# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=757 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 758 --- ## [Backfire Take 2 - Could the MSM blow it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backfire-take-2-could-the-msm-blow-it/378609)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2006, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backfire-take-2-could-the-msm-blow-it/378609 "2006-11-02T23:50:39Z")
IF Fox is on the right and ABCNNBCBSMSNBC is on the left, and IF the latter is doing its best to prop up Dems and tear down Pubs in an effort discourage Pub voters…could that backfire? The Pub base could very well be di… --- ## [Foley Could Backfire on Dems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foley-could-backfire-on-dems/375400)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2006, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foley-could-backfire-on-dems/375400 "2006-11-02T22:28:28Z")
Pubs deal with individual hypocritical perverts…see Foley. Dems, hypocritical as a whole, embrace perverts … see Pelosi marching with NAMBLA and the rest in the gay pride festivities. Do the Pubs have the balls to figh… --- ## [Abortion Records: Is this a good decision?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-records-is-this-a-good-decision/378839)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2006, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-records-is-this-a-good-decision/378839 "2006-11-02T16:47:09Z")
The Kansas AG is getting redacted records from Planned Parenthood in Kansas in order to possibly identify any criminal activity…LA Times I think there was a comparable case in Indiana as well but don’t recall how that t… --- ## [California Prop 87: tax oil production or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-prop-87-tax-oil-production-or-not/378459)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2006, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-prop-87-tax-oil-production-or-not/378459 "2006-11-02T15:14:40Z")
California’s Proposition 87 would: \[ul\] \[li\] Establishes $4 billion program with goal to reduce petroleum consumption by 25%, with research and production incentives for alternative energy, alternative energy vehicles, … --- ## [How about this method of controlling terrorism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-this-method-of-controlling-terrorism/377514)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2006, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-this-method-of-controlling-terrorism/377514 "2006-11-02T14:12:56Z")
One way to get information on terrorists is to have many, many agents, who blend in with the torrorists ethnicity, to gather information. So why not conduct ourselves so as to be thought of as a good influence in the wo… --- ## [Gays in the military - theory and pragmatics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gays-in-the-military-theory-and-pragmatics/378463)
**Author:** [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2006, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gays-in-the-military-theory-and-pragmatics/378463 "2006-11-02T05:43:49Z")
I want to start off by saying that these are just some ideas I have had based on my experiences in the military. They may or may not be reasonable, which is why I am posting them in Great Debates. First of all, I would … --- ## [Is there really a problem with homelessness in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-problem-with-homelessness-in-the-us/376452)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2006, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-problem-with-homelessness-in-the-us/376452 "2006-11-02T01:20:37Z")
Every now and then, I’ll see/read something about homelessness in the United States. Is this really a problem? I’m well aware there are some people with mental illness or severe drug/alcohol abuse who are unable to main… --- ## [If Bush Were to Suspend the Constitution, What Would WE Do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bush-were-to-suspend-the-constitution-what-would-we-do/378320)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2006, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bush-were-to-suspend-the-constitution-what-would-we-do/378320 "2006-11-02T00:57:54Z")
Okay, to set the stage, I’m going to take a highly improbable scenerio for how this comes about in order to try and keep this thread from getting hijacked into unimportant areas. In June of 2008, a car explodes near whe… --- ## [Should we double the number of troops in Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-double-the-number-of-troops-in-iraq/378692)
**Author:** [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2006, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-double-the-number-of-troops-in-iraq/378692 "2006-11-01T22:01:55Z")
Okay, first, the extent to which going to Iraq or not is completely off the table in his thread. I think most of us generally agree that in heinsight it was a bad move of rather epic proportions, but what is done is don… --- ## [Should people 65 yrs old and up have driving exams?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-65-yrs-old-and-up-have-driving-exams/378724)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-65-yrs-old-and-up-have-driving-exams/378724 "2006-11-01T21:51:20Z")
