# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=727 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 728 --- ## [Expert system cited for unlicensed practice of law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expert-system-cited-for-unlicensed-practice-of-law/395102)
**Author:** [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2007, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/expert-system-cited-for-unlicensed-practice-of-law/395102 "2007-03-08T22:25:08Z")
From here: I think this raises some interesting questions. To the best of my knowledge, modern expert systems are just a long series of if-then-else clauses, but in the future they may be capable of learning new infor… --- ## [why not universal healthcare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-universal-healthcare/389238)
**Author:** [@space\_fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/space_fish)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-universal-healthcare/389238 "2007-03-08T20:44:02Z")
Screw health care reform. Socialize it. Seems to work good in other countries. So don’t tell me it don’t work. My girlfriend is English and was completely shocked about the lack of healthcare here. Where as in America o… --- ## [Christians: What if James Cameron DID Find Jesus' Tomb?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-what-if-james-cameron-did-find-jesus-tomb/393581)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 190\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2007, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-what-if-james-cameron-did-find-jesus-tomb/393581 "2007-03-08T19:40:21Z")
James Cameron claims he found Jesus’ tomb and that Jesus wasn’t resurrected. How would this affect you if it were true? Would you still believe in God and just treat Jesus as a wise teacher, or would you reject religion … --- ## [Scooter: G-U-I-L-T-Y](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooter-g-u-i-l-t-y/394820)
**Author:** [@i\_am\_a\_scientist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/i_am_a_scientist)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooter-g-u-i-l-t-y/394820 "2007-03-08T16:53:54Z")
So now what? Specifically, does this lead to more investigation(s) or does Libby just take the bullet and get a show on fox in 10 years? http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070306/D8NMQ0E02.html --- ## [What drives the development of new societal rules?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-drives-the-development-of-new-societal-rules/395084)
**Author:** [@hr\_realist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hr_realist)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2007, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-drives-the-development-of-new-societal-rules/395084 "2007-03-08T15:40:40Z")
Reading (yet another) thread on “those” barbaric customs and Sharia Law I was prompted to consider the development of rules within a society. Western laws, although based in the teachings of the bible and 10 commandment… --- ## [Why do cops deserve more respect than people in other professions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cops-deserve-more-respect-than-people-in-other-professions/393843)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2007, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-cops-deserve-more-respect-than-people-in-other-professions/393843 "2007-03-08T15:21:45Z")
Inspired by these threads (1,2 ). Cops and people in the military seem to get an undo amount of respect in this country. Why is this the case? There are the obvious things that jump out at you. The job is dangerous. T… --- ## [If America institutes universal healthcare, why should I work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-america-institutes-universal-healthcare-why-should-i-work/392935)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2007, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-america-institutes-universal-healthcare-why-should-i-work/392935 "2007-03-08T14:15:57Z")
I have no real compulsion to work. As long as I have the basics covered, I’m cool with life. So if the government wants to make sure I can always get healthcare up to modern standards without me lifting a finger to pay f… --- ## [Anti-Pollution vs Climate Change vs Global warming.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-pollution-vs-climate-change-vs-global-warming/394935)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2007, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-pollution-vs-climate-change-vs-global-warming/394935 "2007-03-07T23:35:45Z")
When I was growing up, the major issue about the environment was pollution. The vast majority of people , if asked , would have been in favour of reducing pollution. With the only exceptions being factory owners pumping … --- ## [Ethical State Secretaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-state-secretaries/394854)
**Author:** [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2007, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-state-secretaries/394854 "2007-03-07T21:11:06Z")
Walloon asks: Change “whatever was necessary” to “whatever was legally plausible” and yep, pretty much. Secretaries of State are wannabe Governors and need to move up in the ranks of their party. And heck, the free p… --- ## [Detect Alignment: Illegal Search Or Not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detect-alignment-illegal-search-or-not/394708)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/detect-alignment-illegal-search-or-not/394708 "2007-03-07T21:03:52Z")
