# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=746 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 747 --- ## [1,200+ illegals arrested. Company employing them gets off. Huh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-200-illegals-arrested-company-employing-them-gets-off-huh/384039)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2006, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-200-illegals-arrested-company-employing-them-gets-off-huh/384039 "2006-12-18T16:25:31Z")
I don’t have a lot of time right now, but I saw this and thought I’d post it and see the responses later. It seems that after a ten-month investigation into illegal aliens and ID theft, ICE arrested over 1,200 illegals.… --- ## [What are daily newspapers doing wrong that they are always dying?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-daily-newspapers-doing-wrong-that-they-are-always-dying/384142)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2006, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-daily-newspapers-doing-wrong-that-they-are-always-dying/384142 "2006-12-18T12:15:39Z")
The mergers are relentless, and even the new purchasers say it will be a stuggle to keep all the combined papers going. Yet, despite the trend for classified ads to go to the web, the display ads are growing every year.… --- ## [Could the South have avoided war and held onto slavery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-south-have-avoided-war-and-held-onto-slavery/384271)
**Author:** [@Tyrrell\_McAllister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tyrrell_McAllister)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2006, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-south-have-avoided-war-and-held-onto-slavery/384271 "2006-12-18T06:58:57Z")
Most alternate-history discussion of the civil war starts with the premise that the South won, or at least avoided total defeat somehow. What if the war had been avoided altogether without the South seceding? According… --- ## [Why can't we control the display of our emotions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-control-the-display-of-our-emotions/384192)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2006, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-control-the-display-of-our-emotions/384192 "2006-12-18T06:53:01Z")
So there are certain muscles in our face and body relating to emotion which are controlled by the autonomic nervous system and not under our direct control. For example, when we perform a genuine smile, muscles around ou… --- ## [Will Bernie Sanders be the first socialist in the U.S. Senate? Will it matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bernie-sanders-be-the-first-socialist-in-the-u-s-senate-will-it-matter/315222)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2006, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bernie-sanders-be-the-first-socialist-in-the-u-s-senate-will-it-matter/315222 "2006-12-18T05:19:34Z")
Since 1991, Representative Bernie Sanders of Vermont (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie\_Sanders) has been the only independent and the only self-described socialist in the House of Representatives. Now he’s running fo… --- ## [Is it wrong to donate to the dog charity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-donate-to-the-dog-charity/383976)
**Author:** [@Ammonius\_Saccus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ammonius_Saccus)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2006, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-donate-to-the-dog-charity/383976 "2006-12-18T04:45:34Z")
The only charity that I donate any money to are a couple of dog rescues and a general animal shelter. Is this really a defensible thing to do with all the people dying of AIDS, starving, dying of malaria, etc in the worl… --- ## [If bulletproof armor had existed 400 years ago...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bulletproof-armor-had-existed-400-years-ago/383857)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2006, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bulletproof-armor-had-existed-400-years-ago/383857 "2006-12-17T23:20:07Z")
Suppose someone had discovered a way to create bulletproof vests similar in weight and effectiveness to modern Kevlar. Assume the cost and workmanship needed to manufacture it was comparable to high quality plate armor. … --- ## [Dollar collapses - worst worst case scenario?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollar-collapses-worst-worst-case-scenario/383911)
**Author:** [@Agnostic\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agnostic_Pagan)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dollar-collapses-worst-worst-case-scenario/383911 "2006-12-17T20:08:15Z")
Reading about Greenspan’s comments on the dollar reminded me off previous doom and gloom stories, and I wonder how much salt to I need to take with these. But a little research found these similar comments from George So… --- ## [Is it time to quit saying nigger/nigga?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-quit-saying-nigger-nigga/383604)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-quit-saying-nigger-nigga/383604 "2006-12-17T18:15:50Z")
Jesse Jackson, although I’m sure he isn’t the first guy to do this, has called upon black celebrities to stop saying nigger or nigga. This comes, of course, in the wake of the Michael Richards meltdown - Kramergate, if … --- ## [Should \[cursive\] writing be dropped from school curricula \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-cursive-writing-be-dropped-from-school-curricula-ed-title/383108)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2006, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-cursive-writing-be-dropped-from-school-curricula-ed-title/383108 "2006-12-17T16:56:41Z")
