# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=751 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 752 --- ## [Okay, the dowsing question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-the-dowsing-question/381495)
**Author:** [@samm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samm)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2006, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-the-dowsing-question/381495 "2006-11-27T22:30:45Z")
In the graveyard post, someone said, There was much “no you can’t” “yes you can” type arguments going on about dowsing. But I remember as a kid that my dad gave me two L-shaped pieces of coat hanger and told me to hold… --- ## [Top Democrat: Bring back the draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-democrat-bring-back-the-draft/381110)
**Author:** [@Jeffr062](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeffr062)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2006, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-democrat-bring-back-the-draft/381110 "2006-11-27T21:02:45Z")
Well thats interesting http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/19/rangel.draft.ap/index.html --- ## [What if Neanderthals existed side-by-side us in the 21st Century?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-neanderthals-existed-side-by-side-us-in-the-21st-century/381477)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2006, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-neanderthals-existed-side-by-side-us-in-the-21st-century/381477 "2006-11-27T19:36:24Z")
This thread in GQ got me thinking (thanks, Ralph124c!): Would a MODERN neanderthal-Human Couple attract attention? What would society be like if we had TWO races of humans alive, Homo Sapiens and H. Neanderthalensis, (… --- ## [Does the Bible Proclaim the existence of two Gods?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-bible-proclaim-the-existence-of-two-gods/381685)
**Author:** [@sctrojan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sctrojan)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2006, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-bible-proclaim-the-existence-of-two-gods/381685 "2006-11-27T13:43:16Z")
In an earlier thread, there was a question concerning the relevance of the Old Testament God (say, Yahweh) to Christians. I kept waiting for one to write that the relevance was great because it was in the Old Testament … --- ## [Should mentally challenged people be allowed to procreate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mentally-challenged-people-be-allowed-to-procreate/381520)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2006, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-mentally-challenged-people-be-allowed-to-procreate/381520 "2006-11-27T07:36:52Z")
I don’t know who would not “allow” them, but I’m sure there are people who separate two love birds if they live in a “home” together or something. I personally think if they are semi-high functioning, they have someone … --- ## [What would a sentient robot/AI really want out of life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-sentient-robot-ai-really-want-out-of-life/381081)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2006, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-sentient-robot-ai-really-want-out-of-life/381081 "2006-11-26T22:12:59Z")
SF has often dealt with the idea that a machine (or an artificial organism like Frankenstein’s monster) can develop full self-consciousness or sentience, can become a true “strong” artificial intelligence. And it is alw… --- ## [Do organized religious beliefs fade if not regularly "reinforced"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-organized-religious-beliefs-fade-if-not-regularly-reinforced/381786)
**Author:** [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-organized-religious-beliefs-fade-if-not-regularly-reinforced/381786 "2006-11-26T18:34:47Z")
Okay, let me get this out of the way first, I’m an atheist, so obviously my views on the whole “organized religion” thing are going to be biased… That said, I’ve noticed a fascinating occurrence in my family, and I’m si… --- ## [Do Michaels Richards and Mel Gibson represent the modern rich white man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-michaels-richards-and-mel-gibson-represent-the-modern-rich-white-man/381372)
**Author:** [@bclouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclouse)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-michaels-richards-and-mel-gibson-represent-the-modern-rich-white-man/381372 "2006-11-26T17:49:46Z")
Does anyone here believe that what Michael Richards said and Mel Gibson’s outburst represents what a certain amount of people in their class feel? Affluential, wealthy, mostly-white, mostly-male group of people who were … --- ## [What if you learned that God exists, but he doesn’t like you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-you-learned-that-god-exists-but-he-doesn-t-like-you/381463)
**Author:** [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2006, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-you-learned-that-god-exists-but-he-doesn-t-like-you/381463 "2006-11-26T14:38:48Z")
Disclaimer: This has more to do with psychology than theology. Imagine that it is revealed conclusively to all mankind that God exists, but he doesn’t like us. We also learn that the archetypical model of Christian afte… --- ## [Is God mad at us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-god-mad-at-us/381431)
