# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=762 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 763 --- ## [9 11 Coverup.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-coverup/375587)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2006, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-coverup/375587 "2006-10-09T17:27:11Z")
The other day I was expertly avoiding work by browsing google videos. I came across the 911 coverup video and was hooked. Much if it is shaky and much of it seems plausible. The idea that the towers were rigged wi… --- ## [Only 21% of USAs population favor a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-21-of-usas-population-favor-a-military-strike-against-irans-nuclear-facilities/373557)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/only-21-of-usas-population-favor-a-military-strike-against-irans-nuclear-facilities/373557 "2006-10-09T13:55:39Z")
New Poll According to the BBC World Service opinion poll on Iran’s nuclear intentions, international opinion has drawn some surprisingly clear conclusions. Why does the media give the impression that there are a … --- ## [Does America's political climate look like weakness from outside?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-americas-political-climate-look-like-weakness-from-outside/375554)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-americas-political-climate-look-like-weakness-from-outside/375554 "2006-10-09T01:55:57Z")
As Abraham Lincoln said, ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ We had the Republicans try to impeach Clinton. People have been clamouring for Bush to be impeached almost since he got elected. Nixon actually got… --- ## [Why no more antiwar protests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-more-antiwar-protests/375424)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2006, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-more-antiwar-protests/375424 "2006-10-08T22:47:53Z")
Right now there’s a relatively modest anti-war protest going on in the Chicago federal plaza. Really nice to see. I’m sure the question has been asked before (heck - I maybe asked it myself) but why do you think such p… --- ## [Tolerance of hell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolerance-of-hell/375035)
**Author:** [@Mustafa\_Al-Habib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mustafa_Al-Habib)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2006, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolerance-of-hell/375035 "2006-10-08T21:11:56Z")
Assuming that Hell is tortuously hot, and you were doomed to spend an eternity there, wouldn’t you just get used to it after a while like being in a tub of really hot water? --- ## [What's with the new prisoner treatment law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-new-prisoner-treatment-law/374591)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-new-prisoner-treatment-law/374591 "2006-10-08T20:19:55Z")
I’m certainly delighted that our heroic senators McCain, Warner, and Graham fought hard for clarfication. As I understand what resulted is that it is now clear that the president determines what constitutes torture. … --- ## [Did Pakistan order the September 11 Attacks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-pakistan-order-the-september-11-attacks/375620)
**Author:** [@paul42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paul42)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-pakistan-order-the-september-11-attacks/375620 "2006-10-08T17:34:36Z")
That is what this video says. 911 : Press for truth A few allegations this video makes: Pakistan ISI training camps = Al Qaeda training camps 911 financing was done by ISI Pakistan ISI agent mentioning attacks on WTC… --- ## [Katrina evacuees: Time to pay your own rent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katrina-evacuees-time-to-pay-your-own-rent/375135)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2006, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katrina-evacuees-time-to-pay-your-own-rent/375135 "2006-10-07T22:02:34Z")
It has been over a year since Hurricane Katrina. I’ll agree that it was a complete tragedy to have to move on short notice. But, FEMA is still paying rent for 107,000 families in Texas. I’m sorry to sound cold. But, eno… --- ## [Audio taping Inadmissable: Why is Videotaping legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audio-taping-inadmissable-why-is-videotaping-legal/375494)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2006, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/audio-taping-inadmissable-why-is-videotaping-legal/375494 "2006-10-07T22:01:56Z")
In most American states, you are not permitted to tape a conversation 9without informing the other party and obtaining his explicit permission). if this is not done, such a recording is inadmissable (as evidence0 in a ci… --- ## [Aesthetic Value vs Necessity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-value-vs-necessity/375619)
**Author:** [@davybhoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davybhoy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aesthetic-value-vs-necessity/375619 "2006-10-07T17:04:43Z")
As regards the field of genetics and ever accelerating research and development within it will aesthetic value eventually outweigh the necessity, for cloning in particular of body parts. For instance should someone have … --- ## [Say Rep. Foley was from Georgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-rep-foley-was-from-georgia/375422)
