# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=754 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 755 --- ## [Come to think of it, why don't we have 600,000 troops in Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-think-of-it-why-dont-we-have-600-000-troops-in-iraq/379777)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2006, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-think-of-it-why-dont-we-have-600-000-troops-in-iraq/379777 "2006-11-14T00:28:19Z")
Before the invasion, several generals told Congress it would take 600,000 troops to effectively occupy Iraq. If they really needed to do it on the cheap, maybe they could squeak by with 400,000. Instead we have about 1… --- ## ["Who knows? Maybe just believing in God causes God to exist."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-knows-maybe-just-believing-in-god-causes-god-to-exist/379674)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-knows-maybe-just-believing-in-god-causes-god-to-exist/379674 "2006-11-13T22:12:16Z")
KILL THE WISE ONE! KILL THE WISE ONE! But seriously, does that idea, as stated, have merit? --- ## [Bob Gates as Sec. of Defense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-gates-as-sec-of-defense/379583)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-gates-as-sec-of-defense/379583 "2006-11-13T22:11:31Z")
Who is this man and what will he do as Secretary of Defense? What does this mean for Iraq? --- ## [Is Suicide a Selfish Act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-suicide-a-selfish-act/379535)
**Author:** [@Iamonfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iamonfire)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-suicide-a-selfish-act/379535 "2006-11-13T21:00:30Z")
Coming home to find your sister swinging from a beam with her eyes bulging and skin pallid. Is this a selfish act on her part? The act of suicide is usually a form of self indulgent desperation. Even those that try and … --- ## [Were the Nazi's the cleverest people ever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-nazis-the-cleverest-people-ever/379905)
**Author:** [@Iamonfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iamonfire)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-nazis-the-cleverest-people-ever/379905 "2006-11-13T18:51:04Z")
The list of their achievements is very impressive. We are still using most of the their ballistic technology almost 60 years later. Without creating tedious lists there is also: Nuclear development (heavy water) Submar… --- ## [Why a (lame)duck (Congress)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lame-duck-congress/379862)
**Author:** [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lame-duck-congress/379862 "2006-11-13T18:31:21Z")
Forgive the Marx Brothers allusion – but why is there about to be a lameduck session of the old Congress, when an election has just been held for a new Congress? I can understand why the old President stays in office, a… --- ## [Are Asians discriminated against in admissions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-asians-discriminated-against-in-admissions/380136)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-asians-discriminated-against-in-admissions/380136 "2006-11-13T17:56:27Z")
Original Wall Street Journal article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116321461412620634.html Full text can be found at http://logtk.blogspot.com/ There seems to me to be overwhelming evidence, despite the smokescreen… --- ## [Lieberman to Switch to republican/ Become Power Broker?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lieberman-to-switch-to-republican-become-power-broker/380261)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lieberman-to-switch-to-republican-become-power-broker/380261 "2006-11-13T17:11:12Z")
I heard that Joe Liberman (IND-CT) is mulling switching parties-if he became a republican, he could provide the margin in the senate, to give control back to the pubbies! Is Lieberman cynical enough to do this? What wou… --- ## [Why should I fear Speaker Pelosi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-i-fear-speaker-pelosi/379949)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-i-fear-speaker-pelosi/379949 "2006-11-13T15:27:56Z")
I don’t know a great deal about Nancy Pelosi other than what I’ve read in her Wikipedia article. Obviously some serious left-wing credentials there, particularly on gun control and abortion. So she’s a person conservativ… --- ## [Rumsfeld Resigns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumsfeld-resigns/379581)
**Author:** [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumsfeld-resigns/379581 "2006-11-13T12:02:01Z")
No full story yet, but check out the headline: Link Talk about quick results! So, what do you think? And who takes over? --- ## [Tax question for supscription](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question-for-supscription/379197)
