# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=737 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 738 --- ## [California and Florida want to move up their primary dates: What effect on election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-and-florida-want-to-move-up-their-primary-dates-what-effect-on-election/389323)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-and-florida-want-to-move-up-their-primary-dates-what-effect-on-election/389323 "2007-01-25T23:04:50Z")
Both California and Florida are seeking to move up their primary dates, to within a week of the New Hampshire primary. A couple of questions for debate: Why are they doing this? What effect will it have on the nominati… --- ## [Kerry out in 2008](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-out-in-2008/389281)
**Author:** [@Mayo\_Speaks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mayo_Speaks)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerry-out-in-2008/389281 "2007-01-25T22:06:53Z")
Cite Good Riddance. What effect will his absence have on the campaign? --- ## [Can Chuck Hagel upset McCain, and...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-chuck-hagel-upset-mccain-and/388468)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-chuck-hagel-upset-mccain-and/388468 "2007-01-25T20:35:49Z")
… Save the Republican Party in the Process? Sorry, I didn’t think the whole title would fit. And, yeah, it’s a bit of an exageration, but here’s my thinking: Hegel is a solid conservative, which is what the base wants… --- ## [Jim Webb to give the Dem's response to Bush's speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jim-webb-to-give-the-dems-response-to-bushs-speech/389161)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jim-webb-to-give-the-dems-response-to-bushs-speech/389161 "2007-01-25T19:25:33Z")
This will be much more interesting than what Bush has to say. Webb is a good speaker, and I have some high expectations for him. I think he’s a fantastic choice for the Democrats and I’m glad they didn’t let one of the… --- ## [Why do Republican insurance "reform" proposals only seem to benefit the insurance cos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-republican-insurance-reform-proposals-only-seem-to-benefit-the-insurance-cos/388977)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-republican-insurance-reform-proposals-only-seem-to-benefit-the-insurance-cos/388977 "2007-01-25T19:23:20Z")
Isn’t real insurance reform considered a vote getter from their own constituents? Don’t Republican voters want their own insurance to cost less and pay out more reliably? They seem to think all Republican voters are in… --- ## [The message and the messenger are two totally separate things.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-message-and-the-messenger-are-two-totally-separate-things/388554)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-message-and-the-messenger-are-two-totally-separate-things/388554 "2007-01-25T18:33:56Z")
I don’t think my liberal friends ever took this lesson to heart, and they keep getting burned by it time and time again. For instance, John Kerry in the last election thought his status as a war hero meant that he could… --- ## [President Bush gets something right.... (Taxes/tax breaks shift health costs) \[ed.\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bush-gets-something-right-taxes-tax-breaks-shift-health-costs-ed/388939)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bush-gets-something-right-taxes-tax-breaks-shift-health-costs-ed/388939 "2007-01-25T17:26:22Z")
Article …maybe. Personally, this would be great for me, and great for almost every person I know who is paying for their own health insurance. I pay for health insurance for my family of 4, it costs a little over $400 p… --- ## [If W wants to attack Iran, can the Dems stop him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-w-wants-to-attack-iran-can-the-dems-stop-him/388723)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-w-wants-to-attack-iran-can-the-dems-stop-him/388723 "2007-01-25T16:39:01Z")
Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), new chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is sharply criticizing the Admin’s combative stance on Iran. Good for him – but if the CinC decides to initiate hostilities, bomb… --- ## [Is there any real geographic exploration of the world left?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-real-geographic-exploration-of-the-world-left/389236)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-real-geographic-exploration-of-the-world-left/389236 "2007-01-25T15:25:45Z")
I’m sitting here in my study/office at home admiring an old map of Africa I have on my wall (courtesy of a National Geographic from sometime in the late '50s or very early '60s), and realising that “Rhodesia”, “Portugues… --- ## [Whither Latin American unification? Mercosur v. CAN, ALADI v. ALBA, all v. FTAA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-latin-american-unification-mercosur-v-can-aladi-v-alba-all-v-ftaa/389010)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-latin-american-unification-mercosur-v-can-aladi-v-alba-all-v-ftaa/389010 "2007-01-25T04:37:58Z")
