# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=756 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 757 --- ## [If President X Suspended the Constitution, what would WE do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-president-x-suspended-the-constitution-what-would-we-do/378737)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2006, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-president-x-suspended-the-constitution-what-would-we-do/378737 "2006-11-07T05:22:35Z")
Inspired by this thread, which suffered from a poorly-thought-out premise and went off the rails, I put forth this hypothetical scenario; In the not-too-distant future, the popular, yet divisive and contentious Presiden… --- ## [Political leanings correlate with opera/theatre leanings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-leanings-correlate-with-opera-theatre-leanings/379336)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2006, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-leanings-correlate-with-opera-theatre-leanings/379336 "2006-11-07T02:01:59Z")
I am an ardent opera and theatre fan. For years, I’ve had season tickets to both the Washington, DC, and Baltimore opera seasons. Goign regularly, I have noticed - no surprise here - that I see a lot of the same faces. … --- ## [Richard Dawkins vs. Francis Collins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-dawkins-vs-francis-collins/379206)
**Author:** [@ted\_baskerville\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ted_baskerville_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2006, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-dawkins-vs-francis-collins/379206 "2006-11-07T01:56:43Z")
This week’s Time has a debate between Dawkins and Collins. A taste: The rest can be read on Time’s website: It is an interesting debate and I think they both make some good points. But Dawkins wins overall. Collins … --- ## [Kerry's Botched Joke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerrys-botched-joke/378631)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 540\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerrys-botched-joke/378631 "2006-11-06T20:11:27Z")
Yesterday Kerry said the following to a group of college students… “You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t,… --- ## [The myth of the Napoleon complex and other short subjects](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myth-of-the-napoleon-complex-and-other-short-subjects/379050)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2006, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-myth-of-the-napoleon-complex-and-other-short-subjects/379050 "2006-11-06T19:31:15Z")
Before I begin to rant and rave let me explain that I may or may not have a dog in this fight, depending on your definitions of “tall” and “short” because I am between 5’8" and 5’9" (depending on whether I measure myself… --- ## [String Theory - Is it science? Is it a theory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/string-theory-is-it-science-is-it-a-theory/379142)
**Author:** [@ted\_baskerville\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ted_baskerville_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/string-theory-is-it-science-is-it-a-theory/379142 "2006-11-06T18:31:43Z")
As of yet string theory has made no predictions that can be tested. It also cannot explain certain observations of the universe such as dark energy. Is string theory just a faith in mathmatical elegance pretending to be… --- ## [Corruption in society](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corruption-in-society/378966)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2006, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corruption-in-society/378966 "2006-11-06T17:38:22Z")
Is corruption less tolerated now in America than it used to be? That is the impression I get from fictional accounts and stories of the Gilded Age. If we are less tolerant, why? Indignation over Watergate? Corruption… --- ## [The Guardian: U.S. poses a greater danger than North Korea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guardian-u-s-poses-a-greater-danger-than-north-korea/378992)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2006, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-guardian-u-s-poses-a-greater-danger-than-north-korea/378992 "2006-11-06T11:22:08Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061103/pl\_nm/security\_bush\_poll\_dc\_1 Shit. Our closest allies think we’re among the worst threats to peace! Is this warranted or justified? Are we really the bad guys? --- ## [Assuage my paranoia. Explain to me why I should have faith in E-voting machines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuage-my-paranoia-explain-to-me-why-i-should-have-faith-in-e-voting-machines/377532)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2006, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuage-my-paranoia-explain-to-me-why-i-should-have-faith-in-e-voting-machines/377532 "2006-11-06T00:31:36Z")
I’ve never been a conspiracy theorist about anything in my life but I am sincerely worried about all these new electronic voting machines, their lack of a paper trail and their VERY dubious results in the '04 elections. … --- ## [Nearly 100 ABC RAdio advertisers want their commercials blacked out on Air America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nearly-100-abc-radio-advertisers-want-their-commercials-blacked-out-on-air-america/378972)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nearly-100-abc-radio-advertisers-want-their-commercials-blacked-out-on-air-america/378972 "2006-11-05T23:52:18Z")
