# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=731 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 732 --- ## [How far away is Maryland from becoming a PMPS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-away-is-maryland-from-becoming-a-pmps/391963)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2007, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-away-is-maryland-from-becoming-a-pmps/391963 "2007-02-17T14:41:04Z")
PMPS = Prescription Monitoring Program State. I am curious as to if/when the state of Maryland will become one of these states. I found this link that states Maryland is thinking about it. Just curious if anyone knows… --- ## [State Department preparing for exodus from Cuba when Castro dies.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-department-preparing-for-exodus-from-cuba-when-castro-dies/392566)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2007, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-department-preparing-for-exodus-from-cuba-when-castro-dies/392566 "2007-02-17T08:30:34Z")
In fact, they’re preparing the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base to house refugees. Story here. :confused: WTF? Why would Castro’s passing make large numbers of Cubans want to leave? Is Raul any bit scarier than Fidel? --- ## [Why the silence on the Salt Lake City shootings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-silence-on-the-salt-lake-city-shootings/392222)
**Author:** [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2007, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-silence-on-the-salt-lake-city-shootings/392222 "2007-02-17T05:25:50Z")
Two days ago, a teenager walked into a shopping mall in Salt Lake City Utah, pulls out a shotgun, kills five people and puts four more in critical condition before being gunned down by an off-duty police officer. Not mu… --- ## [Let's debate LBJ's Great Society (4th attempt posting thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-debate-lbjs-great-society-4th-attempt-posting-thread/391962)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2007, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-debate-lbjs-great-society-4th-attempt-posting-thread/391962 "2007-02-17T00:54:08Z")
In this thread, I was entirely gobsmacked by this post by xtisme: \[QUOTE=xtisme\] IMHO Johnson is nominally the winner of the worst of debate IMHO. His great ‘achievements’, so touted here, are of course a matter of pe… --- ## [Muqtada al-Sadr is in Iran](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muqtada-al-sadr-is-in-iran/392417)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muqtada-al-sadr-is-in-iran/392417 "2007-02-16T23:50:30Z")
. . . though his bloc in the Iraqi Parliament insists his presence there is a “visit,” not a “flight.” Which is it? If the latter, will it make him less dangerous, or more? --- ## [Immigration debate causing surge in KKK membership?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immigration-debate-causing-surge-in-kkk-membership/391153)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immigration-debate-causing-surge-in-kkk-membership/391153 "2007-02-16T22:21:51Z")
So says the Anti-Defamation League, at any rate: True? If so, significant? And is this the predictable result when the debate becomes emotional and by definition irrational, that irrational organizations flourish? --- ## [All this garbage!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-this-garbage/391628)
**Author:** [@deanc2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deanc2000)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-this-garbage/391628 "2007-02-16T22:00:42Z")
All the garbage that we humans produce on a daily basis has been bothering me for awhile now. I mean we all go to fast food places daily, and with just one meal, you get some cardboard, paper, styrofoam and most likely … --- ## [Climate Change- help me debunk this facebook group's claims](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-help-me-debunk-this-facebook-groups-claims/392352)
**Author:** [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-help-me-debunk-this-facebook-groups-claims/392352 "2007-02-16T18:54:16Z")
This is the statement of a group I was invited to on facebook- and to be frank it looks like a load of shit. It’s hard enough to even figure out what they’re trying to say. I am aware though that there’s been more than … --- ## [Philosophy: What is it good for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philosophy-what-is-it-good-for/390453)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philosophy-what-is-it-good-for/390453 "2007-02-16T18:05:43Z")
I thought about posting this in GQ, but I think it’s more of a debate than a series of questions with factual answers. I understand what the big scientific breakthroughs have been, but what were the big philosophical … --- ## [Hitatchi Unveils "Dust Sized" RFID Chips...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitatchi-unveils-dust-sized-rfid-chips/392287)
**Author:** [@Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Full_Metal_Lotus)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitatchi-unveils-dust-sized-rfid-chips/392287 "2007-02-16T17:58:52Z")
I am all for using RFID Chips for Inventory and parcel tracking(Anyone who has ever done a hand count in an electronics parts warehouse would be insane to feel otherwise), but these things strike me as the ultimate in st… --- ## [Washington state ballot initiative: Childless heterosexual marriages must be annulled](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-state-ballot-initiative-childless-heterosexual-marriages-must-be-annulled/391985)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-state-ballot-initiative-childless-heterosexual-marriages-must-be-annulled/391985 "2007-02-16T04:48:40Z")