**Author:** [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-rep-foley-was-from-georgia/375422 "2006-10-06T22:14:32Z")
Let’s say Florida Congressman Mark Foley lived one state away in Georgia, where the age of consent is 16 years. And let’s say these pages were also residents of states where the age of consent was 16 (Alaska, Connecticut… --- ## [Jerry Falwell hates Ms Clinton](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-falwell-hates-ms-clinton/375542)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2006, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-falwell-hates-ms-clinton/375542 "2006-10-06T22:04:26Z")
I hope I’m in the right forum but I’m looking for an answer to something that riddles me. Why do fundies hate and I mean hate, hate Hillary Clinton. I’ve known for years that they hate Bill, don’t quite understand it a… --- ## [Should Condi Rice be remembered as this generation's Robert McNamara?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-condi-rice-be-remembered-as-this-generations-robert-mcnamara/375394)
**Author:** [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2006, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-condi-rice-be-remembered-as-this-generations-robert-mcnamara/375394 "2006-10-06T17:56:53Z")
President Kennedy elevated “whiz kid” Robert McNamara from president of The Ford Motor Company to Secretary of his Department of Defense, this during a time of accelerating US involvement in Vietnam. Today, McNamara is r… --- ## [Come to think of it, why do we need to "train" Iraqi soldiers/police?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-think-of-it-why-do-we-need-to-train-iraqi-soldiers-police/374733)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/come-to-think-of-it-why-do-we-need-to-train-iraqi-soldiers-police/374733 "2006-10-06T16:49:01Z")
I mean, before the invasion, Iraq had big, highly experienced police forces and a big, highly experienced army. They were dissolved after the invasion, but the individual officers/soldiers are still there. Why not just… --- ## [Is WWIII imminent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wwiii-imminent/375442)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2006, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wwiii-imminent/375442 "2006-10-06T16:08:11Z")
We are currently fighting insurgents in various locales in the Mid-East. North Korea plans to test a nuke. If NK begins offensive military action, will that be the start of a third World War? --- ## [Whats the general opinion on the sanctity of Graves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-general-opinion-on-the-sanctity-of-graves/375477)
**Author:** [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2006, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-general-opinion-on-the-sanctity-of-graves/375477 "2006-10-06T15:49:40Z")
This story got me thinking BCC Link Basically a 200 year old pair of false teeth are going on display. They had belonged to the Archbishop of Narbonne who died in 1806. They were retrieved from his coffin after an arch… --- ## [Boer War vs Iraq War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boer-war-vs-iraq-war/374855)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2006, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boer-war-vs-iraq-war/374855 "2006-10-06T08:56:58Z")
There are lessons here. The British, the super power of the late 19th century poured almost half a million troops and suffered 20,000 dead to bring South Africa back into the fold. The British had to change tactics to … --- ## [Are Human Beings basically good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-human-beings-basically-good/375220)
**Author:** [@OliverTwistofLime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OliverTwistofLime)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2006, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-human-beings-basically-good/375220 "2006-10-05T22:34:26Z")
A hypothetical: If all laws regarding murder were removed for an indeterminate period of time, would there be a blood bath in the streets? I believe that morals, ethics, and the"golden rule basics" develop primarily a… --- ## [Is Nuclear Power a GOOD Investment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nuclear-power-a-good-investment/375401)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2006, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nuclear-power-a-good-investment/375401 "2006-10-05T21:07:57Z")
I am trying to decide how to invest some money. I would like to invest this money for the long term (\> 20 years), and I was thinking about energy. It seems to me that the USA has a few options as far as long-term energy … --- ## [Pedophile vs. Ephebophile: What's the difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedophile-vs-ephebophile-whats-the-difference/375121)
**Author:** [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2006, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pedophile-vs-ephebophile-whats-the-difference/375121 "2006-10-05T17:38:40Z")
Well, obviously, the difference, technically speaking, is the ephebophile is attracted to the post-pubescent, and the pedophile the pre-pubescent. There are likely to be significant neurological and psychological differ… --- ## [Say, what ever happened to those "enduring bases"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-what-ever-happened-to-those-enduring-bases/375297)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2006, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-what-ever-happened-to-those-enduring-bases/375297 "2006-10-05T06:22:45Z")