(Inspired by Baleful Polymorph: assault or not?) Petitioner Belkar Bitterleaf, currently travelling in the custody of paladin Miko Miyazaki, has obtained a restraining order against future uses of Miyazaki’s Detect Evil… --- ## [Americans' #1 domestic priority: Government-guaranteed universal health insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-1-domestic-priority-government-guaranteed-universal-health-insurance/394356)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-1-domestic-priority-government-guaranteed-universal-health-insurance/394356 "2007-03-07T17:33:41Z")
Story here. Any chance the pols will take note of this and get something done before the 2008 election? If not, how will that affect the election? --- ## [Were Walter Reed's troubles caused by outsourcing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-walter-reeds-troubles-caused-by-outsourcing/394733)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2007, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-walter-reeds-troubles-caused-by-outsourcing/394733 "2007-03-07T15:38:18Z")
Story here: Well, despite the Pentagon’s effort to block him from testifying, the fired head of Walter Reed, Maj. Gen. George Weightman, is testifying before Congress this week. The story touches only briefly on the o… --- ## [Riots in Copenhagen (Ungdomshuset)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riots-in-copenhagen-ungdomshuset/394622)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2007, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riots-in-copenhagen-ungdomshuset/394622 "2007-03-07T12:00:51Z")
I live in Copenhagen, and recently there have been a series of riots regarding the expulsion of a collective from something called Ungdomshuset (The Youth House). Also, there have been a good deal of supporters from Germ… --- ## [GPS solves a crime, but the "big fish" drug traffickers may escape in Central America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gps-solves-a-crime-but-the-big-fish-drug-traffickers-may-escape-in-central-america/393450)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2007, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gps-solves-a-crime-but-the-big-fish-drug-traffickers-may-escape-in-central-america/393450 "2007-03-06T13:37:21Z")
This is not a subject many dopers are aware, but since the war of drugs (no pun intended) continues in all of the Americas, I wanted to get your impressions and comments, there is also a curious technology angle in all t… --- ## [Convince me my morality is wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-my-morality-is-wrong/394605)
**Author:** [@enigm4tic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigm4tic)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2007, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/convince-me-my-morality-is-wrong/394605 "2007-03-06T07:54:56Z")
Basically, I have arrived at a morality using nothing but what I consider as close to axiomatic. I suppose more accurately, I have used nothing other than what I deemed “observably true”. Premise 1) I exist, I am a sent… --- ## [Homosexuality is unnatural](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-is-unnatural/394512)
**Author:** [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2007, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-is-unnatural/394512 "2007-03-06T03:39:44Z")
In this Pit thread, Autolycus, offered to share his views on homosexuality in a debate format, so I offered to start a thread for him to do so. His views so far in that thread are: here And the offer to debate is her… --- ## [should we fund comet search](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-fund-comet-search/394748)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2007, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-fund-comet-search/394748 "2007-03-06T03:34:08Z")
Heres NEO the site for near earth objects. Center for NEO Studies It shows the near earth objects that have been found so far. They are the size of a fooball stadium or bigger. However some would like it to be spread to … --- ## [Should NASA search for killer asteroids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-nasa-search-for-killer-asteroids/394769)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2007, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-nasa-search-for-killer-asteroids/394769 "2007-03-06T03:08:37Z")
nevermind --- ## [Let's build a U.S. President from scratch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-build-a-u-s-president-from-scratch/394350)
**Author:** [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2007, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-build-a-u-s-president-from-scratch/394350 "2007-03-05T23:49:51Z")
Many times have I heard people complain when the presidential nominations are finished, “Is this really the best we’ve got?” It seems that nobody, especially those on this board, is ever happy enough to vote for someone… --- ## [Baleful Polymorph: assault or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baleful-polymorph-assault-or-not/394074)
