# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=729 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 730 --- ## [Pelosi's Palatial Plane Preference: Piggishness or Republican Pablam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pelosis-palatial-plane-preference-piggishness-or-republican-pablam/391385)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2007, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pelosis-palatial-plane-preference-piggishness-or-republican-pablam/391385 "2007-02-26T14:20:23Z")
In surfing around the web I’ve seen much ado about Nancy Pelosi’s request for a larger plane. Hastert, as Speaker, was given use of Military C-20 after 9/11 in the interest of security. Pelosi now gets that plane. But s… --- ## [Could a little more democracy save Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-little-more-democracy-save-iraq/393621)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2007, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-little-more-democracy-save-iraq/393621 "2007-02-26T04:22:04Z")
Not US style representative fixed term government, but more actually democracy. A plebecite every month on the various topics: Should we support the government or hold new elections? Should we split off the Kurds? Sh… --- ## [Italian effectiveness in WWII](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-effectiveness-in-wwii/393402)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2007, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/italian-effectiveness-in-wwii/393402 "2007-02-26T02:41:53Z")
Hi, all. Since we’ve got so many WWII threads running right now, I figured I’d contribute to the History Channel-ization of the board by asking - How effective was the Italian military in WWII? I know that they were tra… --- ## [CAN enriched uranium be used to make power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-enriched-uranium-be-used-to-make-power/393241)
**Author:** [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2007, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-enriched-uranium-be-used-to-make-power/393241 "2007-02-26T00:54:37Z")
The Iranians claim that they are pursuing enriched uranium for peaceful purposes. While I doubt that is why they are, is it possible? --- ## [What are the options for prison reform?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-options-for-prison-reform/393562)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-options-for-prison-reform/393562 "2007-02-25T23:13:07Z")
In California, a judge just told governor Arnold that he can’t solve prison overcrowding by out-placement of prisoners to other states. And he can’t “build his way out” by waiting a few years until more human store room… --- ## [Now that Vilsack's out, who picks up his (Iowa) support?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-vilsacks-out-who-picks-up-his-iowa-support/393464)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-vilsacks-out-who-picks-up-his-iowa-support/393464 "2007-02-25T17:49:19Z")
Here’s a poll Strategic Vision did in Iowa a week ago (linking to MyDD for the January comparison): Vilsack was more or less tied for second in Iowa with Clinton and Obama. Who his supporters gravitate to will be a bi… --- ## [Why not Bill Richardson for POTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-bill-richardson-for-potus/392548)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-bill-richardson-for-potus/392548 "2007-02-25T17:10:52Z")
Not long after Bill Richardson announced he was running for President, I was watching, um, This Week I think, & was struck by the blasé disregard one of the talking heads (Sam Donaldson, maybe?) had for his candidacy. Th… --- ## [Without the Holocaust, would Hitler still be viewed as evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-holocaust-would-hitler-still-be-viewed-as-evil/393412)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-holocaust-would-hitler-still-be-viewed-as-evil/393412 "2007-02-25T13:10:24Z")
(Taking my cue from the other two Hitler threads…) It seems fairly obvious that if Hitler hadn’t instituted the Final Solution, he would not be viewed as the incarnation of evil he is now. But would he still be viewed … --- ## [Would Portugal's overseas Empire still exist without the Carnation Revolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-portugals-overseas-empire-still-exist-without-the-carnation-revolution/393500)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-portugals-overseas-empire-still-exist-without-the-carnation-revolution/393500 "2007-02-25T09:09:35Z")
Regular readers of my posts (Yes, both of you, down the back there!) will probably be aware of my interest in Colonialism. Anyway, I was reading up on The Carnation Revolution in 1975, which overthrew the Estado Novo in … --- ## [To what extent do we personally blame Hitler for World War II?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-do-we-personally-blame-hitler-for-world-war-ii/393271)
**Author:** [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-do-we-personally-blame-hitler-for-world-war-ii/393271 "2007-02-25T09:06:18Z")
Based on the thread “What Was Hitler’s Biggest Blunder?” I am presenting this question. Many people concluded that Hitler’s biggest blunder was invading Russia; but if he hadn’t invaded Russia, he wouldn’t have gone to … --- ## [Afghanistan's effect on Soviet Union's decline and future economic effect of Iraq War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistans-effect-on-soviet-unions-decline-and-future-economic-effect-of-iraq-war/393119)
