# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=748 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 749 --- ## [How do we ethically justify keeping nuclear weapons just for ourselves & friends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-ethically-justify-keeping-nuclear-weapons-just-for-ourselves-friends/383682)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2006, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-ethically-justify-keeping-nuclear-weapons-just-for-ourselves-friends/383682 "2006-12-12T14:55:45Z")
It an obvious real politik consideration that the US should be concerned about threats to it’s security, and as one result we penalize and sanction the heck out of anyone attempting to gain nuclear capability who we don’… --- ## [Should all sports give up tie breakers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-all-sports-give-up-tie-breakers/383474)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2006, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-all-sports-give-up-tie-breakers/383474 "2006-12-12T10:28:53Z")
Seems like they are unnecessary. Sports that allow tie games seem to do all right without them. \[Not sure if this is a great debate. Please move if you think sports are less emotional than politics and religion and armo… --- ## [Can Bolivia make a case for commercial coca production?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-bolivia-make-a-case-for-commercial-coca-production/383471)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2006, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-bolivia-make-a-case-for-commercial-coca-production/383471 "2006-12-11T21:00:41Z")
Is their new leader a farmer’s advocate or a drug lord with a respectable title? --- ## [Resolved: "Racist!" is The White Man's "Nigger!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-racist-is-the-white-mans-nigger/381980)
**Author:** [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-racist-is-the-white-mans-nigger/381980 "2006-12-11T20:10:23Z")
Reflecting on the Michael Richards debacle: for those who have recently asserted that there is no racial epithet the equivalent to “nigger” among the select few slurs blacks fling at white people – and off the top of my … --- ## [What would Christianity have been like without St. Paul?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-christianity-have-been-like-without-st-paul/383473)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-christianity-have-been-like-without-st-paul/383473 "2006-12-11T20:08:34Z")
Inspired by this thread. What if St. Paul had never been converted on the road to Damascus, but remained a mainstream Jew? How much did his personal stamp change the young faith? How would Christianity’s doctrines, sc… --- ## [Is "slave" offensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-slave-offensive/382933)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2006, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-slave-offensive/382933 "2006-12-11T19:50:48Z")
On GMA yesterday, as part of their searching discussion on race in America (!), Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts rehashed an incident where DS used the expression “slaved over a hot stove” and where RR took a surprised exc… --- ## [Castro absent from his own birthday party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castro-absent-from-his-own-birthday-party/382773)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/castro-absent-from-his-own-birthday-party/382773 "2006-12-11T17:13:36Z")
There was a big public celebration in Cuba of Castro’s 80th birthday, but Fidel failed to show. How much longer has he got, I wonder? And what then? --- ## [What's the best way to spread the wealth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-spread-the-wealth/383501)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2006, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-spread-the-wealth/383501 "2006-12-11T15:27:56Z")
\[Not talking about the US, so don’t answer before you read the question\] Assume that you are the head of a new government in Africa, one of the many we get every year, and your goal is to spread the wealth. You have a … --- ## [What is the cause of house price inflation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cause-of-house-price-inflation/383279)
**Author:** [@ywine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ywine)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2006, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cause-of-house-price-inflation/383279 "2006-12-11T14:06:02Z")
I feel like I should already know. In Britain, the price of a home has become a social bad (that’s the opposite of a social good) and it causes harm, but house prices, which were frankly unbelievable a few years ago, are… --- ## [Euler's Identity = No Creation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eulers-identity-no-creation/383319)
**Author:** [@Agnostic\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agnostic_Pagan)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2006, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eulers-identity-no-creation/383319 "2006-12-11T02:49:57Z")
Forgive me if this has been addressed before, but I could not find anything. And I am sure this idea has been addressed before, so I am also looking for some references on the topic, but does the existence of pi and e, t… --- ## [Egg a car, get shot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egg-a-car-get-shot/382682)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2006, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egg-a-car-get-shot/382682 "2006-12-11T02:01:19Z")