**Author:** [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2007, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baleful-polymorph-assault-or-not/394074 "2007-03-05T22:58:11Z")
In re: Frog versus W. Witch, we find insufficient evidence that the criminal charge of assault and battery, i.e., the intent to commit grievous bodily harm to the plaintiff \[viz, Frog\] is applicable to the events heretof… --- ## [Jose Padilla driven mad by military torture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jose-padilla-driven-mad-by-military-torture/393255)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jose-padilla-driven-mad-by-military-torture/393255 "2007-03-05T20:57:03Z")
That’s what his lawyers are trying to prove, anyway: Jose Padilla was so mentally traumatized by his treatment in Navy brigs that he is not competent to assist in his own defense. The Navy jailers who had charge of him … --- ## [Let's read the Qur'an!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-read-the-quran/394417)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2007, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-read-the-quran/394417 "2007-03-05T18:41:06Z")
Seriously, I’m getting fed up to about {pretend you see me holding my right hand above my head as high as I can} here with ignorant comments (heard and read a few recently) about Islam and the Qur’an. So here’s a though… --- ## [Will General Wesley Clark run for POTUS in 2008?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-general-wesley-clark-run-for-potus-in-2008/394358)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2007, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-general-wesley-clark-run-for-potus-in-2008/394358 "2007-03-05T18:31:48Z")
In a recent interview, Clark would say only: \[quote=\] AMY GOODMAN: Will you announce for president? GEN. WESLEY CLARK: Well, I haven’t said I won’t. AMY GOODMAN: What are you waiting for? GEN. WESLEY CLARK: I’m wait… --- ## [Why DRM is stupid for companies.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-drm-is-stupid-for-companies/393834)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2007, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-drm-is-stupid-for-companies/393834 "2007-03-05T13:21:06Z")
You know, in addition to being stupid for everyone else. From the Baen Free Library, a moneymaking company that proves the stupidity of DRM every single day. The DRM apologists can whine and chunter and point to all thos… --- ## [why America are in constant war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-america-are-in-constant-war/394299)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2007, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-america-are-in-constant-war/394299 "2007-03-05T03:41:45Z")
may this be the cause: http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/ from the documentary “Why we fight”: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why\_We\_Fight\_%282005\_film%29 Is this the fundamental reason behind USAs wars? --- ## [AP says: we ignored Paris Hilton for a week](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-says-we-ignored-paris-hilton-for-a-week/394332)
**Author:** [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2007, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ap-says-we-ignored-paris-hilton-for-a-week/394332 "2007-03-05T02:44:56Z")
Here on CNN.com, the Associated Press admits that it tried a week-long experiment to ignore Paris Hilton — that is, it didn’t publish or distribute any news stories about the vapid, entitled perfume hawkstress. What cau… --- ## [The next six months will be critical.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-six-months-will-be-critical/394441)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2007, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-next-six-months-will-be-critical/394441 "2007-03-04T16:46:10Z")
Thomas Friedman has stopped saying that (so we can stop calling it a Friedman Unit), but the torch has been taken up by Petraeus’ own senior staff. Enough. It’s over. There’s no more fact-based argument to the contra… --- ## [Anyone following the PETA trial in North Carolina?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-peta-trial-in-north-carolina/389629)
**Author:** [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2007, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-following-the-peta-trial-in-north-carolina/389629 "2007-03-04T15:20:28Z")
Two PETA workers accused of euthanizing hundreds of animals and dumping them in a dumpster behind Piggly Wiggly. This site (obvious agenda, be warned) has a day by day recap of the trial. I know PETA has gone over the… --- ## [Free Universal Birth Control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-universal-birth-control/394369)
**Author:** [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2007, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-universal-birth-control/394369 "2007-03-04T12:43:44Z")
Inspired by this thread. Should America adopt a policy that any citizen can get access to any statistically viable (say, \> 95% success when properly used) form of birth control for free? It seems to me that unwanted ch… --- ## [Should the right to vote be earned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-right-to-vote-be-earned/393865)
**Author:** [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2007, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-right-to-vote-be-earned/393865 "2007-03-03T18:24:36Z")
After someone in another thread mentioned Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers, it got me thinking about Democracy and why we vote the way we do. In Heinelin’s story, only those who have completed a term in the Armed forc… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=726) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=728)