And I mean, driving exams every two years? I think this would be beneficial for the driving community. Every two years they go in for a complete driving test, “paper” test, eye test and the physical driving test. --- ## [Iraq orders end to Sadr blockade - an opportunity to "cut and run"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-orders-end-to-sadr-blockade-an-opportunity-to-cut-and-run/378733)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2006, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-orders-end-to-sadr-blockade-an-opportunity-to-cut-and-run/378733 "2006-11-01T21:15:08Z")
As reported here and elsewhere, the Iraqi government apparently took the opportunity to actually function as a government, and rebuke US policy. Would this - or similar expressions of sovereignty by the Iraqi government… --- ## [USA -v- CSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-v-csa/378446)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-v-csa/378446 "2006-11-01T19:22:25Z")
Why did the USA go to war against the seceded Southern States?. I cannot believe that it was simply over the issue of slavery, maybe I’m wrong about this. I know about Fort Sumter being fired on which as I understand it… --- ## [California Voters: any Judges deserving extra scrutiny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-voters-any-judges-deserving-extra-scrutiny/378764)
**Author:** [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-voters-any-judges-deserving-extra-scrutiny/378764 "2006-11-01T19:04:24Z")
Part 1 is kinda GQ, but since Part 2 is definitely GD I thought I’d post here. However, I am hoping for a GQ/GD Hybrid kind of an answer: Part 1 So, there are a bunch of Judges on the ballot in California for this ele… --- ## [How will the Senate tightening (or takeover) affect Judicial appointments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-senate-tightening-or-takeover-affect-judicial-appointments/378562)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-senate-tightening-or-takeover-affect-judicial-appointments/378562 "2006-11-01T18:46:03Z")
It could encourage some Supreme Court justices to retire. It would change the numbers required for the Gang of Moderates to stop the Anti-Fillibuster Nuclear Option. It would probably affect Bush’ appointments… more mi… --- ## [Bill Clinton, Secretary of State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-secretary-of-state/376413)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2006, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-secretary-of-state/376413 "2006-11-01T18:13:30Z")
Okay, say that Hillary wins the White House in '08, and that she decides because the US desperately needs to rebuild it’s international image the best person for the job is Bill. Now, AFAIK, there’s no legal reason that… --- ## [Maybe God does not exist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-god-does-not-exist/377115)
**Author:** [@ted\_baskerville\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ted_baskerville_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2006, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-god-does-not-exist/377115 "2006-11-01T03:27:07Z")
Someone jsut sent me this: Looks pretty good. Better than my idea. Should I just give up on God? What is the point then? --- ## [How will the Bush Administration act if the Dems take Congress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-bush-administration-act-if-the-dems-take-congress/378479)
**Author:** [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2006, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-bush-administration-act-if-the-dems-take-congress/378479 "2006-11-01T03:20:18Z")
I think it can be claimed without disagreement that the current expectation among news coverage of American politics is that the Democrats are expected to regain some lost ground in next week’s midterm elections, riding … --- ## [Is the U.S. Headed for Overpopulation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-u-s-headed-for-overpopulation/378513)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2006, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-u-s-headed-for-overpopulation/378513 "2006-11-01T01:50:56Z")
Just this past Oct. 17th, the U.S. hit a major milestone. There are now 300 million people here. My question is simply this: at the rate the U.S. population is growing, are we headed for overpopulation? Are there any peo… --- ## [California's Proposition 90: Trojan horse of the property-rights movement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/californias-proposition-90-trojan-horse-of-the-property-rights-movement/378355)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2006, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/californias-proposition-90-trojan-horse-of-the-property-rights-movement/378355 "2006-10-31T22:32:14Z")
Next month Californians will vote on Proposition 90. The ballot summary reads: This is being marketed as a simple limitation on the state’s eminent domain power, in response to the Supreme Court’s decision last year i… --- ## [Could the U.S. use a bit of industrial policy/dirigisme?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-u-s-use-a-bit-of-industrial-policy-dirigisme/378159)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-u-s-use-a-bit-of-industrial-policy-dirigisme/378159 "2006-10-31T19:26:59Z")
The U.S., in peacetime, has historically had only a minimal industrial policy. The state has sometimes protected industry with tariffs and otherwise left the details up to the free market. But the market has of late pr… --- ## [What kind of president would Hillary Clinton make?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-president-would-hillary-clinton-make/377923)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-president-would-hillary-clinton-make/377923 "2006-10-31T18:58:33Z")
