# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=752 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 753 --- ## [Will Lott's return to the leadership backfire on the Republicans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-lotts-return-to-the-leadership-backfire-on-the-republicans/380618)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-lotts-return-to-the-leadership-backfire-on-the-republicans/380618 "2006-11-23T00:11:22Z")
Just when the GOP partisans on the board had finished telling us how the party had repudiated its segregationists and other racists, they put Trent Lott back in the leadership. His next cover photo in the Council of Con… --- ## [Democracy and same-sex marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-and-same-sex-marriage/380686)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2006, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-and-same-sex-marriage/380686 "2006-11-22T23:21:26Z")
I know this has been done before, but I’m interested in your thoughts. Is constitutional democracy is incompatible with the rights of minorities? Free registration required \[QUOTE=Jeff Jacoby, Globe Columnist\] MATT FO… --- ## [Pelosi: Hastings or Harman or..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pelosi-hastings-or-harman-or/381462)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2006, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pelosi-hastings-or-harman-or/381462 "2006-11-22T22:52:31Z")
Anyone want to debate whether Alcee Hastings is more qualified than Jane Harman to serve as head of the House Intelligence Committee? What can she possibly be thinking? TIME Mag’s take on it. --- ## [Civil rights/Great Society - Any Federal setbacks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-rights-great-society-any-federal-setbacks/380945)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2006, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-rights-great-society-any-federal-setbacks/380945 "2006-11-22T22:33:27Z")
Among all of the progressive civil rights laws and interpretations… or entitilements made into law over the last 40-50 years, I’m trying to think of any major federal level setbacks. The only one that comes to mind is w… --- ## [Who should it be?? (Next U.S. President) \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-it-be-next-u-s-president-ed-title/380434)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-it-be-next-u-s-president-ed-title/380434 "2006-11-22T18:54:30Z")
I don’t see a thread on it, and it’s been a week since the election. So, who should it be, folks? Who should be elected to follow the current occupant of the Oval Office? And Why? --- ## [Partition of Iraq - the worst alternative, except for all the others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partition-of-iraq-the-worst-alternative-except-for-all-the-others/379870)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/partition-of-iraq-the-worst-alternative-except-for-all-the-others/379870 "2006-11-22T16:36:56Z")
\*\*John Mace said in the “Webb Is Toast” thread that: I’ve heard this a lot in recent months, from a variety of speakers, including experts like Juan Cole. But it doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s true that things in… --- ## [Proposed Burqa/veil ban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-burqa-veil-ban/380934)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2006, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-burqa-veil-ban/380934 "2006-11-21T22:51:40Z")
The Govt. of The Netherlands propose to ban the wearing of the burqa or veil in all public places but Dutch Muslims protest against this. They feel that such a ban would make the country’s Muslims feel alienated and vic… --- ## [Does giving money to homeless people help them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-money-to-homeless-people-help-them/380423)
**Author:** [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2006, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-giving-money-to-homeless-people-help-them/380423 "2006-11-21T22:38:32Z")
By giving money I mean personally handing change to someone on the street, not donating to charity, volunteering, etc. My friend and I have had this ongoing discussion. He regularly gives money to homeless people who a… --- ## [Milton Friedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milton-friedman/380798)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2006, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/milton-friedman/380798 "2006-11-21T19:23:03Z")
passed away. He leaves behind him a legacy of almost religious worship of the “free market” that has been a mixed blessing to society. I know Libertarians who practically worshipped this guy while the rest of us wonder… --- ## [The New Republic magazine formally apologizes for supporting the Iraq War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-republic-magazine-formally-apologizes-for-supporting-the-iraq-war/381261)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2006, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-republic-magazine-formally-apologizes-for-supporting-the-iraq-war/381261 "2006-11-21T14:02:58Z")
Not really a debate, but kind of interesting that even this guiding neo-con beacon is changing course. --- ## [Bush admin. appoints abstinence only, anti contraception advocate as ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-appoints-abstinence-only-anti-contraception-advocate-as/380909)