**Author:** [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistans-effect-on-soviet-unions-decline-and-future-economic-effect-of-iraq-war/393119 "2007-02-25T08:52:16Z")
The economy in the US went to shit in the late 70’s. Interest rates went up, a period of high price inflation combined with slow output growth, high unemployment and a general recession. I have heard people blame Jimmy … --- ## [Are the Russians right, that there is freedom beyond democracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-russians-right-that-there-is-freedom-beyond-democracy/393152)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-russians-right-that-there-is-freedom-beyond-democracy/393152 "2007-02-25T05:12:54Z")
\*Wahington Times - Moscow - \*Rising middle class ready to shop One of the errors I see in western commentators on Russia is their assumption that Putin is “anti-democratic” whenever he is anti-monopoly. Failing in othe… --- ## [Was Jesus as smart as Plato?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-jesus-as-smart-as-plato/390241)
**Author:** [@badchad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badchad)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-jesus-as-smart-as-plato/390241 "2007-02-25T04:28:00Z")
So, was Jesus as smart as Plato, or Socrates if you prefer, or Aristotle, Epicurus or a bunch of philosophers that predated him (some) by centuries? Is he as smart as a lot of philosophers that postdated him (Voltaire, … --- ## [Abortion America and al Qaeda](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-america-and-al-qaeda/393281)
**Author:** [@William\_Strunk\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/William_Strunk_Jr)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-america-and-al-qaeda/393281 "2007-02-25T03:45:33Z")
How can people who think that abortion is murder not think that America is worse than al Qaeda? Our Constitution is officially held to protect the right to abortion. Millions more have been murdered (if you subscribe to … --- ## [Obama 08 vs. Dean 04](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-08-vs-dean-04/393456)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-08-vs-dean-04/393456 "2007-02-25T02:28:39Z")
At this stage, Obama has been compared with Howard Dean’s rise to popularity around the same time four years ago. I remember this very vividly. I followed Howard Dean from the beginning of his rise. I seriously mean all … --- ## [Global Warming - Can the average person understand it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-can-the-average-person-understand-it/393490)
**Author:** [@William\_Strunk\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/William_Strunk_Jr)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2007, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-can-the-average-person-understand-it/393490 "2007-02-25T01:29:41Z")
Is there any way that the average person can understand global warming? Where can the average person go to get the information to understand why global warming has been established in the scientific community to caused b… --- ## [Alternate American Revolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-american-revolution/393082)
**Author:** [@asrivkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asrivkin)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2007, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-american-revolution/393082 "2007-02-24T17:47:46Z")
Most alternate histories of the American Revolution that I’ve seen have gone in the direction of partial or total defeat for the USA. I’ve been thinking about the other direction. While things broke pretty well for the… --- ## [Was He really a Master Teacher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-he-really-a-master-teacher/393207)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2007, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-he-really-a-master-teacher/393207 "2007-02-24T12:08:47Z")
I’ve heard it all my life and today I read it in a newspaper. Jesus (the famous one in the New Testament) has been described as the Master Teacher. Well, would you really describe him as that just from the evidence of … --- ## [Study: Terrorism has increased sevenfold since U.S. invaded Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-terrorism-has-increased-sevenfold-since-u-s-invaded-iraq/393258)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2007, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-terrorism-has-increased-sevenfold-since-u-s-invaded-iraq/393258 "2007-02-24T09:55:46Z")
Terrorist attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan account for most of this, but even if they are discounted, the incidence of terror attacks in the rest of the world has increased by one-third since the invasion. Study/article h… --- ## [Neko Cases' Plan for reintroducing Tigers to the wild](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neko-cases-plan-for-reintroducing-tigers-to-the-wild/393125)
**Author:** [@William\_Strunk\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/William_Strunk_Jr)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2007, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neko-cases-plan-for-reintroducing-tigers-to-the-wild/393125 "2007-02-24T07:47:20Z")
I have been presenting this idea to different people since I first heard about it on Neko Case’s The Tigers Have Spoken. Many seem to have a strong reaction that this is a bad idea. It is on the last track and Neko Case … --- ## [Is it time to drop public funding for PBS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-drop-public-funding-for-pbs/392897)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2007, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-drop-public-funding-for-pbs/392897 "2007-02-24T06:44:52Z")
