# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=736 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 737 --- ## [Can Blu-Ray survive without porn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-blu-ray-survive-without-porn/389462)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-blu-ray-survive-without-porn/389462 "2007-01-29T19:52:19Z")
The issue rages on, Sony waffles daily on its position, the producers are getting ticked. Can a video format survive without the backing of the porn industry? --- ## [Would dirty bombs have been useful in WWII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-dirty-bombs-have-been-useful-in-wwii/389727)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-dirty-bombs-have-been-useful-in-wwii/389727 "2007-01-29T19:47:50Z")
OK, we all know that conventional nuclear weapons were used to great effect in WWII. Obviously the scientists of the world knew something about the effects of radiation on human beings (or else nobody at Oak Ridge or the… --- ## [So What Would You Do About the Homeless?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-would-you-do-about-the-homeless/388990)
**Author:** [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2007, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-would-you-do-about-the-homeless/388990 "2007-01-29T14:21:56Z")
Inspired by this thread. Here in Las Vegas (and probably every other major city), the large number of homeless people is a problem of some concern. A local advocacy group for the homeless was feeding them in one of the … --- ## [Pres's SOTU - What's all this about stopping terrorists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/press-sotu-whats-all-this-about-stopping-terrorists/389444)
**Author:** [@braintree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/braintree)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2007, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/press-sotu-whats-all-this-about-stopping-terrorists/389444 "2007-01-29T12:18:44Z")
In the SOTU address President Bush made the following statement? “Our success in this war is often measured by the things that did not happen. We cannot know the full extent of the attacks that we and our allies have pr… --- ## [Can Powell be Redeemed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-powell-be-redeemed/389675)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2007, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-powell-be-redeemed/389675 "2007-01-29T04:54:41Z")
To me, Powell requires very little rehabilitation. I know that a lot of people put Powell into the category of war enablers. But I like to believe that he did what he thought was best for the country. He saw all the t… --- ## [Is "Once Saved Always Saved" Scripturally Valid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-once-saved-always-saved-scripturally-valid/389867)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2007, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-once-saved-always-saved-scripturally-valid/389867 "2007-01-29T02:50:16Z")
I was discussing religion with a semi-Fundamentalist co-worker the other day and she’s of the “Once Saved Always Saved” persuasion. Simply put, once you receive Christ as your Personal Lord and Savior™, you cannot go t… --- ## [How old is too old to have kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-too-old-to-have-kids/386237)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2007, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-too-old-to-have-kids/386237 "2007-01-28T20:56:12Z")
A 67 year old woman in Spain recently gave birth to twins. Naturally she used fertility treatments (WTF were those doctors thinking :eek: ). By the time her kids reach adulthood she’ll be in her mid 80s (if she’s eve… --- ## [Have non-historians been fair to LBJ ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-non-historians-been-fair-to-lbj/389638)
**Author:** [@Molly\_Polly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Molly_Polly)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2007, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-non-historians-been-fair-to-lbj/389638 "2007-01-28T06:55:39Z")
Seems to me the historians know he was great for civil rights, rights of the poor, the Great Society was an inspiration, and his wife created the highway beautification system. But all anyone else recalls is being made … --- ## [Do the Republicans have any chance of retaining the White House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-republicans-have-any-chance-of-retaining-the-white-house/388751)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2007, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-republicans-have-any-chance-of-retaining-the-white-house/388751 "2007-01-28T05:58:01Z")
I know a week is a long time in politics, but Bush has pretty badly tarnished the Republicans. (I know and respect why he’s stayed in Iraq, but it was the wrong thing to do.) So are the Republicans simply going to go th… --- ## [Can Cap-and-Trade systems work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cap-and-trade-systems-work/389611)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2007, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-cap-and-trade-systems-work/389611 "2007-01-28T04:34:12Z")