It was moderately big news last year that the Admin was planning to build 14 “enduring bases” (i.e., intended to be maintained even after the occupation is ended) in Iraq, but then interest seemed to die down – I can’t f… --- ## [RFK Jr. files whistleblower suit against Diebold](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-whistleblower-suit-against-diebold/364848)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2006, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rfk-jr-files-whistleblower-suit-against-diebold/364848 "2006-10-05T01:39:44Z")
From In These Times: But is this soon enough? Will it have any effect on whether the machines are used in this November’s election? --- ## [USA better or worse now then it was 6-10 years ago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-better-or-worse-now-then-it-was-6-10-years-ago/374328)
**Author:** [@OliverTwistofLime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OliverTwistofLime)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2006, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-better-or-worse-now-then-it-was-6-10-years-ago/374328 "2006-10-05T01:03:57Z")
In our weekly discussion group of about 30 members split about 50-50 conservatives and liberals, the following topic was discussed almost leading to fisticuffs. Is the US worse off or better off since the present presi… --- ## [Iraqi rat-hole keeps getting deeper, and deeper - Any reasonable chance for victory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqi-rat-hole-keeps-getting-deeper-and-deeper-any-reasonable-chance-for-victory/374652)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2006, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqi-rat-hole-keeps-getting-deeper-and-deeper-any-reasonable-chance-for-victory/374652 "2006-10-04T22:09:13Z")
According to the latest tome by Woodward the Iraq mess is worse than anyone thought, and Henry Kissinger is now advising Bush that “victory is the only meaningful exit strategy”. Assuming Bush is taking this advice ser… --- ## [Mozart Opera in Berlin Cancelled for Fear of Muslims: Complex Story!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mozart-opera-in-berlin-cancelled-for-fear-of-muslims-complex-story/374353)
**Author:** [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2006, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mozart-opera-in-berlin-cancelled-for-fear-of-muslims-complex-story/374353 "2006-10-04T13:11:43Z")
Not as cut-and-dried as it seems; there are a lot of gray areas, amd twists and turns, in this story: Hmmm. Seems like no one’s really right and no one’s really wrong here. --- ## [Does Money Buy Happiness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-money-buy-happiness/374952)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-money-buy-happiness/374952 "2006-10-04T02:03:33Z")
I’m sure this has been done in some thread before but I couldn’t find any, though I admit I only did one search. :wink: I don’t really believe money buys happiness in the sense that it will help you find the one you lov… --- ## [Should Congress be allowed to hijack bills?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-congress-be-allowed-to-hijack-bills/374950)
**Author:** [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2006, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-congress-be-allowed-to-hijack-bills/374950 "2006-10-03T16:08:51Z")
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article1780952.ece … Congress does it again. This is where the congress truly fails the people in our system of government. We elect members of congress to trust that they … --- ## [Frist calls for surrender to Taliban - repercussions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-calls-for-surrender-to-taliban-repercussions/375052)
**Author:** [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2006, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-calls-for-surrender-to-taliban-repercussions/375052 "2006-10-03T14:29:08Z")
From the International Herald-Tribune: I personally think that Frist is a scum-sucking waste of oxygen, but I really have to wonder how this is going to play to the Republicans’ core voters, especially since it’s comin… --- ## [Waterboarding, How to Do It.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterboarding-how-to-do-it/374614)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2006, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/waterboarding-how-to-do-it/374614 "2006-10-03T05:06:25Z")
Over here a blog has posted some photos of a Khemer Rouge ‘waterboard.’ I really don’t want to get off on a debate here, I found the discussion of how it is down interesting. You place the high-value detainee on a slan… --- ## [Is the Chinese Economy About to Collapse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-chinese-economy-about-to-collapse/374624)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2006, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-chinese-economy-about-to-collapse/374624 "2006-10-02T23:42:19Z")
It is my suspicion, and now i have heard some disturbing things from a friend who has just returned from asia: -he saw stuff piling up in docks and warehouses -the Chinese real estate market is going craxy; property v… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=761) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=763)