# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=744 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 745 --- ## [Do the condemned have a right to grandstand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-condemned-have-a-right-to-grandstand/385815)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2006, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-condemned-have-a-right-to-grandstand/385815 "2006-12-29T16:50:00Z")
Is the doomed man entitled to issuing Last Words? It came up because of Saddam, but pretty much every man on death row has aspersions left to cast and threats of doom or revenge by friends to issue. Some famous lines w… --- ## [Religion - A place to throw it all away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-a-place-to-throw-it-all-away/385203)
**Author:** [@Ammonius\_Saccus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ammonius_Saccus)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2006, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-a-place-to-throw-it-all-away/385203 "2006-12-29T16:31:59Z")
Is religion just a place to throw any rationality. evidence based belief, and the scientific method? Is religion just a compartment where you are willing to throw it all away? --- ## [Liquid Coal powered cars...wave of the future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-coal-powered-cars-wave-of-the-future/385721)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2006, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liquid-coal-powered-cars-wave-of-the-future/385721 "2006-12-29T09:31:52Z")
Was reading this article today and it got me wondering how viable liquid coal powered vehicles will be in the future. The article of course says that with the price of converting coal into a liquid form coming down, th… --- ## [Culture War - Religious cannot win a debate so they start a war.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/culture-war-religious-cannot-win-a-debate-so-they-start-a-war/383864)
**Author:** [@Ammonius\_Saccus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ammonius_Saccus)\ **Replies:** 275\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2006, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/culture-war-religious-cannot-win-a-debate-so-they-start-a-war/383864 "2006-12-29T07:28:35Z")
First just let me say that I fully support people to hold their own individual beliefs on religion and even to even celebrate their religion in a public and community based manner. But how can the religious individuals … --- ## [Should we stop the phony lottery check scams by requiring banks not to float checks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-stop-the-phony-lottery-check-scams-by-requiring-banks-not-to-float-checks/385089)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2006, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-stop-the-phony-lottery-check-scams-by-requiring-banks-not-to-float-checks/385089 "2006-12-29T07:15:08Z")
We currently have many people being stung by these “Canadian lottery” and Nigerian bogus check scams. They all hinge on the patsy being sent a check to cash for someone outside the country. The check seems to clear and… --- ## [Why... I think that doggone anti-Semite Jimmy Carter has a point.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-think-that-doggone-anti-semite-jimmy-carter-has-a-point/383883)
**Author:** [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Replies:** 185\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2006, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-think-that-doggone-anti-semite-jimmy-carter-has-a-point/383883 "2006-12-29T06:09:16Z")
… setting aside for a moment the other detractions by the Anti-Defamation League over the other assertions set aside in his new book – I haven’t read it yet, can’t take part in an informed discussion about the books cont… --- ## [Will FIAT ever Return To N. America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fiat-ever-return-to-n-america/385469)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2006, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-fiat-ever-return-to-n-america/385469 "2006-12-29T01:26:32Z")
FIAT is one of the world’s oldest carmakers. Because gasoline has always been expensive in Italy, FIAT has made cars with small engines and good handling-I drove a FIAT “PALIO” model in Brazil, and I liked it. Seemed lik… --- ## [Freedom of religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-of-religion/385756)
**Author:** [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2006, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-of-religion/385756 "2006-12-28T19:14:50Z")
As some of you may know, there are a couple of substances which are classified by the US federal government under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (hence defined as having high potential for abuse and no accep… --- ## [Cheney to testify at Scooter Libby's trial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-to-testify-at-scooter-libbys-trial/385771)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2006, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheney-to-testify-at-scooter-libbys-trial/385771 "2006-12-28T19:03:03Z")
This could get interesting! I wonder – will he refuse to answer any question on “national security” grounds? And if so, will the judge simply order the courtroom cleared and the testimony produced in camera? And if so… --- ## [What do we care if China "manipulates" it's money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-care-if-china-manipulates-its-money/385124)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2006, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-care-if-china-manipulates-its-money/385124 "2006-12-28T12:49:17Z")