In 2005 Europe started off with a cap-and-trade approach to limiting greenhouse gas emissions. Each industry gets a specific number of credits allowing it to emit certain amounts of greenhouse gases. Thoes with extra c… --- ## [An alternative Hitler?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-alternative-hitler/389652)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2007, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-alternative-hitler/389652 "2007-01-28T03:55:38Z")
I just finished reading a fascinating book in French about Hitler called “La Part de l’Autre”. It is by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt (don’t let the name fool you, he is a Frenchman and a thoroughly fascinating French author). I… --- ## ["Proof" for subjective/internal states](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-for-subjective-internal-states/387303)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2007, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-for-subjective-internal-states/387303 "2007-01-28T03:49:51Z")
In the thread “Is Fundamentalism Real?” there was a hijack (my fault! my fault!) that started with this: Why is that outlandish? I’m an atheist and I get annoyed when someone says that believing in something without… --- ## [Should we get rid of the Ph.D. thesis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-get-rid-of-the-ph-d-thesis/389140)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-get-rid-of-the-ph-d-thesis/389140 "2007-01-28T01:41:15Z")
The original idea behind the Ph.D. thesis was a good one. Doing original research in a field gives you a deeper understand of the field than merely reading other people’s research. You get to know what types of uncerta… --- ## [Should Hillary get the nomination, would she be best?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-hillary-get-the-nomination-would-she-be-best/389408)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2007, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-hillary-get-the-nomination-would-she-be-best/389408 "2007-01-28T01:09:02Z")
Enlighten me, because I do not think Hillary would be the best candidate for the job of Commander/Chief. I do not know much about her aside from what I learned from her webcast a couple days ago, she seemed genuine but t… --- ## [Could Arnold pick the next Republican presidential candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-arnold-pick-the-next-republican-presidential-candidate/389755)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2007, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-arnold-pick-the-next-republican-presidential-candidate/389755 "2007-01-28T00:07:19Z")
It looks like the CA primary is going to be moved up to February. Suppose Arnold is thinking: Hey, I can never be president, but I can influence who the Republican nominee is. Heck, I might even be able to make sure … --- ## [Are Vegetarians Evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-vegetarians-evil/388695)
**Author:** [@Barbecue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbecue)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2007, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-vegetarians-evil/388695 "2007-01-27T22:06:09Z")
I have heard a lot of discussion on this lately, and even read a blog where someone has posted as much. I have gone to this website: \*\*VegetariansAreEvil.com \*\* They not only mention how Pol Pot, Adolf Hitler, Charles … --- ## [King Abdullah: Jordan wants nukes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-abdullah-jordan-wants-nukes/388720)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-abdullah-jordan-wants-nukes/388720 "2007-01-27T17:33:47Z")
Story here. The king seems to think Jordan having its own “peaceful nuclear program” is a perfectly reasonable idea. Is it? --- ## [Why does Bush need to insist he is the "decision-maker"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-bush-need-to-insist-he-is-the-decision-maker/389666)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2007, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-bush-need-to-insist-he-is-the-decision-maker/389666 "2007-01-27T17:07:17Z")
Once more, President Bush has stated that he is the decision-maker on Iraq. I don’t quite get what he is trying to emphasize, except that he – not any of his supposed handlers – has primary responsibility for setting fo… --- ## [Whither consumer robotics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-consumer-robotics/389360)
**Author:** [@Agnostic\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agnostic_Pagan)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2007, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-consumer-robotics/389360 "2007-01-27T04:53:58Z")
I just read this article from PC Magazine, and it helped shed some light on why the consumer/light industrial robotics industry has not taken off. I put this in GD to ask what can be done to make the industry grow up, o… --- ## [U.S. troops authorized to kill or capture Iranian agents in Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-troops-authorized-to-kill-or-capture-iranian-agents-in-iraq/389599)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2007, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-troops-authorized-to-kill-or-capture-iranian-agents-in-iraq/389599 "2007-01-27T01:33:36Z")
