# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=725 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 726 --- ## [Vengeance is mine, so sayeth the Lord...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vengeance-is-mine-so-sayeth-the-lord/395341)
**Author:** [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2007, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vengeance-is-mine-so-sayeth-the-lord/395341 "2007-03-19T20:00:00Z")
Let’s say that wrath wrought by vengeance is a sin. Would the instruments of God’s wrath, the people wreaking havoc, be considered exempt as the left hand black of God with Andrew admit, or are they just BBQ in the pits … --- ## [Minnesota trying to ban sale of imported U.S. flags](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trying-to-ban-sale-of-imported-u-s-flags/396314)
**Author:** [@Secret\_Volcano\_Lair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Secret_Volcano_Lair)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2007, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minnesota-trying-to-ban-sale-of-imported-u-s-flags/396314 "2007-03-19T17:39:57Z")
http://www.kare11.com/news/news\_article.aspx?storyid=247315 I fail to see how this is in any way “patriotic”. In fact, it seems to be exactly the opposite. I’d be pretty pissed if my state government was trying to pas… --- ## [Why do you believe that Jesus was physically Resurrected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-believe-that-jesus-was-physically-resurrected/395611)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2007, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-believe-that-jesus-was-physically-resurrected/395611 "2007-03-19T16:58:50Z")
This thread is partially prompted by some exchanges in this Pit thread started by badchad. I’m not really interested in Chads attempted pitting of tomndebb in that thread but I do think that he and a guest poster named h… --- ## [Why should we respect religious beliefs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-we-respect-religious-beliefs/395733)
**Author:** [@Cryptoderk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptoderk)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2007, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-we-respect-religious-beliefs/395733 "2007-03-18T22:07:11Z")
We don’t respect other inherently irrational beliefs, such as those held by the mentally ill. I fail to see why we should respect the religious beliefs of other people. (This is not a debate on the merits of religious b… --- ## [Khalid Sheikh Mohammed admits masterminding 9/11 (and 30 other plots)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khalid-sheikh-mohammed-admits-masterminding-9-11-and-30-other-plots/396029)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2007, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/khalid-sheikh-mohammed-admits-masterminding-9-11-and-30-other-plots/396029 "2007-03-17T13:07:47Z")
Story here and here. Mohammed (whom they’re now calling “the Forrest Gump of terrorism”) has been in custody since 2003 and may have been tortured. Does this give us reason to doubt his confession? Does this mean … --- ## [BritDopers: In hindsight, what do you think of Thatcher's legacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-in-hindsight-what-do-you-think-of-thatchers-legacy/395281)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2007, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-in-hindsight-what-do-you-think-of-thatchers-legacy/395281 "2007-03-17T12:53:55Z")
Thatcher left office in 1990, so you’ve had 17 years to think it over . . . Was Thatcher’s pro-business conservatism (a sharp break with old-school Churchillian conservatism) just what Britain needed at the time, or a re… --- ## [What if AGW is wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-agw-is-wrong/392831)
**Author:** [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2007, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-agw-is-wrong/392831 "2007-03-17T12:22:06Z")
I’m probably going to be vilified for even suggesting this but: What if the anthropogenic global warming (AGW) people are wrong? Amidst all of the studies saying that man is a prime contributor to global warming there ar… --- ## [Arthur Branch for POTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613)
**Author:** [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2007, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arthur-branch-for-potus/395613 "2007-03-16T19:17:47Z")
Fred Thompson considering run in 2008 Could this be what the GOP needs? Being a TV star, he could certainly generate a lot of crossover votes. As a trained actor, he definitely has an advantage in the debates. He’s han… --- ## [Finally! Joe Biden Rails On GWB and Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-joe-biden-rails-on-gwb-and-iraq/395988)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2007, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-joe-biden-rails-on-gwb-and-iraq/395988 "2007-03-16T14:11:50Z")
Well, I knew it had to happen some day. Joe Biden gives an impassioned speech on the Floor that actually makes sense. I had to watch the video twice before I could appreciate what Biden was saying. The first go-round I… --- ## [Why is the Justice Department firing so many U.S. Attorneys?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-justice-department-firing-so-many-u-s-attorneys/388607)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2007, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-justice-department-firing-so-many-u-s-attorneys/388607 "2007-03-16T13:31:32Z")
