# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=738 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 739 --- ## [What philosophers now living will one day rank as Canonical Names (with Plato, etc.)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-philosophers-now-living-will-one-day-rank-as-canonical-names-with-plato-etc/388773)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-philosophers-now-living-will-one-day-rank-as-canonical-names-with-plato-etc/388773 "2007-01-23T18:04:44Z")
Kindasorta a followup to this thread. Philosophy (in the narrowest sense), more than most other fields of intellectual achievement, is a field dominated by Great Names. We speak of “Newtonian physics” as a tribute to N… --- ## [If Bush wanted to surrender a war...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bush-wanted-to-surrender-a-war/389108)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bush-wanted-to-surrender-a-war/389108 "2007-01-23T17:19:59Z")
Suppose President Bush declared war on a whim and against the advice of the Joint Chiefs, generals, Congress, his own cabinet, and the citizenry, decided to surrender. Could “the decider” do it? If so, how? If not, wh… --- ## [Bandwidth Theft: Really So Evil These Days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bandwidth-theft-really-so-evil-these-days/388821)
**Author:** [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bandwidth-theft-really-so-evil-these-days/388821 "2007-01-23T17:05:19Z")
Short Version: Sometimes I steal bandwidth. Sometimes, mind. Long Version: I post on a couple of other message boards which enable images in posts. Up until recently, I used to be scrupulous in not stealing bandwidth… --- ## [Politics aside are the lessons the Army is learning in Iraq making it more effective?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-are-the-lessons-the-army-is-learning-in-iraq-making-it-more-effective/389039)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-are-the-lessons-the-army-is-learning-in-iraq-making-it-more-effective/389039 "2007-01-23T15:23:39Z")
With the experience we’ve gained in Iraq is the US Army a more formidable fighting force today than it was 4 years ago? --- ## [Attention Minty Green: Do you still believe that Alberto Gonzales isn't a worse AG?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-minty-green-do-you-still-believe-that-alberto-gonzales-isnt-a-worse-ag/388858)
**Author:** [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-minty-green-do-you-still-believe-that-alberto-gonzales-isnt-a-worse-ag/388858 "2007-01-23T13:55:08Z")
This is in GD because it is not a Pitting, just genuine curiosity about something I remembered minty green saying in a past thread about then AG-nominee Alberto Gonzales, and it’s at least somewhat likely that the discus… --- ## [Question about iraqi dinar investing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-iraqi-dinar-investing/388942)
**Author:** [@feli8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/feli8)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-iraqi-dinar-investing/388942 "2007-01-23T13:52:39Z")
My friend asked me to buy some Iraqi currency as its value is very low suffering the impact of the war on its economy. He said that if i waited for two years, when the value appreciate, i would get back 10 times the amou… --- ## [Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) announces for president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-sam-brownback-r-kansas-announces-for-president/388740)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-sam-brownback-r-kansas-announces-for-president/388740 "2007-01-23T13:48:35Z")
Story here. I don’t really know much about Brownback except that he’s reputedly an extreme social-religious conservative. Anyway, the usual topics for debate: Would he make a good POTUS? Is he electable? --- ## [Should college football players be paid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-college-football-players-be-paid/388470)
**Author:** [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-college-football-players-be-paid/388470 "2007-01-23T07:19:25Z")
The notion seems absurd, but according to ESPN’s Rod Gilmore, NCAA football players deserve some kind of compensation for drawing in millions of dollars for their schools. Gilmore’s article is found here. The way I see… --- ## [What makes for a great President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-for-a-great-president/388564)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-for-a-great-president/388564 "2007-01-23T05:57:34Z")
This op is inspired by this current Obama thread. In it I put forth what I consider historically has made for a great President. Past experience in Washington, expereince as a governor or as a CEO, did not make my list.… --- ## [Bush to announce new Iraq policy Wednesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-new-iraq-policy-wednesday/387190)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-new-iraq-policy-wednesday/387190 "2007-01-23T03:21:16Z")
