# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=740 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 741 --- ## [Should we bring back the draft, in some form?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-bring-back-the-draft-in-some-form/387710)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2007, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-bring-back-the-draft-in-some-form/387710 "2007-01-17T10:26:34Z")
There were a couple of similar threads back in November, but I was a little surprised that we didn’t actually broach the subject full-on. Specifically: Should the United States institute a compulsory government service … --- ## [Inconvenient Truth and Nuclear Energy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconvenient-truth-and-nuclear-energy/388229)
**Author:** [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2007, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inconvenient-truth-and-nuclear-energy/388229 "2007-01-17T10:05:14Z")
This is another one of those questions that straddles the line between GD and Café. Wife and I watched Inconvenient Truth over the weekend and I found it interesting and thought provoking. Usually I find Gore about as l… --- ## [60 Minutes Bush interview 1/14/07](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-minutes-bush-interview-1-14-07/388017)
**Author:** [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2007, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-minutes-bush-interview-1-14-07/388017 "2007-01-17T06:39:13Z")
I’m not the most politically minded. Sure, I listen to NPR and read straight dope, but I don’t actively follow politics. However, when channel flipping I stopped on the 60 Minutes interview with the President tonight. … --- ## [How could we impeach Bush now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-impeach-bush-now/387962)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2007, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-impeach-bush-now/387962 "2007-01-17T01:22:24Z")
I know, I know, he didn’t get a blowjob or anything like that, but I’m wondering if this whole “surge” thing could lead Congress to think “Hmmm, this guy doesn’t get it. Here the electorate says GET THE FUCK OUT OF IRAQ … --- ## [Luis Posada Carriles indicted in U.S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luis-posada-carriles-indicted-in-u-s/387957)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2007, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luis-posada-carriles-indicted-in-u-s/387957 "2007-01-17T00:01:06Z")
Cuban exile and terrorist Luis Posada Carriles, who has been in the U.S. seeking asylum since 2005 (see this old thread), has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making false statements to immigration officials. T… --- ## [The Immaculate Conception](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-immaculate-conception/387403)
**Author:** [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-immaculate-conception/387403 "2007-01-16T20:12:21Z")
As we know, this phrase is incorrectly used to refer to Jesus’ conception and birth to a virgin. I am conflicted as to how to respond when I hear it used incorrectly; the pedant and faithful Catholic in me wants to corr… --- ## [Stunting growth of disabled child](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunting-growth-of-disabled-child/386754)
**Author:** [@Electrical\_Storm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electrical_Storm)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunting-growth-of-disabled-child/386754 "2007-01-16T19:45:59Z")
Oof. I didn’t want to put this in the pit because I don’t know at this point how I’d go about pitting such a thing. I’m thinking I’ll let the great minds of the Dope hash this out. I searched but didn’t find another thr… --- ## [Hinduism - calling all Hindus, ex-Hindus, and those merely interested](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hinduism-calling-all-hindus-ex-hindus-and-those-merely-interested/387145)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hinduism-calling-all-hindus-ex-hindus-and-those-merely-interested/387145 "2007-01-16T18:33:20Z")
Based on the responses in the thread entitled \[it seems there are people who would be interested in a discussion on Hinduism. However, as I said in that thread, Hinduism is extremely difficult for one person to define. … --- ## [Why does God Permit....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-god-permit/386233)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-god-permit/386233 "2007-01-16T16:33:21Z")
\[QUOTE=CarnalK\] Well, when the starving babies, gang rapes and genocides are pointed out Christians just say “God works in mysterious ways”. I guess it’s hopeless. :frowning: \[/QUOTE\] Yes it is hopeless to understand … --- ## [Am I just being paranoid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-just-being-paranoid/387967)
**Author:** [@Eclipse28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eclipse28)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-just-being-paranoid/387967 "2007-01-16T16:10:23Z")
National ID, No Bid contracts, War in Iran, Record Corporate Profits… What is the definition of fascism? Citing this well written column, one out of thousands on the subject, most being cast into the barrel of Lunatic … --- ## [Creationism Evidence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-evidence/387974)
