# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=739 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 740 --- ## [What is dejavous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-dejavous/388653)
**Author:** [@miamiamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miamiamia)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2007, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-dejavous/388653 "2007-01-20T20:26:28Z")
I read all kinds of stuff on the net about it, most people seem to jump onto the psychic bandwagon. I’m not sure what to believe though it has interested me for quite some time. The only one that makes sense to me is t… --- ## [Is Iraqi embassy sign we are staying.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-iraqi-embassy-sign-we-are-staying/388082)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2007, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-iraqi-embassy-sign-we-are-staying/388082 "2007-01-20T17:15:09Z")
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12319798/ Does the new embassy being built in Iraq make you think the discussion about withdrawal is a joke. ?They are not going through this expense just to abandon it. This is a huge and pe… --- ## [Could workhouses ever make a comeback (in any form) in the western world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-workhouses-ever-make-a-comeback-in-any-form-in-the-western-world/388454)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2007, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-workhouses-ever-make-a-comeback-in-any-form-in-the-western-world/388454 "2007-01-20T12:47:49Z")
I visited a couple of Victorian workhouse museums recently and was impressed by the underlying ethic that, although conditions were severe and prison-like, practice didn’t often live up to theory and exploitation was not… --- ## [Civil War Redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-war-redux/388513)
**Author:** [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2007, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-war-redux/388513 "2007-01-20T08:48:51Z")
During the American Civil War, could the South have won if they’d had one Apache Helicopter and one M1 Abrams tank? Assume fully trained crews and support personal and unlimited fuel and amo. Would that have been enoug… --- ## [What's wrong with indexing the minimum wage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-indexing-the-minimum-wage/388511)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2007, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-indexing-the-minimum-wage/388511 "2007-01-20T05:01:39Z")
Say, starting from it’s original amount. --- ## [What Experience is Obama Lacking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-experience-is-obama-lacking/388370)
**Author:** [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2007, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-experience-is-obama-lacking/388370 "2007-01-19T23:40:15Z")
Ever since, well, since Obama spoke at the DNC and people started saying he’d be president someday, I’ve also heard “He’s not experienced enough”. But I haven’t heard anyone explain exactly what experience he’s lacking,… --- ## [Iraq War's Legality Not a Defense for Disobedience](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-wars-legality-not-a-defense-for-disobedience/388478)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2007, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-wars-legality-not-a-defense-for-disobedience/388478 "2007-01-19T22:36:29Z")
1LT Ehren Watada has refused orders to deploy to Iraq, citing his belief that the war is illegal. He contends that the war’s illegality makes his refusal to deploy presumtively legal, based inter alia, on the UN Charter,… --- ## [Did the Roman Empire fall because of Christianity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-roman-empire-fall-because-of-christianity/387868)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2007, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-roman-empire-fall-because-of-christianity/387868 "2007-01-19T21:41:34Z")
It’s been a popular theory for a long time – that replacing the traditional state religion of Rome, with its martial-heroic values, with the more pacifist and otherworldly Christianity demoralized the Romans (in military… --- ## [Choosing the American President.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choosing-the-american-president/388238)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/choosing-the-american-president/388238 "2007-01-19T20:22:39Z")
As a Canadian, it is a wonder to me, the time and resources spent in America in choosing a leader for just four years. It entails virtually 50% in the life of an American. And the result? For the next two years America w… --- ## [Is there justification for iconoclasm and or "memory holing" books?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-justification-for-iconoclasm-and-or-memory-holing-books/388114)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2007, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-justification-for-iconoclasm-and-or-memory-holing-books/388114 "2007-01-19T19:51:46Z")
