# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=773 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 774 --- ## [Hezbollah not hiding among civilians: any impartial confirmation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hezbollah-not-hiding-among-civilians-any-impartial-confirmation/366538)
**Author:** [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2006, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hezbollah-not-hiding-among-civilians-any-impartial-confirmation/366538 "2006-08-14T05:27:25Z")
This item in Salon http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/07/28/hezbollah/ (you must watch \[i.e., click through\] an ad to read) says “Israel claims it’s justified in bombing civilians because Hezbollah mingles with them.… --- ## [Worlds most hated \[country - U.S. (ed. title)\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-hated-country-u-s-ed-title/367981)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2006, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-most-hated-country-u-s-ed-title/367981 "2006-08-14T00:09:54Z")
In the Sunday Telegraph last weekend a columnist stated that America is the most hated country in the world but he didn’t say why. So I ask the question. I don’t dislike Americans at all, I find you guys friendly and … --- ## [Pubs meddling in George Dem primary? (Cynthia McKinney v. Hank Johnson)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pubs-meddling-in-george-dem-primary-cynthia-mckinney-v-hank-johnson/367695)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2006, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pubs-meddling-in-george-dem-primary-cynthia-mckinney-v-hank-johnson/367695 "2006-08-13T22:18:53Z")
Tomorrow, voters in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District will (or can) vote on whether the Democrat nominee will be the incumbent Cynthia McKinney or the challenger Hank Johnson. (No candidate won more than 50% in th… --- ## [Nowegian bestselling author in Anti-Semitic rant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nowegian-bestselling-author-in-anti-semitic-rant/367990)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nowegian-bestselling-author-in-anti-semitic-rant/367990 "2006-08-13T21:30:06Z")
The largest newspaper in Norway publishes a long anti-Israel op-ed rant by famous Norwegian author, Jostein Gaarder (author of bestselling novel: Sophie’s World). In the op-ed, Gaarder several times denounces Israel rig… --- ## [Would a Giuliani/McCain ticket be unbeatable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-giuliani-mccain-ticket-be-unbeatable/368331)
**Author:** [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2006, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-giuliani-mccain-ticket-be-unbeatable/368331 "2006-08-13T21:25:46Z")
While perusing some of the other “who might run for president threads,” it occurred to me that either version of a Giuliani/McCain ticket might be unbeatable. What are other folks thoughts about this? I’m thinking the … --- ## [The Challenge: Disinterested Critique](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-challenge-disinterested-critique/368536)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2006, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-challenge-disinterested-critique/368536 "2006-08-13T15:28:28Z")
The Challenge: Disinterested Critique Says Goethe; “the little that is done seems nothing when we look forward and see how much we have yet to do”. The challenge to criticism is disinterestedness! Why we can and shoul… --- ## [The other kind of pirate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-kind-of-pirate/365684)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2006, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-kind-of-pirate/365684 "2006-08-13T11:27:16Z")
Really looking for GQ answers here. OK I get it. Copyright infringement, while illegal, and probably immoral definitely isn’t theft or stealing. The thing you are getting, someone else isn’t missing. But what is it? Leg… --- ## [If Lieberman Loses On Tuesday...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-lieberman-loses-on-tuesday/367541)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 223\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2006, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-lieberman-loses-on-tuesday/367541 "2006-08-13T05:21:34Z")
Here is an MSNBC link to the background of a possible (likely?) loss by Lieberman in the upcoming election. Personally, although at one point I liked him and would have voted for him a few years ago in the Democratic Pr… --- ## [Exit Strategy: Wait for Democrats to pull the plug. Blame Democrats for failure.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exit-strategy-wait-for-democrats-to-pull-the-plug-blame-democrats-for-failure/368178)
**Author:** [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2006, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exit-strategy-wait-for-democrats-to-pull-the-plug-blame-democrats-for-failure/368178 "2006-08-13T03:26:53Z")
Revtim made the latest reference I’ve seen to this potential Republican “exit strategy” for Iraq. I wouldn’t put it past them to try to make lemonade out of their failure in leadership since gaining control of both the … --- ## [Why are people against genetically enhancing plants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-against-genetically-enhancing-plants/367149)