. . . at 9 p.m. EST on national TV. Any chance of a surprise? Some idea other than “the surge”? (Which the same old guard of neocons are supporting, BTW.) Whatever he decides, will Congress try to stop it? If so… --- ## [Sen. Clinton calls for capping Iraq troop level, increasing Afghanistan's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-clinton-calls-for-capping-iraq-troop-level-increasing-afghanistans/388399)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-clinton-calls-for-capping-iraq-troop-level-increasing-afghanistans/388399 "2007-01-23T02:36:35Z")
Just back from a trip to Afghanistan and Iraq, Sen. Hillary Clinton has called for legislation capping the number of U.S. troops in Iraq at its present level, while deploying more troops to Afghanistan to fight the resur… --- ## ['Of course you realize, this means war.' (U.S. raids Iran consulate in Iraq)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-you-realize-this-means-war-u-s-raids-iran-consulate-in-iraq/387552)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2007, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-you-realize-this-means-war-u-s-raids-iran-consulate-in-iraq/387552 "2007-01-23T02:12:09Z")
Perhaps a Bugs Bunny quote does not appear to give the situation the proper gravitas, but the war in Iraq just keeps getting more and more surreal and who better than Bugs to comment on it? From the Washington Post: Y… --- ## [Gov. Bill Richardson (D) New Mexico runs for president \[merged threads\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gov-bill-richardson-d-new-mexico-runs-for-president-merged-threads/388954)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gov-bill-richardson-d-new-mexico-runs-for-president-merged-threads/388954 "2007-01-22T23:58:48Z")
Bill Richardson has announced his candiacy for President. He’s one of the few Democratic candidates I am really interested in, despite (or perhaps because of) not knowing much about him. Nobody other than Obama really … --- ## [How about we ask the UN for an Alternative Plan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-we-ask-the-un-for-an-alternative-plan/388003)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-we-ask-the-un-for-an-alternative-plan/388003 "2007-01-22T17:36:45Z")
Or Nato, or the EU, or Arab League, or hold an Iraqi plebiscite? Why make the Democrats come up with an alternate plan, which would involve only the US consulting itself. Let somebody else take a whack at the tar baby,… --- ## [Miami-Dade referendum on a "strong mayor" system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miami-dade-referendum-on-a-strong-mayor-system/387954)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miami-dade-referendum-on-a-strong-mayor-system/387954 "2007-01-22T16:20:29Z")
Miami-Dade County, Florida, has a more important county government than many metro areas. There is an elected “county mayor” but most power is in the hands of the County Commission and a professional county manager appo… --- ## [If churches paid taxes, would they survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-churches-paid-taxes-would-they-survive/388531)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-churches-paid-taxes-would-they-survive/388531 "2007-01-22T14:36:12Z")
Is the tax break what keeps them alive? Say the tax was the same as private clubs, Rotary, Elks, or whatever. --- ## [Are Xians stupid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-xians-stupid/388057)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 224\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-xians-stupid/388057 "2007-01-22T12:45:20Z")
In a word, No. The question “Are Xians stupid?” is stupid, though, because it’s needlessly provocative. I used to have a father-in-law who, regularly as Old Faithful, would explode at me because I sometimes disagreed … --- ## [Does a fertilized egg have a soul?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-fertilized-egg-have-a-soul/388309)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-fertilized-egg-have-a-soul/388309 "2007-01-22T11:24:01Z")
I have asked this question of some clergy and they never responded, but I wonder what happens to the soul of a frozen embyro,does it freeze until it is thawed and implanted in a womb or does it hang around waiting to be … --- ## [A question for the Iraqi death squads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-the-iraqi-death-squads/388802)
**Author:** [@Cymro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cymro)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-the-iraqi-death-squads/388802 "2007-01-22T09:53:27Z")
This is about the death squads in Iraq. Sectarian murder I can understand, on a primitive level. You’ve decided a certain group of people is the enemy, and so you kill them. Torturing someone for information: I think it… --- ## [Hillary Clinton announces for president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-announces-for-president/388721)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-announces-for-president/388721 "2007-01-22T03:45:43Z")
No big surprise . . . Would she make a good POTUS? Is she electable? 2.a. Is she nominable? --- ## [Women and professional degrees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-and-professional-degrees/388296)
