# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=733 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 734 --- ## [We've lost in Iraq, haven't we?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weve-lost-in-iraq-havent-we/390734)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2007, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weve-lost-in-iraq-havent-we/390734 "2007-02-08T18:45:38Z")
I was out doing an interview/having lunch at a deli (you’d be amazed how well those two items go together) with a local elected official who’s plugged into the state Republican party. We’ve known each other for years so… --- ## [Fallout from the Snickers ad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fallout-from-the-snickers-ad/391128)
**Author:** [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2007, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fallout-from-the-snickers-ad/391128 "2007-02-08T17:38:48Z")
Most people have probably seen the Snickers ad that premiered during the Super Bowl. Essentially, two mechanics (“heteros”) eat a Snickers from each end until their lips meet. Aghast at the “kiss”, they do something ma… --- ## [What's your opinion on circumcision?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-circumcision/389582)
**Author:** [@spazurek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spazurek)\ **Replies:** 278\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2007, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-opinion-on-circumcision/389582 "2007-02-08T16:23:10Z")
I recently got in a somewhat heated argument with a co-worker and fellow scientist about whether she’s going to circumcise her soon-to-be son. She’s someone who rejects every conservative tradition in society that is th… --- ## [Was Dan Quayle worse than Dick Cheney?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-dan-quayle-worse-than-dick-cheney/390811)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2007, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-dan-quayle-worse-than-dick-cheney/390811 "2007-02-08T13:27:07Z")
Two of the worst Vice Presidents are Dick Cheney and Dan Quayle. Dan Quayle is an idiot who was the deserved butt of jokes by late night tv hosts. However, Dick Cheney is an immoral man with a lust for power and will st… --- ## [Refuse part or all of the bible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refuse-part-or-all-of-the-bible/390424)
**Author:** [@MovingTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovingTarget)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2007, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refuse-part-or-all-of-the-bible/390424 "2007-02-08T13:08:16Z")
Ok, inspired by a post in a thread, that was inspired by a post in another thread, here is my question. And please believe me when I say it is a truly genuine question. If I refuse to believe parts of the bible, why sh… --- ## [Fight my ignorance re: Global Warming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fight-my-ignorance-re-global-warming/390889)
**Author:** [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2007, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fight-my-ignorance-re-global-warming/390889 "2007-02-08T01:24:23Z")
(Inspired by this thread, which has turned into an off-topic pile-on.) Okay, I get humans create greenhouse gasses (etc.). And I get that the climate is changing. But here’s where my ignorance comes in: I’ve never see… --- ## [Get Andrew Jackson off the $20](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-andrew-jackson-off-the-20/390463)
**Author:** [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2007, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-andrew-jackson-off-the-20/390463 "2007-02-07T19:44:16Z")
Millions, I was reinspired by a column from the perfect master that came up in GQ today to renew my not-so-serious quest to banish Andrew Jackson from the 20. My well-reasoned, highly researched argument follows: Jacks… --- ## [Is paranormal torture a Jungian archtype?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paranormal-torture-a-jungian-archtype/391167)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2007, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-paranormal-torture-a-jungian-archtype/391167 "2007-02-07T19:02:30Z")
The basic story: secret evil beings torture, rape and abuse innnocent victims. The victims either get their minds wiped, supress the memories because they’re too painful, or get dismissed as insane. I’m surprised by how… --- ## [An uncreated universe is more logical than an uncreated God!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-uncreated-universe-is-more-logical-than-an-uncreated-god/390722)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2007, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-uncreated-universe-is-more-logical-than-an-uncreated-god/390722 "2007-02-07T17:39:08Z")
As you have probably noted this is one of many postings I have done on topics near and dear to atheists. As I explained to the moderator in the other thread, when an atheist does a certain amount of promotion for the c… --- ## [Obama and the Civil Rights Establishment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-the-civil-rights-establishment/385278)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2007, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-the-civil-rights-establishment/385278 "2007-02-07T13:46:45Z")
