# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=741 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 742 --- ## [Earning a living wage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earning-a-living-wage/384700)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 463\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2007, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earning-a-living-wage/384700 "2007-01-13T19:08:56Z")
Do you think the majority of people in the world will ever come to believe that everyone who is working full time at any job deserves to earn a living wage? Not just in the U.S., but everywhere. If so, what do you thin… --- ## [AA is a religious organization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aa-is-a-religious-organization/387062)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 260\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2007, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aa-is-a-religious-organization/387062 "2007-01-13T15:35:40Z")
Hopefully, the discussion from this thread can be continued here. AA is a religious organization. Spiritul, not religious,is just a cover in my opinion. There is a higher power which you pray to. Whether you call it Go… --- ## [If you were (a) God, how would you suggest your existence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-god-how-would-you-suggest-your-existence/387257)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2007, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-god-how-would-you-suggest-your-existence/387257 "2007-01-13T14:45:41Z")
It’s a fairly straightforward question. Direct revelation (talking burning bush, miracles such as parting the red sea or raising the dead) is out. That leaves no reasonable room for doubt. Let’s say you wanted to be mor… --- ## [Darwin in the classroom redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-in-the-classroom-redux/386873)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2007, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/darwin-in-the-classroom-redux/386873 "2007-01-13T06:31:24Z")
I’m gettin ready to start teaching a unit on ecosystems to a fourth-grade class (as a student teacher). We use a published science kit for our lessons–not my choice, but the kit’s overall pretty good, so I’ve not got ma… --- ## [Sec. Of State Rice's lack of kids makes her unqualiifed hold an opinion about the war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-of-state-rices-lack-of-kids-makes-her-unqualiifed-hold-an-opinion-about-the-war/387705)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2007, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sec-of-state-rices-lack-of-kids-makes-her-unqualiifed-hold-an-opinion-about-the-war/387705 "2007-01-13T04:50:48Z")
Boxer’s low blow. I’m not a Bush Admin. cheerleader by an means, but IMO that’s a pretty crass statement. Does Boxer have any justification to offer that as an agrument agaisnt Rice’s moral authority to promote the add… --- ## [Distaters in Colorado vs. New Orleans : Is this text racist or just right-wing rantin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/distaters-in-colorado-vs-new-orleans-is-this-text-racist-or-just-right-wing-rantin/387157)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2007, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/distaters-in-colorado-vs-new-orleans-is-this-text-racist-or-just-right-wing-rantin/387157 "2007-01-13T00:23:22Z")
I just received this text from one of those friends who sends you urban legends as if they were facts and smarmy, sentimental crap on a regular basis. The text is supposedly from the Denver Post. I would like to know wha… --- ## [Rachel Carson saved lives (or tried to), not destroyed them (DDT and malaria)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rachel-carson-saved-lives-or-tried-to-not-destroyed-them-ddt-and-malaria/386085)
**Author:** [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2007, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rachel-carson-saved-lives-or-tried-to-not-destroyed-them-ddt-and-malaria/386085 "2007-01-12T20:29:47Z")
Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” is often roundly and without much question decried as having cost millions of lives, supposedly because she convinced many many people to stop using DDT, which led to a resurgence in malar… --- ## [Was Goliath the underdog?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-goliath-the-underdog/387319)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2007, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-goliath-the-underdog/387319 "2007-01-12T13:20:52Z")
I read this laughable quote on CNNSI.com “They said it couldn’t be done, that David couldn’t beat Goliath,” shouted \[Florida’s\] Joiner. “The score has been settled. Forty-one to 14, University of Florida. Who didn’t d… --- ## [The "Disappearance" of Down Syndrome Kids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-disappearance-of-down-syndrome-kids/387253)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2007, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-disappearance-of-down-syndrome-kids/387253 "2007-01-12T06:14:50Z")
Linky to Andrew Sullivan here . Andrew points out that 90% of unborn kids\* with Down’s Syndrome are aborted. He notes (and I would not have thought of it) that a lot of people who are publicly opposed to abortion must b… --- ## [Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announces for president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-chris-dodd-d-ct-announces-for-president/387548)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2007, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-chris-dodd-d-ct-announces-for-president/387548 "2007-01-12T05:52:48Z")