**Author:** [@Cegstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cegstar)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-evidence/387974 "2007-01-16T14:29:09Z")
According to the Bible: Heavens(universe)and Earth came first (Genesis 1:1) Earth was formless(Genesis 1:2) Water under the sky gathered to one place, and dry ground appeared (Genesis 1:9) Land produce vegetation: se… --- ## [A possible Israel/Syria deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possible-israel-syria-deal/388178)
**Author:** [@aclubs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aclubs)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-possible-israel-syria-deal/388178 "2007-01-16T10:46:29Z")
Saw this in Haaretz. Apparently, Israel and Syria have been holding secret talks from 2004 to 2006 about a negotiated settlement to their disputes. Also, the paper has included a nifty map of what the agreement migh… --- ## [If Gas Was $1.10/Gal. Would Most Americans Give a Shit About How Iraq was Going?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-gas-was-1-10-gal-would-most-americans-give-a-shit-about-how-iraq-was-going/388027)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-gas-was-1-10-gal-would-most-americans-give-a-shit-about-how-iraq-was-going/388027 "2007-01-16T09:03:05Z")
Mind you, I’m assuming that we’ve somehow managed to make gobs of oil available on the world market or cow OPEC nations into not cutting production levels so that the price stays that way, but Iraq itself is still a clus… --- ## [Business Major's Lifetime Mystery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-majors-lifetime-mystery/387656)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-majors-lifetime-mystery/387656 "2007-01-16T02:03:16Z")
How in the world is it possible that colleges are qualified to teach business management, finance, etc…and yet tuition hikes are WAY out of line with inflation? There’s something wrong with this picture! VERY WRONG! - … --- ## [Will philosophy end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-philosophy-end/388004)
**Author:** [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-philosophy-end/388004 "2007-01-16T01:41:04Z")
We can all imagine a day when physics will pretty much end. It is the goal of many scientists to create a grand-unified theory of everything, and that such a theory is possible is tied in with our basic assumptions that… --- ## [Further Details of Sandy Berger's Thievery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/further-details-of-sandy-bergers-thievery/387485)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/further-details-of-sandy-bergers-thievery/387485 "2007-01-16T01:31:29Z")
Representative Tom Davus of The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has released a report entitled Sandy Berger’s Theft of Classified Documents: Unanswered Questions. It seems that Berger’s theft was, in f… --- ## [Is it time to ban frats once and for all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-ban-frats-once-and-for-all/387411)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2007, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-ban-frats-once-and-for-all/387411 "2007-01-15T22:54:04Z")
Link. Rules against this sort of hazing don’t seem to have had any effect over the years. Should we just ban frats? I see no upside to their existance, and many, many downsides. What say you? --- ## [Have we been sold out by Ms. Pelosi and the Democrats on the Iraq war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-been-sold-out-by-ms-pelosi-and-the-democrats-on-the-iraq-war/387079)
**Author:** [@harveyc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harveyc)\ **Replies:** 292\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2007, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-been-sold-out-by-ms-pelosi-and-the-democrats-on-the-iraq-war/387079 "2007-01-15T18:05:04Z")
We were told in the months leading up to the 2006 elections that we couldn’t win the war in Iraq and we will bring our soldiers home. However, this is what Ms. Pelosi said today … — CBS’ “Face the Nation” - January 7, 2… --- ## [climate change in our lifetime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-in-our-lifetime/385737)
**Author:** [@momsgladiolas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/momsgladiolas)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2007, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-in-our-lifetime/385737 "2007-01-15T14:47:39Z")
assume changing mans behavior will have no effect on global climate change. 1.a. No more “When In Trouble Or In Doubt Run In Circles Scream And Shout” 1.b. the climate will change. assume that Climate is changing … --- ## [LDS theology questions thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lds-theology-questions-thread/385140)
**Author:** [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2007, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lds-theology-questions-thread/385140 "2007-01-15T13:37:39Z")
In the How does anyone buy into Mormonism thread, PBear42 asked an actual question about LDS theology. Since that isn’t really a good thread in which to have a civil conversation, I’ll put my answers here. However, I’m… --- ## [If PETA got its way](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-peta-got-its-way/386990)