A recent AFP article has suggested: Obama’s toughest sell for White House bid may be to other blacks. The article’s main subject is that the civil rights establishment is lukewarm about Barak Obama because: The artic… --- ## [Will technology make cheating unstoppable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-technology-make-cheating-unstoppable/391090)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2007, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-technology-make-cheating-unstoppable/391090 "2007-02-07T13:03:08Z")
We educators are already finding that technology makes the unending war against cheating more difficult. Some of my colleagues have already caught students trying to use various electronic devices to communicate with ot… --- ## [Is Clinton slinging mud at Obama (and blaming it on the right-wing conspiracy)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-clinton-slinging-mud-at-obama-and-blaming-it-on-the-right-wing-conspiracy/389024)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2007, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-clinton-slinging-mud-at-obama-and-blaming-it-on-the-right-wing-conspiracy/389024 "2007-02-07T10:41:19Z")
From CNN: What do you think? Are the Clintons fighting dirty? Or do you believe their denials? --- ## ["Winning" in Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winning-in-iraq/390985)
**Author:** [@charlie956160](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/charlie956160)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2007, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winning-in-iraq/390985 "2007-02-07T03:14:51Z")
This seems like it will become a debate, even though it is an expressed opinion, therefore I have chosen Great Debates. Please move it if I’m wrong. It’s been said by some that there is no way to “win” in Iraq. They s… --- ## [Would Richardson be an asset as a running mate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-richardson-be-an-asset-as-a-running-mate/390670)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2007, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-richardson-be-an-asset-as-a-running-mate/390670 "2007-02-07T00:34:17Z")
First things first…I only know as much about him as Wiki tells me, which doesn’t give me a feel for how he’s regarded in politics. I’ve heard Biden, Hillary, and Obama mainly mentioned in threads as Democratic hopefuls w… --- ## [Federally-controlled education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federally-controlled-education/390876)
**Author:** [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federally-controlled-education/390876 "2007-02-06T20:06:30Z")
I’m normally in favor of much smaller government but what would be wrong with giving control of K through 12 public education to a Federal agency? Obviously, this would require changing the Constitution. Consider: Th… --- ## [The economy is doing great](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economy-is-doing-great/388764)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2007, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economy-is-doing-great/388764 "2007-02-06T19:05:28Z")
From a recent post at National Review Online, by Jonah Goldberg: The stock market is at an all-time high, thus Retirement accounts are at last recovering. Unemployment is at a 25-year low, Taxes are at 20-year lows, Fe… --- ## [What can/should we do about Afghanistan? (Remember Afghanistan?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-should-we-do-about-afghanistan-remember-afghanistan/390979)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-should-we-do-about-afghanistan-remember-afghanistan/390979 "2007-02-06T17:27:06Z")
Afghanistan was an economic basket case back in 2005. Things are going from bad to worse. Over 1,000 civilians were killed in 2006, the Taliban is on the comeback trail, violence is making reconstruction impossible, gi… --- ## [If Jesus Could Heal the Sick and Raise the Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-jesus-could-heal-the-sick-and-raise-the-dead/389211)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 379\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2007, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-jesus-could-heal-the-sick-and-raise-the-dead/389211 "2007-02-06T17:22:40Z")
Then why didn’t he heal his crucifixion wounds after he rose from the dead? Yeah, I know he wasn’t planning on hanging around long, but I can’t imagine that it’d be much fun to walk around with freakin’ holes in your fe… --- ## [The silence on Biden is deafening](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silence-on-biden-is-deafening/390411)
**Author:** [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2007, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-silence-on-biden-is-deafening/390411 "2007-02-06T14:50:54Z")
This board is remarkably silent on Senator Biden’s comment about Obama “I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy,” he said. “I mean, that’s a st… --- ## [New $1 coins - here we go again!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-1-coins-here-we-go-again/381144)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2007, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-1-coins-here-we-go-again/381144 "2007-02-06T14:31:49Z")
The U.S. Treasury is going to try again, after the Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea flops: http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/20/news/dollar\_coin.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes The article says no inscription will appear on the obvers… --- ## [Is masturbation a physical need or something else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-masturbation-a-physical-need-or-something-else/390760)