Report: China Currency Not Manipulated WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration is once again contending that it can’t cite China as a currency manipulator although that view may be a tougher sell in Congress next year… --- ## ["Free To Choose"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-to-choose/384900)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2006, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-to-choose/384900 "2006-12-28T00:51:39Z")
The classic Libertarian series created by Milton Friedman is now available for free in streaming video on the internte. Free To Choose I highly recommend it to anyone interested in mainstream libertarian thought. Ther… --- ## [Our Society's Legacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-societys-legacy/385643)
**Author:** [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2006, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/our-societys-legacy/385643 "2006-12-28T00:37:04Z")
This could end up in IMHO, but there exists some room for debate. I got these couple paragraphs from an article about the Antikytherian Mechanism: The question comes at the end of the paragraphs. The Greeks, at least… --- ## [Transubstantiation, substance and accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transubstantiation-substance-and-accident/385310)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2006, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transubstantiation-substance-and-accident/385310 "2006-12-27T23:05:18Z")
In a recently closed pit thread/meltdown, the topic of transubstantiation and its illogic was brought up. The conversation was not civil, there was very little exchange of ideas, and there was just a lot of bad feeling.… --- ## [We see the madness and ask why \[Dictators and Cults of Personality\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-see-the-madness-and-ask-why-dictators-and-cults-of-personality/385388)
**Author:** [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-see-the-madness-and-ask-why-dictators-and-cults-of-personality/385388 "2006-12-27T19:19:19Z")
One of the major loons on the planet has passed. He ruled Turkmenistan for seven years. There are several nations on our planet currently being subjected to irrational rule by people who, were they in your family, yo… --- ## [Spiritual Individualism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiritual-individualism/384815)
**Author:** [@Gus\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_R)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2006, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiritual-individualism/384815 "2006-12-27T15:43:24Z")
There is something I find an absolute shame for any human being to blindly accept: Enslavement to their environment. Whatever sort of religious outlook you prescribe to, even if it’s the atheistic lack of deity, you are… --- ## [Why is government involved in marriage at all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-government-involved-in-marriage-at-all/385160)
**Author:** [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2006, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-government-involved-in-marriage-at-all/385160 "2006-12-27T01:26:12Z")
It seems to me that marriage is a religious act. Every religion has various rules about getting married, such as who can marry who, what the procedure is, and how it can be gotten out of (if at all). Sounds very much lik… --- ## [What would happen if I decided to move to an uninhabited island](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-decided-to-move-to-an-uninhabited-island/385519)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2006, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-i-decided-to-move-to-an-uninhabited-island/385519 "2006-12-26T22:29:04Z")
Let’s say that, one day, I decided I’ve had enough of living in big cities and being around other people, and want to move to a small, quiet island somewhere in which to enjoy my generally being left alone. Further, let… --- ## [Department of Homeland Security -- track record so far?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-homeland-security-track-record-so-far/385624)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/department-of-homeland-security-track-record-so-far/385624 "2006-12-26T18:58:42Z")
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was created in November 2002 by hiving off several existing agencies – the INS, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, etc. – from their prior departmental affiliations and placing … --- ## [What going on with the Guantánamo Bay detainment camp situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-going-on-with-the-guantanamo-bay-detainment-camp-situation/385532)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2006, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-going-on-with-the-guantanamo-bay-detainment-camp-situation/385532 "2006-12-26T10:21:44Z")
This has been off of the main news radar for a bit now. What’s going on with these prisoners currently? Why the hell is sorting them out taking such an insanely long time? Why hasn’t a judge put a stop to this? --- ## [Humans have more right to live than baiji dolphins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-have-more-right-to-live-than-baiji-dolphins/384035)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2006, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-have-more-right-to-live-than-baiji-dolphins/384035 "2006-12-25T23:49:07Z")
