# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=759 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 760 --- ## [h.ross perot time is now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/h-ross-perot-time-is-now/377168)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2006, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/h-ross-perot-time-is-now/377168 "2006-10-25T19:32:25Z")
Answers - The Most Trusted Place for Answering Life's Questions he ran for president in 92 and 96. He said the giant sucking sound you hear will be jobs being sucked out of the US if NAFTA gets passed. Do we need a rich… --- ## [Even the GOP thinks Iraq is spiraling into the ground. Are we in uncharted territory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-the-gop-thinks-iraq-is-spiraling-into-the-ground-are-we-in-uncharted-territory/377693)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2006, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-the-gop-thinks-iraq-is-spiraling-into-the-ground-are-we-in-uncharted-territory/377693 "2006-10-25T11:13:40Z")
Seriously. It’s apparently all going to hell in hand basket. What the hell do we do at this point? What are the historical precedences for this type of situation that inform what our best strategy would be? GOP Senator… --- ## [Pakistani General: Bin Laden can have safe haven if he promises to be a good boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pakistani-general-bin-laden-can-have-safe-haven-if-he-promises-to-be-a-good-boy/371692)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2006, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pakistani-general-bin-laden-can-have-safe-haven-if-he-promises-to-be-a-good-boy/371692 "2006-10-25T00:31:47Z")
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf – whom the U.S. has been carefully cultivating as an ally since 2001 – has announced “reformed terrorists,” including Osama bin Laden, would be allowed safe haven in Pakistan if they … --- ## [Christian Prosperity Theology: Antithetical to or in line with the message of Jesus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-prosperity-theology-antithetical-to-or-in-line-with-the-message-of-jesus/374670)
**Author:** [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2006, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-prosperity-theology-antithetical-to-or-in-line-with-the-message-of-jesus/374670 "2006-10-24T23:30:52Z")
Inspired by an article in Time Magazine (Does God want you to be rich?), and not wanting to hijack a 19 page thread in the Pit (as if that’s possible), I decided to open this topic (with some trepidation) here in GD. Th… --- ## [Worst economy since Herbert Hoover?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-economy-since-herbert-hoover/377300)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2006, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-economy-since-herbert-hoover/377300 "2006-10-24T20:39:12Z")
That’s what John Kerry said in 2004, but George Will disagrees. In today’s column Will points out that: “Since the Bush tax cuts went into effect in 2003, the economic growth rate (3.5 percent) has been better than the… --- ## [North Korea regime change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-regime-change/377551)
**Author:** [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2006, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-regime-change/377551 "2006-10-24T19:17:08Z")
How will it go down? I predict Kim gets “ill” and a China approved replacement succeeds him. There will be at least a two-month waiting period. So, I predict Kim steps down in or around Dec 30. Who will China replace… --- ## [Iraq Solution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-solution/377721)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2006, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-solution/377721 "2006-10-24T17:40:32Z")
Here’s an idea, not orginally mine, but why not just make Saddam honcho again? Seriously. What are the downsides? I know there are some, but is it at least conceivable that the benefits would outweigh them? I’m not tryin… --- ## [Should citizenship be earned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-citizenship-be-earned/377393)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-citizenship-be-earned/377393 "2006-10-24T15:18:48Z")
Sometimes I think a lot of us here in the U.S.A. take the rights we have from being lucky enough to be born here for granted. We want all the rights while wanting to dodge all the responsibilities, and a depressingly hi… --- ## [Future evolution according to the BBC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-evolution-according-to-the-bbc/377152)
**Author:** [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2006, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-evolution-according-to-the-bbc/377152 "2006-10-24T13:06:11Z")
I saw an article here about the future of human evolution. Now personally, I don’t buy it. The main reason being that evolution isn’t a directional process. It’s an adaptive response to environmental changes. (Enviro… --- ## [If you can't prove it medically, should you get paid for it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-prove-it-medically-should-you-get-paid-for-it/376640)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2006, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-cant-prove-it-medically-should-you-get-paid-for-it/376640 "2006-10-24T04:10:59Z")