**Author:** [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2007, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-masturbation-a-physical-need-or-something-else/390760 "2007-02-05T18:06:26Z")
Hrmmm… how should I phrase this, We are all aware that as humans we have clear physical needs such as food, water, and shelter. Lately, with increasing frequency, I hear masturbation being lumped together with these ne… --- ## [Ask the person openly bearing various prejudices.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-openly-bearing-various-prejudices/390233)
**Author:** [@Morfane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morfane)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2007, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-person-openly-bearing-various-prejudices/390233 "2007-02-05T15:05:31Z")
In the spirit of “Ask the…” threads, ask away. --- ## [A viable (but drastic) temporary solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-viable-but-drastic-temporary-solution-to-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict/390721)
**Author:** [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2007, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-viable-but-drastic-temporary-solution-to-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict/390721 "2007-02-05T14:28:17Z")
Okay, I know this is going to sound insane, and I’m sure that many religious people and environmentalists (among others) will take issue with it, but when you think about how much blood has been spilled over such a small… --- ## [Possible Iran involvement in Iraq: Now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-iran-involvement-in-iraq-now-what/390249)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-iran-involvement-in-iraq-now-what/390249 "2007-02-05T13:57:22Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/01/30/iraq.main/index.html If Iran is found to have been involved in Iraq, what will the outcome be? I think we could possibly see Bush wanting to invade Iran, but that would also be … --- ## [Why prayer is illogical and useless](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-prayer-is-illogical-and-useless/390493)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2007, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-prayer-is-illogical-and-useless/390493 "2007-02-05T06:02:37Z")
An unprecedented decade-long study of intercessory prayer that cost $2.4 million and was directed by Dr. Herbert Benson, a cardiologist at the Harvard University Medical School, has now reported in. It was the most comp… --- ## [Military service for POTUS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-service-for-potus/390176)
**Author:** [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2007, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-service-for-potus/390176 "2007-02-05T04:08:18Z")
This thread got me thinking: Should one of the qualifications for serving as President of the US be military service? Whether the person (I will not use gender) had spent time shoveling shit in Shreveport or shooting ins… --- ## [Global warming, Fossil Fuel Future, Lifestyle for my Great Grandchildren](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-fossil-fuel-future-lifestyle-for-my-great-grandchildren/390815)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2007, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-fossil-fuel-future-lifestyle-for-my-great-grandchildren/390815 "2007-02-05T01:00:09Z")
Well, we now have a great focus on global warming. It ties in with our precarious temporary reliance on fossil fuels to deliver the energy required to maintain our desirable mobility and comforts, unsurpassed by the expe… --- ## [Is horse racing cruel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-horse-racing-cruel/358262)
**Author:** [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2007, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-horse-racing-cruel/358262 "2007-02-05T00:42:17Z")
When people enter sports like boxing or auto racing, they are willingly taking a risk. But a horse has no choice in the matter. As seen with Barbaro, they can get injured or worse. I don’t think they love getting whip… --- ## [Are higher rape conviction rates incompatible with current judicial norms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-higher-rape-conviction-rates-incompatible-with-current-judicial-norms/390258)
**Author:** [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2007, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-higher-rape-conviction-rates-incompatible-with-current-judicial-norms/390258 "2007-02-04T23:26:44Z")
Ref. this BBC article on the low conviction rates for rape cases in the UK. Women’s Groups are increasingly vocal about the “need” to increase conviction rates for rape - as it stands, 19 out of 20 rape cases in the UK … --- ## [Wasn't futurology dead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wasnt-futurology-dead/390048)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wasnt-futurology-dead/390048 "2007-02-04T20:28:31Z")
We read the columns every year, watch the TV shows (I am getting a laugh out of 2057, right now), watch Sci-Fi movies, listen to Bill Gates. The reality is that our guesses about the future are, not just way off, but com… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=732) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=734)