As a traveler, of course I was always saddened by the toll taken on poor helpless statuary and scrolls. From the Sphinx and Parthenon to China and Maya, each regime change seemed to come with defacement and destruction … --- ## [Here we go again: How many Iraqis have died because of the war/occupation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-how-many-iraqis-have-died-because-of-the-war-occupation/388360)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2007, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/here-we-go-again-how-many-iraqis-have-died-because-of-the-war-occupation/388360 "2007-01-19T14:00:31Z")
We debated this in early '05, but based on Aquila Be’s comments in this ongoing thread, it appears there’s still some skepticism about the figure of 655,000 Iraqis dead because of the war and occupation, as estimated in … --- ## [Creating more phone numbers: a modest proposal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-more-phone-numbers-a-modest-proposal/388452)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2007, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creating-more-phone-numbers-a-modest-proposal/388452 "2007-01-19T11:01:09Z")
Now that American area codes no longer need to have a “1” or “0” in the middle, and overlays mean two houses right next door to each other might have different area codes, there are many more phone numbers available than… --- ## [Siting Dubya's Presidential Library](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siting-dubyas-presidential-library/387556)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2007, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siting-dubyas-presidential-library/387556 "2007-01-19T05:15:44Z")
I know I would want it on any campus where I taught. $500 million just for display of a copy of “My Pet Goat” and the flightsuit from the “Mission Accomplished” photo op? Maybe they’ll paint it entirely red, for the … --- ## [Pentagon doing domestic surveillance of financial records](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-doing-domestic-surveillance-of-financial-records/388244)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2007, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-doing-domestic-surveillance-of-financial-records/388244 "2007-01-19T04:52:16Z")
Story here. Cheney’s response. Is this necessary? Justified? Overreaching? Unconstitutional? --- ## [Did Bill Clinton lean libertarian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bill-clinton-lean-libertarian/388292)
**Author:** [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2007, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bill-clinton-lean-libertarian/388292 "2007-01-19T02:55:30Z")
I’m just a wee lad of 24 years, but everything I can gather of the male Clinton seemed to align with my personal views (moderate libertarian). Socially liberal (unlike some current libs that may be anti SSM or pro-life),… --- ## [Are regular elections a problem for foreign policy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-regular-elections-a-problem-for-foreign-policy/388193)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-regular-elections-a-problem-for-foreign-policy/388193 "2007-01-18T22:58:45Z")
This question stands on the border between GD and GQ. I’m just wondering to what extent (and to what extent it has been noted, if it has been noted) the existence of regular elections does damage to a nation’s, so to sp… --- ## [A union between Britain and France in 1956... WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-union-between-britain-and-france-in-1956-wtf/388423)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-union-between-britain-and-france-in-1956-wtf/388423 "2007-01-18T21:09:21Z")
Apparently the French PM of the day, Guy Mollet, really proposed it. It seems to me like an incredibly harebrained scheme. Is there any chance that it would have gone anywhere, had it been made public? Or would Moll… --- ## [Could Dole have won the 1996 election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-dole-have-won-the-1996-election/387980)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-dole-have-won-the-1996-election/387980 "2007-01-18T17:24:32Z")
Is there any way that Bob Dole could have actually won in 1996 ? Compared to the youthful Clinton, Dole appeared to be a senile old man rambling about the Brooklyn Dodgers. Dole didn’t carry any states beyond the solid r… --- ## [Domestic Wiretapping program almost dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-wiretapping-program-almost-dead/388361)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/domestic-wiretapping-program-almost-dead/388361 "2007-01-18T17:09:31Z")
Shoulda figured somethng like this would happen: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/17/domestic.spying.ap/index.html \*“As a result of these orders, any electronic surveillance that was occurring as part of the Terrori… --- ## [State Lotteries = Welfare Recovery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-lotteries-welfare-recovery/388368)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-lotteries-welfare-recovery/388368 "2007-01-18T15:52:24Z")
Here in MA, the state lottery is huge-it brings in over $3 billion/year in revenue. the state regularly publishes the lists (by town) of how much is taken in, and how much is paid out (to the towns). One thing is very no… --- ## [300 years since the Act of Union - time for the UK to split up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/300-years-since-the-act-of-union-time-for-the-uk-to-split-up/388181)
