# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=758 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 759 --- ## [What remains of the Martian Civilization today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-remains-of-the-martian-civilization-today/377561)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2006, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-remains-of-the-martian-civilization-today/377561 "2006-10-30T04:44:24Z")
Suppose that Mars (being smaller than the earth) cooled off about 100 million years before the earth. life started, and evolved. Human life evolved on mars, and the inhabitants built great cities, like 21st century NYC. … --- ## [Is the Tibetan theocracy worthy of admitration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-tibetan-theocracy-worthy-of-admitration/378262)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2006, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-tibetan-theocracy-worthy-of-admitration/378262 "2006-10-30T03:16:56Z")
I saw this as a statement in the “controversial beliefs” thread in the pit and wondered what the scoop was. I know that Richard Gere and others make a big deal out of “freeing Tibet”, but I know little about what the Ti… --- ## [We can be better later, after the sky has finished falling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-be-better-later-after-the-sky-has-finished-falling/378368)
**Author:** [@The\_Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Octagon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-be-better-later-after-the-sky-has-finished-falling/378368 "2006-10-30T01:23:59Z")
I have been watching television lately. I know, I know. I just watched this guy go off on how media coverage is detrimental to war, dissent should be unlawful in a perfect world, and respond to honest questions about ho… --- ## [Ask the Randi $1M challenge applicant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-randi-1m-challenge-applicant/378265)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Replies:** 289\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2006, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-randi-1m-challenge-applicant/378265 "2006-10-30T00:19:09Z")
I have decided to apply for the James Randi Million Dollar Challenge. People making claims are challenged by James Randi to prove them. Some of the claims are mental powers, such as telepathy. But note that some of the … --- ## [Obama or Hilary-- who has the better chance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-or-hilary-who-has-the-better-chance/376857)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-or-hilary-who-has-the-better-chance/376857 "2006-10-29T17:44:51Z")
Deciding whether to put this in IMHO or GD was hard. Who do you think would have the better chance of being elected President? Hilary Clinton is a woman and is hated with a fervor that I sometimes find pretty irration… --- ## [Are people being silly when they talk about "basic, universal human rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-being-silly-when-they-talk-about-basic-universal-human-rights/377217)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2006, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-being-silly-when-they-talk-about-basic-universal-human-rights/377217 "2006-10-29T16:58:31Z")
Specifically rights to food, er this UN article. --- ## [Going to jail not as big a deterrent as wearing pink?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-jail-not-as-big-a-deterrent-as-wearing-pink/378035)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-jail-not-as-big-a-deterrent-as-wearing-pink/378035 "2006-10-29T16:38:27Z")
Okay, so it’s a small town, and it’s Texas besides. But according to this story, having the jail painted pink and having to wear pink jumpsuits is so embarrassing that prisoners are seemingly putting more effort into no… --- ## [How can the American "Culture War" be won? Or at least ended?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-american-culture-war-be-won-or-at-least-ended/377620)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2006, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-american-culture-war-be-won-or-at-least-ended/377620 "2006-10-29T15:42:23Z")
It seems like the “Culture War” is here to stay. The lines between the religious-traditional conservatives and the secular liberals have hardened and neither side is about to give up. Pro-lifers won’t stop fighting to … --- ## [Another thread on the future of airships](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-thread-on-the-future-of-airships/378154)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2006, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-thread-on-the-future-of-airships/378154 "2006-10-29T14:27:55Z")
In this old thread, we had some fun discussing the possible future revival of LTA airships. Now it appears at least one company is exploring that field in a big way with a new hybrid ship, the Dynalifter – it looks like… --- ## [My friend's argument for the existence of both evolution and a god.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friends-argument-for-the-existence-of-both-evolution-and-a-god/378017)
**Author:** [@voodoonirvana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voodoonirvana)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2006, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friends-argument-for-the-existence-of-both-evolution-and-a-god/378017 "2006-10-29T13:52:34Z")
My friend gave an interesting argument yesterday for the existence of both a god and evolution. He argued that the only intelligently designed species were dogs, all of whose changes hadn’t benefited them in the least (s… --- ## [What would it take for a major U.S. political party to become irrelevant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-a-major-u-s-political-party-to-become-irrelevant/378248)
