
Yes, there is a reason this is in GD. I don’t want an MPSIMS joke fest here. Assuming for the moment humans still exist and are still recognizably modern humans and still have classes similar to 100-level college course… --- ## [How does eliminating Senate approval of new US attorneys protect us from terrorists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-eliminating-senate-approval-of-new-us-attorneys-protect-us-from-terrorists/396756)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2007, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-eliminating-senate-approval-of-new-us-attorneys-protect-us-from-terrorists/396756 "2007-03-21T20:10:39Z")
I know every Congress and administration since Washington has loved packing bills with irrelevant crap but didn’t anybody notice that little addition to the renewal of the Patriot Act? And when will the American People … --- ## [What's the worst country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-country/395684)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2007, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-worst-country/395684 "2007-03-21T16:40:45Z")
There have been other threads talking about the worst city in the US. Whether its ugliness, poverty, crime, etc., it invariably involved Gary, Camden, and E. St Louis. With that criteria, what would be the worst country… --- ## [Handguns now legal in DC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handguns-now-legal-in-dc/395312)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 222\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2007, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handguns-now-legal-in-dc/395312 "2007-03-21T08:06:23Z")
What I find most interesting is the dissenting voice, Judge Karen Henderson, Whether the majority decision was right or wrong, this mindset would seem to negate the entire Bill of Rights, not to mention big hunks of… --- ## [Is performing elective plastic surgery ethical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-performing-elective-plastic-surgery-ethical/396040)
**Author:** [@AHoosierMama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHoosierMama)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2007, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-performing-elective-plastic-surgery-ethical/396040 "2007-03-21T05:35:55Z")
I’m not talking about reconstruction after an accident or illness, or about correcting a deformity. Doing a little research about the Hippocratic oath before posting, I was surprised to learn that it doesn’t always cont… --- ## [What could a concerted effort to "cure" homosexuality actually accomplish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-concerted-effort-to-cure-homosexuality-actually-accomplish/396413)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2007, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-a-concerted-effort-to-cure-homosexuality-actually-accomplish/396413 "2007-03-20T23:17:51Z")
This thread was triggered by two things: the other GD thread here about the bishop saying that he’s open to a biological component to homosexuality, and my finding out that there’s a National Association for the Research… --- ## [Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) admits he does not believe in God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-pete-stark-d-ca-admits-he-does-not-believe-in-god/396260)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2007, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-pete-stark-d-ca-admits-he-does-not-believe-in-god/396260 "2007-03-20T18:31:22Z")
Apparently Stark is the highest-ranking American public official ever to do so. Story here and here. Why the silence on the right? Considering the furor that erupted when Rep. Keith Ellison announced his intention t… --- ## [Do non-believers prayers count?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-non-believers-prayers-count/396378)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2007, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-non-believers-prayers-count/396378 "2007-03-20T14:37:00Z")
If a good friend, a devout christian, asks me to pray for a sick relative knowing that I’m not a believer, will those prayers count? How about if I pray, just in case, for soldiers in Iraq? I guess my question is, woul… --- ## [Anti-gay laws worldwide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-gay-laws-worldwide/395905)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2007, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-gay-laws-worldwide/395905 "2007-03-20T07:06:02Z")
I see a distinct geopolitical pattern emerging when we look at institutionalized homophobia… http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/World\_homosexuality\_laws.png The areas where you’re criminalized just for … --- ## [Ethics and food choices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-and-food-choices/396645)
**Author:** [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2007, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-and-food-choices/396645 "2007-03-20T02:32:39Z")
Here one poster was horrified by the idea of eating a live animal. I do not wish to criticize that poster IN ANY WAY (I happen to agree with her) but I am getting a bit of a mental disconnect and I decided to open a GD … --- ## [Britain sets world's toughest carbon laws. Can we and should we match them in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britain-sets-worlds-toughest-carbon-laws-can-we-and-should-we-match-them-in-the-us/395838)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2007, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britain-sets-worlds-toughest-carbon-laws-can-we-and-should-we-match-them-in-the-us/395838 "2007-03-20T01:04:58Z")
So Britain takes the leadership role for the entire world. Hail Britannica and I thank you for this. They should prove or disprove all the arguments against stopping Global Warming from becoming catastrophic. I believe … --- ## [President of Southern Baptist seminary says sexual preference may have bio basis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-of-southern-baptist-seminary-says-sexual-preference-may-have-bio-basis/395979)
**Author:** [@50million](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/50million)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2007, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-of-southern-baptist-seminary-says-sexual-preference-may-have-bio-basis/395979 "2007-03-19T23:16:54Z")
This guy admits that sexuall preference may have a biological basis, but then goes on to say that homosexuality would still be a sin and could be morally “treated” (reversed) if such a “treatment” was ever developed. A… --- ## [Catholic politicians get strict orders from pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-politicians-get-strict-orders-from-pope/395822)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2007, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-politicians-get-strict-orders-from-pope/395822 "2007-03-19T22:44:20Z")
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/13/news/vat.php Is this a good thing for Catholics? For democracy? For politics? I personally feel that the Catholic church is free to demand whatever it wants to of its adherents… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=723) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=725)