I could have Pitted this, but I wanted a discussion, not an argument. I, personally, despise vandals. Vandalism is another form of bullying, and I hate the idea of its going unchecked on the grounds of youthful indiscre… --- ## [Drawing lines in continua, and demarcation of grey areas without drawn lines...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drawing-lines-in-continua-and-demarcation-of-grey-areas-without-drawn-lines/382924)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2006, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drawing-lines-in-continua-and-demarcation-of-grey-areas-without-drawn-lines/382924 "2006-12-10T22:43:31Z")
In debates, arguments often arise over where a line should (or can) be drawn amid the continuum of greys that inhabits the space between black and white. What confuses me, however, is consistency; for example: -In many… --- ## [Does it make sense to count people on probation or on parole in with prisoners](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-make-sense-to-count-people-on-probation-or-on-parole-in-with-prisoners/383493)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2006, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-make-sense-to-count-people-on-probation-or-on-parole-in-with-prisoners/383493 "2006-12-10T21:34:52Z")
U.S. has most prisoners in world due to tough laws Seems to me that’s not doing the math right. I can’t weep too hard for felons out on parole. And I also wonder about the number out on bail. How they fit into the stor… --- ## [Rumsfeld's Iraq Options in Leaked Memo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumsfelds-iraq-options-in-leaked-memo/382617)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2006, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumsfelds-iraq-options-in-leaked-memo/382617 "2006-12-10T21:25:51Z")
See: Rumsfeld’s Memo of Options for Iraq War - The New York Times Looks like some good ideas. Whaddya ya’ll think? I found this one particularly innovative: I’m surprised we’re not already doing that. --- ## [What's the difference between "immoral" and "amoral"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-immoral-and-amoral/383566)
**Author:** [@Stentor\_2.5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stentor_2.5)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2006, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-immoral-and-amoral/383566 "2006-12-10T20:06:13Z")
. . . or are the two semantically equivalent? I am aware that in popular usage the word “amoral” generally connotes a much more cold-blooded attitude towards ethics. Beyond that, though, can anyone come up with a clea… --- ## [Likely Scenario of a Regional MidEast War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likely-scenario-of-a-regional-mideast-war/383084)
**Author:** [@RenMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RenMan)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likely-scenario-of-a-regional-mideast-war/383084 "2006-12-10T19:52:56Z")
Scenario: The US withdraws from Iraq, or draws down its military presence sufficiently to let events take their course. Now supposing the Shia militias in Iraq stage a long-prepared power-play, attempting to capture Bag… --- ## [Evolution of Cruel and Unusual Punishment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-of-cruel-and-unusual-punishment/383109)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-of-cruel-and-unusual-punishment/383109 "2006-12-10T19:01:28Z")
I think you’ll agree that constitutional forms of punishment are significantly less “cruel and unusual” than they once were. Who is driving this progress forward… the people in the form of their legislature or the judic… --- ## [What is the "Missing Link" in science versus evolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-missing-link-in-science-versus-evolution/382563)
**Author:** [@Harri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harri)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2006, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-missing-link-in-science-versus-evolution/382563 "2006-12-10T17:55:03Z")
I guess I’m basically an agnostic in terms of religion but one thing I’ve never understood in terms of evolution making much more sense is what about the so-called “missing link?” Doesn’t this mean we’ve never found the … --- ## [When does life become sacred?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-life-become-sacred/382045)
**Author:** [@Zerc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zerc)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2006, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-life-become-sacred/382045 "2006-12-09T23:15:54Z")
I have been thinking a bit about abortion and the various reasons why people reject or accept it and it seems to me that one of the reasons for rejecting abortion is that every life is sacred. If that is the case when do… --- ## [Does Abortion Really Hurt Women?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-abortion-really-hurt-women/383393)
**Author:** [@askthedocto\_hotmail.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askthedocto_hotmail.com)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2006, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-abortion-really-hurt-women/383393 "2006-12-09T22:42:11Z")
The answer is: “it absolutely does.” This question is not posed to stir a debate on religious or moral values. The sole purpose is to educate the public and let you debate about the many “unspoken” ramifications and ev… --- ## [On the totality of civil war in Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-totality-of-civil-war-in-iraq/383237)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2006, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-totality-of-civil-war-in-iraq/383237 "2006-12-09T21:07:11Z")