Story here. I don’t know much about Dodd. Is he electable? Would he make a good POTUS? --- ## [What's in the water in Hope, AR (Mike Huckabee related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-the-water-in-hope-ar-mike-huckabee-related/387522)
**Author:** [@MilTan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MilTan)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2007, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-in-the-water-in-hope-ar-mike-huckabee-related/387522 "2007-01-11T19:46:13Z")
I just saw Mike Huckabee on the Daily Show tonight, and, despite my liberal leanings, came away impressed. His name occasionally gets tossed around as a presidential candidate for 2008, and my impression is that he’d hav… --- ## [Watch out... spy coins!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-out-spy-coins/387554)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2007, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/watch-out-spy-coins/387554 "2007-01-11T15:28:01Z")
http://money.aol.com/news/articles/\_a/defense-contractors-warned-about-spy/20070111063409990001 Jeez… as if we didn’t have enough to worry about. How long before Bush’s merry men (and women) at the NSA develop coins sm… --- ## [How easy/hard would it be for the US to become an authoritarian regime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-hard-would-it-be-for-the-us-to-become-an-authoritarian-regime/387396)
**Author:** [@Horza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horza)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2007, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-hard-would-it-be-for-the-us-to-become-an-authoritarian-regime/387396 "2007-01-11T12:52:35Z")
Greetings, Dopers. This is my first post it’s taken me ages to write and I’m pretty much going into the deep end with the subject matter so please be aware of my n00bitude and excuse any gaucheries. As a non-resident no… --- ## [Was Karen Silkwood Murdered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-karen-silkwood-murdered/387155)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2007, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-karen-silkwood-murdered/387155 "2007-01-11T06:40:32Z")
I have yet to read anything that (convincingly) answers what actually happened to Karen Silkwood. For those of you unfamiliar , Silkwood was a technician at a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant, owned by the Kerr-McGee Ch… --- ## [What would happen if the U.S. opened its borders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-the-u-s-opened-its-borders/384526)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2007, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-the-u-s-opened-its-borders/384526 "2007-01-11T01:38:07Z")
Some Libertarians want a constitutional amendment along the lines of, “There shall be open borders.” IOW, no controls or restrictions on immigration at all. No green cards. No U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services… --- ## [Iraq: 'Regime Change' Was Our Downfall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-regime-change-was-our-downfall/387318)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2007, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-regime-change-was-our-downfall/387318 "2007-01-11T00:24:52Z")
It’s funny when you think about it, really. All the assorted war aims and justifications that we argued about four years ago, but it was the least controversial goal, the one effectively hidden in plain sight, that prev… --- ## [Union supporters: would you support this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/union-supporters-would-you-support-this/387129)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2007, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/union-supporters-would-you-support-this/387129 "2007-01-10T22:05:57Z")
Two Los Angeles traffic engineers have been charged with hacking the city’s traffic computers in the run-up to a strike. Link to LA Times story They’re innocent until proven guilty, of course. However, I have first-han… --- ## [Are prolifers obligated to act by any means necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-prolifers-obligated-to-act-by-any-means-necessary/386620)
**Author:** [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2007, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-prolifers-obligated-to-act-by-any-means-necessary/386620 "2007-01-10T21:42:08Z")
So, when I ask this, I am asking about those prolifers that truly believe that: a) Life begins at conception b) The conceptus is no less a human being than a newborn While I realize that this might not apply to all … --- ## [Saddam and Cousin Discussed Killing Thousands](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddam-and-cousin-discussed-killing-thousands/387141)
**Author:** [@Don26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don26)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2007, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddam-and-cousin-discussed-killing-thousands/387141 "2007-01-10T20:53:03Z")
Saddam and Chemical Ali discussed killing THOUSANDS Yeah, he was no threat to anyone… --- ## [Is Fundamentalist Atheism real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fundamentalist-atheism-real/387047)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2007, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fundamentalist-atheism-real/387047 "2007-01-10T17:34:58Z")