**Author:** [@Nothing\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nothing_Special)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2006, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-god-mad-at-us/381431 "2006-11-26T12:24:23Z")
I first heard this question posed on one our morning news shows, 2 days in a row, more than 1 year ago after the hurricane Katrina disaster. The panel of experts consisted of Jerry Falwell (presumably speaking for God), … --- ## [Mind Under Matter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mind-under-matter/379799)
**Author:** [@Alonzo\_John\_Blitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alonzo_John_Blitz)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2006, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mind-under-matter/379799 "2006-11-26T04:21:43Z")
MIND UNDER MATTER I believe in a personal God not because it is necessary that a personal God creates universes, but because universes (at least this one) tend to evolve to a point where sufficiently complex beings can … --- ## [What does the word 'literally' mean in metaphors and similes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-literally-mean-in-metaphors-and-similes/381123)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2006, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-word-literally-mean-in-metaphors-and-similes/381123 "2006-11-26T04:03:22Z")
As far as can make up these days it seems standard for most people to say ‘We were literally packed in like sardines.’ This grates my ears and will always be considered wrong to me. But it seems like the majority of pe… --- ## [House Majority Leader: Murtha or Hoyer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-majority-leader-murtha-or-hoyer/380347)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2006, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-majority-leader-murtha-or-hoyer/380347 "2006-11-26T01:19:29Z")
I’m hoping to learn something here, as I don’t know enough about either of these guys to know which one would be better. Pelosi has endorsed Murtha, but it’s unlcear (to me) if she is dead set against Hoyer, or just is… --- ## [Do you think the Bill of Rights is subject to amendment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-the-bill-of-rights-is-subject-to-amendment/380978)
**Author:** [@According\_to\_Pliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/According_to_Pliny)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2006, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-the-bill-of-rights-is-subject-to-amendment/380978 "2006-11-26T00:30:33Z")
Clearly, the president has been able to put a couple of parts of it on hold. But what of actual modification? Say, could the second amendment be clarified to clear up the debated sections? Simply spell out what is a mi… --- ## [Legal rights of machines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-rights-of-machines/381704)
**Author:** [@Sir\_Reginald\_Bumwipe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Reginald_Bumwipe)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2006, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-rights-of-machines/381704 "2006-11-25T22:37:11Z")
When computers surpass human intelligence and become sentient, will they be given the same legal rights as people? --- ## [Death tax... Let's replace the income tax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-tax-lets-replace-the-income-tax/381034)
**Author:** [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2006, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-tax-lets-replace-the-income-tax/381034 "2006-11-25T19:00:18Z")
I’ve never understood the opposition to inheritance tax. Could you not just agree to not tax the first, say 5oo million dollar inheratace (or any number you wish) and take everything else? While at the same time decrea… --- ## [Yellowcake, yellowcake, Bush's plan ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellowcake-yellowcake-bushs-plan/381621)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2006, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellowcake-yellowcake-bushs-plan/381621 "2006-11-25T17:40:47Z")
I heard a report on NPR yesterday that the head of the Italian Secret Service had been let go because he was a little TOO cooperative with the US in a case of extraordinary rendition, in which suspected terrorists are es… --- ## [Will language-translation software ever be perfected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-language-translation-software-ever-be-perfected/381339)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2006, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-language-translation-software-ever-be-perfected/381339 "2006-11-25T06:13:37Z")
Plug that into Babelfish, choose “English to German,” and you’ll get: Now, whether that would make any sense to a German I do no know. But if you again use Babelfish to translate it back into English, you get: Seem… --- ## [Would the religious right be more successful if it dropped the abortion issue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-religious-right-be-more-successful-if-it-dropped-the-abortion-issue/381049)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2006, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-religious-right-be-more-successful-if-it-dropped-the-abortion-issue/381049 "2006-11-25T00:56:26Z")
Ben Bova’s Grand Tour series of SF novels are set in a future where practically every country on Earth has fallen under the rule of a religious-authoritarian “New Morality” movement – Christian in Christian countries, Mu… --- ## [Should pharmacies sell magnetic and copper bracelets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-pharmacies-sell-magnetic-and-copper-bracelets/380762)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2006, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-pharmacies-sell-magnetic-and-copper-bracelets/380762 "2006-11-25T00:37:51Z")