In another GD thread, a conversation arose about what the standard should be for a person (specifically) being able to claim compensation through Worker’s Compensation. I don’t want this to be limited to WC, so use any … --- ## [Lieberman or Lamont?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lieberman-or-lamont/377274)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lieberman-or-lamont/377274 "2006-10-23T22:31:58Z")
Who’s going to win the Connecticut Senate seat? Who should win? Recent article on the race. --- ## [Could Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld be charged with aggressive war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bush-cheney-rumsfeld-be-charged-with-aggressive-war/377409)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2006, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bush-cheney-rumsfeld-be-charged-with-aggressive-war/377409 "2006-10-23T14:40:04Z")
Under the doctrine enunciated at Nuremburgaggressive war is defined as waging war in violation of international treaties. The UN, of which the US is a member, prohibits war except in self defense. Yes, Saddam had viola… --- ## [Maybe Jesus was gay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-jesus-was-gay/377067)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2006, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-jesus-was-gay/377067 "2006-10-23T12:49:39Z")
Just speculation, but since we’ve gone over the whole “no wife/GF, no kids” (contested, but widely enough believed) thing a few times, it seems that it should be considered as a serious possibility. Disclaimer: This is … --- ## [14 year old terrorists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/14-year-old-terrorists/376504)
**Author:** [@overeasy4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overeasy4)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2006, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/14-year-old-terrorists/376504 "2006-10-23T09:50:01Z")
Am I missing the thread about the 14 year old girl who posted bad stuff about presdient Bush on herspace and got “questioned” by authorities? It was on the news, aol news too. Happened in Sacramento. --- ## [Origins of Biblical Monotheism - Mark S. Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-biblical-monotheism-mark-s-smith/377478)
**Author:** [@ted\_baskerville\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ted_baskerville_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2006, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origins-of-biblical-monotheism-mark-s-smith/377478 "2006-10-23T00:31:15Z")
Anyone here familar with Simth’s work? Is he a respected scholar or a hack? In his book “The Origins of Biblical Monotheism: Israel’s Polytheistic Background and the Ugaritic Texts” he makes the argument that: How acc… --- ## [Is there a journalistic standard for reporting skin color of a suspect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-journalistic-standard-for-reporting-skin-color-of-a-suspect/376678)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2006, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-journalistic-standard-for-reporting-skin-color-of-a-suspect/376678 "2006-10-22T22:57:21Z")
This weekend, in my local paper, there was a story on a robbery of a grocery store. In back-to-back sentences they left out the color of the suspects’ skin yet reported that the getaway vehicle was a white Cadillac. Ki… --- ## [Gerry Studds and Robert Bauman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-studds-and-robert-bauman/375537)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2006, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-studds-and-robert-bauman/375537 "2006-10-22T15:48:05Z")
If the Republicans are going to bring up Gerry Studds, I think they might need a reminder about another guy who was in Congress around the same time. Anyone remember Robert Bauman? I think it’s interesting that this g… --- ## [Could it be that Republican politicians have awakened?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-it-be-that-republican-politicians-have-awakened/377229)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2006, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-it-be-that-republican-politicians-have-awakened/377229 "2006-10-22T13:08:28Z")
This item in the Los Angeles Times might just possibly indicate that they have. Maybe they are beginning to suspect that they backed a really lousy horse. That the Mid East Democracy plan is a chimera, foisted on them … --- ## [Can a Person Love a Pet as Much as a Child?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-love-a-pet-as-much-as-a-child/376059)
**Author:** [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2006, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-love-a-pet-as-much-as-a-child/376059 "2006-10-21T17:19:23Z")
In this thread, McNew voiced an objection to those who say they love their dogs as much as he loves his daughter. I posit that love is love. My reasoning is as follows: Love is essentially a chemical process with no… --- ## [Colorado's Amendment 40 - Judicial Term Limits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorados-amendment-40-judicial-term-limits/377309)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2006, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorados-amendment-40-judicial-term-limits/377309 "2006-10-21T04:03:46Z")