According to a recently leaked memo. Advertisers listed include Bank of America, Exxon Mobil, Federal Express, General Electric, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, and the U.S. Navy. ABC’s response does not deny this. H… --- ## [Is there such a thing as "good theology" and "bad theology"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-good-theology-and-bad-theology/378801)
**Author:** [@chorpler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chorpler)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2006, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-such-a-thing-as-good-theology-and-bad-theology/378801 "2006-11-05T18:39:01Z")
I’m putting this here because it isn’t exactly a factual question, and I think it holds too much debating potential to go in IMHO. I belong to a variety of mailing lists, several of which are the official lists for auth… --- ## [What's Keeping The Price of Silver Up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-keeping-the-price-of-silver-up/379034)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2006, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-keeping-the-price-of-silver-up/379034 "2006-11-05T15:58:38Z")
I mean, as film photography (MAJOR user of silver) is replaced by digital photography, I would expect the price of this metal to drop. Outside of jewelry and some electronics applications, I can’t think of a lot of uses… --- ## [Will the Saddam verdict sway US elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-saddam-verdict-sway-us-elections/379084)
**Author:** [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2006, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-saddam-verdict-sway-us-elections/379084 "2006-11-05T14:24:48Z")
So, on Sunday, the verdict in Saddam Hussein trial in Iraq will come down. 48 hours before the US election. Strangest coincidence, that. Its been speculated that the timing of this verdict was planned to affect the US e… --- ## [Is there any form of ethics that can be based on evidence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-form-of-ethics-that-can-be-based-on-evidence/379038)
**Author:** [@ted\_baskerville\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ted_baskerville_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2006, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-form-of-ethics-that-can-be-based-on-evidence/379038 "2006-11-05T10:59:14Z")
Or to put it another way can any form of ethics be established all the way down including it premises? I was looking at Sam Harris’ The End of Faith and he says that “a rational approach to ethics becomes possible once … --- ## [Do we have accurate copies of the Bible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-accurate-copies-of-the-bible/319553)
**Author:** [@Bible\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bible_man)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2006, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-accurate-copies-of-the-bible/319553 "2006-11-05T04:16:44Z")
An argument which is made repeatedly in these Great Debates, is the notion that the Bible can be, and has been changed numerous times throughout the centuries. The implication is that, even if it was originally a divine… --- ## [Manly Christians reject meek and feminine Church. Is modern Christianity feminizing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manly-christians-reject-meek-and-feminine-church-is-modern-christianity-feminizing/378574)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2006, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manly-christians-reject-meek-and-feminine-church-is-modern-christianity-feminizing/378574 "2006-11-04T23:00:59Z")
Real Men Talk About God- A new Christian movement lets guys be guys. --- ## [Subsidies and conservatism....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subsidies-and-conservatism/378829)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2006, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subsidies-and-conservatism/378829 "2006-11-04T19:57:25Z")
I was reading this today, and it made me a little angry. I read about cotton subsidies when I studied African politics a couple of years ago, and I’ve read a lot about how governments subsidize everything from cows to f… --- ## [Military newspapers: Rumsfeld must go!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-newspapers-rumsfeld-must-go/379108)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2006, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-newspapers-rumsfeld-must-go/379108 "2006-11-04T19:07:37Z")
From CNN: Very interesting–how well respected are these publications by the military, and how likely is this call to be persuasive? Is its timing “suspicious”? Daniel --- ## [African-American running for Florida lieutenant governor - good for the ticket?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/african-american-running-for-florida-lieutenant-governor-good-for-the-ticket/373770)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2006, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/african-american-running-for-florida-lieutenant-governor-good-for-the-ticket/373770 "2006-11-04T17:39:30Z")
In 2002, campaigning for Democrat Bill McBride for governor of Florida, I hoped McBride would tap the runner-up, African-American state senator Darryl Jones, as his running mate. Figuring it would really mobilize the bla… --- ## [Global Warming - in what should I invest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-in-what-should-i-invest/378438)
**Author:** [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-in-what-should-i-invest/378438 "2006-11-04T14:41:01Z")
I’m inspired by a report I heard on the radio this morning about the projected negative effect on world GDP by global warming. I thought, every time there’s an (economic) loser, there’s always a winner. Let’s say I wan… --- ## ['The Democrats have no plan!'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democrats-have-no-plan/379029)