I like PBS, probably watch it more than any single network channel. (Although that might be bad math, since I get 3 PBS channels, which run the same shows but at staggered times, making it more likely to match my schedu… --- ## [Microsoft Ordered to Pay...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-ordered-to-pay/393407)
**Author:** [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2007, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-ordered-to-pay/393407 "2007-02-24T06:26:45Z")
The Largest Patent Settlement in History (pending appeal). News Story Assuming the decision is upheld against Microsoft’s appeal, how will this affect the MP3 player market? Given that the patents are apparently almo… --- ## [Is teaching faith-based beliefs as fact child abuse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-teaching-faith-based-beliefs-as-fact-child-abuse/393128)
**Author:** [@William\_Strunk\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/William_Strunk_Jr)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2007, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-teaching-faith-based-beliefs-as-fact-child-abuse/393128 "2007-02-24T04:06:09Z")
Should parents have the right to teach children falsehoods? Should parents be allowed to tell their children that God really exists if they cannot back up their claims with evidence? What about the more obvious case of … --- ## [John Edwards is a very impressive Presidential candidate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-edwards-is-a-very-impressive-presidential-candidate/391017)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 282\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2007, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-edwards-is-a-very-impressive-presidential-candidate/391017 "2007-02-24T02:43:05Z")
Don’t agree with all his positions, but he handled himself very, very well in the interview with Tim Russert on Sunday. He’s smart and he’s pretty. If he doesn’t step on his own tail he could well be the next President o… --- ## [Moral Nihilism and the Existence of God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moral-nihilism-and-the-existence-of-god/393397)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2007, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moral-nihilism-and-the-existence-of-god/393397 "2007-02-23T23:43:57Z")
Classically (and etymologically) moral nihilism is the philosophy that nothing has value. Morality is dealt with by ethics, of course, but in the phrase, it is a mere adjective. It only modifies the word “value”, and val… --- ## [How is Bush cowing GOP Senators to fight the Dems nonbinding resolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-bush-cowing-gop-senators-to-fight-the-dems-nonbinding-resolution/392932)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-bush-cowing-gop-senators-to-fight-the-dems-nonbinding-resolution/392932 "2007-02-23T20:24:33Z")
The networks are reporting to that effect, at any rate. But at the same time, we also hear that Bush is a lame duck and our legislators aren’t afraid of him anymore. So how can Bush bend those guys to his will? Bush is … --- ## [Is Alcoholism Really a Disease?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alcoholism-really-a-disease/390551)
**Author:** [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Replies:** 306\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2007, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alcoholism-really-a-disease/390551 "2007-02-23T19:55:24Z")
Best as I understand it, the idea that alcoholism is a “disease” comes from the popular 12-Step methods (such as Alcoholics Anonymous) so lauded for their ability to help sufferers of alcoholism. But also, best as I und… --- ## [Ralph Nader's dad's answer to the problem of power and greed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ralph-naders-dads-answer-to-the-problem-of-power-and-greed/392686)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2007, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ralph-naders-dads-answer-to-the-problem-of-power-and-greed/392686 "2007-02-23T19:00:06Z")
Ralph was on C-Spans’ BookTV promoting his new bookThe Seventeen Traditions his parents instilled in their family. And at one point he mentioned that his dad was always promoting an idea that it would be wise to let peo… --- ## [Global Warming - Let's talk specifics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-lets-talk-specifics/393064)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2007, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-lets-talk-specifics/393064 "2007-02-23T18:39:49Z")
This is a new thread I’m kicking off from the What if AGW is Wrong? thread. The ground rules: For the purposes of this thread, please start with the assumption that A) Global Warming is real, B) Humans are responsible… --- ## [Massachusetts asks for Fisheries Aid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massachusetts-asks-for-fisheries-aid/393217)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2007, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massachusetts-asks-for-fisheries-aid/393217 "2007-02-23T16:36:21Z")
(I certainly do not have all the details, I am basing this on a radio report.) The Massachusetts fisheries are in trouble. New regulations limit boats going to some areas more than 24 days a year. The Governor is asking… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=728) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=730)