In recent weeks several U.S. Attorneys have been forced to resign by the Justice Department, for no clearly explained reason. Dan Bogden, appointed by Bush in 2001 to head up the USAO in Nevada, has proven highly effect… --- ## [Let's say we get out of Iraq. Whither Afghanistan? Can we "win" there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-we-get-out-of-iraq-whither-afghanistan-can-we-win-there/395698)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2007, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-we-get-out-of-iraq-whither-afghanistan-can-we-win-there/395698 "2007-03-16T13:07:02Z")
I am inclined to believe that we should never have gone into Iraq, and that we should have focused our energy and resources instead on Afghanistan. But here we are, with one foot in each country. So let’s imagine that w… --- ## [Evolutionary argument against naturalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolutionary-argument-against-naturalism/396082)
**Author:** [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2007, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolutionary-argument-against-naturalism/396082 "2007-03-16T12:12:29Z")
I did a search and I couldn’t find any threads on Alvin Plantinga’s argument against naturalism. What are people’s thoughts on it? Personally I find it very unconvincing. I also find it to be obviously unconvincing. H… --- ## [General Petraeus: It's "indisputable" Iran is training & arming Iraq militants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-petraeus-its-indisputable-iran-is-training-arming-iraq-militants/395787 "2007-03-16T02:03:14Z")
He also says “suicide bombers are streaming across Iraq’s border from Syria and making their way into the country’s volatile western Anbar province.” Story here. (As noted, this follows a meeting between U.S. and Irani… --- ## [Furor Over Baptist's 'Gay Baby' Article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furor-over-baptists-gay-baby-article/396106)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Griffin-Kentzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Griffin-Kentzel)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2007, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/furor-over-baptists-gay-baby-article/396106 "2007-03-16T00:05:19Z")
Furor Over Baptist’s ‘Gay Baby’ Article The article speaks for itself. --- ## [Openly mocking religious beliefs - When is it OK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/openly-mocking-religious-beliefs-when-is-it-ok/395808)
**Author:** [@Andrew\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_Bird)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2007, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/openly-mocking-religious-beliefs-when-is-it-ok/395808 "2007-03-15T20:48:28Z")
When is it OK to openly mock religious beliefs. I just saw the movie 300 and it is very open about mocking the religious beliefs of the Persians and the belief that Xerxes is a God. There is probably not much risk in thi… --- ## [The Great Global Warming Swindle - UK's Channel 4: blame Thatcher \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-global-warming-swindle-uks-channel-4-blame-thatcher-ed-title/395173)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2007, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-global-warming-swindle-uks-channel-4-blame-thatcher-ed-title/395173 "2007-03-15T17:34:33Z")
Channel 4 have just finished broadcasting The Great Global Warming Swindle. I’ve recorded it to watch again later, when I’ll make notes and fact-check it, so I’m not interested in debating its claims right now. Their deb… --- ## [Taking Wolves off the Endangered list in the US is a BAD move in my opinion!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-wolves-off-the-endangered-list-in-the-us-is-a-bad-move-in-my-opinion/395493)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2007, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-wolves-off-the-endangered-list-in-the-us-is-a-bad-move-in-my-opinion/395493 "2007-03-15T16:03:26Z")
This article outlines Idahoans who are going to vote on getting the re-introduced wolves off the endangered list so people can hunt them once again. There are an estimated 1200 wolves in the northern rockies with 46 bre… --- ## [Political Messages for Children](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-messages-for-children/395795)
**Author:** [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2007, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-messages-for-children/395795 "2007-03-15T15:33:20Z")
I just saw the following in a google ad: http://littledemocrats.net/samples.html The book, “Why Mommy is a Democrat”, was written by a political activist in order to engage kids in the political thoughts of their paren… --- ## [Is it time for the U.S. to drop economic sanctions on Cuba?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2007, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-the-u-s-to-drop-economic-sanctions-on-cuba/394727 "2007-03-15T13:45:39Z")
The issue is heating up in Congress. --- ## [Chris Dodd for President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-dodd-for-president/392786)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2007, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chris-dodd-for-president/392786 "2007-03-14T23:01:14Z")
Today it occurred to me that part of the reason I haven’t taken Chris Dodd’s presidential campaign really seriously is that I just knew him as “one of those Senate Democrats” back when I was a Republican kid. He wasn’t s… --- ## [Why hasn't the Catholic Church been outlawed? - Assisting in the rape of children](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-catholic-church-been-outlawed-assisting-in-the-rape-of-children/395458)