**Author:** [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2006, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democrats-have-no-plan/379029 "2006-11-04T10:07:49Z")
Every time there’s an discussion over who should be voted for/against in the upcoming election, eventually this argument surfaces- “The Democrats don’t have a plan, so why should I vote for them?” Hell, Bush is even say… --- ## [There has never been an American army as violent and murderous as the one in Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-has-never-been-an-american-army-as-violent-and-murderous-as-the-one-in-iraq/378903)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-has-never-been-an-american-army-as-violent-and-murderous-as-the-one-in-iraq/378903 "2006-11-03T23:14:12Z")
"There has never been an American army as violent and murderous as the one in Iraq” This statement was made by Seymour Hersh. Seems a bit over the top, but I don’t know you measure the relative “violent murderousness” o… --- ## [Sheep in wolf's clothing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sheep-in-wolfs-clothing/379021)
**Author:** [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2006, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sheep-in-wolfs-clothing/379021 "2006-11-03T23:00:09Z")
This is really MPSIMS to me, but I’ll put it in GD since it’s political in nature. My friend received an e-mail (I think from the NRA) about the Virginia Democratic candidate for Senate, Jim Webb. In the e-mail there w… --- ## [Anything wrong with criticizing your own country/government while abroad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-wrong-with-criticizing-your-own-country-government-while-abroad/378665)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-wrong-with-criticizing-your-own-country-government-while-abroad/378665 "2006-11-03T20:11:40Z")
Inspired by this post in a CS thread on Shut Up and Sing, the new documentary about the Dixie Chicks and the fallout after Natalie Maines, while the group was on tour in London, told the crowd, “Just so you know, we’re a… --- ## [Has war ever solved anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-war-ever-solved-anything/378689)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-war-ever-solved-anything/378689 "2006-11-03T15:24:26Z")
I saw a bumper sticker that said, “War has never solved anything…Except for ending slavery, fascism, Nazism, communism and creating the United States.” Did war actually solve these problems? I feel that this statement … --- ## [Are US Forces in Iraq Under US Control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-us-forces-in-iraq-under-us-control/378842)
**Author:** [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2006, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-us-forces-in-iraq-under-us-control/378842 "2006-11-03T12:30:29Z")
Recently, Nouri al-Maliki ordered an end to the efforts of US forces in Iraq to locate and recover a missing serviceman, and we complied. Does our acquiescence to this command illustrate that we no longer have control o… --- ## [U.S. Welfare Reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-welfare-reform/378719)
**Author:** [@furlibusea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furlibusea)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2006, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-welfare-reform/378719 "2006-11-03T09:37:30Z")
I hope this is the right place to post this. It could get me to the pit, but I think it should be a debate. Let me start by saying that I tend to think of myself as a dyed-in-the-wool liberal. I believe government can d… --- ## [Is belief in God a delusion? - Richard Dawkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-belief-in-god-a-delusion-richard-dawkins/377286)
**Author:** [@ted\_baskerville\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ted_baskerville_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 261\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2006, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-belief-in-god-a-delusion-richard-dawkins/377286 "2006-11-03T05:33:08Z")
That is what Richard Dawkins claims in his new book “The God Delusion”. Here is the basic argument that Dawkins in making: Here is an interview of Dawkins that will give a better idea of his views on religion: … --- ## [Who should get the UN Security Council seat -- Guatemala or Venezuela?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-get-the-un-security-council-seat-guatemala-or-venezuela/376952)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2006, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-get-the-un-security-council-seat-guatemala-or-venezuela/376952 "2006-11-03T05:27:15Z")
Voting is deadlocked among the Latin American and Caribbean UN delegates who get to pick the next Security Council member. Anyone have any heated opinions on a decision in which ordinary geeks like us Dopers have no say… --- ## [How Would You Change Copyright Laws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-change-copyright-laws/377699)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2006, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-change-copyright-laws/377699 "2006-11-03T00:52:44Z")
Inspired by a Pit thread about, of all things the Boy Scouts of America, I’m wondering how you would change copyright laws. I’m not an expert on copyrights but the biggest thing I would change is how long they last. Is… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=755) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=757)