**Author:** [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2006, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-a-major-u-s-political-party-to-become-irrelevant/378248 "2006-10-29T03:07:34Z")
I’m noting that hardly anyone attends the national Whig party conferences any more. It’s a shame, because they had the best cheesecake. I suppose my question is based on the de facto two-party system we have going in A… --- ## [What has George W. Bush done right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938)
**Author:** [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2006, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-george-w-bush-done-right/377938 "2006-10-29T00:45:19Z")
If one wants to find topics criticizing the current administration then one doesn’t have to look very hard on this board. On any given day there will probably be anywhere from 2-3 active threads concerning the latest fuc… --- ## [I hate being a political football. (NJ Gay Marriage Decision)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-a-political-football-nj-gay-marriage-decision/377857)
**Author:** [@Jeeves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeeves)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2006, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hate-being-a-political-football-nj-gay-marriage-decision/377857 "2006-10-29T00:02:43Z")
I feel nervous and a little sick about the New Jersey marriage ruling today. No matter what the decision, the repurcussions will not be pretty. I am just sick and tired of my life being debated about, and treated as a… --- ## [The Ethical Quandary of the Overweight Plane](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethical-quandary-of-the-overweight-plane/377717)
**Author:** [@nameless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nameless)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2006, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethical-quandary-of-the-overweight-plane/377717 "2006-10-28T20:37:09Z")
A true story– On a recent flight out of Chicago, the captain announced that we could not take off–it seemed that the wind had changed and that our plane was now 3,000 lbs too heavy to take off from the short runways at … --- ## [NJ Supreme Court allows gay marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-supreme-court-allows-gay-marriage/377909)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nj-supreme-court-allows-gay-marriage/377909 "2006-10-28T17:44:13Z")
I haven’t read the opinion itself yet, just the CNN Story found here: In its 4-3 ruling, the New Jersey court said, “The issue is not about the transformation of the traditional definition of marriage, but about th… --- ## [Massachusetts Question 1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massachusetts-question-1/377978)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2006, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/massachusetts-question-1/377978 "2006-10-28T16:45:20Z")
Well? What say you? Note to mods: While the following text is copied in full, it is not copyrighted material. http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepip/pipidx.htm Arguments As provided by law the 150-word arguments are w… --- ## [Are Dogs Altruistic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dogs-altruistic/378118)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2006, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dogs-altruistic/378118 "2006-10-28T15:48:07Z")
yes, i know…I’m a dog-lover, and i can’t help myself. yet, I think evidence exists that dogs frequently will put themselves in danger to help their human charges. take the famous rescues of drowning persons (by Labrador… --- ## [Why isn't "ain't" a word?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-aint-a-word/377098)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2006, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-aint-a-word/377098 "2006-10-28T05:28:41Z")
Everybody uses it, even people who say they don’t get caught using it from time to time. I understand that there isn’t a longer version of “ain’t”, like “aren’t” means “are not”. But why can’t we just go ahead and add … --- ## [Stay the Course](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stay-the-course/377475)
**Author:** [@ted\_baskerville\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ted_baskerville_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2006, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stay-the-course/377475 "2006-10-28T04:46:34Z")
Not really sure where I should post. Am I completely losing my mind or has the Bush strategy for Iraq been stay the course? Bush is now saying that is not their strategy and they never said it was. Here are some othe… --- ## [Limbaugh Audience - Declining? Smarter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-audience-declining-smarter/377995)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2006, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limbaugh-audience-declining-smarter/377995 "2006-10-27T17:19:20Z")
A couple of posters have mentioned that Limbaugh’s audience is in decline. What’s the basis for that? I found this poll which claims that his audience is “smarter” than the average based on succesfully answering three … --- ## [The boy/girl probability question (for the 50th time. I know. I'm sorry.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boy-girl-probability-question-for-the-50th-time-i-know-im-sorry/377061)