Many oppose immediate withdrawl of American troops from Iraq on the grounds that it will lead, or might lead, to a total civil war in the country. I say it’s too late. Iraq is already experiencing total civil war. Ira… --- ## [Why do we sleep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-sleep/383327)
**Author:** [@yelimS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yelimS)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2006, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-sleep/383327 "2006-12-09T20:45:19Z")
I just read a short article that said the theory about sorting the new impulses was still predominant. Problem is, I can’t really see how this accounts for my favourite animal, The Almighty Koala (Sleepier than the sloth… --- ## [Public vs. private vs. homeschooling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-vs-private-vs-homeschooling/380753)
**Author:** [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2006, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-vs-private-vs-homeschooling/380753 "2006-12-09T20:39:19Z")
I almost never look into Great Debates because the argument gives me indigestion (urp), but I would very much like to hear Dopers discuss the merits of homeschooling vs. private education vs. government sponsored educati… --- ## [Hugo Chavez wins third term](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hugo-chavez-wins-third-term/382850)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2006, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hugo-chavez-wins-third-term/382850 "2006-12-09T15:39:32Z")
So, he’s set for the next six years. I don’t suppose anybody expected anything different. What does this portend for Venezuela’s future? And for the future of U.S.-Venezuelan relations? One really sore point has been… --- ## [Vatican claims to have found Apostle Paul's sarcophagus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vatican-claims-to-have-found-apostle-pauls-sarcophagus/383307)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2006, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vatican-claims-to-have-found-apostle-pauls-sarcophagus/383307 "2006-12-09T02:04:32Z")
BBC Telegraph The inscription is certainly a compelling piece of evidence. This might really be the old tentmaker himself but I don’t know how it could ever be proven conclusively. I guess an ancient fake reliquary ca… --- ## [How "necessary" was Columbus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-necessary-was-columbus/382888)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2006, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-necessary-was-columbus/382888 "2006-12-09T00:41:06Z")
Or to put it another way, is Christopher Columbus over-rated? Around the end of the 15th century, given the growth of European seafaring abilities, the incentives of trade, and the extremely regular Spanish and Portugese… --- ## [What motivates trolls to troll?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motivates-trolls-to-troll/382785)
**Author:** [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2006, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motivates-trolls-to-troll/382785 "2006-12-08T06:48:45Z")
Inspired by, albeit somewhat grudgingly (but hardly restricted to) by the petite cause célèbre of this thread Like Justice Potter Stewart, we often “know it when we see it.” But what, precisely, is the impetus/payoff fo… --- ## [And D.C. is again out of luck in the House...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-d-c-is-again-out-of-luck-in-the-house/382893)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2006, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-d-c-is-again-out-of-luck-in-the-house/382893 "2006-12-08T02:41:12Z")
Well, Tom Davis sponsored a bill to give D.C a vote in the House of Representatives, balancing it with another representative from Utah, and it got out of two committees, but now there’s no chance. It’s not on the agenda… --- ## [Does the federal government need a police force?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-federal-government-need-a-police-force/383256)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2006, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-federal-government-need-a-police-force/383256 "2006-12-08T02:23:29Z")
Federal agents don’t operate like police. They don’t just write tickets for breaking laws, they make a federal case out of it, and all that implies. Say inforcing truth in advertising laws. They could then just writing … --- ## [The hypocrisy of privacy in the Photographic Age](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hypocrisy-of-privacy-in-the-photographic-age/383231)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2006, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hypocrisy-of-privacy-in-the-photographic-age/383231 "2006-12-07T22:57:09Z")
A couple of things have happened recently to bring me to post this. Recently I attended a concert that my daughter was in. It was an area All-State music concert and so was not governed by the rules of any one distric… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=747) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=749)