Stories here and here. As opposed the “catch and release” policy the troops have been following up to now to avoid antagonizing Iran. Will this help any? --- ## [Hagel: bold posturing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hagel-bold-posturing/389419)
**Author:** [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2007, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hagel-bold-posturing/389419 "2007-01-26T23:43:04Z")
Are his comments calculated for entrance into the presidential bid or is he someone who as he said has no regard for his political future? His comments echo what most Americans probably feel, especially regarding our el… --- ## [Corroboration of events in the OT](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corroboration-of-events-in-the-ot/389483)
**Author:** [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2007, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corroboration-of-events-in-the-ot/389483 "2007-01-26T22:02:34Z")
What if any events mentioned in the Old Testament have any independent corroborating evidence for their authenticity? --- ## [Should we get rid of the Ph.D.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-get-rid-of-the-ph-d/389192)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2007, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-get-rid-of-the-ph-d/389192 "2007-01-26T20:11:25Z")
Since the somewhat less critical issue of the thesis is in play, let’s tackle the truly relevant question: the need for a degree that … :dubious: --- ## [Should the Size of the (U.S. Congress) House Be Increased?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-size-of-the-u-s-congress-house-be-increased/389447)
**Author:** [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2007, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-size-of-the-u-s-congress-house-be-increased/389447 "2007-01-26T16:49:19Z")
In numerous threads recently, the point has been made that legislators generally, and Congressmen in particular, seem insulated from their constituencies, choosing their desired constituency rather than being chosen by i… --- ## [Could they be here, among us, unnoticed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-they-be-here-among-us-unnoticed/389240)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2007, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-they-be-here-among-us-unnoticed/389240 "2007-01-26T16:07:44Z")
Funny things happen to your mind when you watch a movie 674 times. Watching “Toy Story” last night with Sapito, I couldn’t help but wonder how \[un\]likely it would be for an entire culture to be living here among us, unno… --- ## [Afghanistan POWs. (previously: Guantanamo) \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistan-pows-previously-guantanamo-ed-title/387771)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2007, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistan-pows-previously-guantanamo-ed-title/387771 "2007-01-26T15:13:53Z")
Calls for discontinuing the detention facility for POWs. Calls for trials for “detainees”. I don’t get it. No one ever complained before that prisoners of war were being held in detention centres until the end of the … --- ## [How culturally uniform is the U.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-culturally-uniform-is-the-u-s/388982)
**Author:** [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2007, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-culturally-uniform-is-the-u-s/388982 "2007-01-26T14:10:51Z")
There’s a bit of a debate going on in another thread about how uniform the U.S. is coast-to-coast, culturally speaking. Personally, my first inclination is to say, “Not very.” If, for example, you look at the gay mecca… --- ## [Is Bill Clinton to blame for China acquiring anti-satellite weapons technology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bill-clinton-to-blame-for-china-acquiring-anti-satellite-weapons-technology/389169)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2007, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bill-clinton-to-blame-for-china-acquiring-anti-satellite-weapons-technology/389169 "2007-01-26T09:57:21Z")
Inspired by posts #19 and 25 of this thread, in which I’m trying to forestall a potential hijack. --- ## [Is a moonstalk the way to a moon base?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moonstalk-the-way-to-a-moon-base/389242)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2007, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-moonstalk-the-way-to-a-moon-base/389242 "2007-01-26T08:16:42Z")
Thinking random thoughts about our space program (which, as a religion, makes this automatically a GD issue) and considering the Moon Base and a Space Elevator, it struck me that nobody seems to be seriously considering … --- ## [Let's debate Declarations of War.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-debate-declarations-of-war/389271)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-debate-declarations-of-war/389271 "2007-01-26T02:20:07Z")
We’ve done this a few times, but I have something else to add to the mix this time. The argument is thus: Congress, in Article One, Section Eight of the United States Constitution, “shall have power to… declare war”. Ho… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=735) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=737)