**Author:** [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/300-years-since-the-act-of-union-time-for-the-uk-to-split-up/388181 "2007-01-18T15:02:53Z")
I’ve never started a great debate before, so be kind! In the news today, it’s 300 years to the day that the Act of Union was agreed between England and Scotland, forming the United Kingdom. This isn’t being marked by a… --- ## [Can you describe a current Bush backer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-describe-a-current-bush-backer/387589)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-describe-a-current-bush-backer/387589 "2007-01-18T14:22:22Z")
I know this board leans somewhat left. And I mean this as a serious question - so please try to keep your jokes and insults to a minimum. Who are the people who continue to support President Bush? I believe he still e… --- ## [What would a Socialist (Socialist Party, USA) America be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-socialist-socialist-party-usa-america-be-like/387234)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-socialist-socialist-party-usa-america-be-like/387234 "2007-01-18T09:08:13Z")
I’ve already started threads on: What would a Libertarian America be like? What would a Green America be like? What would an America First America be like? (Pat Buchanan’s paleoconservative America First Party) What … --- ## [Is there any way to stabilize Iraq without involving Iran and/or Syria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-stabilize-iraq-without-involving-iran-and-or-syria/388242)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-stabilize-iraq-without-involving-iran-and-or-syria/388242 "2007-01-18T07:33:04Z")
This article argues persuasively that the formation of a “regional concert of powers” is indispensable. --- ## [Can all these hispanic people I see really be here legally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-all-these-hispanic-people-i-see-really-be-here-legally/388099)
**Author:** [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-all-these-hispanic-people-i-see-really-be-here-legally/388099 "2007-01-18T02:31:56Z")
This is similar to a recent thread in General Questionshere on the topic of immigrants: How easy is it for Jose Average from Mexico to immigrate legally to the USA? but I wanted to ask the question more pointedly. Whe… --- ## [One trouble with erecting an independent country is that they become ... independent.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-trouble-with-erecting-an-independent-country-is-that-they-become-independent/388210)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2007, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-trouble-with-erecting-an-independent-country-is-that-they-become-independent/388210 "2007-01-18T02:08:04Z")
According to the LA Times this morning, The government of Iraq is opening close relations with Iran. Iraqi officials seem to think they need to engage Iran whether or not the US goes along. It does seem to me that if … --- ## [How is this for an Alternative Plan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-for-an-alternative-plan/387936)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2007, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-for-an-alternative-plan/387936 "2007-01-17T23:39:52Z")
I am not sure if I am advocating either of these, I am considering them and would value your input. Let me hit you with two options: Seal off Iraq Move our guys to the borders, seal off Iraq from outside help, tell the… --- ## [Why $89,500 cap for Social Security?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-89-500-cap-for-social-security/388100)
**Author:** [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-89-500-cap-for-social-security/388100 "2007-01-17T20:06:57Z")
I’m actually looking for a factual answer, but I’d like to hear debate too, so I placed it here. Actually, I’d be stunned if this wasn’t discussed here before, but I couldn’t find anything. So, my question is, why don’… --- ## [What motivates political blame?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motivates-political-blame/388327)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motivates-political-blame/388327 "2007-01-17T19:57:27Z")
In this pit thread, a conservative pundit is quoted as blaming liberal cultural values for 9/11. It seems to me that over the last five years, a huge proportion of the intellectual discourse around 9/11 and the ensuing … --- ## [What if Carthage had won the Punic Wars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-carthage-had-won-the-punic-wars/387917)
**Author:** [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2007, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-carthage-had-won-the-punic-wars/387917 "2007-01-17T10:35:17Z")
A brief mention of the struggle between Rome and Carthage on a TV program brought this question to mind–it’s one that pops into my brain every now and then, but which I haven’t the knowledge to speculate upon. Hopefully,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=738) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=740)