. . . if they produce no children within three years of the marriage. And they can’t get married in the first place unless they “are capable of having children with one another.” Based on the premise, often repeated by… --- ## [What's this nonsense about science and religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-nonsense-about-science-and-religion/391545)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-nonsense-about-science-and-religion/391545 "2007-02-16T04:43:45Z")
What’s up with this assertion, made in many recent threads, that science disproves the claims of religion? Obviously many different types of human experience exist; that’s why universities have many departments and gran… --- ## [Docs EMTS & others, ethical human medical experiments without patient consent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/docs-emts-others-ethical-human-medical-experiments-without-patient-consent/376144)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/docs-emts-others-ethical-human-medical-experiments-without-patient-consent/376144 "2007-02-16T04:41:30Z")
I’m really hoping a couple of doctors or other medical professionals will drop in here to provide some fact-based commentary for the rest of us. I was inspired to this question by this Reuters story about a product desi… --- ## [Is there a practical mechanism to tax wealth instead of income?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-practical-mechanism-to-tax-wealth-instead-of-income/392014)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-practical-mechanism-to-tax-wealth-instead-of-income/392014 "2007-02-16T03:13:10Z")
Tax time is upon me. Perhaps some of you as well. If I could fix one inequity–at least I perceive it as an inequity–it would be to tax wealth instead of income. I don’t think there is any way to do it. I’d love to ge… --- ## [Unholy wars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unholy-wars/390544)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unholy-wars/390544 "2007-02-16T00:44:18Z")
I am confused by atheistic militantism. I understand the attitude from Apple users, Jeep owners, Democrats or Republicans, pro-life/pro-choice, vegetarians. Heck, as much as I despise it, I even understand religious mil… --- ## [The Al Franken... Six-Year Senate Term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-al-franken-six-year-senate-term/390366)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2007, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-al-franken-six-year-senate-term/390366 "2007-02-16T00:22:46Z")
It’s (sorta) official: Al Franken is running for the Senate. I don’t know if this should be here or in Cafe Society. Does he have a chance? I don’t know about the other prospective candidates, and how popular or unpop… --- ## [Is It Any of Your Business When Someone Else Doesn't Follow the Rules?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-any-of-your-business-when-someone-else-doesnt-follow-the-rules/391727)
**Author:** [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2007, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-any-of-your-business-when-someone-else-doesnt-follow-the-rules/391727 "2007-02-15T15:57:18Z")
I’m not talking about breaking laws, just following rules. This issue arose on a mothering messageboard, and I wondered what Dopers had to say on the issue. Ann’s 4-yr-old daughter, Mary, attends a very expensive presc… --- ## [How the US/Mexico immigration debate should perhaps be framed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-us-mexico-immigration-debate-should-perhaps-be-framed/391165)
**Author:** [@Morfane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morfane)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2007, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-the-us-mexico-immigration-debate-should-perhaps-be-framed/391165 "2007-02-15T08:43:00Z")
With a fourfold disparity in GDP per capita, the flow of people is inevitable. As is, the folks crossing the border are the ones with the least to lose in doing so: the poorest of Mexico’s underclass. Some find this obje… --- ## [Do you think we need national level laws about marriage, divorce, and inheritance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-we-need-national-level-laws-about-marriage-divorce-and-inheritance/391428)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2007, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-we-need-national-level-laws-about-marriage-divorce-and-inheritance/391428 "2007-02-15T08:21:02Z")
There ought to be more uniformity about common law wives, when palimony is allowed/disallowed, who the nominal next of kin are, etc. So many couples split up and/or live and die in separate states. Do we really need 50… --- ## [A belief in miracles is atheistic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-belief-in-miracles-is-atheistic/391736)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2007, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-belief-in-miracles-is-atheistic/391736 "2007-02-15T00:05:57Z")
This was a statement made by one of Darwin’s intellectual contemporaries Mathematician Baden Powell. What did he mean by this? I would generally think of belief in miracles as being very "theistic"The wiki source gives … --- ## [Is there too much public funding for sports, stadiums and the like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-too-much-public-funding-for-sports-stadiums-and-the-like/392051)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2007, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-too-much-public-funding-for-sports-stadiums-and-the-like/392051 "2007-02-14T23:55:11Z")