**Author:** [@BluePitbull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BluePitbull)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2007, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-peta-got-its-way/386990 "2007-01-15T13:04:18Z")
Everyone is a vegetarian and drugs/medical treatments use animal alternatives. No more zoos, animals are no longer in circuses or used as pets, guide dogs, search and rescue and police dogs. How would a PETA member enjoy… --- ## [100 hour scorecard for Dem Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-hour-scorecard-for-dem-congress/387412)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2007, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-hour-scorecard-for-dem-congress/387412 "2007-01-15T12:53:20Z")
Well, the Dems came in loudly proclaiming their intention to hit the ground running, and accomplish all manner of things within the first 100 hours. Would there be any interest in maintaining a running log of any signif… --- ## [Calling Airman\_Doors: WHY does the military want to go to war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-airman_doors-why-does-the-military-want-to-go-to-war/387973)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2007, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-airman_doors-why-does-the-military-want-to-go-to-war/387973 "2007-01-15T12:45:35Z")
This OP isn’t specifically directed at you, Airman, but it arises because of a contention you made in this here thread about whether the miltary is partisan: \[QUOTE=Airman Doors, USAF\] Historically, you had guys like D… --- ## [One way the "metric system" is better..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-way-the-metric-system-is-better/387893)
**Author:** [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2007, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-way-the-metric-system-is-better/387893 "2007-01-15T10:51:53Z")
I just finished a chocolate bar - that has ever and as far as I know, came in 100 gram increments, at least overseas. But in the US, a candy bar tends to get smaller over the years, a preference for the marketer or manu… --- ## ["The President won't let policy be influenced by public opinion"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-wont-let-policy-be-influenced-by-public-opinion/387405)
**Author:** [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2007, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-wont-let-policy-be-influenced-by-public-opinion/387405 "2007-01-15T06:25:24Z")
Tony Snow on the President’s expected plan to increase troops in Iraq. I don’t get it. I’m sure this is amazingly naive, but why doesn’t public opinion count in a democracy? --- ## [Karma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/387588)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2007, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karma/387588 "2007-01-15T05:40:57Z")
This is basically a quick poll. Do you believe in karma, and why or why not? My own belief is that the notion of a cosmic accounting system is little more than wishful thinking, people just hoping that bad things will b… --- ## [You can't get Radio/TV Marti in Cuba -- but they'll soon broadcast in Florida](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-get-radio-tv-marti-in-cuba-but-theyll-soon-broadcast-in-florida/384859)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-get-radio-tv-marti-in-cuba-but-theyll-soon-broadcast-in-florida/384859 "2007-01-14T16:52:02Z")
Story here. For years some have questioned the money the U.S. government spends on its anti-Castro propaganda outlets Radio Marti and TV Marti, considering that the Cuban government jams the broadcasts. But now they’ve… --- ## [How much say should people have in a war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-say-should-people-have-in-a-war/386685)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2007, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-say-should-people-have-in-a-war/386685 "2007-01-14T08:11:04Z")
In this thread about the war in Vietnam: It might be argued that while the U.S. ‘lost’ the war (we didn’t win, but we weren’t defeated), Americans ‘won’ the conflict by using the democratic process and the Bill of Righ… --- ## [What does current physical cosmology tell us about the end of the universe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-current-physical-cosmology-tell-us-about-the-end-of-the-universe/387849)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2007, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-current-physical-cosmology-tell-us-about-the-end-of-the-universe/387849 "2007-01-14T04:14:27Z")
What is the most popular view in modern times about how the end of the universe will come about? According to wiki The Big Crunch has been ruled out because the expansion of the universe is actually accelerating. Will th… --- ## [Dopers who know about military stuff, what do you think about the "surge"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-know-about-military-stuff-what-do-you-think-about-the-surge/387406)
**Author:** [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2007, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-know-about-military-stuff-what-do-you-think-about-the-surge/387406 "2007-01-14T02:40:13Z")
Let’s make it short: I’m a liberal, I hate Bush, I hate his stupid war, etc. But I also hate the idea that we invaded Iraq, completely fucked it up, and now we’re leaving the mess for someone else to clean up. Not beca… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=739) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=741)