This is a term we’ve used here on the SDMB and I laughed when I saw it in an article on the Huff post. One by RJ Eskow who criticizes those who loudly propose the elimination of religion, and one by Cenk Uygur who critic… --- ## [Definition of 'Crimes Against Humanity'.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-crimes-against-humanity/387252)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2007, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-crimes-against-humanity/387252 "2007-01-10T00:46:02Z")
Is there a real definition of “crimes against humanity”? I mean, I guess what I want to know, is there really a point when homicide, torture, rape, etc. cease to be these simple crimes and become “crimes against humanity… --- ## [Should the countries Other Than the US restrict immigration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-countries-other-than-the-us-restrict-immigration/386543)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2007, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-countries-other-than-the-us-restrict-immigration/386543 "2007-01-09T20:55:59Z")
There are threads about the US, so don’t discuss that here, but what do you think about other countries? Background: When I was younger I traveled a lot, and had heard of famous Americans who had moved to each of the co… --- ## [Bush replaces/reshuffles top generals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-replaces-reshuffles-top-generals/386931)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2007, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-replaces-reshuffles-top-generals/386931 "2007-01-09T19:43:23Z")
Story here. General John Abizaid is stepping down as commander of CENTCOM (which includes the Middle East). He replacement will be Admiral William Fallon. General George Casey, currently commander of the Multi-Nationa… --- ## [110th Congress convenes Thursday -- what will the Dems do now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110th-congress-convenes-thursday-what-will-the-dems-do-now/386495)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/110th-congress-convenes-thursday-what-will-the-dems-do-now/386495 "2007-01-09T18:50:16Z")
The 110th Congress opens Thursday 1/4/06, with a Dem majority in both houses for the first time since 1994. So – what will they do with it? --- ## [Why the universe pops into existance...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-universe-pops-into-existance/386947)
**Author:** [@essell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/essell)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2007, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-universe-pops-into-existance/386947 "2007-01-09T17:08:30Z")
I read an interesting essay the other day, it was about “The Matrix” film but please don’t hold that against it. Without going into too much detail and retelling the story, the basic idea was that at some point in the f… --- ## [We have become the black hat in Iraq - We need a new one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-become-the-black-hat-in-iraq-we-need-a-new-one/386942)
**Author:** [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2007, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-have-become-the-black-hat-in-iraq-we-need-a-new-one/386942 "2007-01-09T16:56:37Z")
To most of the world, and to most of Iraq (if we believe the polls coming out of there) America has become the bad guy (what used to be called the “black hat” in old time movies). Bush and his advisors have attempted to… --- ## [Will we (a) still be in Iraq on 1/1/09, (b) have left on our own, (c) gotten evicted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-a-still-be-in-iraq-on-1-1-09-b-have-left-on-our-own-c-gotten-evicted/386473)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2007, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-a-still-be-in-iraq-on-1-1-09-b-have-left-on-our-own-c-gotten-evicted/386473 "2007-01-09T10:28:29Z")
I’m personally betting on ©. As bad as things have already gotten, they can still get worse. And the trend is consistently from bad to worse to even worse than that. Bush, who equates leaving with losing (while the re… --- ## [Is trash still a problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trash-still-a-problem/386877)
**Author:** [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2007, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trash-still-a-problem/386877 "2007-01-09T01:15:25Z")
So I was reading with interest this thread about nuclear energy, and lots of ignorance in my pea-sized brain is being fought. One thing that jumped out at me was the need to look at problems/solutions with much more long… --- ## [Saddam execution video on TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddam-execution-video-on-tv/386051)
**Author:** [@motomoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motomoon)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saddam-execution-video-on-tv/386051 "2007-01-08T20:36:58Z")
There is not a small amount of interest in the upcoming Saddam execution, it would seem probably that video of the event will certainly be on the internet fairly quickly. I am less sure of how the television networks wil… --- ## [Is it wrong for people to leave home on Christmas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-people-to-leave-home-on-christmas/387036)
**Author:** [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 8, 2007, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-for-people-to-leave-home-on-christmas/387036 "2007-01-08T20:00:41Z")
I don’t think I’ve ever started a Great Debates thread before, but here goes. In this Pit thread, VCO3 insists that anyone who goes to the movies on Christmas Day (or Thanksgiving) is an “asshole” because they made the w… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=740) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=742)