The following international associations have been either proposed or actually formed for the purpose of creating a Latin American trade/customs union: Mercosur (Common Market of the South): Founded in 1991 between Bra… --- ## [Ignorant of crime committed: are you still a victim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignorant-of-crime-committed-are-you-still-a-victim/388410)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignorant-of-crime-committed-are-you-still-a-victim/388410 "2007-01-25T04:04:51Z")
There’s an interesting case in Melbourne at the moment where a bloke has been charged with using a concealed camera (in his shoe :smiley: ) to get photos of womens’ knickers under their skirts and dresses. Dirty little… --- ## [W's SOTU address tonight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2007, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128 "2007-01-25T03:49:02Z")
Does anyone have any guesses on what he’ll say? Any surprises in store? --- ## [Ethiopia intervenes in Somalia -- will the U.S. ever get involved there again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethiopia-intervenes-in-somalia-will-the-u-s-ever-get-involved-there-again/385658)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethiopia-intervenes-in-somalia-will-the-u-s-ever-get-involved-there-again/385658 "2007-01-24T22:54:01Z")
This bit of news, probably of little interest to most Americans, got me to thinking. Last time the U.S. (technically, the UN) stuck its nose into the Somali civil war, it didn’t work out too well, the U.S. pulled its tr… --- ## [Should the SOTU address be something other than a pep rally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-sotu-address-be-something-other-than-a-pep-rally/389257)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-sotu-address-be-something-other-than-a-pep-rally/389257 "2007-01-24T19:48:57Z")
I’ve been watching SOTU addresses since the '70s. Sometimes the POTUS uses the occasion to announce a new policy direction, sometimes not. Otherwise, it always goes pretty much the same. The prez begins with, “The sta… --- ## [Poll: 22% of Americans hoping Bush fails in Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-22-of-americans-hoping-bush-fails-in-iraq/389054)
**Author:** [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-22-of-americans-hoping-bush-fails-in-iraq/389054 "2007-01-24T19:31:45Z")
According to new Fox/Opinion Dynamics poll, 22% of Americans do not want Bush’s surge in Iraq to succeed. Another 15% aren’t sure. This is not asking about whether they think it will succeed (that was a seperate quest… --- ## [Are organic foods any good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-organic-foods-any-good/388606)
**Author:** [@yelimS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yelimS)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-organic-foods-any-good/388606 "2007-01-24T19:25:33Z")
The Economist don’t much seem to like it. I haven’t read the article, but I’ve read about it in the newspaper, and the arguement was quite compelling. Basically, I think what they were saying was that modern agriculture … --- ## [How would you handle Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-handle-iraq/388658)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-handle-iraq/388658 "2007-01-24T16:48:48Z")
Let’s start out with some assumptions (if you don’t like these assumptions, start your own damn thread) about G. W.'s position: Pulling troops out before the country is more stable is not an option since a chaotic Iraq… --- ## [China tests anti-satellite weapon; Space Race Version 2.0 ahead?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-tests-anti-satellite-weapon-space-race-version-2-0-ahead/388589)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-tests-anti-satellite-weapon-space-race-version-2-0-ahead/388589 "2007-01-24T15:58:24Z")
The Chinese have successfully launched a missile that destroyed an old weather satellite. The U.S. has “expressed our concern” about this new step in the “weaponization of space” – but we can only protest feebly; the Bu… --- ## [A Civilian Reserve Corps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-civilian-reserve-corps/389228)
**Author:** [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-civilian-reserve-corps/389228 "2007-01-24T15:56:48Z")
I admit that I chose not to listen to most of the State of the Union speech. However, I did happen to turn it on briefly, and I heard something that shocked me, but about which I haven’t heard any other commentary: Bus… --- ## [Should District Attorney Nifong see jail time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-district-attorney-nifong-see-jail-time/384778)
**Author:** [@CheeringElvi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheeringElvi)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-district-attorney-nifong-see-jail-time/384778 "2007-01-24T15:13:09Z")
Michael Nifong is the District Attorney charged with prosecuting the Duke rape case. If circumstances are as they seem at this point, it appears that Nifong is not guilty of mere negligence but was actively involved in … --- ## [Is the Human Race Headed for Infertility?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-human-race-headed-for-infertility/388937)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-human-race-headed-for-infertility/388937 "2007-01-24T12:50:19Z")