When I went to school, we learned to print and then learned to write. It made sense since writing was faster than printing. But who needs to write anymore. Printing can be almost as fast if you don’t have a computer ar… --- ## [2008 election: New poll puts John Edwards ahead of Obama, Clinton, & McCain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-election-new-poll-puts-john-edwards-ahead-of-obama-clinton-mccain/384147)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2006, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-election-new-poll-puts-john-edwards-ahead-of-obama-clinton-mccain/384147 "2006-12-17T05:56:53Z")
Story here. So whaddaya think of Edwards? --- ## [Was invading Iraq really the worst decision in the history of U.S. foreign policy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-invading-iraq-really-the-worst-decision-in-the-history-of-u-s-foreign-policy/383573)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2006, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-invading-iraq-really-the-worst-decision-in-the-history-of-u-s-foreign-policy/383573 "2006-12-17T00:33:04Z")
I was watchingMeet the Press with Tim Russert this morning, and the claim was made by Washington post writer Thomas Ricks, who has authored the book "Fiasco" about Iraq, that invading Iraq was probably going to be view… --- ## [Ex-porn star as HS science teacher?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-porn-star-as-hs-science-teacher/384143)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2006, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-porn-star-as-hs-science-teacher/384143 "2006-12-16T21:24:24Z")
I’m ashamed to mention on what TV show I saw this, but hey – porn star. Here’s the story: A young woman with a drinking problem and three kids decides to make end meet by starring in some adult films. After a short reti… --- ## [Sacre Bleu! DECATLON Sports Bites The Dust! (Why?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacre-bleu-decatlon-sports-bites-the-dust-why/384301)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sacre-bleu-decatlon-sports-bites-the-dust-why/384301 "2006-12-16T17:52:26Z")
I drove by one of these stores-and the chain is going out of business (everything 70% off). So, what went wrong? DECATHLON was a very large chain-sort of like a “Hypermart” for sporting goods. They carried their own bra… --- ## [Has America become a Predator State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-america-become-a-predator-state/383609)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-america-become-a-predator-state/383609 "2006-12-16T15:11:47Z")
Getting rid of George Bush won’t solve our problems, if James Galbraith is right. Neither will getting the Republican part out of the White House and both house of Congress, if we don’t recognize the essential problem po… --- ## [How Can A Loving God Allow Innocent People To Die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-loving-god-allow-innocent-people-to-die/381755)
**Author:** [@johnny\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnny_M)\ **Replies:** 226\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2006, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-loving-god-allow-innocent-people-to-die/381755 "2006-12-16T14:25:46Z")
That was the big question asked to all ministers on 9/12 how can a loving God allow innocent people to die? The answer is so simple that a child in school can answer it. If you are a christian and beleive that Jesus Chr… --- ## [Is it "evil" somehow to value "jobs" over "the environment"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-evil-somehow-to-value-jobs-over-the-environment/384086)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2006, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-evil-somehow-to-value-jobs-over-the-environment/384086 "2006-12-16T12:10:20Z")
(Liberal use of quotes for the many shades those words take.) The dolphin extinction thread reminded me of a thread on the same topic on the libertarian-leaning Slashdot. In it, one commenter bluntly asserted that it i… --- ## [Is there a way to make politicians listen to us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-make-politicians-listen-to-us/383918)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2006, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-way-to-make-politicians-listen-to-us/383918 "2006-12-16T07:51:10Z")
So, in the past, I’ve asked several questions about how one (or many) could get the attention of his political representatives (who are, after all, public servants, right?), and almost every time, my questions have been … --- ## [Senator Johnson ill - Here come da Pubs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-johnson-ill-here-come-da-pubs/384048)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2006, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-johnson-ill-here-come-da-pubs/384048 "2006-12-16T03:53:20Z")
Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) has been stricken with a stroke-like illness. Though it is far too soon to tell, let’s say he can’t take his seat in January, and leaves the Senate. If the Republican governor appoints a Republic… --- ## [Should we restrict the highest salaries paid to "non-profit" directors/employees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-restrict-the-highest-salaries-paid-to-non-profit-directors-employees/384135)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-restrict-the-highest-salaries-paid-to-non-profit-directors-employees/384135 "2006-12-16T00:35:09Z")