**Author:** [@LeftFootRightFoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeftFootRightFoot)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-against-genetically-enhancing-plants/367149 "2006-08-12T13:56:16Z")
People have been messing with plant genetics for thousands and thousands of years. Same with animals, that’s how we have the pets we have today, artificial selection! Some of the greenpeace nazi’s out there seem to thi… --- ## [Sorry, but I don't think popular woman-shapes is a function of economic prosperity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-but-i-dont-think-popular-woman-shapes-is-a-function-of-economic-prosperity/368410)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2006, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-but-i-dont-think-popular-woman-shapes-is-a-function-of-economic-prosperity/368410 "2006-08-12T05:15:17Z")
\*from Body Plasticity (warning: PDF) (That’s actually not the best-ever straw man to cite as a representative exposition of this general idea, but it will do for now). I’m really speaking less of the idea that economc… --- ## [2008 - what if the Republicans don't run?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-what-if-the-republicans-dont-run/368224)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2006, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-what-if-the-republicans-dont-run/368224 "2006-08-12T01:00:11Z")
This Wikipedia article indicates that Jesse Ventura has Presidential ambitions. It seems to me that any Republican candidate will be tainted by Iraq, so could they decide to not run at all? Or run, ‘attack’ JV alot, then… --- ## [what have Israel done, anything that creating havoc ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-israel-done-anything-that-creating-havoc/368352)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-have-israel-done-anything-that-creating-havoc/368352 "2006-08-11T23:44:06Z")
seams to me that Israel, since it’s creation, have done nothing but creating havoc, war, massacres, refugees, desperation, terrorists, bloodbath, regional tension, hate, traumas etc… I feel it’s time to conclude that th… --- ## [Independent Mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/independent-mind/368175)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/independent-mind/368175 "2006-08-11T22:46:07Z")
Independent Mind “Joseph Schwab said in 1962 that science is most commonly taught as a ”rhetoric of conclusions." He developed sophisticated arguments for teaching science as “enquiry.” An independent mind is one that … --- ## [Is there any reason to not cut the AC in public places???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-to-not-cut-the-ac-in-public-places/367186)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-to-not-cut-the-ac-in-public-places/367186 "2006-08-11T20:21:46Z")
I was just in Las Vegas, and every single public place (casinos, hotels, restaurants) was air-conditioned to the point where it felt like a meat locker. It was horribly uncomfortable. I had to wear sweaters and sweatshir… --- ## [Is Hillary Clinton really a frontrunner for the Democratic candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hillary-clinton-really-a-frontrunner-for-the-democratic-candidate/366223)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hillary-clinton-really-a-frontrunner-for-the-democratic-candidate/366223 "2006-08-11T19:16:38Z")
I haven’t watched news shows in a couple of weeks, but back when I was watching them, a lot of people were saying Hillary was a frontrunner for the Democratic candidacy. On an episode of Chris Matthews, people seemed to… --- ## [If Lieberman Loses Can Hillary be President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-lieberman-loses-can-hillary-be-president/367918)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-lieberman-loses-can-hillary-be-president/367918 "2006-08-11T19:07:30Z")
IMO Lieberman’s problems are symptomatic of the level of frustration over the war in Iraq. If Lieberman loses, what does that say about Hillary’s chances to get the Democratic nomination? What does it say about her cha… --- ## [Will the Left's Lack of Support for Israel Change the Jewish Vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-lefts-lack-of-support-for-israel-change-the-jewish-vote/367688)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-lefts-lack-of-support-for-israel-change-the-jewish-vote/367688 "2006-08-11T18:41:36Z")
In 2000, Bush garnered a whopping nineteen percent of the Jewish vote, with 79 percent going to Al Gore. Four years later, he fared slightly better – 25 percent of the Jewish vote came his way. In swing state Florida, he… --- ## [Ethics is a Science (domain of knowledge)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-is-a-science-domain-of-knowledge/367985)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-is-a-science-domain-of-knowledge/367985 "2006-08-11T18:19:10Z")
Ethics is a Science (domain of knowledge) When we think of ethics as a science (domain of knowledge) we can concentrate on learning the principles of ethics just as we would any other science. To be skilled in any scie… --- ## [Hezbollawood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hezbollawood/367929)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hezbollawood/367929 "2006-08-11T17:41:05Z")