In this MPSIMS thread, the claim is made that humans have no more right to live than baiji dolphins. I contend that such a sentiment is meaningless – no species has any particular “right to live” – the extinction of a sp… --- ## [What will REALLY happen when the world actually runs out of oil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-really-happen-when-the-world-actually-runs-out-of-oil/385106)
**Author:** [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-really-happen-when-the-world-actually-runs-out-of-oil/385106 "2006-12-25T19:04:23Z")
Estimates of the world’s oil that is left vary widely, but the actual date when we run out is irrelevant to this thread. Let’s say hypothetically in 400 years there is so little oil left that its price is $2,000 a barrel… --- ## [So, WAS The "BIG DIG" Jerry-Built From The Start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-was-the-big-dig-jerry-built-from-the-start/385437)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2006, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-was-the-big-dig-jerry-built-from-the-start/385437 "2006-12-25T16:51:47Z")
Read the disgusting details here:http://www.boston.com/news/traffic/bigdig/articles/2006/12/24/cheaper\_faster\_path\_led\_to\_failure/?page=6 What this says to me: despite the huge (15 $ billion and counting) amount of mone… --- ## [New poll shows Hillary Clinton beating McCain, Giuliani, Romney](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-shows-hillary-clinton-beating-mccain-giuliani-romney/384819)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2006, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-poll-shows-hillary-clinton-beating-mccain-giuliani-romney/384819 "2006-12-24T18:20:40Z")
In the same poll, Obama beats Romney but loses narrowly to Giuliani and McCain. Possible implications: The bloom is off McCain’s rose. HRC’s chances of beating any Pub in '08 are not to be lightly dismissed. An… --- ## [Could the US ever revive the 50's era of small home ownership?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-us-ever-revive-the-50s-era-of-small-home-ownership/384806)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2006, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-us-ever-revive-the-50s-era-of-small-home-ownership/384806 "2006-12-24T15:00:54Z")
These days affordable housing is considered an unlikely event. When “affordable housing” programs are discussed now it’s not in terms of small houses on bare lots, but regular housing with subsidies and strings attached… --- ## [Non-U.S. Dopers: Are your politicians THIS bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-u-s-dopers-are-your-politicians-this-bad/385144)
**Author:** [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-u-s-dopers-are-your-politicians-this-bad/385144 "2006-12-24T14:51:45Z")
Inspired by this thread and this one. I know we have many SDMB members from democracies outside the U.S. and that, from reading threads like the ones cited, you have at least a passing knowledge of the types of utter mo… --- ## [Which is more inappropriate, the kid or the school?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-more-inappropriate-the-kid-or-the-school/383961)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2006, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-more-inappropriate-the-kid-or-the-school/383961 "2006-12-24T03:06:59Z")
Mods: I searched for this topic, couldn’t find it; if it exists, or belongs elsewhere, I assume you’ll take the appropriate action. Okay, so school officials in Texas punished a 4-year-old kid for hugging his teacher. T… --- ## [SDMB Demographics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-demographics/384314)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2006, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-demographics/384314 "2006-12-23T16:40:35Z")
It is my impression that the various identifiable American group repesentation in GD, GQ, and the PIt which I frequent does not match the degree of representation of these groups in the general population. Liberals, hom… --- ## [King herod's Advice (to Emperor Claudius)-Valid today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-herods-advice-to-emperor-claudius-valid-today/384682)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2006, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-herods-advice-to-emperor-claudius-valid-today/384682 "2006-12-23T14:57:46Z")
In “I CLAUDIUS” King Herod , who was a boyhood friend of Claudius, visists Rome and has some words of advice for the newly-crowned emporer. It goes like this (apologies if I misquote" …"…trust NO ONE, not me, not your f… --- ## [The U.S. Secret Service was eavesdropping on Princess Diana? WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-secret-service-was-eavesdropping-on-princess-diana-wtf/383540)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2006, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-secret-service-was-eavesdropping-on-princess-diana-wtf/383540 "2006-12-23T14:16:10Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/09/britain.diana.ap/index.html What possible interest would the USSS have in listening in on Prince Charles’s ex-wife? Did they think she and Dodi were counterfeiting, or plottin… --- ## [so what do you think about Al-Jazeera international?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-about-al-jazeera-international/383209)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2006, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-think-about-al-jazeera-international/383209 "2006-12-23T05:36:55Z")
the news-channel Al-Jazeera international was launched this fall It haves many similarities with BBC world if you ask me so what’s your opinion? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=743) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=745)