When they are pulling down what they do, shouldn’t there be some more more controls? Sure, they need high salaries to attract ex members of congress to head charities, and they need well connected names to get governmen… --- ## [what if one day scientists have already discovered everything there is to discover?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-one-day-scientists-have-already-discovered-everything-there-is-to-discover/383917)
**Author:** [@tgan3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tgan3)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2006, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-one-day-scientists-have-already-discovered-everything-there-is-to-discover/383917 "2006-12-15T23:55:20Z")
Of course i am not talking about the recent future, not even the distant future.I am talking about a LONG LONG time from here, maybe something like a few million years from now where humankind would have already inhibite… --- ## [Oaxaca, Mexico, in rebellion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oaxaca-mexico-in-rebellion/378789)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2006, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oaxaca-mexico-in-rebellion/378789 "2006-12-15T21:40:29Z")
A teachers’ strike is an annual event in Oaxaca, Mexico. Usually it just lasts a week or two and the teachers get a token raise. But this year, it lasted and lasted and escalated into a street battle with the police. … --- ## [Pinochet passes -- what is his legacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pinochet-passes-what-is-his-legacy/383690)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2006, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pinochet-passes-what-is-his-legacy/383690 "2006-12-15T20:17:41Z")
Augusto Pinochet, the general who overthrew the democratically elected socialist government of President Salvador Allende in a military coup d’etat in 1973 and ruled the country until 1990, has died. Time, I guess, to d… --- ## [Ask The Woman Who Had An Abortion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-woman-who-had-an-abortion/383686)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-woman-who-had-an-abortion/383686 "2006-12-15T19:26:32Z")
Ok, based on the responses to my post in the closed thread, “Does Abortion Really Hurt Women?” as well as this thread, “Anaamika - a polite thank you…” and the suggestion made in the first thread, I thought it might be a… --- ## [Children and plastic surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/children-and-plastic-surgery/384300)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/children-and-plastic-surgery/384300 "2006-12-15T18:33:56Z")
Should parents be able to have cosmetic surgery performed on their children if the children either object or are too young too (like an infant)? What if it’s not even to correct a deformity (ala Conner on Nip/Tuck)? … --- ## [Would there have been a tizzy if Michael Richards slurred a different minority?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-have-been-a-tizzy-if-michael-richards-slurred-a-different-minority/383837)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2006, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-have-been-a-tizzy-if-michael-richards-slurred-a-different-minority/383837 "2006-12-15T16:06:30Z")
I suspect nobody would’ve known about it if he had used “beaner” or “chink” because the Mexican and Chinese people probably wouldn’t have gotten as vocal. Also, those words aren’t hot buttons for the media to pick up on… --- ## [Is there a media bias supporting anthropic global warming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-media-bias-supporting-anthropic-global-warming/383431)
**Author:** [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2006, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-media-bias-supporting-anthropic-global-warming/383431 "2006-12-15T11:01:46Z")
Sen. Jim Inhofe just concluded hearings about a perceived media bias supporting anthropic global warming. He provided guests who spoke about the reluctance to listen to or outright dismissal of opposing views. He has pr… --- ## [Would you ever kill your leader?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-kill-your-leader/384224)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2006, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-ever-kill-your-leader/384224 "2006-12-15T09:24:32Z")
Supposing the leader of your country did something bad. You happen to hold that person’s life in your hands. How badly would the leader have to act before you would consider intentionally ending that person’s life? As… --- ## [The "Culture of Corruption"...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-culture-of-corruption/383778)
**Author:** [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2006, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-culture-of-corruption/383778 "2006-12-15T00:37:22Z")
The new Speaker of the House is on record as objecting to what she characterized as a "culture of corruption"in Washington, which she blames on Republicans. And she has pledged to put an end to this alleged state of aff… --- ## [Should the House or Senate have the power to expel or exclude a member?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-house-or-senate-have-the-power-to-expel-or-exclude-a-member/384064)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2006, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-house-or-senate-have-the-power-to-expel-or-exclude-a-member/384064 "2006-12-14T22:44:44Z")
Inspired by this thread, particularly posts #10-14. Also this thread, post #8. Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution says, “Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own membe… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=745) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=747)