**Author:** [@Andrew\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_Bird)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2007, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-catholic-church-been-outlawed-assisting-in-the-rape-of-children/395458 "2007-03-14T12:21:43Z")
The Catholic Church (thorugh its highest authority in the US) assisted in the rape of children. They put known child rapists in close contact with children and warned nobody. They still have not released all the informat… --- ## [Specific Question about the DC gun case and the Supreme Court - Incorporation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-question-about-the-dc-gun-case-and-the-supreme-court-incorporation/395635)
**Author:** [@Andrew\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andrew_Bird)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2007, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/specific-question-about-the-dc-gun-case-and-the-supreme-court-incorporation/395635 "2007-03-14T03:48:41Z")
If the SC takes the DC gun ban case, will it have any effect on state and city gun laws? Can the court even reach the question of whether the 2nd amendment is incorporated against the states? --- ## [Toddlers Smoking Pot...where's the proof?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toddlers-smoking-pot-wheres-the-proof/394535)
**Author:** [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2007, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toddlers-smoking-pot-wheres-the-proof/394535 "2007-03-14T02:42:14Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/04/pot.kids/index.html First off, I’m not condoning children of this age smoking pot. Secondly, I believe the teenagers probably were giving pot to the kids. What I want to know is…how are… --- ## [Humans, Intelligent Design, and a Drunken God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-intelligent-design-and-a-drunken-god/395234)
**Author:** [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2007, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-intelligent-design-and-a-drunken-god/395234 "2007-03-13T23:29:58Z")
NOTE: One could consider this atheistic (or possibly deistic, depending on the person) “witnessing.” Evolution is an affront for many theists because it rudely interrupts their fantasy of humans having a special place i… --- ## [The L. Ron Hubbard’s educational books for kids, a Scientology trojan horse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-l-ron-hubbard-s-educational-books-for-kids-a-scientology-trojan-horse/395062)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2007, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-l-ron-hubbard-s-educational-books-for-kids-a-scientology-trojan-horse/395062 "2007-03-13T23:13:09Z")
Back in Cafe Society I’m concentrating in finding if the learning children books by L. Ron Hubbard have any redeeming educational value. Over here I want to concentrate on the actions Scientology is taking by pushing e… --- ## [How well informed are Fox News viewers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-informed-are-fox-news-viewers/395375)
**Author:** [@aluminumdisc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aluminumdisc)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2007, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-informed-are-fox-news-viewers/395375 "2007-03-13T22:34:25Z")
I rememmber seeing a poll somewhere that a larger number of Fox News viewers believed that some of the 911 hijackers were from Iraq than people who got their news from other news sources. Are there any other polls or r… --- ## [Lost Tomb of Jesus (discuss the show)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-tomb-of-jesus-discuss-the-show/394699)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2007, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-tomb-of-jesus-discuss-the-show/394699 "2007-03-13T22:04:38Z")
I know there’s already a thread about this but now that the documentary has been broadcast, I think we should have a new thread to discuss the show itself. I watched all three hours, including the discussion with Ted Ko… --- ## [Instincts: outdated or timeless? Good or bad? Discuss.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instincts-outdated-or-timeless-good-or-bad-discuss/395784)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2007, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instincts-outdated-or-timeless-good-or-bad-discuss/395784 "2007-03-13T19:27:44Z")
I’ve been thinking, as is my custom, about life and thoughts and happiness and stuff when it occurred to me, in what I can only call a totally original thought demonstrating that unmistakable flash of genius that most of… --- ## [Vietnam What If: Diem not assasinated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-what-if-diem-not-assasinated/395774)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-what-if-diem-not-assasinated/395774 "2007-03-13T18:28:31Z")
If Diem had not been assasinated, and let’s say, died of natural causes rather than murder, how would the Vietnam war played out? Would US troops of embarked on their mission to save the country from itself? Or would Die… --- ## [Is the stock market a giant zero-sum game/giant pyramid (ponzi) scheme?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-stock-market-a-giant-zero-sum-game-giant-pyramid-ponzi-scheme/393993)
**Author:** [@Bobalude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bobalude)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2007, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-stock-market-a-giant-zero-sum-game-giant-pyramid-ponzi-scheme/393993 "2007-03-13T14:06:06Z")
First I want to clarify something, is the company’s actual worth (physical assets minus liabilities) technically related to the stock price post-IPO? or any way technically related to the IPO price? When I say technical,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=724) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=726)