**Author:** [@RookXPY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RookXPY)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-question-for-supscription/379197 "2006-11-13T05:22:15Z")
I recently read your piece on income tax law and I would like you to address the real argument relating to the language of the law, supreme court decisions and the government’s unwillingness to discuss it in a rational w… --- ## [What should the Democrats do about all the "praise" from Al Queda and Iran?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-democrats-do-about-all-the-praise-from-al-queda-and-iran/379986)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2006, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-democrats-do-about-all-the-praise-from-al-queda-and-iran/379986 "2006-11-13T01:46:39Z")
So, a leader of Iran praised the way the elections turned out, and an Al Queda tape gloated over the ousting of Rumsfeld and the electoral injury to the President. (Take my word on this right now; I’m trying to find cit… --- ## [Why is the US so soft on Pakistan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-us-so-soft-on-pakistan/380122)
**Author:** [@wisernow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisernow)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2006, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-us-so-soft-on-pakistan/380122 "2006-11-12T21:07:22Z")
It is more of a question and I had thought to put it in GQ but realized that it could possibly evolve into a debate. So that’s the question. Why has the US been, and still is, so soft on Pakistan? I saw the Daniel Pearl… --- ## [are the plan to ban abortion in USA now over ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-plan-to-ban-abortion-in-usa-now-over/379863)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-plan-to-ban-abortion-in-usa-now-over/379863 "2006-11-12T17:06:52Z")
…when democrats now have the majority in both houses? Can the high court decide this all by them selves? --- ## [Jesus Camp: Evangelical Christians "taking back" America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-camp-evangelical-christians-taking-back-america/372118)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2006, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-camp-evangelical-christians-taking-back-america/372118 "2006-11-11T21:16:03Z")
Since 2000, I have seen a trend towards “conservative Christian” values in governmental policies. But I considered that as an inevitible pendulum swing of the way that America’s culture has always drifted back and forth … --- ## [Historical Rehash: Reasons for the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-rehash-reasons-for-the-1994-republican-takeover-of-congress/379973)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2006, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-rehash-reasons-for-the-1994-republican-takeover-of-congress/379973 "2006-11-11T17:56:31Z")
In 1992, after George H. W. Bush had held office for 4 years following on 8 years of Ronald Reagan, the Presidential election went to Bill Clinton. In large part it was, as everyone’s heard, “the economy, stupid”. But … --- ## [Don't almost all affirmative action programs eventually become quota driven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-almost-all-affirmative-action-programs-eventually-become-quota-driven/380013)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2006, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-almost-all-affirmative-action-programs-eventually-become-quota-driven/380013 "2006-11-11T17:32:46Z")
I was reading this thread re the debate about affirmative action programs, and wondered how it’s possible to have an affirmative action program without quotas (even if they aren’t called that) of some sort. In practical… --- ## [Virginia Senate recount?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-senate-recount/379606)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-senate-recount/379606 "2006-11-11T16:21:30Z")
Webb has claimed victory, but he only leads by about 7,000 votes – about .3% of the votes case – and Allen has refused to concede. Will this require a recount? If so, who do you think will win it? --- ## [VA senate seat: Looks like Webb is toast to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-senate-seat-looks-like-webb-is-toast-to-me/378093)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-senate-seat-looks-like-webb-is-toast-to-me/378093 "2006-11-11T16:20:19Z")
Is this a dirty trick ? Should a candidate be responsible for the content of a novel he wrote many years ago? --- ## [Michigan passes new anti-affirmative action ban -- significant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-new-anti-affirmative-action-ban-significant/379847)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2006, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-passes-new-anti-affirmative-action-ban-significant/379847 "2006-11-11T16:14:02Z")
link What does this mean for the nation-wide affirmative action debate? --- ## [Is academic freedom a joke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-academic-freedom-a-joke/379635)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2006, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-academic-freedom-a-joke/379635 "2006-11-11T04:57:32Z")