For this thread, let’s ignore the question of whether she could ever be elected. That’s been done to death in many threads. Assuming she could somehow become POTUS, would she be a good one? Why or why not? --- ## [Do adopted children have a right to know their birth parents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-adopted-children-have-a-right-to-know-their-birth-parents/377345)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2006, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-adopted-children-have-a-right-to-know-their-birth-parents/377345 "2006-10-31T17:54:15Z")
And if you feel that they do, at what age should they “find out” they are adopted? I feel they do have a right to know their “blood” and “true family” history. If I were adopted I would want to know my birth parents an… --- ## [Lets get rid of the Federal Government!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-get-rid-of-the-federal-government/378435)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-get-rid-of-the-federal-government/378435 "2006-10-31T17:44:02Z")
I always wanted to debate this here on the dope. Maybe just to have a hypothetical situation. After having read the debate on the Cultural Wars in the US, I would really like this to happen. Let me state that my politic… --- ## [Accusations that legal same-sex marriage must lead to polygamy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accusations-that-legal-same-sex-marriage-must-lead-to-polygamy/378308)
**Author:** [@ragerdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ragerdude)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accusations-that-legal-same-sex-marriage-must-lead-to-polygamy/378308 "2006-10-31T17:05:20Z")
First, I am completely in support of same-sex marriage. However, some on the other side argue that we (that is, we who support SSM) must be consistent and thus also support legalized polygamy for the same reasons. They… --- ## [TN senate RNC Ford add - rascist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tn-senate-rnc-ford-add-rascist/377829)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 177\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2006, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tn-senate-rnc-ford-add-rascist/377829 "2006-10-31T16:15:21Z")
The ad referenced here is getting alot of grief for being rascist. Isn’t the sterotypical Playboy bunny white and dumb? Makes perfect sense to me. --- ## [Believe in aliens/UFOs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-in-aliens-ufos/378170)
**Author:** [@Creznor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creznor)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2006, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believe-in-aliens-ufos/378170 "2006-10-31T15:23:14Z")
Check this site out: http://www.ufotube.blogspot.com It’s like the YouTube of UFO videos. There’s a plethora of really cool videos, and some really interesting coincidences. And it’s so ridiculously obvious that there’… --- ## [Video: What Mormon theology is really all about](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-what-mormon-theology-is-really-all-about/376812)
**Author:** [@wolf\_in\_second\_hand\_clothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_in_second_hand_clothing)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2006, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-what-mormon-theology-is-really-all-about/376812 "2006-10-31T07:39:13Z")
I found this video while watching that video of the Guiness record for most t-shirts worn. Does anyone know if there are other videos similar to this on the internet? Perhaps dealing with other religions? It’s kind of… --- ## [After Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-death/378419)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Ripley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Ripley)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2006, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-death/378419 "2006-10-31T00:37:22Z")
Dear All, my a cordially announce myself to the boards. A long time reader, a first time poster. Heres my posit: Afterlife, will it suck? So, two sides, one states there is an afterlife, one states there isnt. So, to … --- ## [Drug Money Finder Keepers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-money-finder-keepers/378000)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-money-finder-keepers/378000 "2006-10-30T21:57:23Z")
Imagine this: you’re walking along the side of the road and find a back-pack with $500,000 cash and some cryptic notes about how shipments were short a few grams here and there. You call the cops and report your find. Th… --- ## [Does American Culture swindle us, spiritually & emotionally? US/Non-all input welcome](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-american-culture-swindle-us-spiritually-emotionally-us-non-all-input-welcome/377700)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2006, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-american-culture-swindle-us-spiritually-emotionally-us-non-all-input-welcome/377700 "2006-10-30T14:47:38Z")
The quote below was published in 1871, & it is therefore reasonable to assume that it is no longer in copyright, & can be reproduced in full, without violation of SDMB policy. Is this a valid criticism? Part of me feel… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=756) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=758)