**Author:** [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2006, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-appoints-abstinence-only-anti-contraception-advocate-as/380909 "2006-11-21T00:22:04Z")
Deputy Assistant Secratary for Population Affairs. Story I can understand appointing someone that is pro-life to such a position as there is a sizeable percentage of the population that holds that view. However I feel … --- ## [Let's break gerrymandering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-gerrymandering/380779)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2006, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-gerrymandering/380779 "2006-11-20T23:44:22Z")
The gerrymandering of U. S. Congressional districts has been a major topic of discussion as late. That it exists is not in question. (Look at the map of North Carolina for a prime example.) That it has an effect is ob… --- ## [The world after the Happy Pill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-after-the-happy-pill/380902)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2006, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-after-the-happy-pill/380902 "2006-11-20T22:33:56Z")
Many of you are familiar with Huxley’s “Brave New World” book. In it, Almost all of humanity regularly takes a drug called Soma which produces feelings of euphoric happiness without any side effect. I postulate that, wi… --- ## [Should religion be taught about in public schools?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-religion-be-taught-about-in-public-schools/379841)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-religion-be-taught-about-in-public-schools/379841 "2006-11-20T18:54:59Z")
And I don’t mean doctrinal religious instruction like CCD classes. Something along the lines of a World Religions course or Religion in Society. As long as it’s the academic study of religion and not teaching childr… --- ## [Should parents be allowed to decide whether their children go to private school?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-parents-be-allowed-to-decide-whether-their-children-go-to-private-school/380820)
**Author:** [@mrrealtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrrealtime)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-parents-be-allowed-to-decide-whether-their-children-go-to-private-school/380820 "2006-11-20T18:47:04Z")
After watching a news report on CNN about the contraversial “gay penguins” kids book, it occurred to me immediately that if that book is left on the shelves of kids libraries, it will be an effective justification for ma… --- ## [Would ruthlessly tyrannical tactics "work" in Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-ruthlessly-tyrannical-tactics-work-in-iraq/380985)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2006, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-ruthlessly-tyrannical-tactics-work-in-iraq/380985 "2006-11-20T17:55:37Z")
In the sense of sucessfully pacifiying the population. Methods such as putting the entire civilian population in internment camps; retaliations against families; collective guilt and punishment; the near-genocide of male… --- ## [Gold/Silver from New World caused Spain's Decline?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-silver-from-new-world-caused-spains-decline/380714)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2006, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-silver-from-new-world-caused-spains-decline/380714 "2006-11-20T09:08:32Z")
It seems to be a polular thesis that Spain declined because of huge imports of gold and silver from Peru and Mexico, ca. 1580-1700. The reasoning goes like this: -the import of specie cause an enormous inflation in Sp… --- ## [UK education - how do you remove the Church England from the Education system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-education-how-do-you-remove-the-church-england-from-the-education-system/380513)
**Author:** [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2006, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-education-how-do-you-remove-the-church-england-from-the-education-system/380513 "2006-11-19T23:11:36Z")
I was having a debate with colleagues about the position of religious (specifically Anglican/Catholic schools) in the education system in England and how they are divisive in a largely secular country, and at odds with a… --- ## [Should We Pull Out of Washington?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-pull-out-of-washington/380906)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2006, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-pull-out-of-washington/380906 "2006-11-19T15:40:56Z")
Just got this in my inbox: Thoughts? --- ## [FDA Says Silicone Breast Implants Safe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fda-says-silicone-breast-implants-safe/380937)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2006, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fda-says-silicone-breast-implants-safe/380937 "2006-11-19T14:29:17Z")
So, does this mean all those lawsuits against Dow get thrown out? Do the people have to give the money back? Just wondering…are the makers of these things now shielded from lawsuits? --- ## [Why does absolute truth matter so much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-absolute-truth-matter-so-much/380823)