**Author:** [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-and-professional-degrees/388296 "2007-01-22T03:12:18Z")
(The thread title is more vague than I’d like, but I had a hard time summing it up.) The owner and sole pharmacist of our clinic’s attached pharmacy had a stroke a while back. His wife was telling me today that they’re … --- ## [Changes to Randi's Challenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changes-to-randis-challenge/387695)
**Author:** [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Replies:** 381\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changes-to-randis-challenge/387695 "2007-01-22T01:05:04Z")
The James Randi Educational Foundation’s challenge is a subject that comes up here semi-regularly. Most of those around here who are interested in it probably already know about it, but for those who don’t, the present … --- ## [Do police use psychics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-use-psychics/388830)
**Author:** [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2007, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-use-psychics/388830 "2007-01-22T00:43:05Z")
I was going to post this in gq, but I’ll amend the question… Are taxpayers in 2006 actually paying fraud “psychics” or investing time in investigating their claims? I guess I want a factual answer, but it would be nice… --- ## [What does it mean to be a Pagan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-pagan/387074)
**Author:** [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2007, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-pagan/387074 "2007-01-21T23:04:11Z")
I’m putting this in this forum since it’s about religion, but feel free to move it as necessary. I know Whynot describes herself as a Pagan, and I just realized I don’t know what that means in the modern world. What sor… --- ## [Should the VP be an appointed position?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-vp-be-an-appointed-position/388530)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2007, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-vp-be-an-appointed-position/388530 "2007-01-21T22:32:41Z")
Preferably after the election, so the good candidates don’t get dragged down with the odd-bedfellow running mates. And also replaceable as the term progresses, like Secretary of State, etc. --- ## [How does the presidential candidate field look now compared to previous elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-presidential-candidate-field-look-now-compared-to-previous-elections/388832)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-presidential-candidate-field-look-now-compared-to-previous-elections/388832 "2007-01-21T19:34:19Z")
So I keep on reading about how Obama might have trouble getting elected because of his inexperience and Hillary might have trouble because republicans loathe her and I really don’t have a context to put it in as to just … --- ## [Exxon finally folds on Global Warming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-finally-folds-on-global-warming/388552)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2007, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exxon-finally-folds-on-global-warming/388552 "2007-01-21T10:24:50Z")
It’s the moment we’ve almost all been waiting for. Exxon Mobil has agreed to talks on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. They’re also running away from their notorious campaign of pseudoscience designed to convince peo… --- ## [Violence in video games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/violence-in-video-games/388303)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2007, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/violence-in-video-games/388303 "2007-01-21T07:43:38Z")
According to this article, the EU (in the form of German who currently holds the EU presidency) has decided to take aim at violent video games. For debate…thoughts on this? Is it a good thing or bad to decide what gam… --- ## [AG Gonzalez to federal judges: Stay out of national-security matters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ag-gonzalez-to-federal-judges-stay-out-of-national-security-matters/388638)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2007, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ag-gonzalez-to-federal-judges-stay-out-of-national-security-matters/388638 "2007-01-21T04:14:53Z")
That’s what he said in a recent address to the American Enterprise Institute. The main argument being, the POTUS has access to information the judges don’t. He’s made statements like this before in terms only slightly … --- ## [Under what circumstances should people enlist to fight in wars they don't support?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-should-people-enlist-to-fight-in-wars-they-dont-support/388325)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2007, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-should-people-enlist-to-fight-in-wars-they-dont-support/388325 "2007-01-21T00:29:39Z")
In the Volunteers Needed thread in the Pit, I argued that, given the apocalyptic nature of a particular claim the Bush White House recently made about the consequences of failure in Iraq, there should be substantial amou… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=737) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=739)