Hezbollawood At least one Reuters photographer, Adnan Hajj, has been taken red handed photoshopping his images for effect. Though he himself says it was really just because he had some lousy light conditions and I’m rea… --- ## ["force till right is ready"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/force-till-right-is-ready/368282)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/force-till-right-is-ready/368282 "2006-08-11T14:29:25Z")
“force till right is ready” Once a month I make the drive to a college library to which I have a ‘Friends of the Library’ card that allows me to borrow any book in that library. For a yearly fee of $25 I have access to… --- ## [What is the difference between life and soul?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-life-and-soul/366381)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2006, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-life-and-soul/366381 "2006-08-11T11:41:16Z")
I over heard a conversation I thought was interesting, The subject was where does the life of a person, animal or plant go that we call death. When a person’s body(Or animal and plant) dies we say he, she or it’s life i… --- ## [Is it irresponsible to call obesity an "epidemic"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-irresponsible-to-call-obesity-an-epidemic/367825)
**Author:** [@LeftFootRightFoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeftFootRightFoot)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2006, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-irresponsible-to-call-obesity-an-epidemic/367825 "2006-08-10T22:58:26Z")
I’m no expert, but being morbidly obese to me means that you’re too fat to feed yourself, or you can’t fit into a normal car, etc. And being “overweight” is far exagerated in society. My friend (who is a 5’9 175 pound … --- ## [Iran.......Waiting for the first punch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-waiting-for-the-first-punch/367833)
**Author:** [@OliverTwistofLime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OliverTwistofLime)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2006, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-waiting-for-the-first-punch/367833 "2006-08-10T17:36:18Z")
It appears that most of the Western World countries desire that Iran does not reach the abiltiy to produce nuclear weapons…for obvious reasons. North Korea is cash poor and has the nuclear weapon. Iran is a wealthy cou… --- ## [Do police test the guns that people turn in for $$$, "no questions asked"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-test-the-guns-that-people-turn-in-for-no-questions-asked/367385)
**Author:** [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2006, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-police-test-the-guns-that-people-turn-in-for-no-questions-asked/367385 "2006-08-10T14:17:30Z")
I just heard on the radio that Yonkers, NY is giving out $200 for any handgun that an individual turns over to the police. They will be accepted on a "no questions asked " basis. Ultimately, the report added, the turned-… --- ## [This is why I favor gun control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-i-favor-gun-control/367496)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2006, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-i-favor-gun-control/367496 "2006-08-10T12:24:20Z")
This is really more of a MPSIMS. I really don’t want to start a great debate, but given the subject matter and the posts that will inevitably follow, I’m posting this here just to save the mods a little work. I’m not her… --- ## [What does your political party stand for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-political-party-stand-for/367820)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2006, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-your-political-party-stand-for/367820 "2006-08-10T03:45:15Z")
What is your political party? What does it stand for? Prove number 2. -FrL- --- ## [2008--Who are the possible Republican Candidates for Prexy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-who-are-the-possible-republican-candidates-for-prexy/368008)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2006, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-who-are-the-possible-republican-candidates-for-prexy/368008 "2006-08-10T03:16:56Z")
Who’s peeking at the White House in 2008, among the Elephantiphile set? --- ## [2008--Who are the possible Democratic Candidates for Prexy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-who-are-the-possible-democratic-candidates-for-prexy/368010)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2006, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-who-are-the-possible-democratic-candidates-for-prexy/368010 "2006-08-10T02:08:08Z")
A good list of possible Democratic candidates for President would not be premature. Names? --- ## [Risking one's safety to save another: an ethical dilemma.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/risking-ones-safety-to-save-another-an-ethical-dilemma/367941)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2006, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/risking-ones-safety-to-save-another-an-ethical-dilemma/367941 "2006-08-09T22:19:35Z")
Taken from this Pit thread. There’s a debate here, methinks. In summation, some lifeguards reportedly refused CPR on a 3-year old drowning victim becuase they did not have mouth guards. Subsequent reports dispute this s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=772) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=774)