**Author:** [@mrrealtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrrealtime)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2006, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-absolute-truth-matter-so-much/380823 "2006-11-19T03:29:34Z")
If something is 99.99999 percent likely to be true, such as the age of the earth at well over 3 1/2 billion years, why does that last .00001 percent matter? Obviously it matters to the detractors of the theory, but why … --- ## [Patient dumping: how far does a hospital's responsibility go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patient-dumping-how-far-does-a-hospitals-responsibility-go/380796)
**Author:** [@SusanStoHelit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SusanStoHelit)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patient-dumping-how-far-does-a-hospitals-responsibility-go/380796 "2006-11-18T21:29:44Z")
This story (and (this one and this blog entry ) about a homeless woman that a Kaiser Permanente hospital “dumped” at a homeless shelter on Skid Row in LA by a taxi paid for by Kaiser. Why is this illegal? Emergency roo… --- ## [Terrorism, USA, Hypocrisy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorism-usa-hypocrisy/380947)
**Author:** [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorism-usa-hypocrisy/380947 "2006-11-18T18:22:14Z")
This article made me shake my head in disbelief US pays 90 million “compensation” at the hypocrisy of the whole thing. How can this type of official behavior on the part of the US government be seen as anything other th… --- ## [Howard Dean in '08?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/howard-dean-in-08/379628)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2006, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/howard-dean-in-08/379628 "2006-11-18T15:02:45Z")
Why not? He came within a hair of the Democratic presidential nomination in '04. Since then, he has served as DNC Chair and devised a winning “50-state strategy” for the party. Seems to me like he’s proven himself. A… --- ## [Change the Constitution to allow double jeopardy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-constitution-to-allow-double-jeopardy/380774)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2006, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-the-constitution-to-allow-double-jeopardy/380774 "2006-11-18T15:01:06Z")
OJ Simpson is back in the news today. And I can’t help but thinking that the SOB should be in jail for a double murder. Now, as I understand it, he can’t be tried again because that’s what the Constitution says. But t… --- ## [Bill Gates For President In 2008. Yes/No.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-gates-for-president-in-2008-yes-no/380396)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2006, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-gates-for-president-in-2008-yes-no/380396 "2006-11-18T04:08:39Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/11/13/gates.education.ap/index.html I like the sound of a lot of his ideas. He has the raw talent & leadership skills. He looks better than anybody I’ve heard about, from either party… --- ## [McDonaldland mocks Christianity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonaldland-mocks-christianity/380706)
**Author:** [@Ross\_Grumet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ross_Grumet)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2006, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonaldland-mocks-christianity/380706 "2006-11-17T23:16:46Z")
This is posted with thanks to Skip Trace I posted this before and claimed it as my own and as much as I would like to take credit, it is the work of my dear friend Owen Vaughan. I am one of the people reviewing his wor… --- ## [So what did the midterm election results really signify?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-the-midterm-election-results-really-signify/380578)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2006, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-did-the-midterm-election-results-really-signify/380578 "2006-11-17T19:29:40Z")
From the left-of-the-Dems In These Times: Also from INT: From almost-as-lefty The Nation: From the closest-thing-the-Dem-Party-has-got-to-an-official-organ American Prospect: Meanwhile, Pubs and conservatives are… --- ## [Did Kansas Atty Gen break any law to let Bill O'Reilly look at abortion records?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kansas-atty-gen-break-any-law-to-let-bill-oreilly-look-at-abortion-records/379800)
**Author:** [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2006, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kansas-atty-gen-break-any-law-to-let-bill-oreilly-look-at-abortion-records/379800 "2006-11-17T18:35:12Z")
O’ Reilly claimed on-air to have seen the records and reported the Doc terminates near term pregnancies for depression and for 10 year olds. Did Kansas Atty Gen break any laws by letting Bill O’Reilly look at redacted a… --- ## [Can you rationalize US "representation"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-rationalize-us-representation/380659)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-rationalize-us-representation/380659 "2006-11-17T15:06:06Z")
I think I read some statistic that said that Democrats won a minority of the seats in some recent election (not 2006) but that those represent a majority of the electorate. I’m pretty sure the US Senate was involved-- pr… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=751) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=753)