The proposed amendment requires Court of Appeals and Supreme Court Justices to stand for retention at the first general election after appointment, to change their stand for retention from eight years to four (Appeals) a… --- ## [So why is Sports a way of life for so many people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-is-sports-a-way-of-life-for-so-many-people/375229)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2006, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-is-sports-a-way-of-life-for-so-many-people/375229 "2006-10-21T04:00:23Z")
As many of you out there may know (yes, that’s right, you down in the back there), I’m not a huge sports fan. Having said that, I’m at a complete loss to understand how people can get so completely and passionately work… --- ## [Have the House Republicans given up all semblance of sanity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-house-republicans-given-up-all-semblance-of-sanity/377170)
**Author:** [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2006, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-the-house-republicans-given-up-all-semblance-of-sanity/377170 "2006-10-21T02:57:19Z")
According to Congressional Quarterly (as told through TPMmuckraker because CQ requires a subscription), Rep. Jerry Lewis, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has just fired 60 investigative contractors. By ph… --- ## [Bush confidant prepares way for radical shift by US on Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-confidant-prepares-way-for-radical-shift-by-us-on-iraq/377073)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-confidant-prepares-way-for-radical-shift-by-us-on-iraq/377073 "2006-10-21T00:04:01Z")
The Guardian So do you think that Bush will leave Iraq soon and “turn it over” to Iran and Syria? and if yes, is this a good idea? … --- ## [What would the Republican Party reaction be if GWB were gay and came out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-republican-party-reaction-be-if-gwb-were-gay-and-came-out/375803)
**Author:** [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2006, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-republican-party-reaction-be-if-gwb-were-gay-and-came-out/375803 "2006-10-20T23:56:16Z")
They seemed to be pretty quick to distance themself from Foley, but he really wasn’t a well known name to the average American before this, so it was easy to do. What if GWB were revealed to have a gay lover his own age? … --- ## [Wal-Mart to sell $4 generic drugs in 14 more states](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-to-sell-4-generic-drugs-in-14-more-states/377126)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2006, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-to-sell-4-generic-drugs-in-14-more-states/377126 "2006-10-20T22:48:59Z")
How significant is this? Medical costs chew up a good chunk of older peoples incomes. Is this drug discounting going to lead to a shift in the pricing sturcture for drugs in the US or not? I had a thread a while ago tha… --- ## [Does this prove God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-prove-god/377031)
**Author:** [@ted\_baskerville\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ted_baskerville_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-prove-god/377031 "2006-10-20T21:51:54Z")
Why or why not. --- ## [Did I just lose my right to jury trial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-just-lose-my-right-to-jury-trial/376885)
**Author:** [@Cratylus-3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cratylus-3)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2006, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-just-lose-my-right-to-jury-trial/376885 "2006-10-20T19:28:58Z")
Erm…well, according to the news, and a layman’s read of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, it would appear that the executive branch could decide I am a bad guy, “detain” me, and have me tried (and possibly execute… --- ## [Should there be a fat tax on junk food?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-fat-tax-on-junk-food/376864)
**Author:** [@Mustafa\_Al-Habib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mustafa_Al-Habib)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2006, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-fat-tax-on-junk-food/376864 "2006-10-20T18:55:24Z")
Since fast food and junk food are partly responsible for a spike in obesity, and the health problems associated with obesity are putting a strain on the health care system, should there be a tax on those foods that goes … --- ## [Spam will never go away?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-will-never-go-away/376405)
**Author:** [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2006, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spam-will-never-go-away/376405 "2006-10-20T17:25:47Z")
Spam is a mere irritant to individuals, although collectively it is a real problem; dominating bandwidth traffic. On the other hand someone out there, somewhere, is making profit from it. It is money for nothing. The … --- ## [2010: Iraq Still Unstable-What To Do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-iraq-still-unstable-what-to-do/352590)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2006, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-iraq-still-unstable-what-to-do/352590 "2006-10-20T12:39:31Z")
Suppose its April 2010, and the US has now lost 12,000 lives in Iraq. The Shiites and Sunnis are still trying to slaughter eachother, and the Kurds have a defacto country of their own. What should the USA do at this poin… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=758) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=760)