Does a professor have the right to require his students to comply with a certain political or social view in order to pass a course? Can universities demand that students observe policies that conflict with their religio… --- ## [Cop stops you on highway- you have a quarter oz. Do you admit it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-stops-you-on-highway-you-have-a-quarter-oz-do-you-admit-it/379700)
**Author:** [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cop-stops-you-on-highway-you-have-a-quarter-oz-do-you-admit-it/379700 "2006-11-10T20:24:47Z")
You know the scene played out often on Cops- cop asks perp if he has any drugs in the car, perp says no, cop finds it anyway and is “upset” at perp for not admitting he has a pound of herion in the trunk. I get the reluc… --- ## [What does the recent Congressional overheaul mean to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-recent-congressional-overheaul-mean-to-me/379644)
**Author:** [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2006, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-recent-congressional-overheaul-mean-to-me/379644 "2006-11-10T04:51:34Z")
Personally, I mean. I can’t see Geedubya changing his spots, and although the Democrats control the House, and probably the Senate, what’s there that’s going to make any major changes? The Pres could just change from “… --- ## [Assume the Dems win House, GOP retains Senate: can or will the Dems end the war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assume-the-dems-win-house-gop-retains-senate-can-or-will-the-dems-end-the-war/379517)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2006, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assume-the-dems-win-house-gop-retains-senate-can-or-will-the-dems-end-the-war/379517 "2006-11-10T04:02:38Z")
Let’s assume that what appears to be happening is happening, and the Democrats will control the House, but the Republicans retain the Senate. Is it possible for the Democrats to force an end to the Iraq war through th… --- ## [And so it begins: Vilsack for Pres?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-so-it-begins-vilsack-for-pres/379764)
**Author:** [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2006, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-so-it-begins-vilsack-for-pres/379764 "2006-11-10T03:46:56Z")
Campaign '08 has officiall begun. Besides what I can read in this article or grab off the inernets in the next few seconds, I know very little about this guy. So, got a shot? Good candidate? Someone you could vote fo… --- ## [Lame duck Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lame-duck-congress/379802)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2006, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lame-duck-congress/379802 "2006-11-10T01:44:36Z")
President Bush wants this Congress to approve legislation and appointments (Bolton, NSA wiretapping, etc) when it reconvenes that don’t have a chance in the next Congress. Should Congress be allowed to reconvene at all… --- ## [Does it matter if Charlie Crist (R candidate for Florida gov) is gay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-matter-if-charlie-crist-r-candidate-for-florida-gov-is-gay/378470)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2006, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-matter-if-charlie-crist-r-candidate-for-florida-gov-is-gay/378470 "2006-11-09T20:00:17Z")
There have been a lot of rumors flying around recently that Charlie Crist, the Republican candidate for governor of Florida, is gay. See here. Crist has consistently denied this. In the primary his opponent, Tom Galla… --- ## [How can the U.S. federal budget be balanced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-u-s-federal-budget-be-balanced/379677)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2006, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-u-s-federal-budget-be-balanced/379677 "2006-11-09T18:20:15Z")
The Dems are now going to be expected to do something constructive, like dealing with the budget problem. Which involves raising taxes, cutting spending, or both. What can be done, now, that will work? --- ## [Would a popular vote in Iraq help decide if we should still be there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-popular-vote-in-iraq-help-decide-if-we-should-still-be-there/379715)
**Author:** [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2006, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-popular-vote-in-iraq-help-decide-if-we-should-still-be-there/379715 "2006-11-09T17:10:47Z")
Of course I realize there are all kinds of potential problems with this scenario, but hypothetically, what if there was an honest-to-god, election-style vote (e.g. “do you believe US troops should leave?” “Do you feel yo… --- ## [My wagers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wagers/379577)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2006, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wagers/379577 "2006-11-09T16:08:03Z")
This is a hybrid thread. The thread(s) in which I made wagers concerning this year’s election were mostly GD, and are old enough that I’m not going to bump them back into life. I would ask that if I now owe you money (… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=753) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=755)