Yesterday, while picking up a presrciption at my local pharmacy, I was shocked and saddened to see magnetic bracelts and copper bracelets for sale on a nearby counter. Both are being touted not as jewelry but as therapeu… --- ## [Should schools require the new HPV vaccine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-schools-require-the-new-hpv-vaccine/381678)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2006, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-schools-require-the-new-hpv-vaccine/381678 "2006-11-24T23:57:37Z")
In June, Merck was approved to sell Gardasil, a vaccine that can potentially prevent up to 70% of all cervical cancers. From here School-aged girls who are not yet sexually active are the major target of this vaccine,… --- ## [Dutch "Paedophile Party"; Thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-paedophile-party-thoughts/359202)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2006, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-paedophile-party-thoughts/359202 "2006-11-24T23:47:47Z")
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5038682.stm I’ve considered this, and I for one am entirely happy with this party existing. I believe they have the right to bring forward their views and to campaign for them, e… --- ## [What Ark?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ark/380475)
**Author:** [@deputyd2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deputyd2)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2006, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ark/380475 "2006-11-24T23:11:27Z")
I can’t find the place I was reading about where the Ark of the Covenant is. So, I thought I’d start a new thread. Please come on in and we’ll discuss this subject from a religious standpoint, provided we all sign off w… --- ## [11/23 Doonesbury - must one respect the choice to serve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/11-23-doonesbury-must-one-respect-the-choice-to-serve/381560)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2006, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/11-23-doonesbury-must-one-respect-the-choice-to-serve/381560 "2006-11-24T19:42:17Z")
In today’s Doonesbury, BD makes the following statement: We all make our own choices. Those of us who choose to serve don’t demand that you share in our sense of duty. However, we do ask you to respect it – and to res… --- ## [Iraq War pull-out with Victory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-war-pull-out-with-victory/381038)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2006, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-war-pull-out-with-victory/381038 "2006-11-24T15:38:27Z")
Why don’t we announce a pull-out in the next 6-8 months (no drop dead date…gotta leave them guessing a little)? Then we make it clear to the Iraqi government that we are going fight a war against the bad guys our way be… --- ## [Impact of Fine Art](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impact-of-fine-art/380809)
**Author:** [@iano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iano)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impact-of-fine-art/380809 "2006-11-23T15:46:06Z")
First, I’ve never studied art history. Now, it’s my impression from visiting museums and normal exposure and such that the works from the fine arts touted as the finest are generally irrelevant to society at large. With … --- ## [Dems: who was right - Dean or Emmanuel/Shumer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-who-was-right-dean-or-emmanuel-shumer/381307)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2006, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-who-was-right-dean-or-emmanuel-shumer/381307 "2006-11-23T14:13:51Z")
Hello - infrequent visitor to the GD Forum, but I think this may be best asked here… In an article in the NYTimes Weekly Magazine from before the election (had Howard Dean on the cover) - they reported on the tension, e… --- ## [Dowsing and Paranormal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dowsing-and-paranormal/381538)
**Author:** [@FRDE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FRDE)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2006, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dowsing-and-paranormal/381538 "2006-11-23T13:25:40Z")
In a thread about finding graves, I suggested that one should ask a dowser. just an off the wall suggestion, I’ve no idea whether it would work. In GQ I was surprized by the strident opposition to the idea that dowsin… --- ## [A voice of reason from the right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-voice-of-reason-from-the-right/381517)
**Author:** [@stegon66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stegon66)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2006, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-voice-of-reason-from-the-right/381517 "2006-11-23T07:29:32Z")
Interesting interview with the Reverend Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. I’ve seen lots of deserved rants against the Christian fundies who would love for the U.S. t… --- ## [Are the European media/politicians elitist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-european-media-politicians-elitist/381018)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2006, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-european-media-politicians-elitist/381018 "2006-11-23T03:13:38Z")
The day I left for Taiwan, my father gave me the book While Europe Slept by Bruce Bawer. We had recently gotten in some debates about terrorism, society, Islam, etc. and he wanted me to tell him what I thought about the… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=750) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=752)