**Author:** [@ragerdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ragerdude)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2006, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-boy-girl-probability-question-for-the-50th-time-i-know-im-sorry/377061 "2006-10-27T13:17:16Z")
I know that this has gone round many times, but that is exactly why I would like to discuss the interpretation of a certain mathematician’s version of the problem, now that we’ve hashed out everything: "Consider now som… --- ## [Has anyone read "Letter to a Christian Nation" What did you think of it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-read-letter-to-a-christian-nation-what-did-you-think-of-it/377879)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-read-letter-to-a-christian-nation-what-did-you-think-of-it/377879 "2006-10-27T01:09:38Z")
This should probably go in Cafe but the topic is more GD than anything else. Mods move if you must. Has anyone read this book? Do you recommend it?? "Letter to a Christian Nation --- ## [Hooray For Quebec (requiring religious schools to teach evolution)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hooray-for-quebec-requiring-religious-schools-to-teach-evolution/377705)
**Author:** [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2006, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hooray-for-quebec-requiring-religious-schools-to-teach-evolution/377705 "2006-10-27T00:28:01Z")
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=c5715990-a9eb-45f2-9c66-26d3ea3c56fa&k=4546 Quebec’s Ministry of Education orders the religious schools to teach the Theory of Evolution. Maybe not much of a debate… --- ## [W's new National Space Policy rules out arms control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-new-national-space-policy-rules-out-arms-control/377744)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-new-national-space-policy-rules-out-arms-control/377744 "2006-10-26T21:59:07Z")
The Bush Admin just issued a new National Space Policy (revised for the first time in 10 years). An earlier report indicates they were trying to do this on the quiet and are presenting it as nothing really new, just a v… --- ## [From an Anthropological perspective - Is marriage universal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-an-anthropological-perspective-is-marriage-universal/377623)
**Author:** [@scott62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott62)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2006, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-an-anthropological-perspective-is-marriage-universal/377623 "2006-10-26T11:12:59Z")
Hi there, I’m Mrs scott62, I’m currently studying medical anthropology and have been given the essay title - Is marriage universal? I have read several enthographies on the subject but thought it might be interesting to… --- ## [A Growing And Real Theory That Israel Will Soon Bomb Iran...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-growing-and-real-theory-that-israel-will-soon-bomb-iran/377596)
**Author:** [@Mountain\_Fire77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mountain_Fire77)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2006, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-growing-and-real-theory-that-israel-will-soon-bomb-iran/377596 "2006-10-26T09:40:17Z")
Hey, There has been a documentary made by the BBC which is ample entitled “will Israel bomb Iran” which was made just after the unrest which took place in Lebanon and although that conflict was pretty intense which seem… --- ## [Can the executive and judicial branches tell the judicial branch to go pound sand?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-executive-and-judicial-branches-tell-the-judicial-branch-to-go-pound-sand/377891)
**Author:** [@Smitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smitty)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2006, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-executive-and-judicial-branches-tell-the-judicial-branch-to-go-pound-sand/377891 "2006-10-26T07:15:21Z")
The recent ruling by the NJ Supreme Court made me wonder: What if the legislative branch and executive branch simply ignored this? Andrew Jackson famously said of the Supreme Court in 1830, “They have made their decis… --- ## [Dems support the troops, Repubs just put magnetic ribbons on their cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-support-the-troops-repubs-just-put-magnetic-ribbons-on-their-cars/377749)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2006, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-support-the-troops-repubs-just-put-magnetic-ribbons-on-their-cars/377749 "2006-10-26T05:22:29Z")
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America took 324 Congressional votes of concern to the well-being of troops and veterans, and used them to grade all our Congresscritters. Daily Kos published a table arranging the grade… --- ## [What is my God concept really called?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-my-god-concept-really-called/377469)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-my-god-concept-really-called/377469 "2006-10-25T23:01:00Z")
This may actually belong in GQ, but given it involves God and all … I have a God concept but it does not involve an interventional God. It shares some with Spinoza’s pantheism but allows for God to have a greater consci… --- ## [Is Schizophrenia A Spiritual Illness Or A Chemical In balance???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-schizophrenia-a-spiritual-illness-or-a-chemical-in-balance/377538)
**Author:** [@Mountain\_Fire77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mountain_Fire77)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2006, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-schizophrenia-a-spiritual-illness-or-a-chemical-in-balance/377538 "2006-10-25T20:22:55Z")
This is a long read but definitely worth it in my opinion. Deals with the psychosis from a spiritual scientific point of view with some intelligent thinking which makes sense. If your up for a interesting and thought pro… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=757) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=759)