A few years ago I was talking with a staff member of a local pet shop. She was telling me that bulldogs can no longer have litters in the natural way. They have to be artificially inseminated and give birth by caesarean … --- ## [Does it take faith to be a strong atheist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-take-faith-to-be-a-strong-atheist/388566)
**Author:** [@Cegstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cegstar)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-take-faith-to-be-a-strong-atheist/388566 "2007-01-24T12:38:48Z")
The definition of a strong atheist is generally one that says that the atheist not only lacks belief in God, but believes that he doesn’t exist. Since he believes in something without evidence, is it fair to say that it… --- ## ["Scooter" hates "the Turdblossom"? (Libby trial)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooter-hates-the-turdblossom-libby-trial/389133)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scooter-hates-the-turdblossom-libby-trial/389133 "2007-01-24T12:18:28Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/23/cialeaktrial.ap/index.html Wow! News to me. Although I suspect it will end in an acquittal, looks like the trial just might give us an interesting look behind the curtains at the… --- ## [Stop Global Warming called for by Big Business & Environmental groups.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-global-warming-called-for-by-big-business-environmental-groups/389090)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-global-warming-called-for-by-big-business-environmental-groups/389090 "2007-01-24T11:48:23Z")
A coalition of some very large Corporations and environmental groups that includes the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, the Environmental Defense Fund and the World Resources In… --- ## [Cheaper to buy up all their crude?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheaper-to-buy-up-all-their-crude/389138)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheaper-to-buy-up-all-their-crude/389138 "2007-01-24T02:52:52Z")
This other thread about calculating the cost of war got me to thinking. Suppose the real reason the US is interested in Iraq has more to do with a stable supply of crude rather than the stated reason of removing Saddam.… --- ## [Natural categories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-categories/388956)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/natural-categories/388956 "2007-01-24T02:48:48Z")
Although I realize most of our classification schemes for most everthing are artificial constructs of our minds with gaps, overlaps and exceptions (from numbers to subatomic particles to taxonomy to music types), I wonde… --- ## [Calculating the cost of the Iraq "war"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calculating-the-cost-of-the-iraq-war/388972)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calculating-the-cost-of-the-iraq-war/388972 "2007-01-24T02:35:41Z")
I know there are places to go to find clickers tallying the dollars and lives spent to date in Iraq. But does anyone know of attempts to calculate the cost of this war in terms of programs and activities that have been … --- ## [Why can't Congress just repeal the law authorizing force in Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-congress-just-repeal-the-law-authorizing-force-in-iraq/388988)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-congress-just-repeal-the-law-authorizing-force-in-iraq/388988 "2007-01-24T02:02:07Z")
Or put a “sunset provision” on it? They act like the only option they have is the budget, which is too strange. --- ## [Should Bears DT Johnson be allowed to go to the Super Bowl?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-bears-dt-johnson-be-allowed-to-go-to-the-super-bowl/389057)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-bears-dt-johnson-be-allowed-to-go-to-the-super-bowl/389057 "2007-01-24T01:12:35Z")
Chicago defensive tackle Tank Johnson is in legal difficulty. While on probation, a since murdered buddy of his was using his home for drug dealing, and a police raid found guns and cocaine in his home. This is his seco… --- ## [Would a new president be able to break the Don't Ask Don't Tell wall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-new-president-be-able-to-break-the-dont-ask-dont-tell-wall/388906)
**Author:** [@That\_creates\_more\_Q\_s\_than\_A\_s](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_creates_more_Q_s_than_A_s)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2007, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-new-president-be-able-to-break-the-dont-ask-dont-tell-wall/388906 "2007-01-24T00:12:17Z")
Bill Clinton thought he was going to be in charge and just open up the military with an executive order. He was quickly told not to attempt it, that the military is more independent than it appears in the constitution. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=736) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=738)