Every time I see what ball players earn, and their owners, and then see all the public money they demand for new statiums and access roads, which they shortly sell or abandon, or blackmail the cities so they won’t reloca… --- ## [Do we need a new unique identity code?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-need-a-new-unique-identity-code/392049)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2007, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-need-a-new-unique-identity-code/392049 "2007-02-14T22:33:59Z")
Social Security Numbers were originally optional, but now are pretty much ubiquitous, even for children. And they used to be fairly confidential, not freely available and not supposed to be used as IDs in private databa… --- ## [Put this presidential race into perspective](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/put-this-presidential-race-into-perspective/391289)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2007, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/put-this-presidential-race-into-perspective/391289 "2007-02-14T19:05:15Z")
Right now we have some interesting candidacies and polling results for the 2008 election. Clinton and Obama polling well is interesting, for example. Non “mainstream” Republicans like Giuliani leading the pack is inter… --- ## [Hitler's "joke"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitlers-joke/391773)
**Author:** [@DiggitCamara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiggitCamara)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitlers-joke/391773 "2007-02-14T18:46:46Z")
In this segment, Hitler jokes (about 5 months before WWII) about a diplomatic note Roosevelt sent him. This short speech before the german parlament is treated like a big joke. To me, however, it’s a very interesting d… --- ## [Who's the worst American president ever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-american-president-ever/391884)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2007, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-american-president-ever/391884 "2007-02-14T15:40:49Z")
Subject of a recent article in The Nation. They’re also doing an on-line poll. (It offers only five choices – Buchanan, Harding, Hoover, Nixon, and GWB.) --- ## [Does Biden have a chance against Hillary and Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-biden-have-a-chance-against-hillary-and-obama/390206)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2007, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-biden-have-a-chance-against-hillary-and-obama/390206 "2007-02-14T14:41:57Z")
Joe Biden (D-DE) announced he’s running today. Link. Why is this very experienced, very well-thought-of Democratic Senator considered such a long shot? Yeah, he’s got the plagiarism charge, but that’s small potatoes. --- ## [Boehner: We Didn't Start the (Iraq) Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boehner-we-didnt-start-the-iraq-fire/392079)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2007, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boehner-we-didnt-start-the-iraq-fire/392079 "2007-02-14T14:38:56Z")
He says this war goes all the way back to the Iran hostage crisis of 1979. I disagree. There are those who say it really began with the Crusades, or with Muhammed. I say it goes all the way back to Tiglathpileser, the… --- ## [Michigan Court of Appeal strikes down benefits for unmarried couples, straight or gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-court-of-appeal-strikes-down-benefits-for-unmarried-couples-straight-or-gay/391637)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2007, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-court-of-appeal-strikes-down-benefits-for-unmarried-couples-straight-or-gay/391637 "2007-02-14T13:36:15Z")
The Michigan Court of Appeal recently held that the state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage is broad enough to ban the state from giving marital employment benefits to any unmarried couple, straight or g… --- ## [Is anyone else happy to just take their chances with regards to a terrorist attack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-else-happy-to-just-take-their-chances-with-regards-to-a-terrorist-attack/390780)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2007, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-else-happy-to-just-take-their-chances-with-regards-to-a-terrorist-attack/390780 "2007-02-14T08:18:16Z")
After seeing the debacle in Boston this week (detailed here), I’ve started wondering something: Is there anyone else out there who’s prepared to say “You know what? I’m happy to take my chances with regards to the whole… --- ## [Is US military aggression economically empowering Iran?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-military-aggression-economically-empowering-iran/391942)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2007, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-us-military-aggression-economically-empowering-iran/391942 "2007-02-13T17:26:53Z")
And, could Iran’s announcements regarding an interest in nuclear technology be a ploy? According to this New Yorker article by James Surowiecki, it sure seems possible. Basically, any threat of conflict in the Middle E… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=730) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=732)